# Virtual Console

The Virtual Console provides direct access to your bare metal server's display and keyboard through a web-based VNC client. This is useful when SSH access is unavailable or you need to troubleshoot boot issues.

### Accessing Virtual Console

1. Navigate to **Metal** > **Services**
2. Click on your server to open the detail page
3. Click the **Virtual Console** tab
4. Click **Launch Virtual Console**

A new browser window opens with the VNC session.

### Console Interface

The Virtual Console window includes:

#### Toolbar

* **Ctrl+Alt+Del**: Send the Ctrl+Alt+Del key combination to the server
* **MTL-12345**: Shows the server identifier you're connected to
* **Connected to**: Displays the server name

#### Display Area

The main area shows the server's display output, just as if you were sitting at a physical monitor.

### Use Cases

#### Boot Troubleshooting

When your server won't boot properly:

* View BIOS/UEFI messages
* Watch boot sequence
* See kernel panic or boot errors
* Access single-user mode

#### OS Installation

For custom installations via iPXE:

* Monitor installation progress
* Interact with installer prompts
* Configure initial settings

#### Network Configuration

If network misconfiguration locks you out:

* Access the server without network
* Fix IP/routing configuration
* Restore SSH access

#### Emergency Access

When SSH is unavailable:

* Server firewall blocking SSH
* SSH service crashed
* Network interface down

### Keyboard Shortcuts

The Virtual Console captures keyboard input and sends it to the server:

| Key Combination | Action                               |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Ctrl+Alt+Del    | System interrupt (reboot in some OS) |
| Ctrl+C          | Interrupt running process            |
| Ctrl+D          | End of input/logout                  |
| Tab             | Command completion (in shell)        |

**Note**: Some browser shortcuts may interfere. Use the toolbar button for Ctrl+Alt+Del.

### Login Prompt

When you connect, you'll typically see:

```
Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS server-name tty1

server-name login: _
```

Enter your username (usually `ubuntu` for Ubuntu installations) and password or use the root account.

### Best Practices

#### Security

* The Virtual Console bypasses network security
* Ensure strong passwords on local accounts
* Log out when finished (use `logout` or Ctrl+D)
* Close the console window when done

#### Performance

* Console performance depends on your internet connection
* Some latency is normal
* Avoid high-resolution desktop environments
* Text mode is fastest

#### Troubleshooting Console Issues

**Console won't connect**:

* Check that the server is powered on
* Wait for server to fully boot
* Try refreshing the console window

**Display is blank**:

* Server may be booting
* Press Enter to refresh the display
* Check if server is stuck during boot

**Keyboard not responding**:

* Click inside the console window to focus
* Try the Ctrl+Alt+Del button
* Refresh the console session

### Alternative Access Methods

While Virtual Console is convenient, other access methods may be more appropriate:

#### SSH (Recommended)

For normal operations:

```bash
ssh ubuntu@your-server-ip
```

**Benefits**: Encrypted, scriptable, faster than VNC

#### Out-of-Band Management

For hardware-level access when even VNC won't work:

* Contact TeraSwitch support
* Available for critical situations
* Enables BIOS access and hard power cycles

### Limitations

* **Graphical Performance**: Not suitable for graphical desktops
* **Copy/Paste**: Limited clipboard support
* **Resolution**: Fixed resolution based on server configuration
* **Session Timeout**: Sessions may timeout after inactivity


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