Re: Struggling to create Linux domU

On Sun, May 04, 2025 at 11:58:55AM -0600, Stephen Walker-Weinshenker wrote:
> Hello:
> 
> I have been struggling to create a void linux domU on xen using a FreeBSD dom0.
> 
> I have tried to create this domU using pv, pvh and hvm methods, with each failing in different ways.
> 
> when trying pv/pvh while directly specifying the kernel, ramdisk and root options, there would be no output via the console. I eventually was able to get some console output but eventually would get dropped into a dracut shell.

When booting directly a PV or PVH Linux kernel you need to have the
following in your xl.cfg config file:

extra = "console=hvc0"

Otherwise Linux won't find the console IIRC.

> when trying pvh with bootloader = pygrub, I would get the message: "Unable to find partition containing kernel".

pygrub is possibly not the best option.  Do you have a proper /boot
partition in your disk image with a grub.cfg file?

> When trying with hvm, I get the message: "failed to create qdisk device device -15: failed to set vdev: invalid virtual device specifier".

Can you paste your xl.cfg that results in that error?  Seems to be
some issue with your disk option, can you check it's correct according
to:

https://xenbits.xen.org/docs/unstable/man/xl-disk-configuration.5.html

Regards, Roger.