Learning Red Hat Enterprise Linux & Fedora, Fourth Edition

Using Virtual Consoles

You can use a terminal window to issue shell commands. However, you can issue shell commands even when X is not running or available. To do so, you use the Linux virtual console feature.

Linux provides six virtual consoles for interactive use; a seventh virtual console is associated with the graphical user interface. You can use special keystrokes to switch between virtual consoles. The keystroke Alt-F n, where n is the number of a virtual console (1-6), causes Linux to display virtual console n. For example, you can display virtual console 2 by typing Alt-F2. You can view only a single console at a time, but you can switch rapidly between consoles by using the appropriate keystroke. The keystroke Alt-F7 causes Linux to enter graphical mode using virtual console 7.

Virtual consoles also have a screensaver feature like that found on Windows. If a virtual console is inactive for an extended period of time, Linux blanks the monitor. To restore the screen without disturbing its contents, simply press the Shift key.

Logging In

To log in using a virtual console, respond to the login prompt by typing your user ID and pressing Enter. The system prompts you for the password associated with your account. Type the proper password and press Enter. To prevent anyone nearby from learning your password, Linux does not display your password as your enter it. If you suspect you’ve typed it incorrectly, you can either hit the Backspace key a number of times sufficient to delete ...