On Jan 25, 2008 4:55 PM, Angus Scott-Fleming <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> Out of curiosity, what can't you do via SSH?
>
> Lots of stuff.

  Agreed.  If I was still doing independent field tech work of the
sort you're doing, I'd likely get one of the Lantronix gadgets.  It's
gotten really good reviews from someone who's judgment I trust.  A lot
of hardware is flaky, doesn't work with Linux, etc.  Sure, the
Lantronix is expensive, but it still beats carrying around a K, V, and
M all the time.  :)

  All that said, some FYIs:

> Tinker with the BIOS settings at system boot ...

  Good server BIOSes also have good serial console support.  That
said, such servers are few and far between.  Unless you already have
good hardware, you're sunk there.

> ... change the root password in single-user mode when the idiot client didn't 
> write it down ...

  GRUB and the kernel also have serial console support, so you can do
this *if* you plan ahead and configure for it.  Or are really good at
typing blind at the GRUB prompt.  ;-)

> ... boot a headless server using PNordahl's NT-password-changing bootable CD.

  This might also be possible using a serial console, although I
expect you would need to build your customized version of that with
the serial console support enabled.

-- Ben

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