| We mentioned earlier that there are some special cases of machine configuration that we need to be aware of when configuring serial ports. For example, we have just configured port "A" for a terminal connection, but this assumed the system already had a graphics console connected; the reason for this is as follows. If a machine is headless (if it doesn't have a graphics console or, more correctly, a keyboard plugged into the keyboard port) then, by default, serial port "A" will become the main interface and will receive any console output. This includes EEPROM, bootup, and system output. Because this port is effectively acting as the main console, it will also receive a login prompt, even though it hasn't been configured using pmadmit is all carried out automatically by the following entry in /etc/inittab: co:234:respawn:/usr/lib/ttymon g h p "`uname n` \ console login: " T sun d /dev/console l console It's also worth noting that this entry will also set the TERM environment to "sun," which will need overriding in the user's .profile (or by editing the previous entry if you prefer). Therefore, having an attached graphics console will ensure that the console receives the main login prompt, allowing us to configure our terminal on serial port "A." | 
