11.5. Configuring the Linux Console

This section discusses how to configure the i18n bootscript that sets up the keyboard map and the console font. If non-ASCII characters (e.g., the British pound sign and Euro character) will not be used and the keyboard is a U.S. one, skip this section. Without the configuration file, the i18n bootscript will do nothing.

The i18n script reads the /etc/sysconfig/i18n file for configuration information. Decide which keymap and screen font will be used. Various language-specific HOWTO's can also help with this (see http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/other-lang.html. A pre-made /etc/sysconfig/i18n file with known settings for several countries was installed with the CLFS-Bootscripts package, so the relevant section can be uncommented if the country is supported. If still in doubt, look in the /usr/share/consolefonts for valid screen fonts and /usr/share/keymaps for valid keymaps.

The default /etc/sysconfig/i18n is set up for UTF-8 using the us keymap. You will need to edit the file to your specific needs. The /etc/sysconfig/i18n file has additional information in it to help you to assist in configuring.