Re: remote management
On Fri, Dec 15, 2000 at 08:58:36AM +0100, Leen Besselink wrote:
> > Would this be a dial-in connection to the computer to manage it? What I
> > need is
> > to manage the computer remoteley all the way back to the lilo prompt. Are
> > there
>
> Withut special hardware it's impossible to get to the Lilo prompt, after
> all Linux manages it's own serial ports and it hasn't even started then !
> :)
But LILO can talk to a serial port just fine.
serial=1,9600n8
append="console=ttyS1,9600"
You don't need special hardware to get to the BIOS even: you need a BIOS
that supports it. (My rackmount machines, built by ASL, have BIOSes
that allow serial port access.)
--
CueCat decoder .signature by Larry Wall:
#!/usr/bin/perl -n
printf "Serial: %s Type: %s Code: %s\n", map { tr/a-zA-Z0-9+-/ -_/; $_ = unpack
'u', chr(32 + length()*3/4) . $_; s/\0+$//; $_ ^= "C" x length; } /\.([^.]+)/g;
Re: remote management
On Fri, Dec 15, 2000 at 09:49:36AM -0500, Bill White wrote: > On Fri, 15 Dec 2000 09:32:08 EST, "Jonathan D. Proulx" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Opined: > > On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 11:51:30PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > > :> On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 05:31:57PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > > :> :I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection > > :> :goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way > > :> :where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then > > :> :restart the connection? > > :> > > :> best option is to recompile the kernel on the server to put the > > :> console out to serial port (is this default in debian kernels? if not > > :> what problems does it create, I always roll mine that way), then you > > :> can hang a modem off the serial port and even if the networking on the > > :> server breaks you can get in to try and fix it. > > I do this. You don't have to do much more than put this into your > lilo.conf file: > > append="console=ttyS0,9600n8" > serial = 0,9600n8 > > and then enable the serial console in the kernel. You also need to make sure that serial support is compiled directly into the kernel, not as a module. IIRC the default Debian kernels use modules for the serial drivers so you may need to build your own. your pal dave -- Dave Thayer Denver, Colorado USA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: remote management
On Fri, 15 Dec 2000 09:32:08 EST, "Jonathan D. Proulx" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Opined: > On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 11:51:30PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > :> On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 05:31:57PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > :> :I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection > :> :goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way > :> :where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then > :> :restart the connection? > :> > :> best option is to recompile the kernel on the server to put the > :> console out to serial port (is this default in debian kernels? if not > :> what problems does it create, I always roll mine that way), then you > :> can hang a modem off the serial port and even if the networking on the > :> server breaks you can get in to try and fix it. I do this. You don't have to do much more than put this into your lilo.conf file: append="console=ttyS0,9600n8" serial = 0,9600n8 and then enable the serial console in the kernel. Sometimes the line starts up at the wrong baud rate, and I have to wait for the getty to figure out what the right rate is, but it never takes more than a few seconds, and it hasn't been annoying enough for me to figure out what's really wrong. pgpxoVH9gUT1y.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: remote management
On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 11:51:30PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: :> On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 05:31:57PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: :> :I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection :> :goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way :> :where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then :> :restart the connection? :> :> best option is to recompile the kernel on the server to put the :> console out to serial port (is this default in debian kernels? if not :> what problems does it create, I always roll mine that way), then you :> can hang a modem off the serial port and even if the networking on the :> server breaks you can get in to try and fix it. : :Would this be a dial-in connection to the computer to manage it? What I need is :to manage the computer remoteley all the way back to the lilo prompt. Are there :any how-to's to do this? I recall seeing something about this in a LILO related HOTWO, or info doc, or something (there's a ton of them so good lick finding the right one) I'm pretty sure you can get to the LILO prompt w/o special hardware, but not before (so no BIOS acsess) :What other equipment would I need for this? for BIOS control yes, for lilo prompt I really don't think so but can't put my finger on the exact reference, involves kernel options and lilo.conf stuff... then again you could dig up a sparc machine and run Debian on that :) :Would there be any way to encrypt the session? why? unless someone is tapping you're phone line there's no need, this would be a point to point phone connection not traversing the internet at all. -Jon
Re: remote management
On Fri, Dec 15, 2000 at 02:49:15AM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > I looked at realweasel.com, I could not see a place where you could purchase > The PC > Weasel 2000 on the site, where can you purchase this product. I tried the > demo, it is I don't know, I haven't bought any yet (I'm planning to). Try [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nico > exactly what I need. > Thank you, > Matt > > > zOn Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 11:51:30PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > > > > On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 05:31:57PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > > > > :I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection > > > > :goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way > > > > :where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then > > > > :restart the connection? > > > > > > > > best option is to recompile the kernel on the server to put the > > > > console out to serial port (is this default in debian kernels? if not > > > > what problems does it create, I always roll mine that way), then you > > > > can hang a modem off the serial port and even if the networking on the > > > > server breaks you can get in to try and fix it. > > > > > > Would this be a dial-in connection to the computer to manage it? What I > > > need is > > > to manage the computer remoteley all the way back to the lilo prompt. > > > Are there > > > any how-to's to do this? > > > What other equipment would I need for this? > > > Would there be any way to encrypt the session? > > > Thanks > > > Matt > > > > Have a look at "The PC Weasel 2000" (realweasel.com) it's supposed to give > > you > > full serial console access up to the bios. It works as a replacement for the > > video card. If you want dial-in access, a consoleserver will also be > > necessary (Consoleserver 800/3200 from www.lightwavecom.com). This allows > > you to > > control a number of serial consoles and also supports modem access. They > > have > > announced support for ssh and remote power management (so if the machine is > > realy > > blocked you can even remotely turn it off and on :-). They're not cheap > > however :-(. > > Lucent(?) also has a slightly cheaper machine ( Portmaster 2e, up-to 30 > > serial ports) > > but they don't (and as far as I know won't) support ssh. > > > > Expect to pay about 250$ for the PC weasel and 3000$ for the consolemaster > > (will vary > > a lot depending on the exact configuration). > > > > Nico > > > > - > > "It has been said that there are only two businesses that > > refer to customers as users: illegal drug trade and > >the computer industry." > > - > > Nico De Ranter > > Sony Service Center (SDCE/NEE-B) > > Sint Stevens Woluwestraat 55 (Rue de Woluwe-Saint-Etienne) > > 1130 Brussel (Bruxelles), Belgium, Europe, Earth > > Telephone: +32 2 724 86 41 Telefax: +32 2 726 26 86 > > e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > - "It has been said that there are only two businesses that refer to customers as users: illegal drug trade and the computer industry." - Nico De Ranter Sony Service Center (SDCE/NEE-B) Sint Stevens Woluwestraat 55 (Rue de Woluwe-Saint-Etienne) 1130 Brussel (Bruxelles), Belgium, Europe, Earth Telephone: +32 2 724 86 41 Telefax: +32 2 726 26 86 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: remote management
I looked at realweasel.com, I could not see a place where you could purchase The PC Weasel 2000 on the site, where can you purchase this product. I tried the demo, it is exactly what I need. Thank you, Matt > zOn Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 11:51:30PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > > > On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 05:31:57PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > > > :I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection > > > :goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way > > > :where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then > > > :restart the connection? > > > > > > best option is to recompile the kernel on the server to put the > > > console out to serial port (is this default in debian kernels? if not > > > what problems does it create, I always roll mine that way), then you > > > can hang a modem off the serial port and even if the networking on the > > > server breaks you can get in to try and fix it. > > > > Would this be a dial-in connection to the computer to manage it? What I > > need is > > to manage the computer remoteley all the way back to the lilo prompt. Are > > there > > any how-to's to do this? > > What other equipment would I need for this? > > Would there be any way to encrypt the session? > > Thanks > > Matt > > Have a look at "The PC Weasel 2000" (realweasel.com) it's supposed to give you > full serial console access up to the bios. It works as a replacement for the > video card. If you want dial-in access, a consoleserver will also be > necessary (Consoleserver 800/3200 from www.lightwavecom.com). This allows you > to > control a number of serial consoles and also supports modem access. They have > announced support for ssh and remote power management (so if the machine is > realy > blocked you can even remotely turn it off and on :-). They're not cheap > however :-(. > Lucent(?) also has a slightly cheaper machine ( Portmaster 2e, up-to 30 > serial ports) > but they don't (and as far as I know won't) support ssh. > > Expect to pay about 250$ for the PC weasel and 3000$ for the consolemaster > (will vary > a lot depending on the exact configuration). > > Nico > > - > "It has been said that there are only two businesses that > refer to customers as users: illegal drug trade and >the computer industry." > - > Nico De Ranter > Sony Service Center (SDCE/NEE-B) > Sint Stevens Woluwestraat 55 (Rue de Woluwe-Saint-Etienne) > 1130 Brussel (Bruxelles), Belgium, Europe, Earth > Telephone: +32 2 724 86 41 Telefax: +32 2 726 26 86 > e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: remote management
On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 11:51:30PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > > On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 05:31:57PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > > :I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection > > :goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way > > :where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then > > :restart the connection? > > > > best option is to recompile the kernel on the server to put the > > console out to serial port (is this default in debian kernels? if not > > what problems does it create, I always roll mine that way), then you > > can hang a modem off the serial port and even if the networking on the > > server breaks you can get in to try and fix it. > > Would this be a dial-in connection to the computer to manage it? What I need > is > to manage the computer remoteley all the way back to the lilo prompt. Are > there > any how-to's to do this? > What other equipment would I need for this? > Would there be any way to encrypt the session? > Thanks > Matt Have a look at "The PC Weasel 2000" (realweasel.com) it's supposed to give you full serial console access up to the bios. It works as a replacement for the video card. If you want dial-in access, a consoleserver will also be necessary (Consoleserver 800/3200 from www.lightwavecom.com). This allows you to control a number of serial consoles and also supports modem access. They have announced support for ssh and remote power management (so if the machine is realy blocked you can even remotely turn it off and on :-). They're not cheap however :-(. Lucent(?) also has a slightly cheaper machine ( Portmaster 2e, up-to 30 serial ports) but they don't (and as far as I know won't) support ssh. Expect to pay about 250$ for the PC weasel and 3000$ for the consolemaster (will vary a lot depending on the exact configuration). Nico - "It has been said that there are only two businesses that refer to customers as users: illegal drug trade and the computer industry." - Nico De Ranter Sony Service Center (SDCE/NEE-B) Sint Stevens Woluwestraat 55 (Rue de Woluwe-Saint-Etienne) 1130 Brussel (Bruxelles), Belgium, Europe, Earth Telephone: +32 2 724 86 41 Telefax: +32 2 726 26 86 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: remote management
> Would this be a dial-in connection to the computer to manage it? What I need > is > to manage the computer remoteley all the way back to the lilo prompt. Are > there Withut special hardware it's impossible to get to the Lilo prompt, after all Linux manages it's own serial ports and it hasn't even started then ! :)
Re: remote management
> On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 05:31:57PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: > :I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection > :goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way > :where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then > :restart the connection? > > best option is to recompile the kernel on the server to put the > console out to serial port (is this default in debian kernels? if not > what problems does it create, I always roll mine that way), then you > can hang a modem off the serial port and even if the networking on the > server breaks you can get in to try and fix it. Would this be a dial-in connection to the computer to manage it? What I need is to manage the computer remoteley all the way back to the lilo prompt. Are there any how-to's to do this? What other equipment would I need for this? Would there be any way to encrypt the session? Thanks Matt
Re: remote management
Hi, I hate it when I miss something in a post and feel the need to reply twice... If all you're looking for is to know when the server is back on line, start an xterm do a `ping server.domain` when the server comes back you'll start seeing the echo replies fly by and you can reconnect. BTW the magic keys to get out of a hung ssh session due to network collapse is~&you may need to hit return before as well as after this sequence. This puts the session into the background, and is also handy to get a local terminal back while maintaining tuneled ports. -Jon
Re: remote management
On Thu, Dec 14, 2000 at 05:31:57PM -0600, Matt Fair wrote: :I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection :goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way :where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then :restart the connection? best option is to recompile the kernel on the server to put the console out to serial port (is this default in debian kernels? if not what problems does it create, I always roll mine that way), then you can hang a modem off the serial port and even if the networking on the server breaks you can get in to try and fix it. what you probably want to do is write a script that checks periodicly to see if there's an active ssh connection from your machine to the server (using netstat -t and some regexp magic), if so sleep for n time and check again, if not try to establish a connection, if that fails sleep for n' time and try again. -Jon
remote management
I am managing my server remotely using ssh. If my network connection goes down for some reason, I have no control over it, is there a way where I could check to see if there is a network connection and then restart the connection? Thanks Matt
