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From: paul@ucla-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards
Subject: Console for Unix systems?
Message-ID: <5917@shemp.UCLA.EDU>
Date: Thu, 7-May-87 14:27:29 EDT
Article-I.D.: shemp.5917
Posted: Thu May  7 14:27:29 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 9-May-87 05:06:21 EDT
Sender: root@CS.UCLA.EDU
Reply-To: paul@CS.UCLA.EDU (Paul Kuo-hwai Chang)
Distribution: world
Organization: UCLA Mathematics Department
Lines: 20


We have about 8 Unix systems in our small machine room, including Sun-3/180s
and Vaxes.  The console printer on each machine takes a substantial floor
space.  We are going to expand our systems to about the double capacity
in the near future and apparently we can no longer afford to hook one
console to each machine.  What we are considering is a sort of console
machine that will accept inputs from say, 8 ports, and prints it on the
attached printer.  It will also connect to one particular port on demand
so that the operator can select which hosts to talk to on the console.
The problem is complicated by the fact that for Sun systems, when the
console port is disconnected, the machine crashes.
We know that it is possible to configure it using some sort of Unix
box, but it is not cost effective and what if the console machine crashes.
We much prefer a smart switch on an intelligent terminal.  However,
we are not able to find such a device in the market yet.  Does anyone
out there have similar situations and have a solution?  Any suggestions/hints
will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

paul
@math.ucla.edu