BIOS serial console access is typically only a feature on server class motherboard, or provided through "IPMI" cards, which can cost from $100 to $400, and typically fit into a SODIMM slot that has to be on the motherboard to begin with. Software serial console can be enabled for GRUB, which is technically before the kernel, but it only starts in grub stage 2, and chances are that you won't get that far if you have a problem serious enough to need access outside of SSH.
You can find pci cards for under $200 on ebay that allow remote KVM over http usually with the aid of a java applet. The PCI card that I have and have used for this purpose is made by AMI, the BIOS company.
On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 5:36 PM, Jonathan Hutchins [email protected] wrote:
On Mon, March 31, 2008 16:59, djgoku wrote:
What about setting up a serial console? You would need another machine, but this would work. Just an idea, I haven't read all the way through the email nor replies.
BIOS-level serial console requires hardware. Someone was developing a card a few years back, but they were several hundred dollars. Software serial console doesn't kick in until the kernel loads.
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