Webserver with no heads???

[blackhawk714]

I have a friend of mine who is running a webserver that he claims is headless. He says that the only thing connecting the computer to anything else is a null modem cable top another machine and of cource the ethernet cable from the PC to the router. I was wondering what a null modem cable is and how would I go around doing something like that. I have one more question. Is there any kind of software for Linux that will allow you to remotley administrate your system form another computer. I heard something about software called webmin from a google search. Can anyone tell me anything about that. Thanks for all your time, I know that this was a long post. :D

[ph34r]

A null modem cable is a serial type cable that has a few wires crossed to point one ends transmit to the other ends recieve.

Easier is to build the box with the monitor, etc. attached, then once everything is working put just the box on teh network.

You can remote access the server via ssh/telnet, remote X sessions, vnc, or something like webmin.

I have several servers like this here at work, and I just use ssh to get to all of them.

[blackhawk714]

I want to run it headless because I have only one monitor and don't want to spend $$ on a KVM switch. I wanted you guys to see what I was talking about.

http://www.asjohnson.com/~asjohn1/netboxen.html

Check that out, the first one on the list. Thanks for your help guys!:D

[blobaugh]

I have a little internal server running headless. It's actually quite easy. I suggest you have the box connected to a monitor/key/mouse and set everything up before you disconnect them. And make sure that your bios is set no so start or key/mouse errors. Webmin is great for remote admin cause it can control almost every facet of your computer. And if theres not a standard control module you can usually find one that will do the job. check out webmin.com (http://www.webmin.com) for more info. The site layout actually looks like the program too. Oh and webmin is a completly webbased control prog so any computer with a webbrowser can admin it.

[nunder]

I agree, webmin is definitely the way to go. I'd make sure that you've got the SSL option installed, and I'd also keep an ssh connection (sometimes ya just gotta have a cli).

[blackhawk714]

Thanks for all your help guys, but I was thinking about installing debian on this old computer. Is there any way to get webmin on a debian system or should I just install slackware 8.1? Thanks guys. .::LaTeR ::.:D