Re: USB console or other alternatives
Doug Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I'm one of these guys running FreeBSD 4.11 on very old hardware (a Pentium 166, specifically), and I want to upgrade to FreeBSD 6 or 7 soon but with new hardware. Being blind, I need to use something other than the video card for a console. I've been using a serial console for a long time, but serial ports are getting scarce. I need the console to become active during the boot sequence in case of problems, as it can with a serial console. As I did with FreeBSD 3 and 4, I will also want to activate this console during FreeBSD installation if possible, so I don't have to have someone else be here when I install it. Can modern hardware and a modern FreeBSD version provide console access before the kernel loads via USB or via anything other than an actual on-board or PCI serial port? I am not sure, but I would expect that you would need BIOS support for something like that. Personally, I would stick with serial ports as long as possible, because they are much more simple than any alternatives. What do you hook up to that serial port, anyway? Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I wanted to make sure you got *some* help. Good luck. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: USB console or other alternatives
On Thu, Apr 26, 2007 at 11:14:26AM -0400, Lowell Gilbert wrote: Doug Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I'm one of these guys running FreeBSD 4.11 on very old hardware (a Pentium 166, specifically), and I want to upgrade to FreeBSD 6 or 7 soon but with new hardware. Being blind, I need to use something other than the video card for a console. I've been using a serial console for a long time, but serial ports are getting scarce. I need the console to become active during the boot sequence in case of problems, as it can with a serial console. As I did with FreeBSD 3 and 4, I will also want to activate this console during FreeBSD installation if possible, so I don't have to have someone else be here when I install it. Can modern hardware and a modern FreeBSD version provide console access before the kernel loads via USB or via anything other than an actual on-board or PCI serial port? I am not sure, but I would expect that you would need BIOS support for something like that. Personally, I would stick with serial ports as long as possible, because they are much more simple than any alternatives. More simple once found at least. :-) What do you hook up to that serial port, anyway? A desktop Windows machine with a serial port, until said machine suddenly ceased to function entirely. Now it would be a laptop with a USB-to-serial adapter except the one I bought also seems unwilling to function. I tend to run short of PCMCIA slots for such things on my laptop, my one-and-only PCMCIA slot being occupied pretty permanently by an EVDO card. Sounds like I'll need a *functional* USB-to-serial adapter on the laptop end, an actual serial port on whatever new box of parts ends up running FreeBSD 6/7, and my old trusty null modem conglomerate of cable and adapters. I guess I'll collect recommendations for a good USB-to-serial adapter. I've seen prices range from around $30 to around $120.00 if memory serves, and the last one I bought was closer to the former. -- Doug Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] SSB + BART Group [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.ssbbartgroup.com A mailing list is a crude but effective cross between a chain letter and a shouting match. -Andrew Kantor ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: USB console or other alternatives
Doug Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: On Thu, Apr 26, 2007 at 11:14:26AM -0400, Lowell Gilbert wrote: Doug Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Can modern hardware and a modern FreeBSD version provide console access before the kernel loads via USB or via anything other than an actual on-board or PCI serial port? I am not sure, but I would expect that you would need BIOS support for something like that. Personally, I would stick with serial ports as long as possible, because they are much more simple than any alternatives. More simple once found at least. :-) More simple electrically, I was thinking. What do you hook up to that serial port, anyway? A desktop Windows machine with a serial port, until said machine suddenly ceased to function entirely. Now it would be a laptop with a USB-to-serial adapter except the one I bought also seems unwilling to function. I tend to run short of PCMCIA slots for such things on my laptop, my one-and-only PCMCIA slot being occupied pretty permanently by an EVDO card. So the problem is a lack of serial ports on your laptop terminal, not on the FreeBSD machine? That sounds easier to work around than the other way around. There are some other possibilities, but I don't think they will work as early in the boot process. I *think* you can use a USB serial port as a console, but the loader doesn't seem to understand it. There's also dcons(4), but that needs firewire, and I don't know if that knows how to talk to anything on a Windows machine. Good luck; sorry I can't be more help. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: USB console or other alternatives
On Thu, Apr 26, 2007 at 04:24:23PM -0400, Lowell Gilbert wrote: Doug Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: On Thu, Apr 26, 2007 at 11:14:26AM -0400, Lowell Gilbert wrote: What do you hook up to that serial port, anyway? A desktop Windows machine with a serial port, until said machine suddenly ceased to function entirely. Now it would be a laptop with a USB-to-serial adapter except the one I bought also seems unwilling to function. I tend to run short of PCMCIA slots for such things on my laptop, my one-and-only PCMCIA slot being occupied pretty permanently by an EVDO card. So the problem is a lack of serial ports on your laptop terminal, not on the FreeBSD machine? That sounds easier to work around than the other way around. Lack of serial ports on laptop yes; the FreeBSD hardware hasn't been chosen yet, but I predicted difficulty getting a modern machine with a serial port. Perhaps not. There are some other possibilities, but I don't think they will work as early in the boot process. I *think* you can use a USB serial port as a console, but the loader doesn't seem to understand it. There's also dcons(4), but that needs firewire, and I don't know if that knows how to talk to anything on a Windows machine. I predicted the USB problem you mention. I have firewire on this laptop but I've never tried to use it. -- Doug Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] SSB + BART Group [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.ssbbartgroup.com There are no guarantees. From a standpoint of fear, none are strong enough. From a standpoint of love, none are necessary. - from Emmanuel's Book II ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
USB console or other alternatives
I'm one of these guys running FreeBSD 4.11 on very old hardware (a Pentium 166, specifically), and I want to upgrade to FreeBSD 6 or 7 soon but with new hardware. Being blind, I need to use something other than the video card for a console. I've been using a serial console for a long time, but serial ports are getting scarce. I need the console to become active during the boot sequence in case of problems, as it can with a serial console. As I did with FreeBSD 3 and 4, I will also want to activate this console during FreeBSD installation if possible, so I don't have to have someone else be here when I install it. Can modern hardware and a modern FreeBSD version provide console access before the kernel loads via USB or via anything other than an actual on-board or PCI serial port? Please Cc answers. Thanks very much for any info. -- Doug Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] SSB + BART Group [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.ssbbartgroup.com Innovation is hard to schedule. -- Dan Fylstra ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
