Server-Console Server-Console Management SystemsManagement Systems

The evolution of KVM The evolution of KVM switchesswitches

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Once upon a time there Once upon a time there was a PC...was a PC...

It was designed for 1 person to sit in front of it, It was designed for 1 person to sit in front of it,

to be used as a workstation.to be used as a workstation.

And then another…And then another…...and another…...and another…

……and yet another…and yet another…

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

Then it became clear they all needed to be tied Then it became clear they all needed to be tied in together, in a network, to communicate with in together, in a network, to communicate with one another, to share files, to share tasks and one another, to share files, to share tasks and resources.resources.

In order for PCs on the network to share In order for PCs on the network to share files, share tasks and resources, we now files, share tasks and resources, we now needed servers.needed servers.

As networks grew, and the number of As networks grew, and the number of servers grew with them, it no longer made servers grew with them, it no longer made sense to have a monitor, keyboard and sense to have a monitor, keyboard and mouse attached to each server.mouse attached to each server.

After all, it’s not like some operator is After all, it’s not like some operator is constantly working each one of these constantly working each one of these servers at any given time, right?servers at any given time, right?

So here’s a brilliant So here’s a brilliant concept for youconcept for you

Why can’t we hook up, say, 4 servers Why can’t we hook up, say, 4 servers to ONLY ONE keyboard, one monitor, to ONLY ONE keyboard, one monitor, and one mouse?and one mouse?

The KVM Switch has been bornThe KVM Switch has been born

A Keyboard, Video, Mouse (KVM) Switch Box A Keyboard, Video, Mouse (KVM) Switch Box allows to access and control multiple servers allows to access and control multiple servers through, say, ONE user console (1 keyboard, through, say, ONE user console (1 keyboard, 1 monitor and 1 mouse).1 monitor and 1 mouse).

Conceptual features of Conceptual features of KVM SwitchesKVM Switches

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 server’s keyboard, video and mouse ports.Independent of operating system. The KVM switch works on any given hardware platform regardless of the operating system.

“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.

How do we benefit from How do we benefit from using KVM Switches?using KVM Switches?

Save space. Getting rid of all the monitors and keyboards saves a ton of spaceConserve 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.

The mechanical KVM SwitchThe 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.

Reliability issues with Reliability issues with AB Switches?AB Switches?

If the knob was set on port A, then server B If the knob was set on port A, then server B was LITERALLY disconnected from a was LITERALLY disconnected from a keyboard and a mouse.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 doesn’t “see” a keyboard and mouse connected to it?

Operational limitations of Operational limitations of “AB Switches”“AB Switches”

To boot up a server, the knob must be set to that server’s port.

When one server is booting up, the user cannot work on another server.

Multiple servers must be brought up one at a time.

Do we really want to replace one Do we really want to replace one “headache” with another?“headache” with another?

How do we overcome these How do we overcome these reliability limitations?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 don’t hang onlybecause the switch stoppedfunctioning.

So we want an Electronic SwitchSo 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.

Now lets add even more reliability Now lets add even more reliability to the Electronic KVM Switchto the Electronic KVM Switch

Hot-Plugable. Servers may be connected or disconnected from the switch while it’s powered up, with no disruption to its normal operation or to any connected server.

External power supply. So we don’t need to rely on deriving power from the server’s 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.

Time for some frills???Time for some frills???

Naming servers. Instead of referring to servers by port (A, B, C, etc.) why don’t 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.

Who does the job?Who does the job?

SwitchViewSwitchViewEntry level switch

2 or 4 ports

AutoBoot technology

Automatic scanning

Keyboard or button Switching

Industry-standard color-coded cable assemblies.

Who else does the job?Who else does the job?

8 ports

Automatic scanning

OSD for naming and managing servers

Password security

Industry-standard color-coded cable assemblies.

ConductorConductorBudget conscious switch

For data-center applicationsFor data-center applications

ParadigmParadigm

8 ports, expandable to 64.

Rack-mountable.

OSD for naming and managing servers.

Password security

Single connector cable assemblies for secured connections.

Automatic scanning

Now lets play with some gadgets for Now lets play with some gadgets for additional flexibility…additional flexibility…

You want the console away You want the console away from the servers?from the servers?

Up to 1000 feet away, over standard UTP CAT 5 cable.

Console extenderConsole extender

You want to access the server You want to access the server from two locations?from two locations?

Dual Console extenderDual 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.

One user at-a-time One user at-a-time isn’t enough?isn’t enough?

AutoView 200AutoView 200

1 local console and a second extended console (up to 500 feet away over CAT 5) have simultaneous access.

Mix of IBM compatible servers, Mix of IBM compatible servers, Suns and USB servers?Suns and USB servers?

AutoView 400AutoView 400

Native multi-platform support for Suns, IBMs and servers with USB connections.

2 user consoles with simultaneous access.

But what if...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?

Server-ConsoleServer-ConsoleManagement SystemsManagement 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.

More enterprise features for Server-More enterprise features for Server-Console Management SystemsConsole 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.

4 User consoles controlling 60 servers 4 User consoles controlling 60 servers

XP4000 SystemXP4000 System

16 User consoles controlling 128 servers16 User consoles controlling 128 servers

XP4000 SystemXP4000 System

And what about remote control?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.

IP-Reach, a true hardware solution for IP-Reach, a true hardware solution for remote controlremote 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.

So far, so good?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

Solution?Solution?

Eliminate coaxial cables

Retaining high quality signal transfer over longer distances

CAT 5 advanced technologyCAT 5 advanced technology

16 User consoles controlling 128 servers16 User consoles controlling 128 servers

Paragon SystemParagon System

What’s in the future for Server-What’s in the future for Server-Console Management systems?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.

Significantly reducing wiring.

Capitalizing on the strengths of LANs, natively benefiting from technology improvements in LAN connectivity.

Capitalizing on Internet connectivity.

Let’s get rid of the KVM user networkLet’s get rid of the KVM user network

11stst step step

Lets use a network we already haveLets use a network we already haveour LANour LAN

Use existing infrastructure Use existing infrastructure

Users access the KVM switch through the Users access the KVM switch through the LANLAN

Insert KVM over IP switchInsert KVM over IP switch

Digital KVM switching over IPDigital KVM switching over IP

Dominion Dominion SeriesSeries

No need for a separate “network” of user consoles.

Any computer on the network can be a console to access any server’s 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 network’s bandwidth.

Sophisticated management tools to manage authentication, access rights, user groups, etc.

From AB mechanical switching toFrom AB mechanical switching todigital switching over IPdigital switching over IP

100% hardware solutionIndependent of operating systemWorks to access servers even when operating system is hanging (“Blue Screen”)Direct access to Keyboard, Video and Mouse ports of a serverNon intrusivePlug-and-play connectivityNo software needs to be running on controlled servers.

Server-Console Server-Console Management SystemsManagement Systems

The end…The end…

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