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A "Lights Out Managment" Card that provides said capability to any [PC] system.
Core Idea
Aftermarket LOM for every System
Most Servers integrate a Baseband Managment Controller with and IPMI, LOM and often iKVM into the Mainboard.
The main difference between Server and Desktop / Workstation Mainboards - aside from being designed with Server Chassis in mind, is the existance of said LOM.
The lack of a LOM makes it harder to upcycle and convert older systems into a Server.
It also allows to basically use any system as a Server!
Use-Cases
Upcycle older Systems into Servers
Save time and resources by using older systems as servers.
This is ideal for small-scale and non-critical "learning" and "testing" envoirments.
Remote Control of Systems in Hardware
Ideal for Legacy Setups that may have to be installed in sensitive areas and likely out of reach of technicians.
I.e. Industrial and/or medical systems that are in seperately compartmentalized rooms.
Can also be used for remote installations that may otherwise necessitate costly hands-ons.
I.e. restarting a system that may not be responsive.
Remote Logging and Control
In some sensitive setups, it may be necessary to transparently record all interactions done with the system.
Features
Core Features
Low Profile "PCI" card
Fits on low-profile PCIe brackets
PoE Powered
Since the idea of a LOM is to be hooked up to a network, it is reasonable to assume that PoE is avialable or can at least be injected easily.
Optional Internal Power
via Standby-Line from ATX Power Supply [5v_SB or Similar]
Transparent status Check
As it's being spliced into the Power & Reset Buttons'- as well as Power & Activity LEDs' Lines, the LOMcard can:
See if the system is powered on
See if the system has activity
Send a Shutdown signal [power button "press"].
Make a hard shutdown [long power button "press"].
Do a reboot [reboot button "press"]
Additional Features
1U Bracket
For installing in 1U Servers which only have extremely narrow heights.
Provides the PoE Port and 3 LEDs [PoE, Power/Activity, Programmable via GPIO]
Serial Console
Onboard USB to RS-232 Adaptor with Nullmodem/Crossover and Pin Header to connect to a serial port.
Optional USB to Serial Adapter to plug on
To connect to Mainboards that don't have any Serial Header onboard.
PiKVM Support
Supporting a full KVM for OSes that don't support serial consoles
Connects to local Display/Keyboard/Mouse ports.
Remote-Reflashable "USB Pendrive" [SSD]
Allows for fully remote use of the System.
Ideal for Installers or updating live distributions over the network.
Needs to shutdown the "Host"-System to safely dismount and remount the storage.
Design
Core Components
RP2040 Microcontroller
Cheap
Versatile
More GPIOs than anyone would ever need.
PoE Extractor
Providing Power to the LOMcard
Ethernet Chip
RS-232 Chip
Optional Components
Standby Voltage Power Extractor
Allows the use of Standby Voltage [i.e. ATX 5V_SB] to run the LOMcard
Reduces the Necessity for a PoE connection.
CM3 / CM4 header/connector
Needed for PiKVM
HDMI2CSI Adaptor
Needed for PiKVM
To accept the Video
VGA-to-HDMI Adaptor
Needed for PiKVM
Needed for the HDMI2CSI board on Systems without HDMI-output
Alternatives like DP-to-HDMI or DVI-to-HDMI can be designed as well.
USB Console Module
To provide a "Serial Console" on Systems without an RS-232 port.
Ideal for UNIX-alike OSes like FreeBSD, Linux, etc.
"Pendrive" SSD Module
Requires PiKVM
Allows to be rewritten and booted from
Connects via USB
Is being switched between LOMcard and "Host"-System
Recommended to be used with Ventoy
But can be reflashed with basically anything.
About
A "Lights Out Managment" Card that provides said capability to any PC system.