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How do you switch between Linux virtual terminals over a serial terminal connection?

I'm trying to install Debian on a Beagleboard via the serial console. I'm using screen (screen /dev/ttyUSB0 115200) in Gnome Terminal as my terminal emulator. Unfortunately the primary debian-installer text interface goes unresponsive during the install, though I'm pretty sure it still has a couple of virtual terminals open with dmesg-type info that I could use to troubleshoot.

I've tried Alt+F[1-7], but those seem to get consumed by Gnome Terminal or my window manager. Ctrl+Alt+F[1-7] are consumed by my local system, as are Alt+F[1-7] when I switch away from X.

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3 Answers 3

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Serial connections do not have virtual terminals. If you need to have more than one application running via a serial connection then you will need to use screen.

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    To expand, "virtual" terminals are displayed on the host itself and only emulate a serial terminal. A serial terminal is a "real" terminal, not virtual.
    – CarlF
    Commented Feb 15, 2011 at 17:52
  • Quoting: "then you will need to use screen." Or just another serial line.
    – saulius2
    Commented May 10, 2021 at 12:05
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Give this a try:

sudo chvt 2

to switch to virtual terminal 2, for example.

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See this answer.

In short, the installer is probably using GNU screen, so Ctrl+a, 2. If you have a nested GNU screen then Ctrl+a, a, 2. Use different numbers to switch to terminals other than number 2.

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