RE: ddb input via IPMI virtual console

["Terry Moore" <tmm%mcci.com@localhost>]

>> The real keyboards are PS/2 and I can't change that because it runs
>> on a wire physically passing a /real/ firewall, [...]
>
>(a) Is it possible to run USB over the same conductors used by the PS/2
>cable?  (This is a real question; I don't know enough about layer 1 of
>either to answer it.)

Great question. The answer is "yes, if you're desperate". Keyboards are
low-speed or full-speed USB devices, and the signaling is relatively
non-critical -- especially if you find a low-speed keyboard.  However:

>(b) There exist devices that adapt PS/2 to USB in the
>PS/2-keyboard-to-USB-host direction.  

Since the problem is that the real keyboards are PS/2, the adapters sound
perfect.

https://www.newegg.com/Mouse-Keyboard-PS2-Adapters/SubCategory/ID-3024  US$
6.... pretty reasonable.

Put it in the machine room, use the existing PS/2 keyboards, and... isn't
the problem solved? If you need USB as well from another source, use a hub
(in the machine room). But I confess I'm not clear about that part of what
you're trying to do.

--Terry