You don't
need a monitor, keyboard or mouse. It's quite possible to
run one with a serial console, so if you have any machine with a
serial port, a terminal emulator program and a null-modem cable,
you're in business.
Get a MicroVAX 3100 like the one I have. Small footprint, and it's
IMPOSSIBLE to connect a monitor and keyboard to it, because it has no
frame buffer.
Except it's a whole lot bigger than a 4000/vlc.
Peace... Sridhar