Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Colocation and Data Centers : Anyone use this to admin their headless servers?

[Jonas007]

I was reading an old thread here:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showth...ight=crashcart about rack mounted console screens, and crash carts and such.

And was wondering if anyone use one of these boxes to connect to hook up to their servers in places where you don't have/need kvm over ip or rack consoles? http://www.startech.com/item/notecon...ebook-PCs.aspx

Basically makes your laptop the console lcd, keyboard/mouse for any headless box with VGA/USB.

Just looking for some feedback from folks on here, as I imagine you may have tried these.

Thanks.

[Lightwave]

for $470??? Lol, yeah right.

[Spudstr]

We use a dell 1u sliding keyboard/mouse/video that attaches to each kvm-over-ip unit.. works great/just fine.

If there is a box for some reason that does not have a kvm on it.. there are spares to to use/plugin.

[vpsbolt]

Very good concept - but just a bit pricey. If they'd bring it to the $200 marker I wouldn't mind having one of those on hand.

[WebGuyz]

This unit is a little less expensive($399) , but I don't have any experience with it.

http://www.epiphan.com/products/fram...FQImUAodVUsXPg

[vpsbolt]

Yeah, I've seen that was as well but same here - no experience with it. There have been lots of times where one of these would have been handy. Like going in a cage where it's all 208v and there's no KVM in the rack.

[RackPoint-Morgan]

208v and KVM's are related..?

Anyway, that's kind of pricey considering what it does...I'll settle for a crash cart instead.

[vpsbolt]

It is when you need 110v to plug into. ;-)

[Neosurge]

I'd rather just use this:

http://www.lantronix.com/it-manageme...nx-spider.html

[AI-Wayne]

Originally Posted by Neosurge

I'd rather just use this:

http://www.lantronix.com/it-manageme...nx-spider.html

Wow.. my thoughts exactly. Why not just buy a $200 ethernet KVM and directly plug it into a laptop or another machine?

I have to admit, the USB thing is pretty pimp, but definitely adds a layer of complexity and cost. Most of our servers already have integrated lights out management, but we keep a couple Spider KVM's handy for just this sort of thing. They are fantastic.

[Jonas007]

How is the spider for catching BIOS posts, diag stuff? I've heard they miss the post on alot of servers as they're "starting up".

Also, where are you seeing the spider for $200? I'm seeing $320 all over.

[AI-Wayne]

Originally Posted by Jonas007

How is the spider for catching BIOS posts, diag stuff? I've heard they miss the post on alot of servers as they're "starting up".

Also, where are you seeing the spider for $200? I'm seeing $320 all over.

Sorry, you're right, it's $277.00 -- thought they were a little less.

http://www.provantage.com/lantronix-...1~7LANB01R.htm

Most of our servers are Dell with built in DRAC and it's been a little while since I used the Spider (few months), but I don't recall there being any issues with not catching the BIOS. We've had ours for at least a year or more now and I was always really impressed when I needed to use them.

Wayne

[redsox_fan]

The spider works, but i would recommend the IP KVM from opengear.

Its a one port kvm that has a serial port for console access built into it as well. Its the best of both worlds, serial console and kvm in the same unit. We have them in 3 locations currently with no problems

http://opengear.com/product-IP-KVM.html

[redsox_fan]

This thread got me motivated to check something on the opengear box, i just got done testing a OS load via USB thumb drive and it works!

I should get a picture of this thing for you guys to see

[Jonas007]

Originally Posted by WebGuyz

This unit is a little less expensive($399) , but I don't have any experience with it.

http://www.epiphan.com/products/fram...FQImUAodVUsXPg

Looks like these guys are now carrying the original one for $360.
http://www.alwayslowest.com/AL/index...s&part=3555910
No reviews on there yet.