Computer console

The console is the text output device for system administration messages. These messages come from the kernel, from the init system and from the system logger.

Related Topics:
Kernel - Init - System logger

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On modern small computers the console is usually the computer's attached monitor and keyboard.

Related Topics:
Monitor - Keyboard

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On many older computers, the console is an RS-232 serial link to a terminal such as a DEC VT100. This terminal is in a locked room and is continually observed by the minicomputer's operators. Large systems from Sun, Hewlett-Packard and IBM still use serial consoles.

Related Topics:
RS-232 - DEC - VT100 - Sun - Hewlett-Packard - IBM

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It is usually possible to login from the console. A login session from the console is treated by many parts of the operating system as being more trustworthy than a login session from other sources. Logging in as the root super-user from the console is the Command Line of Last Resort when faced with a misbehaving system.

Related Topics:
Login - Root super-user

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