OT: Remote Console for Linux boxes?

Sorry if this is a little OT, but I thought it might be an
appropriate 
question for this audience...

Has anyone had much experience with RS232 (serial) <->
Ethernet  adapters? 
Or what do you use to remotely manage a Linux server?

I'm looking for something inexpensive that will give me
remote access to 
the  serial port  and hopefully the capability to manually
reboot the 
machine (e.g. push the reset button).

I've recently seen how GRUB and the Linux console can be
directed to a 
serial port,  and I was quite impressed...

Thanks

-Alex
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On Saturday 02 September 2006 18:32, Alex wrote:
> Sorry if this is a little OT, but I thought it might be
an appropriate
> question for this audience...
>
> Has anyone had much experience with RS232 (serial)
<-> Ethernet 
> adapters? Or what do you use to remotely manage a Linux
server?
>
> I'm looking for something inexpensive that will give
me remote access
> to the  serial port  and hopefully the capability to
manually reboot
> the machine (e.g. push the reset button).
>
> I've recently seen how GRUB and the Linux console can
be directed to a
> serial port,  and I was quite impressed...

Don't know if I can help you on the
"inexpensive" front.  I've tried what 
you're asking and was never able to get it to work, but
network managed 
power distribution boxes in the racks work well for
literally "pushing 
the reset button" and causing a hard reboot when a
server is good and 
truly locked up.  Other than that, ssh usually doesn't fail
unless the 
server is really really messed up.

Regards,

   - Brian
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gentoo-securitygentoo.org mailing list

I've seen this implementation before.  At my last job, it
was a two fold
solution.   A remote power boot device and a serial console.
 As for
inexpensive, that's a whole other issue.  What some people
consider
expensive doens't match others.

If you are looking for a virtual reset button, you should
only need to
look at the remote power boot devices.  Something like this:

http://www.avocent.com/web/en.nsf/Content/Cyclades_PM

There are definately others out there.  We picked this one
because of
the amp load per circuit and costs.

Serial Consoles are a great thing depending on the
application and need.
If you are managing a set of servers that you can't drive
to, or
response times are imperative; this can create a suitable
solution.
This can also be used for remote monitoring during installs
via
tftpboot/kickstart/diskless image selection.

The flipside:  This creates additional security
considerations.  You've
just created an additional access point to your machine/s,
and aa access
point to power remotely.  A definate consideration to be
applied to the
deivce/s you implement.

Mark



On Sat, 2006-09-02 at 18:32 -0500, Alex wrote:
> Sorry if this is a little OT, but I thought it might be
an appropriate 
> question for this audience...
> 
> Has anyone had much experience with RS232 (serial)
<-> Ethernet  adapters? 
> Or what do you use to remotely manage a Linux server?
> 
> I'm looking for something inexpensive that will give
me remote access to 
> the  serial port  and hopefully the capability to
manually reboot the 
> machine (e.g. push the reset button).
> 
> I've recently seen how GRUB and the Linux console can
be directed to a 
> serial port,  and I was quite impressed...
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Alex


-- 
gentoo-securitygentoo.org mailing list

At my work, we use these to talk to embedded hardware, and I
find them
to work quite nice. The price however, I don't know. I just
draw the
boards and make software.

http://www.lantronix.com/device-net
working/embedded-device-servers/xport.html


They also provide digial-io, which you can hook up to let's
say, your
reset button 


Stian Skjelstad


On Sat, 2006-09-02 at 18:32 -0500, Alex wrote:
> Sorry if this is a little OT, but I thought it might be
an appropriate 
> question for this audience...
> 
> Has anyone had much experience with RS232 (serial)
<-> Ethernet  adapters? 
> Or what do you use to remotely manage a Linux server?
> 
> I'm looking for something inexpensive that will give
me remote access to 
> the  serial port  and hopefully the capability to
manually reboot the 
> machine (e.g. push the reset button).
> 
> I've recently seen how GRUB and the Linux console can
be directed to a 
> serial port,  and I was quite impressed...
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Alex

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gentoo-securitygentoo.org mailing list

Am Sonntag, 3. September 2006 01:32 schrieb mir Alex:
> Has anyone had much experience with RS232 (serial)
<-> Ethernet 
> adapters? Or what do you use to remotely manage a Linux
server?

SSH and SSH. First to connect directly to the Server, second
to connect 
to the builtin service processor which manages basic system
functions 
like power, fan speed and a serial console.

These onboard service processors or as an extension card
often called 
management cards costs ca 200-300 Euro.

Disadvantage is the builtin OS, which often will never be
updated.

Example for a management card is peppercons eric remote
management card. 
Google will help you to find this.

Regards
Oli
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