Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI on non-Compaq Hardware/PC/Server

[David P. Discher]

I am trying to get a Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI (not the Lights Out Edition) to work with a non-compaq hardware PC. Is this a possiblity does the RIB board relay on something in the Compaq Servers ROMs?

I have a a board I'm trying in non-Compaq hardware, and the screen stays blank. I have been told this card functions, however I do not currently have compaq hardware to test it with.

There are serveral green LEDs on the board that do come out and flash in different patterns. The Ethernet link also becomes "active" atleast according to the ethernet switch.

Thanks / David

[Brent Ingler]

I'm not familiar with the non-lights-out boards, but if the only difference is the virtual power, then they probably won't work. The Lights-out boards all have connectors that allow them to not only shut down and turn on the system (virtual power button), but they also send/receive keyboard and mouse functions, and send video signals out through them. This is all handled either through the PCI interface, or through a ribbon cable that will only work with Compaq System Boards. Unfortunately, I don't think that these will work in Non-Compaq hardware, because other motherboards are just not designed to work with them. You might want to look into other, similar solutions that would allow you to remotely control the systems. For example, Raritan makes a KVM that operates entirely over IP, allowing you to control any system connected to it, as long as you have the correct IP address and authenticate. Maybe this will help:

http://www.raritan.com/products_paragon_index.html

Brent

[David P. Discher]

Thanks Brent -

This RIB board does not have any ribbon connects, it has a pass thought keyboard connect on the back, and its is suppose to act like a video card.

For what I can tell, the RIB and RIB/LOE Different in that the RIB/LOE will do fully GUI via the board, while the plain RIB will only do text. This is fine for me, as I plan to use FreeBSD with a text only console anyway.

I'll look at the other solution you mentioned, but ideally I wanted a cheap solution.

I have not actually routed the keyboard cable to the card, I just tried to see if the computer will idenify the RIB board as the primary video card, which is has yet too. I have to go out and get a cable to route the keyboard into it (did not get one with the board) I doubt it, but maybe that will make a difference.

Any one got information on what all the green LEDs on the RIB stand for ? Maybe I can see if the board is erroring out or not.

Thanks / David

[Junior Yharte]

David,
If the unit you are trying to use has on-board video, see if you can disable it. Also, RILOE does not like to be behind a PCI bridge so slot placement could also be an issue.

[David P. Discher]

Thanks for all your input. I have yet to get the board to work.

I have tried it on three different motherboards, none of which have built-in video. I tried it in all the slots that I could get it to fit in, and have had slight progresses.

I have gotten to the monitor to flicker a little bit, like it is brielfy getting a video sync from the RIB.

Any other suggestions ? I have yet to connect a keyboard to the RIB, will this affect it ? I also do not think the battery is fully charged, will this make a difference ?

Anybody have any documention on the 6-8 green LEDs that are on the board ? They blink in a boot up squence, then one strobes on and off in a regular pattern. Figure that this would be another route to go.

Thanks ! - David.