virtualbox.org

Hi folks!

VirtualBox runs Ubuntu as guest, and after some minor problems, I got X up and running, and set the framebuffer (before X starts) to 1024x768.

However, there is one thing that bugs me. I need only a command line, because the Linux guest is a server system. If I want the command line filling the host window, and smooth scrolling (!), I need to start X and a terminal.

So question is: can you make the native framebuffer resizable?

If no: can you make X appear as a simple console framebuffer? This means just one terminal window filling the whole screen.

Thanks for your replies.

p.s.: ssh server + putty is an option as well, but I'm curious if above would work.

Hi Perryg,

thanks for your quick reply. In your link I only find information how to set a fixed size framebuffer, but I am looking for a resizeable console. Did I miss something?

Nope. AFAIK you can not auto resize the console using this information. You can set it to any size you want but that is it. Changing requires a reboot.
Only way to use CLI and auto resize is to start X and drop to a TTY If the guest additions are installed. Kind of pointless if you are simply wanting to run the CLI on a server and not have all those dependencies installed.

Perryg wrote:Only way to use CLI and auto resize is to start X and drop to a TTY If the guest additions are installed.

Well, then so be it. X and a simple display manager, automatic root login. Haha, my server has X! Who needs security best practices anyway?

In your link I only find information how to set a fixed size framebuffer, but I am looking for a resizeable console. Did I miss something?
Only way to use CLI and auto resize is to start X and drop to a TTY If the guest additions are installed. Kind of pointless if you are simply wanting to run the CLI on a server and not have all those dependencies installed.

As stated here, there is no dynamic resolution for CLI. If you want higher resolutions, you modify your boot parameter to use a different FB mode.