Bug 286556 - boot_mute is improperly specified in loader.conf(5); man page doesn't mention
Summary: boot_mute is improperly specified in loader.conf(5); man page doesn't mention
Status: New
Alias: None
Product: Base System
Classification: Unclassified
Component: kern (show other bugs)
Version: 15.0-CURRENT
Hardware: Any Any
: --- Affects Many People
Assignee: freebsd-bugs (Nobody)
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2025-05-04 07:48 UTC by Steven Harms
Modified: 2025-05-04 18:48 UTC (History)
0 users

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Description Steven Harms 2025-05-04 07:48:59 UTC 
Per: stand/defaults/loader.conf

#boot_mute=""           # -m: Mute the console

This is inaccurate.

The documentation reflects the original intention of this option. Per Warner Losh[1]:

> Originally, it was done by Whistle in 1993 for muting the console on their 
> WhistleJet internet systems since it printed things Whistle generally didn't 
> want disclosed.

So far, things are consistent. However, boot_mute does not live up to this commitment. Rather it:

1. Displays a beastie orb image covering up the hardware testing sequence kernel initialization
2. After moving to init(8), the overlay is removed and rc initialization is printed to screen in violation of expectation of the option

Continued Losh:

> ...the  vt(4) authors weren't aware of this when vt was merged, and none of the 
> reviewer caught it...

In conclusion, the incomplete guidance is inaccurate. That the de facto functionality *also* fails, is another concern that will be opened in a different bug.

[1]: https://lists.freebsd.org/archives/freebsd-current/2025-March/007230.html