Efficiently using more than 8 consoles
--------------------------------------

If you're using the text-consoles extensivly, you may wish to access
more than 8 consoles and to use them without logging into every console
seperatly.
This is a 3-step-guide how to realize it quick and efficiently.


(1) Create the nesassary device-files

Log in as root. Then execute the following commands

	-----8<----- cut here -----8<-----
	cd /dev
	./MAKEDEV tty9
	for i in  0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
	do
		./MAKEDEV tty1$i
	done
	-----8<----- cut here -----8<-----

»/dev/MAKEDEV« is a shell-script. You can use »more« (or »less«)
to view the contents of this script to get more information about
what happens.


(2) Get rid of all login-prompts but 2

Load the file »/etc/inittab« into your favorite editor and comment
out all lines containing "getty" like shown below (hint: leave
the rest of the file unchanged!).
As you may have guessed, the char to make comments is »#«.

	-----8<----- cut here -----8<-----
	# /sbin/getty invocations for the runlevels.
	#
	# The "id" field MUST be the same as the last
	# characters of the device (after "tty").
	#
	# Format:
	#  <id>:<runlevels>:<action>:<process>
	1:2345:respawn:/sbin/getty 9600 tty1
	2:23:respawn:/sbin/getty 9600 tty2
	#3:23:respawn:/sbin/getty 9600 tty3
	#4:23:respawn:/sbin/getty 9600 tty4
	#5:23:respawn:/sbin/getty 9600 tty5
	#6:23:respawn:/sbin/getty 9600 tty6
	#7:23:respawn:/sbin/getty 9600 tty7
	-----8<----- cut here -----8<-----

Re-load the above configuration-file via the command »/sbin/telinit q« (as
root ) and wipe out all running login-prompts with »killall getty« (or
whatever sort of getty you're running).

If you have your X-Session on vt8 (thats the console you change to when 
you press Ctrl-Alt-F8 ), you may wish to add the option »vt8« to the
options for X in »/etc/X11/xdm/Xservers«:

	-----8<----- cut here -----8<-----
	:0 local /usr/X11R6/bin/X vt8
	-----8<----- cut here -----8<-----

(Leave the rest of the file unchanged.) Voila, X is still on vt8 next
time you boot Linux.


(3) Install the program »open«

Get the packet »dynamic-vt-1.1.tar.gz« from sunsite and it's mirrors.
It contains »open« and a few other useful utilities.

You don't know how what "sunsite and it's mirrors" means? You don't
know how to install a program? 
Sorry, that's beyond the scope of this mini-howto. It really makes me
sick to see every HOWTO explaining this again and again (making it long 
and very boring). Ask an expert and write an »Software-Installation HOWTO«
afterwards. Thank you.



You're done. Log into one console. Now, if you want to start a
command-prompt (»bash«, »tcsh«) on a free console just type »open -sl«. 
No login-id, no password is required (because you have already
authenticated yourself).

If the screen is still messed up, try the command »reset« or reboot the
computer once.

The consoles no. 13-24 can be accessed with AltGr-F1 - AltGr-F12.
Programs like »tty«, »ps« and »chvt« help you to navigate through
the new bunch of consoles. But: as no real login is performed, your
sessions don't show up under »w« or »finger«.



Winfried Trümper <truemper@MI.Uni-Koeln.DE>