Middle Digital PC Weasel PCI VGA review

PC Weasel is a PCI card aimed at people who want to run remote servers using inexpensive PCs.

You usually gain control of such systems using remote access software such as Secure Shell (SSH), but if the PC crashes or you accidentally lock yourself out after trying new firewall rules, you'll need to visit the computer and plug in a keyboard and monitor. This could be a disaster if the server is hosted in a data centre or an office miles from home.

PC Weasel solves this problem by providing control of the system over a serial link. This could be connected to another server at the remote location using a null modem cable or to a modem. Log into Weasel and you'll be able to reboot the PC and even access the BIOS should you need to change boot discs or reinstall from the CD. PC Weasel can also be used as a diagnostic card, reporting on BIOS post codes.

To get the most out of the device, it should be installed in a PC that runs an operating system in command-line mode. After logging in, you will be able to issue commands and view the output as if you were working from a local terminal.

It is possible to do a hard reboot of Microsoft Windows and other operating systems that load a graphical user interface, but you won't be able to take control of the operating system until you use your choice of remote-control software to return to command-line mode. PC Weasel disables the graphics card in the PC, so local users won't be able to use it with a keyboard and monitor. Expensive, purpose-built servers have similar serial console features built into their motherboards, although we're not aware of any that feature the ability to interrupt the power as PC Weasel does.

This is not a cheap device, but if you want to use an inexpensive PC as an important and reliable remote server, you will find that PC Weasel is worth every penny.