Re: Need "console switch" - any ideas?

[chuck <chuck@Yerkes.com>]

I've read the responses and offer this:
With Unix boxes, it's unlikely that you actually need KVM
control.  You probably need console access and that's easy to do
with true unix machines (PC/Unix may support it, but you need
keyboard/vid for BIOS access).  Get a terminal server or a cheap
PC with a 16-32 (or 64) port serial card.  TS's are more expensive,
but more reliable.

Sun's will sense a RS-232 'break' and halt when the TS power cycles.
You can get around this with a cable.  From Celeste's web page of
all serial port knowledge:
! The "Soldering Iron" solution 
! 
!    If you tie a 4.7K resistor between pins 3 and 25 of the ttya
! port, you electrically prevent a BREAK signal either from the key
! or from disconnecting or powering down the terminal. This prevents
! intentional halts except by removing the resistor, but does allow
! recabling.

It's easy to do with the DB-25 to RJ45 adapters that you likely
want to go into the terminal server.

Alternatively, for true KVM switching, most current SGI's just
use PS/2 keyboard/mice connectors and HD-15 video adapters.

I've been able to do EVERYTHING I needed on a workstation
via console port that I could via the actual console.  Graphical
tools run via Xwindows over the net just fine.  KVM's are for
MS-Windows boxes.

chuck


Quoting John Geletej (geletejj@pt.Cyanamid.COM):
> Greetings all,
> 
> I find myself in need of a "box" that will allow several UNIX
> workstations/servers to be controlled at a single
> keyboard/mouse/monitor. My primary need is for SGI equipment, but I may
> need to incorporate a couple of Sun SPARCStations into the mix as well.
> 
> Anybody out there know of or use such a beastie?
> 
> TIA,
> 
> -john g-