@node direct_linux_boot
@section Direct Linux Boot

This section explains how to launch a Linux kernel inside QEMU without
having to make a full bootable image. It is very useful for fast Linux
kernel testing.

The syntax is:
@example
@value{qemu_system} -kernel bzImage -hda rootdisk.img -append "root=/dev/hda"
@end example

Use @option{-kernel} to provide the Linux kernel image and
@option{-append} to give the kernel command line arguments. The
@option{-initrd} option can be used to provide an INITRD image.

If you do not need graphical output, you can disable it and redirect
the virtual serial port and the QEMU monitor to the console with the
@option{-nographic} option. The typical command line is:
@example
@value{qemu_system} -kernel bzImage -hda rootdisk.img \
                 -append "root=/dev/hda console=ttyS0" -nographic
@end example

Use @key{Ctrl-a c} to switch between the serial console and the
monitor (@pxref{pcsys_keys}).