Affordable IP KVMs?

[Bob Martin]

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
>