---
name: "ofw_console"
section: "4"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ofw_console"
---

# ofw\_console(4)

Open Firmware console

## NAME

**ofw\_console** – Open Firmware console

## SYNOPSIS

**cpu AIM** **options OFWCONS\_POLL\_HZ=N**

**options KDB** **options DDB** **options ALT\_BREAK\_TO\_DEBUGGER**

## DESCRIPTION

The **ofw\_console** driver provides a simple text console, using the Open Firmware services for input and output. It will use the Open Firmware console devices set via the *input-device* and *output-device* variables.

This driver is deprecated and only provided as a fallback console mechanism if the real console hardware can not be driven by FreeBSD.

In case the **ofw\_console** console appears to work too slowly, its responsiveness probably can be improved by including **options OFWCONS\_POLL\_HZ=N**. When omitted, OFWCONS\_POLL\_HZ defaults to 4. For example, on Sun Ultra 2 a value of 20 or higher works best. Too high values, on the other hand, can cause **ofw\_console** to unnecessarily consume CPU.

## FILES

- */dev/console*

  - */dev/keyboard*

  terminal input device in case the console input device is the keyboard

- */dev/screen*

  terminal output device in case the console output device is the screen

- */dev/tty\[a-z\]*

  terminal device in case both the console input and output device is tty\[a-z\]

## SEE ALSO

[akbd(4)](/akbd/4.md), [powermac\_nvram(4)](/powermac_nvram/4.md), [vt(4)](/vt/4.md)

## HISTORY

The **ofw\_console** driver first appeared in FreeBSD 5.0.

## AUTHORS

The **ofw\_console** driver was written by Benno Rice ⟨*benno@FreeBSD.org*⟩.

## CAVEATS

Since the Open Firmware will handle BREAK (or Stop-A) sequences before **ofw\_console**, the preferred way to enter [ddb(4)](/ddb/4.md) when using **ofw\_console** is to include **options ALT\_BREAK\_TO\_DEBUGGER** in a ddb-enabled kernel, and enter the alternate BREAK sequence (RETURN TILDE CTRL-b).

## BUGS

The **ofw\_console** driver also not attach to the hardware resources it actually talks to.