> 
> 
> Brook Milligan writes:
> > Is it possible to configure a netbsd/i386 kernel so that it requires
> > neither a monitor nor a keyboard?  I'd like to set up a box to hang
> > off the net for compute service, but don't want any console stuff (at
> > least once I verify it is working the way it should).
> 

This is a bit off topic since the kernel is not involved, but ...

I've been running a headless NetBSD box for quite a while now without a
serial console etc. Fortunately NetBSD is so stable that console work is
very rarely required and I do 99.999999% of my work through the network.

Just make sure that your BIOS can support booting without an keyboard
attached. I kept the Hercules card in the box since it saves me the effort
of ripping the box open to put a video card in to diagnose a net-dead
machine.

Bonus is that you can plug the monitor in an see the console messages too
:-)

While on the subject of hercules cards, I noticed the new motherboards with
the graphic SETUP now demands VGA - although there is a 'mono' option in the
setup that might hint that you 'can' run mono cards. BUT first time out you
HAVE to have a VGA card to set BIOS - major bummer since I don't really have
VGA cards laying around in my junk box :-)

Just be carefull with VGA cards and plugging/unplugging monitors - I've a few 
friends that blew the DAC on their cards by plugging a VGA monitor into a 
VGA card while both was powered up...

If you want no video card in the box, make sure the BIOS support no video
adapter.

As for the keyboard, I just close my eyes and jam the plug in while the box
is on to gain keyboard access - done that a few times now and the
motherboard still talks to the keyboard. DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK :-)

...YMMV

et