Original question:
We're trying to save some space in our machine room and are looking
for a good solution for sharing one monitor among several different
AlphaServer 4100's, 2100's, and other systems. Can anyone
recommend a good switch that will permit 8 or more systems to
share one graphics terminal?
Also, are these graphics terminals even needed any longer? I know
that previously we had to have one just to install the occasional
firmware patch or update. But the last time we did it I think it
worked on the ASCII console alone. Are the graphics consoles no
longer required?
Note:
Several people mentioned that the graphics terminals were never
required. Unfortunately, that isn't true. Folks like us with
SWXCR disks need them to configure the disk arrays. Also, I
definately recall having to do at least one firmware upgrade
from the graphics console, as serial consoles weren't supported.
Hopefully, whoever it was that descided that was a good idea got
that kicked out of their head and we won't have to deal with
that again anytime soon.
Suggestions from the responses I received:
(Note: I've summarized these in my own words as well as I could.
If I made a boo-boo and misrepresented something let me know.)
* Use Cybex Autoview commander
* Use a PC with a Cyclades multiport serial card and the conserver
software from Purdue. The conserver software has daemon(s)
that monitor the serial ports, and a console program that
lets you talk to the port.
* Use Compaq switches, which work well, but that are very pricey.
* Use Raritan MasterConsole MX4,
http://www.raritan.com/hp_mx4.html.
Compaq uses these switches when intergrating systems.
* Use a Cybex KVM switch.
* Use the Belkin Omniview 4 port, Model #F1D066.
* Avoid the use of (Rose) matrix switches (2 consoles for multiple
systems) Attempts to use these with Alphas didn't
emulate the mouse and monitor correctly and prevented
normal booting.
* Tru64 uses curses (character cell) utilities in addition to X based
utilities, so the need for the graphics console will be
degraded.
A great Thank You to the following people who offered solutions:
From: "Alan Angulo" <alan_at_esu.edu>
From: Mike Iglesias <iglesias_at_draco.acs.uci.edu>
From: "R Rahim" <rafiqr_at_u.washington.edu>
From: Ed Murphy <Ed.Murphy_at_ussurg.com>
From: Pat Wilson <paw_at_northstar.dartmouth.edu>
From: "Hummers, Rick (Frederick)" <hummers_at_cabletron.com>
From: Pat Wilson <paw_at_northstar.dartmouth.edu>
From: John P Speno <speno_at_isc.upenn.edu>
From: "Rafiq Rahim" <rafiqr_at_u.washington.edu>
From: Balaji Chandrasekar <balaji_at_astro.ocis.temple.edu>
From: "Tom Brand" <Tom.Brand_at_bmc.org>
From: <alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com>
From: Tom Webster <webster_at_ssdpdc.lgb.cal.boeing.com>
From: Philip.Ordinario_at_bmo.com
What are we going to do?
Looking in to prices for the Belkin box and the Raritan box.
We already have Raritan boxes for our PCs, so it might be the
way for us to go with the Alphas as well.
Thanks
ray
--
Ray Lauff : Ray.Lauff_at_temple.edu : (215) 204-5678 : Temple University
--
Ray Lauff : Ray.Lauff_at_temple.edu : (215) 204-5678 : Temple University
Received on Mon Dec 06 1999 - 18:09:23 NZDT