5 ms·

Maybe for some context - although Jeff Geerling does provide it too in his video - most 'server' motherboards have build-in KVM. I will make the bet that build

Maybe for some context - although Jeff Geerling does provide it too in his video - most 'server' motherboards have build-in KVM. I will make the bet that build-in KVM is more responsive and those interfaces are now HTML5 based, so no nasty Java applet stuff. Motherboards / servers with KVM will consume around 8-10 watt extra, even when powered off, as the KVM solution is basically a tiny computer running Linux + proprietary software, soldered on the motherboard. Motherboards with KVM support also support IPMI or redfish for remote management. For instance: I use IPMI to force a physical machine to PXE-boot into an automated installer, to provision the OS.

nh2 5y ago
For some more context why such a device is desirable: Mainboard-built-in KVMs provided by server vendors are usually buggy as hell closed-source horrors, with regular full-compromise holes that make running them over the Internet a complete gamble. This is why open-source KVMs that are just as secure as other normal Linux servers, and auto-upgradable, are very desirable.
- kcb 5y ago
  I think the main use case are home and maybe small-business servers which generally aren't built with actual server hardware. Just look at the rack in his video which was basically just a bunch of desktop PCs on their side.
- louwrentius 5y ago
  My experience with HP iLO with the html5 upgrade is extremely positive, to be frank. Nothing buggy at all.
  - nh2 5y ago
    With buggy I don't mean whether the UI works, but bugs in low-level code that lead to remote code execution and full compromise. https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-10/product_id-23648/HP-Integrated-Lights-out-4-Firmware.html https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-10/p...
    - louwrentius 5y ago
      Yup, but frankly, those interfaces should be only accessible by trusted systems, if you care about that stuff.

nh2 5y ago

For some more context why such a device is desirable: Mainboard-built-in KVMs provided by server vendors are usually buggy as hell closed-source horrors, with regular full-compromise holes that make running them over the Internet a complete gamble. This is why open-source KVMs that are just as secure as other normal Linux servers, and auto-upgradable, are very desirable.

kcb 5y ago
I think the main use case are home and maybe small-business servers which generally aren't built with actual server hardware. Just look at the rack in his video which was basically just a bunch of desktop PCs on their side.
louwrentius 5y ago
My experience with HP iLO with the html5 upgrade is extremely positive, to be frank. Nothing buggy at all.
- nh2 5y ago
  With buggy I don't mean whether the UI works, but bugs in low-level code that lead to remote code execution and full compromise. https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-10/product_id-23648/HP-Integrated-Lights-out-4-Firmware.html https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-10/p...
  - louwrentius 5y ago
    Yup, but frankly, those interfaces should be only accessible by trusted systems, if you care about that stuff.