Shell access for a KVM VM

Question

I would like to access my KVM VM with a shell. I created it via proxmox 2.3, Ubuntu 12.04 is installed on it via an official template. I would like to find the same command as

vzctl enter <VM_id>

for OpenVZ containers.

I didn't find anything on the proxmox qm's Wiki. Is there anything similar?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 04 '13 at 16:51

2

No, there isn't for KVM guests according to Proxmox.

answered Nov 04 '13 at 16:51

Nathan C

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So, how do you install stuff on your VM if it's linux distribution ? – HydrUra Nov 04 '13 at 17:14
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If you need some initial manual setup to get networking working, Libvirt exposes the VM's console over VNC. After that, use SSH. – sciurus Nov 04 '13 at 17:17
libvirt can also provide direct serial console access without ssh or networking – dyasny Nov 04 '13 at 22:04

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 04 '13 at 18:40

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Not possible with proxmox, since it doesn't implement all of KVM's potential. On normal KVM setups with libvirt or other management systems, like oVirt, this is possible using a serial console to the VM.

answered Nov 04 '13 at 18:40

dyasny

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score 1 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 30 '14 at 14:45

It's possible using virtual terminals for KVM VM.

You need (keep in mind all my examples for Debian 6/7):

Run Linux kernel inside KVM VM with kernel param: console=tty0. it can be done editing /etc/default/grub : GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet console=tty0"
Add to KVM VM file /etc/inittab this line:T0:23:respawn:/sbin/getty -l /usr/local/bin/autologin -n -L ttyS0 115200 vt102
Create file /usr/local/bin/autologin with following content: #!/bin/sh exec /bin/login -f root
reboot the VM
Use virsh console kvm_vm_name and work with it like vzctl enter $CTID

If you need any help please comment here :)

Shell access for a KVM VM

3 Answers3