[pjc50]

Is /dev/fb writing directly to the framebuffer or is there translation going on kernel side? Is the card in VESA / BIOS mode when on a virtual console without X?

[yjftsjthsd-h]

I think the kernel docs[0] indicate that it's a kernel-managed abstraction?

[0] https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/fb/framebuffer.txt

[Jasper_]

VESA / EFI FBs can be used, but usually only as a last resort. On devices with native KMS drivers, there is a compatibility path for /dev/fb. This is why your kernel console is in a resolution bigger than 800x600.