A reference to an interesting OpenSource KVM over IP solution with comercial backing came floating into my inbox via the SAGE members list today.
It appears to use custom frame-buffer pci cards that talk VNC. I think this means that they are os-independent and such you can use this system to control Windoze as well as Slowaris or Linux or BSD remotely even if the server hardware does not have serial console capability.
Still doesn’t get you the log-all-console-stuff that a decent LOM or other serial console connected to a terminal server and conserver would, but it’s better than a kick in the groin.
Too bad my current major contract had already spent many thousands (tens of thousands possibly) on a somewhat flakey Minicom Phantom MXII system. Well, I take some of that back. The Minicom gear hasn’t required a big-red-switch reset since I flashed all the various bits and bobble’s firmware six ways from sunday.
Arrggh, just spent 2.5 hours rejiggering the Phantom Spectre II config.
Most non intuitive software / firmware / crapola I’ve seen with a KVM system. Had to create a small txt file with mappings of machine name to physical position to OSD position to OSD name.
That doesn’t sound like much, but throw in a frustrating time with the management software that likes to lock up at the drop of a hat and …… grrrr.
trever
April 6th, 2005