On 12/31/07 3:51 AM, Douglas A. Tutty wrote:
On Mon, Dec 31, 2007 at 01:00:24AM +0100, chefren wrote:
On 12/29/07 5:27 PM, Douglas A. Tutty wrote:
Summary:
I still suggest a heartbeat monitor and a modem.
A heartbeat monitor makes the system seriously more complicated and thus
less reliable.
..
How does that help if the computer just crashes or freezes instead of
just spontaneously rebooting? Sure, there's the version 0.0.1 Human to
push a power button.
The basic point is: Hardware should work reliably, if it isn't you have a
broken system. Software idem.
For the situation the hearbeat monitor works, it just proves the system is
broken and it will reset the system again and again, clueless.
Presumably, one can get solid reliable RS-232C heartbeat monitors that
can trigger a power-cycle. If not, they're not that difficult to make
assuming that you can source some reliable parts.
I presume that's not the case. RS-232 is less and less available etc.
And look at the workings of your heartbeat monitor: I bet it needs a loop in
the software that "pings" it. With software failures: Big chance that loop
still works and thus the heartbeat monitor isn't triggered while the system as
a whole can be considered broken. Your heartbeat monitor also needs a way to
power-cycle the whole system. Relays? How is/are these powered? Don't forget
for all the cables and connectors needed.
I thought this was about about reliability!!!
KISS is the usefull acronym here.
+++chefren
