From original README.openvt: ============================ openvt opens a new vt and runs a command on it. It can be used as a simple way to start several console logins without having to type your passwd on each VT in turn. openvt can be used as a simpler to use replacement for the doshell(8) command. openvt is similar in functionality to the AIX/RS6000 command open. To use openvt it must be installed setuid root (type make install; make setuid) or all the VT device that are not allocated to getty should be read/write by all, e.g. chmod a=rw /dev/tty[5678] Note, new in v1.1 -- is required to separate command/child options. See the manual page. Jon. From original README.init: ========================== You don't have to log into a getty on every virtual console anymore: just run a single getty on tty1, put this line in your /etc/inittab: kb::kbrequest:/usr/bin/openvt -us and put this in your rc.local (or equivalent): echo "alt keycode 103 = Spawn_Console" | loadkeys Then, once you login, you can press alt-up-arrow to spawn another virtual console. This behavior requires a recent sysvinit package. I used 2.64, but as early as 2.60 might support it. You also must be using the proc filesystem. WARNING: this may circumvent vlock. Joshua Spoerri