VNC + Boot w/o keyboard, video & mouse

[NoOp]

NoOp wrote:
> Clive Menzies wrote:
> 
>> Use ssh to administer the machines from the command line.  There's
>> probably no need to run X on the servers.  You may need to post a bit
>> more about what packages your running on the servers.  
>> 
>> The few programs you are running the easier it is to keep them secure.
>> 
>> Regards
>> 
>> Clive
>> 
> 
> Security is not the issue; I have dedicated hardware encrypted VPN's to
> the machines and they are not connected to the internet. The VNC
> circuits are also encrypted. The problem is the machines are in small
> retail stores & I want to make sure that the employees don't mess with
> them. If there is no keyboard, video, or mouse connected to them, they
> leave them alone. If there is K/V/M connected, someone invariably wants
> to touch & play. Unfortunately, because of the environment, putting them
> in a locked room doesn't work. So, the easiest solution, up to this
> point, has been to simply remove K/V/M & administer them via VNC.
> 
> 

Added point: I have an old IBM laptop that I use as a USB network print
server (even though it's running desktop 6.061) for my Cannon printers
on my home network. It's quite & small, so it's tucked away in a small
space and I seldom have to reboot it (kernel update/power failure). I
also access it via VNC. However when I do have to reboot it (power
failure etc) I need to connect a keyboard & mouse, otherwise it won't
boot - it freezes instead. So, you see there are other reasons for
wanting to boot without the keyboard & mouse and having to do so is a
PITA :-)