remote console

2007-12-25 9:10:00

I originally asked about methods for taking remote console control

for cases when our Sun dies and won't allow telnet etc - only fix is

to go to PROM mode and 'reset'. I asked if a term server would work, and

asked for suggestions.

Thanks to:

farrell@ottsun.med.ge.com

leif@infoseek.com

kevin@uniq.com.au

heas@nexen.com

Daniel.Blander@ACSacs.com

bert@solsource.com

gilesm@cellnet.co.uk

hessep@gb.swissbank.com

etlddmn@etlxdmx.ericsson.se

and@morgan.com

ric@rtd.com

issjws@issserv3.lbl.gov

mshon@sunrock.East.Sun.COM

alan.mckay@acadiau.ca

Apologies if I've missed anyone out.

They came up with one thought I didn't have: use an old/spare work station

(eg a sparc 2) with serial expansion card, and tip. Essentially a "poor

mans" terminal server :-) Not applicable to me (no spare hardware) but

a nice solution (hmm, maybe get a Linux box with serial expansion card...).

Careful when rebooting this Sparc because it could send spurious breaks

on the serial lines forcing the rest into PROM mode!

The rest agreed with my suggestion on using a terminal server. When asked,

the following servers were reported as working:

  Xylogics Annex XL

  Cisco

  Livingston

  Cabletron

  Lannet LTS16

  SpiderPort

gilesm@cellnet.co.uk gave a few details on hardware/software hacks at his

site that allow a local console to be used, and allowing remote connection

so off-site support can take over and fix the problem. Clever!

mshon@sunrock.East.Sun.COM hinted that dedicated devices do exist for this

purpose, but they generally don't have remote-access, so need to be

connected to a terminal server anyway!

Thanks to everyone that helped. GREAT mailing list!

rgds

Stephen

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