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Aheadless computer is a computer system or device that has been configured to operate without a monitor (the missing "head"),keyboard, andmouse. A headless system is typically controlled over a network connection, although some headless system devices require a serial connection to be made overRS-232 for administration of the device. Headless operation of a server is typically employed to reduce operating costs.
Duringbootup, some (especially older)PCBIOS versions will wait indefinitely for a user to press a key before proceeding. If some basic device, such as avideo card orkeyboard, are not installed or connected, this could effectively halt an unattended system.
On more modern systems, the BIOS factory setting will typically be configured to behave this way as well, but this setting can be changed with aBIOS setup utility to proceed without user intervention.
Even in cases where a system has been set up to be managed remotely, a local keyboard and video card may still be needed from time to time; for example, to diagnose boot problems that occur before a remote access application is initialized.
Some servers provide for remote control with an internalnetwork card and hardware that mirrors the console screen. For example,HP offers a system calledIntegrated Lights-Out (iLO) that provides this function.[1] Remote access to the system is gained using a secure web connection to an IP address assigned to the iLO adapter, and allows for monitoring of the system during start-up, before the operating system is loaded.
Another hardware solution is to use aKVM-over-IP switch. Such a switch is a traditional Keyboard-Video-Mouse device with the added ability to provide remote control sessions over IP.[2] Connection to the KVM device is gained using a web browser, which allows for remote monitoring of the connected system console port.
Administration of a headless system typically takes place with a text-based interface such as acommand line inUnix or inLinux. These interfaces, often called "virtual terminals" or "terminal emulators", attempt to simulate the behavior of "real" interface terminals like theDigital Equipment Corporation'sVT100, but over networks, usually using protocols such asSecure Shell.
One can also use systems such asX Window System andVNC combined with virtualdisplay drivers - this setup allows remote connections to headless machines through ordinarygraphical user interfaces, often running over network protocols likeTCP/IP.