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Maniphest T6327

Drop boot console type ttyUSB (USB serial)
Closed, ResolvedPublicBUG
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Description

Both legacy and modern image-tools have GRUB support for RS232 serial adapters, and there is console support for USB-USB serial converters as provided in configuration mode ['system', 'console', 'device']. However, support for USB-USB boot console type ttyUSB is unused (but for one notice in T5458); not very useful (see below); and has been broken since early days of the legacy image-tools.

A lasting bug in the legacy image tools resulted in a boot menu option of console type ttyUSB on a new install, but not after 'add image'. Secondly, even when available, no boot messages would be shown without addition of kernel config setting:
CONFIG_USB_SERIAL=y
CONFIG_USB_SERIAL_CONSOLE=y
and supporting modules in initramfs (for example, ftdi_sio). So, when available, it provided nothing that is not already available simply be being configured as a system console.

Moreover, even were boot messages to be enabled as above, access to the GRUB menu is unlikely, despite existing GRUB modules usbserial_*; BIOS access not available.

Given the above, one can always use a ttyUSB console after a simple configuration, but as a boot console it will be removed as an option.

Details

Difficulty level
Normal (likely a few hours)
Version
-
Why the issue appeared?
Issues in third-party code
Is it a breaking change?
Behavior change
Issue type
Feature/functionality removal

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Event Timeline

jestabro created this task.May 9 2024, 5:43 PM
jestabro triaged this task as Normal priority.
jestabro created this object in space S1 VyOS Public.
jestabro added a parent task: T5458: USB Console options is missing for a new image after "add system image" upgrade.
jestabro added a parent task: T6176: image-tools: rationalize setting of console type.
jestabro mentioned this in T5458: USB Console options is missing for a new image after "add system image" upgrade.May 9 2024, 5:49 PM
jestabro closed this task as Resolved.May 10 2024, 5:13 PM
jestabro moved this task from Need Triage to Finished on the VyOS 1.5 Circinus board.
jestabro moved this task from Need Triage to Finished on the VyOS 1.4 Sagitta (1.4.0-epa3) board.
dmbaturin removed a project: VyOS 1.5 Circinus.May 11 2024, 8:18 PM
dmbaturin changed Why the issue appeared? from Will be filled on close to Issues in third-party code.
dmbaturin changed Is it a breaking change? from Perfectly compatible to Behavior change.
dmbaturin changed Issue type from Bug (incorrect behavior) to Feature/functionality removal.