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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?"

11 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. Intel ISP1100 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    We are using ISP 1100 from Intel and they are manageable from the serial port and does not require a monitor or a graphics card, it is even delivered without a graphics card.

    1. Re:Intel ISP1100 by duffbeer703 · · Score: 2

      Although this would probaly work, is it ethical for a Slashdotter to use an Intel product? They are an *evil* corporation, you know.

      Would RMS Approve?

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      Conformity is the jailer of freedom and enemy of growth. -JFK
    2. Re:Intel ISP1100 by unitron · · Score: 2
      "Most slashdot types are missing more than one screw."

      Some might say that they've missed quite a few screws. :-)

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. What's wrong with the weasel? by gmhowell · · Score: 2

    I don't use one, and don't work for the company, but what exactly is wrong with the RealWeasel? It looks like you can twiddle the BIOS while hooked up to it. What more do you want?

    --
    Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
    1. Re:What's wrong with the weasel? by gmhowell · · Score: 2

      I got an email announcement last week that it is now available in PCI.

      --
      Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
    2. Re:What's wrong with the weasel? by StandardDeviant · · Score: 2

      that's cool, but if he needs to manage something like a 1U machine, there is probably only room for one pci card via one of those little angle thingies and he may have something that already needs to go there (like a raid card or something). just a guess...

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      News for Geeks in Austin, TX
  5. 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).

  6. TiVo by jelwell · · Score: 2

    My Tivo can be managed from a serial port. It doesn't have a keyboard or a mouse (just a remote control). It's already running linux - don't know about x86 though. And you could easily fit it in a rack - although mounting it there would require some drilling.

    http://www.tivo.com/

    Joseph Elwell.

  7. Did you even... by CrayDrygu · · Score: 2
    Did you even read the post?

    "I'm also not interested in the RealWeasel..."

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    --
    "I personal[ly] think Unix is "superior" because on LSD it tastes like Blue." -- jbarnett