Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 15:34:42 -0500 From: Bob Martin <bob@buckhorn.net> To: gabriel_ambuehl@buz.ch Cc: isp@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Affordable IP KVMs? Message-ID: <40F2F5E2.8010401@buckhorn.net> In-Reply-To: <1149131118.20040712183003@buz.ch> References: <751891933.20040712151802@buz.ch> <40F2B7D9.3020902@buckhorn.net> <1149131118.20040712183003@buz.ch>
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Gabriel, We have several new IBM's, and have no problem with the BIOS using a serial console. What are you attaching the box too? If you're using a modem, how are you connecting to the modem? We have had some configuration issues with a few modems, (I stronly recomend the USR Courier V Everything for this), but never with a dumb terminal or a portmaster. Also, the IP KVM that gave everyone fits was a Belkin. That's been some time ago. It was a new product line at the time, and would just freeze. It would have to be power cycled. It also had a bad habit of confusing the remote mouse and keyboard. Move the mouse, and garbage filled the screen. Nothing you could do at that point but power cycle the unit. The 8 port Cyclades that took it's place has been working trouble free for over 2 years now, and works with the Sun and AIX box that where installed after I left, as well as the Intel based boxen. The only way to idiot proof hard reboots is to keep idiots away from the controls. Bob Gabriel Ambuehl wrote: > Hello Bob, > > Monday, July 12, 2004, 6:10:01 PM, you wrote: > >>boot. (Most SuperMicro Server MB's will support headless operation, as >>will a lot of the newer 1U servers) > > > I was just messing with that feature on a brand new IBM machine. > Unfortunately, it keeps spewing garbage at me when I try to enter the > BIOS. > > The idea itself is nice but often the implementation falls short. Sun > has a really nice one but for THEIR prices, I can just as well go buy > Cyclades. And be spared from dealing with Slowlaris. > > >>When combined with a remote power switch, and NIC's with boot ROM's, >>this does create a really cost effective remote solution. I have even >>re-formated and reloaded OS's this way. > > > That's the other point I was looking at. Is there some idiot proof way > (under "A f***, server's down" - stress, people tend to do stupid > things) of doing that? > > > >>As far as IP KVM's go, you're much better off getting a good one. I >>managed some servers for some folks that tried using cheap IP KVM's. >>Lost time, production and trips to the co-lo quickly made a $1200 IP KVM > > > Which one did you use? What problems did it have? > > >>If you're only working with one remote server, a modem and a headless MB >>is the only way to go. If you're box doesn't do headless, Cyclades makes >>a remote management card for about $700 (retail) that will solve the >>problem, and give you remote power cycling as well. > > > > Now if there were dedicated hosting with an ISP actually capable of > fixing broken BSD boxes, we might simply outsource hosting but from all > I can tell, there ain't. > > Best regards, > Gabriel >
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