Server-Console

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Server-Console Management Systems
The evolution of KVM switches
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Once upon a time there was a PC...
It was designed for 1 person to sit in front of
it, to be used as a workstation.
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And then another
...and another
and yet another
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Then it became clear they all needed to be tied
in together, in a network, to communicate with
one another, to share files, to share tasks and
resources.

• Say hello to the Local Area Network (LAN).

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In order for PCs on the network to share files,
share tasks and resources, we now needed servers.
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As networks grew, and the number of servers grew
with them, it no longer made sense to have a
monitor, keyboard and mouse attached to each
server.
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After all, its not like some operator is
constantly working each one of these servers at
any given time, right?
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So heres a brilliant concept for you
Why cant we hook up, say, 4 servers to ONLY ONE
keyboard, one monitor, and one mouse?
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The KVM Switch has been born
A Keyboard, Video, Mouse (KVM) Switch Box allows
to access and control multiple servers through,
say, ONE user console (1 keyboard, 1 monitor and
1 mouse).
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Conceptual features of KVM Switches
Out of band basic level access. Controlling a
server through a KVM switch allows the user to do
ANY work on the server, to operate any software
application running on the server, and even to
perform a warm boot or to change CMOS settings as
if the user console was a dedicated keyboard,
monitor, and mouse connected directly to the
server. The network may be down, but you still
have access to the server through your KVM switch.
A hardware solution. No software needs to be
installed on any of the controlled servers. A
non-intrusive solution. No hardware needs to be
installed into the controlled servers. Access is
achieved through the servers keyboard, video and
mouse ports. Independent of operating system.
The KVM switch works on any given hardware
platform regardless of the operating system.
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How do we benefit from using KVM Switches?
Save space. Getting rid of all the monitors and
keyboards saves a ton of space Conserve energy.
Getting rid of all the monitors reduces heat
dissipation, reduces cooling requirements and
conserves energy. Increased productivity. Much
easier for one operator to control multiple
servers through one console, rather than juggling
dozens of consoles, not knowing at times which
one is hooked up to which server.
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The mechanical KVM Switch
The first KVM switches were mechanical, and are
known as AB Switches. Turning the knob
physically made a connection between a port on
the switch (connected via cables to the k/b,
video and mouse ports of a server) to the user
console connected to the switch.
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Reliability issues with AB Switches?
If the knob was set on port A, then server B was
LITERALLY disconnected from a keyboard and a
mouse.

• Modern operating systems, like Windows 2000 and
  NT4 occasionally look for a keyboard and mouse
  connection.
• Can we afford to have a server hang because it
  doesnt see a keyboard and mouse connected to
  it?

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Operational limitations of AB Switches
To boot up a server, the knob must be set to that
servers port. When one server is booting up,
the user cannot work on another server. Multiple
servers must be brought up one at a time.
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Do we really want to replace one headache with
another?
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How do we overcome these reliability limitations?
Electronic keyboard andmouse emulation. To
havethe switch fool all theservers connected
to it tobelieve they have a keyboardand a mouse
constantlyconnected. Keep Alive. Make sure
theservers dont hang onlybecause the switch
stoppedfunctioning.
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So we want an Electronic Switch
Constant keyboard and mouseconnection.
continuous emulation ofkeyboard and mouse
connections toall ports, so each server sees
akeyboard and mouse connected to it,all the
time. Seamless boot-up. Boot up server A,while
working on server B at the same time. Multiple
simultaneous boot-up. Allattached servers may
boot up at thesame time, with no user
intervention.
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Now lets add even more reliability to the
Electronic KVM Switch
Hot-Plugable. Servers may be connected or
disconnected from the switch while its powered
up, with no disruption to its normal operation or
to any connected server. External power supply.
So we dont need to rely on deriving power from
the servers keyboard port (like older electronic
switches used to do, and entry level switches
still do).
Keep Alive. The servers normal operation will
not be disrupted even if the KVM switch suffers
from an unexpected power failure. Single
connector cables with thumb screws. A secure
connection is guarantied to avoid servers getting
inadvertently disconnected from the switch.
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Time for some frills???
Naming servers. Instead of referring to servers
by port (A, B, C, etc.) why dont we give the
meaningful real-world names, and then be able
to bring up a list of servers on the screen and
select them by name. Automatic scanning.
Especially in a lab or control center
environment, the switch can automatically scan
through the active servers, each time displaying
the video of the next server for a
user-configurable amount of time. On Screen
Display menu system. For easy and intuitive
operation and control over the KVM switch and the
servers attached to it. Password security.
Assigning access rights to various users, like no
access, or viewing access only, or complete
access, per-user-per-server.
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Who does the job?
SwitchView Entry level switch
2 or 4 ports AutoBoot technology Automatic
scanning Keyboard or button Switching Industry-
standard color-coded cable assemblies.
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Who else does the job?
Conductor Budget conscious switch
8 ports Automatic scanning OSD for naming and
managing servers Password security Industry-sta
ndard color-coded cable assemblies.
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For data-center applications
Paradigm
8 ports, expandable to 64. Rack-mountable. OSD
for naming and managing servers. Password
security Single connector cable assemblies for
secured connections. Automatic scanning
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Now lets play with some gadgets for additional
flexibility
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You want the console away from the servers?
Console extender
Up to 1000 feet away, over standard UTP CAT 5
cable.
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You want to access the server from two locations?
Dual Console extender
One local console and one extended console, to
control the servers from 2 locations (one at
atime). Extended console located up to1000
feet away, over CAT 5standard network cable.
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One user at-a-time isnt enough?
AutoView 200
1 local console and a second extended console (up
to 500 feet away over CAT 5) have simultaneous
access.
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Mix of IBM compatible servers, Suns and USB
servers?
AutoView 400
Native multi-platform support for Suns, IBMs and
servers with USB connections. 2 user consoles
with simultaneous access.
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But what if...
If we need to control more than 64 servers?
Perhaps hundreds, maybe even thousands of
them? If we need more than just 2 concurrent
user consoles? If we need not only local and
extended consoles, but also remote control from
another building? Another state? Another
country?
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Server-ConsoleManagement Systems
Native cross platform support Multi-console for
simultaneous control and access for multiple
users. Scalable and re-configurable to support
future expansion. Modular design. No single
point of failure.
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More enterprise features for Server-Console
Management Systems
Support for Serial devices (hubs, routers), in
addition to IBMs, Suns, RS/6000, DEC Alpha, SGIs
and more hardware platforms. No initial
investments gets lost when expanding. Server
naming capability. On Screen Display for servers
and system management. Automatic
scanning. Password security. Modules can be
FLASH upgraded to the most updated firmware
version.
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4 User consoles controlling 60 servers XP4000
System
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16 User consoles controlling 128 serversXP4000
System
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And what about remote control?
A hardware solution. Supports one remote session
over TCP/IP or dial-in via modem. Connects to
any KVM switch, to control multiple
servers. Access and control any platform that is
supported by the KVM switch.
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IP-Reach, a true hardware solution for remote
control
No software required on any of the host
servers. Operates independently of the operating
system, even when you have a blue
screen. Perfect for remote maintenance with tons
of security features.
Optional power control, to manipulate power to
any attached device. Gets attached to a KVM
switch as a User Console, and can perform any of
the switches native features.
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So far, so good?
Takes a lot of rack space Requires lots of
cables, some of which are coaxial that occupy a
lot of space in the rack Requires management and
maintenance A little cumbersome
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Solution?
CAT 5 advanced technology
Eliminate coaxial cables Retaining high quality
signal transfer over longer distances
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16 User consoles controlling 128 serversParagon
System
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Whats in the future for Server-Console
Management systems?
Occupying less rack space for the KVM switching
hardware. Easier scalability to support
thousands of servers. Easily adding more users,
located anywhere in the world. Easy management
of large scale, and growing systems. Significantl
y reducing wiring. Capitalizing on the strengths
of LANs, natively benefiting from technology
improvements in LAN connectivity. Capitalizing
on Internet connectivity.
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1st step
Lets get rid of the KVM user network
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Use existing infrastructure
Lets use a network we already haveour LAN
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Insert KVM over IP switch
Users access the KVM switch through the LAN
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Dominion Series
Digital KVM switching over IP
No need for a separate network of user
consoles. Any computer on the network can be a
console to access any servers k/b, video, and
mouse ports. Supports as many servers as
required, with no limitation. Access from as many
concurrent users as needed, with no limitation.
Digital performance, transfers signals from
servers over the existing network, limited only
by networks bandwidth. Sophisticated management
tools to manage authentication, access rights,
user groups, etc.
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From AB mechanical switching todigital switching
over IP
100 hardware solution Independent of operating
system Works to access servers even when
operating system is hanging (Blue
Screen) Direct access to Keyboard, Video and
Mouse ports of a server Non intrusive Plug-and-pla
y connectivity No software needs to be running on
controlled servers.
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Server-Console Management Systems
The end
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