Troubleshooting During the Build

The distribution constructor uses the automated installer to perform an installation inside the Virtual Machine. The auto installer, executing in the Virtual Machine client, is not able to communicate progress to the Virtual Machine host. Therefore, it is not possible for the distribution constructor to closely track the installation progress as it occurs inside the Virtual Machine client. When the installation is complete, the auto installer turns off the Virtual Machine, and the distribution constructor resumes its work.

Note - If the auto-installer encounters an error that results in a failed installation, the Virtual Machine is not shutdown. Then the distribution constructor appears to “hang,” when it's actually waiting for the Virtual Machine to shutdown.

You can monitor the progress of the automated installation as it is executing in the Virtual Machine client. Use the rdesktop utility found in the standard Oracle Solaris IPS repositories, or use another remote desktop (RDP)-enabled client.

To connect to the console of a running Virtual Machine installation, do the following:

If it's not already installed, install the rdesktop package.
```
# pkg install remote-desktop/rdesktop
```
Connect to the running Virtual Machine which appears to be hung.
```
# rdesktop -a 16 localhost:3389
```

This command tells rdesktop to connect to the local machine on port 3389, with a 16-bit color depth for better performance.

The port number used in this command is the default port number used by the first Virtual Machine started on the host. If you are running multiple invocations of the distribution constructor, then you should look in the distribution constructor's detailed log file to see what port the Virtual Machine is running under. In the log file, you'll see lines such as:

==== install-vm: Boot and Install virtual machine 

Invoking: VBoxHeadless startvm OpenSolaris_VM
VirtualBox Headless Interface 3.0.8

Listening on port 3389

The last line in the log file states that the Virtual Machine in question can be contacted on port 3389. Once you run the rdesktop command, a GUI window opens where you can see the console for the running Virtual Machine. You can log in to the console as follows:

username: jack
password: jack

Note - The default username and password are “jack” and “jack.” The default root password is “solaris.”

Once you are logged in, you can debug the installation, just like any other automated installer client installation. See Appendix A, Troubleshooting Automated Installations, in Oracle Solaris 11 Express Automated Installer Guide .

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