Headless computer

During bootup, some (especially older) PC BIOS versions will wait indefinitely for a user to press a key before proceeding.

If some basic device, such as a video card or keyboard, are not installed or connected, this could effectively halt an unattended system.

Some servers provide for remote control with an internal network card and hardware that mirrors the console screen.

Such a switch is a traditional Keyboard-Video-Mouse device with the added ability to provide remote control sessions over IP.

Administration of a headless system typically takes place with a text-based interface such as a command line in Unix or in Linux.