Geoff Adams wrote:
On Mar 2, 2012, at 1:53 AM, Andrew wrote:
Soren, I understand why the E6xx integrated video is not useful because of the supervisory LPC processor, and you would have to implement a video BIOS. Have you considered using the supervisor MCU as the terminal emulator to generate the VGA video? It could pass through the serial data and only inject characters if a PS2 keyboard were used.
Hmm. I understand that your needs are different, but to me, the comBIOS
combined with the utter lack of video output and keyboard input on these boxes
is a huge selling point. It raises the Soekris boards to the realm of serious
network appliance (whose console gets connected to one of my console servers),
rather than merely one of the large array of PCs masquerading as the real thing.
I do understand that it might be possible to satisfy both uses, though, at the
(possibly modest) cost of some additional complexity and power requirements.
But driving VGA just seems so out of place, here. I'd say you'd be much better
going with one of the external solutions mentioned (to include building
something inside the case yourself), but keep in mind that you lose all ability
to capture and log output or remotely maintain the box if all you use is
VGA/kbd and a KVM. Even if that doesn't appear to be useful right now...
- Geoff
Geoff, you have a point, and that's why I suggested the VGA terminal
emulation as a pass-through, so the function of the serial console is
not impacted. The interfaces could be left as headers on the board. and
only used if desired. My network is smaller, and so my firewall is my
console server. Also, I use remote syslog for logging my firewall, and
SNMP for monitoring. And an ssh session to manage the ipfilter as I see
probes and attacks.
Yes, I am planning on the MicroVGA approach built into the PCI slot
cut-out in the Soekris box: VGA out, PS2 in, COM1 in, COM2 out, and
USB2-4 out if there's room. If the MicroVGA had a pass-through serial
port, that would be perfect. I need the USB connectivity to manage the
bank of UPSs without resorting to an external hub.
As an aside, I wonder how much longer PS/2 keyboards will be available
as the PC world goes legacy-free?
Andrew
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