🚀 go-pugleaf

Jules wrote:
> 
> On Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:33:05 +0000, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> The point on this one its not remote..its by my knee, tucked under the 
>> desk..telnet and a web browser are all it needs to do the routine stiff.
> 
> That's the one thing I hate the most about the PC - the fact that you
> can't have a serial console until *after* the OS has started booting. It's
> bloody annoying as a serial console's so useful for servers in order to
> save space (and for convenience!), but you're screwed when the BIOS
> decides to have a bad day :(  (I've run a few linux boxes with serial
> console only in my time)
> 
> I'm not sure if anyone's ever built a 'serial video card' for these sorts
> of situations. 

http://www.realweasel.com/

Serial consoles are standard on server-grade PC hardware (Dell, IBM, HP, 
SuperMicro, etc.).  Even network access is possible with add-in cards 
for some of their systems, enabling you to remotely power-cycle the 
machine and access everything else through the management interface.

Have a look at Dell's "RAC" stuff or SuperMicro's IPMI cards.  (Note 
that this hardware is specific to their systems and cannot be added to 
any old PC like the Real Weasel cards can.)