From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.misc

Have one box, not in a very accessible location, that
sometimes hangs. Not sure why, the logs don't tell me
anything - they just proceed normally until they STOP.
Even check mem/cpu/etc figures - again all normal
until they STOP.

Do have the box do a soft reboot a couple times a day.
Helps, but not a sure solid solution.

There USED to be external watchdog units - connected
either with serial or network. If they didn't get a
kick every x-minutes they'd cycle the power - cold
restart for yer unit.

I do know how to build such things, but would rather not.

Looking for such devices today, don't really SEE much.
For like PIs all that exists are 'shields' that seem
to tap the reset pin. This is NOT the same as a cold
reboot - some stuff NOT cleared.

Anybody seen anything ? Yes, it WILL include a relay
that physically breaks the power line for a second
or two. Best if it doesn't catch fire ...

Note that the Ard Uno may be a good platform for
such devices - AND you can literally pull the
DIP chip after programming and solder it into
yer custom board. Just Good Enough.

One company offers some "Teeny" Ard Uno semi-
compatibles, some VERY teeny. Again another
cheap usable foundation. Search "Trinket".

USED to use PICs for such stuff ... but that was
when MicroChip used to sell a very nice all-chip
programmer unit with a 40-pin ZIP socket for
relatively cheap. NOW it's all expensive In-Circuit-
Emulators and you pay for a dongle for most EVERY
kind of chip. $$$$$$$ ! 3rd-party, CRUDE. Hey, all
I want to do is write my app and burn it to the
damned chip ! What WAS easy/affordable, GONE.

Bastards.

Used to use the 12xxx 8-pin PICs as smart
replacements for the 4004 logic chips. In
some cases CHEAPER than the actual chips
AND you could add some IQ. They could also
process serial input.

Now ........

HAVE we "improved" ?????????

Profit-margins maybe ......

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