Re: Mapping BIOS interface from VGA to serial

From: Keith Roberts (melfort0_at_nospam.btinternet.com)
Date: 08/02/03 

Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2003 11:47:26 +0000 (UTC)

I dont know if there is anthing like that - you could try cyclades
http://www.cyclades.com/

Or you could use a KVM switch that has a remote access function - some have
ethernet connection for remote access.

Jack Patteeuw wrote:
> I work in a medium sized shop supporting Solaris and Tru64 on SPARC
> and Alpha. We have 3 sites, in 2 cities and only 2 people to support
> about 60+ systems, so keeping things simple and common are the only
> way we can keep our sanity.
>
> There is a lot of discussion about going to Linux especially as Alpha
> approaches end of life (but boy, are there some deals on used hardware
> now !)
>
> We currently use an old DEC software product called Console Manager
> that allows us to connect the serial ports from multiple servers
> through some terminal server back to one system where we can control
> everything. It is simple, it is cheap and it works, so don't suggest
> changing to anything different.
>
> I know most new Intel "servers" can map their BIOS output to COM1 and
> after Linux is loaded re-directing its output to COM1 is not a big
> deal.
>
> Here is my question. Can anyone recommend a VGA "simulator" board
> with a serial connection that maps VGA screen sequences to VT100 so
> we can continue to use our current setup with older and/or
> "non-server" Intel hardware ?
>
> TIA
>
> jp