Re: Affordable IP KVMs?

From: Bob Martin (bob_at_buckhorn.net)
Date: 07/12/04

  • Next message: freebsder: "Freebsd 5.1 <-> Win XP Networking problems"
    Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 15:34:42 -0500
    To: gabriel_ambuehl@buz.ch
    
    

    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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