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PCs That Can Be Managed From a Serial Port?

Posted by Cliff on from the connect-to-COM1-to-change-the-BIOS dept.

PoochieReds asks: "I'm in the market for a couple of PC's that are manageable via serial port. Where can I find a PC that doesnt take a keyboard and monitor to set up the BIOS? I'm really looking to go x86 linux for this job, but if I can't find something that does what I need I may have to fall back to using a SPARC. I'm also not interested in the RealWeasel -- neat product, but I really want an integrated solution (i.e. a serial capable BIOS). Can anyone recommend a reliable, rackmountable, x86 box that is completely manageable via serial port?"

3 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. Dell poweredge by chrismcc@netus.com · · Score: 4, Informative

    Hello...

    Dell poweredge servers can do this. You initally need a keyboard and monitor to change a BIOS setting to use the serial port. After that you can manage it from a console ala cisco gear or sparc. You'll need to setup lilo to tell it to use the serial port and also setup a getty on the serial port.

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    Christopher McCrory "The guy that keeps the servers running" chrismcc@gmail.com http://www.pricegrabber.com
  2. Intel Chipsets by carbon60 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Intel has many server boards that have a dedicated chip for management over the serial port. Also, VA has\d a very cool box to plug all your servers into, may it rest in peace. ttp://developer.intel.com/design/servers/buildingb locks/boards.htm

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    Adam Sherman
    Freelance Geek
  3. Many server boards do this... by Whip · · Score: 2, Informative

    Among others, Intel's server boards support this -- It requires a special client on the system you're doing the administration from, but you -can- do anything over the serial port.

    I use a (I think) 440GX+ board. Damned nice board. Does this remote management, amongst its other nice features. Of course, you PAY for those features (~$600 for the board).