PCs That Can Be Managed From a Serial Port?

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?"

Intel ISP1100

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

Re:Intel ISP1100

[duffbeer703]

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?

Re:Intel ISP1100

[Moonwick]

Anyone who considers RMS a benchmark of morality has a screw loose.

Re:Intel ISP1100

[unitron]

"Most slashdot types are missing more than one screw."

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

Dell poweredge

[[e-mail]]

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.

Intel Chipsets

[carbon60]

Intel has many server boards [intel.com] 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

What's wrong with the weasel?

[gmhowell]

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?

Re:What's wrong with the weasel?

[gmhowell]

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

Re:What's wrong with the weasel?

[StandardDeviant]

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...

Many server boards do this...

[Whip]

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).

TiVo

[jelwell]

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.

Any PC will work

[mattdm]

You just need one of these [realweasel.com]. Despite the site name, this isn't a troll - the PC Weasel is an ISA or PCI card that provides serial access to any BIOS. I think this was on Slashdot sometime before, actually....

Did you even...

[CrayDrygu]

Did you even read the post?

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

Re:Did you even...

[mattdm]

Huh. Long day. :)

Having fully read the post, though, let me say: why not get a RealWeasel? It seems like the perfect solution, "integrated" or not.

FreeBSD

[redmenace]

Why doesn't anyone mention FBSD? During the install, if there's no keyboard attached it will default to using a serial port. www.freebsd.org