XEN: setting the keymap for DomU's

This document (7002587) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 2

Situation

How to change the default keymap for all DomU's or on a per-DomU basis.

Resolution

The default keymap for Xen is for querty keyboards.

system wide setting

To change the default keymap, edit /etc/xen/xend-config.sxp and add the keymap.
(keymap 'en-us')

individual domu's

Individual DomU's can be set by editing the configuration for the virtual machine.

/etc/xen/vm legacy files
On the line reading "vfb" change add you can add the keymap to it. For example to change to a German keymap

vfb = [ "type=vnc,vncunused=1"]

Should be changed to:

vfb = [ "type=vnc,vncunused=1,keymap=de"]

managed domU configurations

In the managed DomU configuration, locate the vfb section and add (keymap <map>) It may look similiar to this:

(vfb
    (vncunused 1}
    (type vncP
    (uuid baaa565e-563e-0a54-d6d3ff16d60d)
    (localtion localhost:5902)
)

To change the keyboard map to French

(vfb
    (vncunused 1}
    (type vncP
    (uuid baaa565e-563e-0a54-d6d3ff16d60d)
    (localtion localhost:5902)
    (keymap fr)
)

Additional Information

TID 7002588: How to manually edit Xen DomU's Configuration

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.