On 12/31/07 3:51 AM, Douglas A. Tutty wrote:
quoted text
> 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.

..

quoted text
> 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.

quoted text
> 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