Adv. Console Access (T12) Advanced Remote Console Access version 1.6 David K. Z. Harris zonker@bigbandnet.com This presentation will be temporarily available at: http://www.conserver.com/consoles/LISA2002-T12.pdf © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 1 This presentation is a supplement to my console services web pages located at http://www.conserver.com/consoles/. These pages have a substantial amount of information noted below each slide.
About BigBand Networks Ø BigBand Networks makes Digital Video grooming hardware for Cable and Satellite companies, to help them make better use of the bandwidth they now have. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 2 Essentially, the hardware and software produced by BigBand Networks can aggregate information on a broadband network, turning a bunch of allocated frequencies into one “Big Band”, allowing the users to spread their data across many channels.
Pertinent Job History Ø Network Equipment Technologies ² (Comdesign, Bridge Communications) Ø Telebit Corp. Ø Cisco Systems, Inc. Ø Apple Computer, Inc. Ø Synopsys, Inc. Ø Global Networking & Computing ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris (they became Certainty Solutions.) Pg. 3 Before moving into networking, I was a hardware hacker, working in repair and R&D roles. I have been tinkering with serial devices for more than a decade.
Useful URL’s for after class Ø Conserver Software ² www.conserver.com/ Ø Console Connection Guides ² www.conserver.com/consoles/ Ø Serial BREAK testing ² www.conserver.com/consoles/breakoff.html Ø Serial adapters and cables ² www.americable.com Ø More at the end of the tutorial © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 4 Celeste Stokely has a wonderful archive at http://www.stokely.com/, with lots of useful information for system administrators.
Why we’re here today Ø I’m here to inform you… ² So, I need to keep you awake! Ø I’ve looked at a lot of options ² I like some better than others. Ø If you don’t pick Conserver, please pick something! Ø What’s in it for you? ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris This will save you time! Pg.
What We’ll Cover Ø Why console ports are good. Ø Console Server hardware options Ø Why worry about Serial BREAK Ø Add-on hardware ² Telemetry, remote power control Ø Benefits of logging servers Ø Questions and Answer session. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 6 There are lots of good reasons why administrators connect to the console ports on their network. You probably know many of them now.
How do you work today? Ø How many of you, in class today, are still on-call? Ø How many of you are PRIMARY on-call for some task today? Ø How many have deployed consoles remote access? Ø How many can access important consoles at your office, from the conference today, SECURELY? © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 7 If you support many machines, you may be called often to check on one of many devices,perhaps in many different locations.
Why Console Ports are Good Ø Sometime debug (trace, etc.) is best used on a console port. Ø Some security modes, including logging functions, can use serial consoles (some need to…) Ø Helps reduce heat generation and power consumption. Ø Even PC servers can run ‘headless’ (lights-out colos). Ø Downtime Costs Money! © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg.
What might you connect to? Ø Hosts ² workstations, servers, NMS hosts Ø RAID arrays, Network App Filers Ø Network equipment ² ² including devices without IP stacks CSU/DSU, TA Ø Telecom gear. Ø Security devices. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 9 Console ports are not cheap, so we want to use them sparingly.
Terminal Servers help reach Ø One terminal server can support many devices in one area. Ø Connections are costly, but can be worth it! Ø Saves time running between data centers. Ø Cheaper than extending many serial lines. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 10 If you have a bunch of devices at a remote location, you likely have a network already in place for the devices.
Basic Serial Hookups Ø Console Server connected to the same LAN with the hosts Ø Serial connections from the consoles of each host to the Console Server LAN CS/TS 1 H1 H2 H3 H4 Async serial © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 11 In the most basic configuration, you connect all of the consoles that you care about to a serial port on a Terminal Server or a Console Server.
Terminal Server Magic Ø Reverse TCP (Reverse Telnet) ² Basic functionality these days Ø Workstation telnet to TS address:port Ø Vendor-specific port formulae ² Port ranges are well known… Ø Vendor-specific features ² Not consistent from vendor to vendor Ø Hackers will look for these! © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 12 Originally, modems or ‘dumb terminals’ were connected to terminal servers, and users would telnet from the terminal server to other points around the network.
Terminal & Console Servers Ø Terminal Servers were designed to allow ‘dumb terminals’ to access hosts on IP networks. Ø Reverse Telnet allowed users on the network to connect to serial ports on terminal servers Ø Console Servers are a newer, enhanced Terminal Server, meant for supporting console access. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 13 Terminal servers are still readily available, and you can pick them up fairly cheaply on eBay, or other dot.com auctions.
An Important Distinction Ø Console Server Application ² A host running software for controlling access to serial consoles around your network, for logging and administration tasks Ø Console Server Hardware ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris A device running software, which allows connections from across a network to reach serial ports connected to the device. Pg. 14 With the advent of “Console Server” hardware, some distinctions needed to be made.
Terminal server advantages Ø Admin can operate many consoles at once Ø One serial port per socket-based session Ø Easy to cut-and-paste between sessions Ø Different administrators can talk to many different attached devices at one time. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 15 It’s common to open many windows to different ports, so you can copy and paste between them.
Terminal Server Disadvantages Ø It’s not cheap to deploy. Ø Only one person can connect to a given port at one time. Ø Hard to tell who is connected, if a given port is already busy. Ø Difficult to kick someone off if you need to access a port. Ø If nobody is connected to a port, incoming data is lost, not logged © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 16 Reverse TCP connections are good, and useful.
Think About Security Ø Do you have a security policy? Ø Does it consider remote access to serial consoles? Ø How concerned are you about ‘internal’ threats (snooping)? Ø What are you trying to protect? Ø What is that worth to protect it? ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris The classic budgeting questions Pg. 17 We will discuss some security issues in this talk, but security is a touchy subject, and a few aspects of most cases are unique.
Terminal Servers and Security Ø Some vendors are adding SSH to their devices ² ² ² How will you manage accounts across many boxes? Can they authenticate against an existing server? What happens if they can’t reach the server? Ø Security is still new here... © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg.
Who are the vendors? Ø Many players are still in the game ² Cisco, Cyclades, Digi, Lantronix Ø Some players have changed. ² ² Computone became Symbiat Xyplex became MRV… • (nBase -> iTouch -> MRV) ² IOLAN became Perle Ø The market is still growing! © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 19 Cisco has been taking remote access to consoles fairly seriously (Worldcom was very fond of the 3600 family). Cyclades has been in this market for more than a decade, and is a strong player.
Vendor Links Ø Cisco Systems ² The 2600 and 3600 series. • 3660 line numbers are 33-224! • IOS 12.05(t), look up UDPTN • Async input, multicast output! ² ² Use the NM-32A 32-port modules. Americable sells patch panels. Ø Xyplex, iTouch Communications ² The InReach line is now “Sun-safe” ² The iTouch Xyplex family is not! Ø Both RJ-45 ports are symetrical! © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 20 Terminal Server Vendors Cisco Systems http://www.cisco.com http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/pcat/2600.
Vendor Links, cont’d. Ø Cyclades ² ² ² ² Built-in Linux core TS2000 is a great device! PC multi-port cards available Most products are Sun-safe Ø Digi Communications ² ² ² Many devices available PortServer CM is a good tool Many products are now Sun-safe © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 21 Cyclades and Digi are both long-time makers in this arena. Cyclades was the first (and only) console server hardware we found in our Serial BREAK testing that had a software-controlled BREAK problem.
Vendor Links, cont’d. Ø Perle (Perle Systems Ltd.) ² ² CS9000 is Sun-safe Cables, status LEDs on same side • Good or bad? You decide… ² Good integration with MS Windows • May be useful in a mixed environment Ø Lantronix ² Still a workhorse in the industry © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 22 Perle System took on the Chase Research IOLAN line, as well as Specialix products. You can still get support, and buy hardware from Perle if you want these lines. (The IOLAN model 102 and 104 servers are Sun-safe.
New or old? New or used? Ø Do you need support? Ø Do you need software? Ø Are you trying to expand an existing deployment? Ø Can you afford to learn and deploy something new? Ø Do you need new features ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris SSL? SSH V2? Sun-safe? Pg. 23 Synopsys had a working installation, based on Xylogics Annex hardware. Even though it sent Serial BREAK on power-off, they kept it.
Security Concerns and Costs Ø Which network will you connect your devices to? Ø In compliance with Security? ² SSH? SSL? Radius or TACACS+? Ø Extending your management network may add cost to your terminal server deployment. ² ² ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Network links between data centers Extra switch/hub ports Cost-per-port is a bad metric because Pg.
Choosing your hardware Ø Port densities needed? Ø Number of devices needed? Ø Cable lengths an issue… Ø Would BREAK be a problem? Ø Do you prefer certain vendors? Ø Budget concerns… ² ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Patch Panels, or jacks in chassis? Cables and pre-wired adapters Pg. 25 Choose your port densities with cable lengths in mind, since you want to keep your serial cable lengths shorter than 50 feet (16 meters).
Supplemental Costs Ø High Availability costs more ² ² Service Contract? On-site Spare Equipment? Ø Ancillary Cables and Adapters ² ² ² ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris CAT-5 cables for patching Patch Panels? Adapters? Distribution Wiring (Rack-to-rack) Test equipment (Signal Tracers) Pg. 26 When you come to depend on some infrastructure equipment, you want to ensure that a hardware failure does not cripple that infrastructure.
Evaluating the Hardware Ø Cost per port is just one metric Ø Security features may be needed ² Do you need SSL or SSH access? • What version(s)? Interoperability… ² How often, how many, how long? Ø Size and port density ² ² ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Rack space may be valuable How many ports do you need? Wiring, adapters, patch panels Pg. 27 While many Console Servers now have SSH access capability, SSH V.2 capability has been slow in coming.
Is Serial BREAK a problem? Ø The answer varies, site to site Ø The answer today may change in a year, or a month. ² ² ² Corporate acquisitions and mergers Strategic Partnership networks “Visiting Hardware” for developers Ø More information is available on www.conserver.com © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 28 Older SUN hardware is vulnerable. So are older SGI IRIX machines. Newer SUN machines can be patched and modified. Modems may react badly to BREAK, depending on their configuration.
Terminal Servers and Security Ø Some vendors have added SSL and SSH to their devices ² ² ² ² How will you manage accounts across many boxes? Can they authenticate against an existing server? What happens if they can’t reach the authentication server? Do you have assorted hardware? Ø Security is still new here... © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 29 SSH has become a vital checkbox for many vendors to add to their terminal servers and other network devices, but interoperability is still far from good.
Basic Architectures (#1) Ø Adding Terminal Servers Ø Everything on the same network (the ‘no security worries’ model) ² TS = terminal server Hn = hosts You session TS A LAN H1 H2 H3 H4 Async serial © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 30 This presumes that you are not worried about someone on your internal network sniffing the console sessions. In a small network, this provides the convenience factors (fewer display devices, no switchboxes, and different serial port speeds don’t bother us).
Basic Architectures (#2) Ø Adding a logging server Ø Similar to Terminal Server Deployment ² ² CS=console server app TS= Terminal Server CC=client CC session CS/TS 1 LAN H1 H2 H3 H4 Async serial © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 31 In this configuration, we still don’t worry about internal security. In this case, the Console Server (CS) has multiple serial ports installed, connected to the various consoles that you care about.
Adding a Console Server App Ø Combination Server (CS/TS) ² Logging server equipped with multiport serial card(s) Ø Separate Server Devices ² ² Console Server App on the network Terminal servers attach to devices Ø How to decide which is best? © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 32 Some console server applications allow you to add some multi-port serial interface cards, and attach serial consoles directly to the console server.
Basic Architectures (#3) Ø Combining a Console Server App with Terminal Servers ² ² You can add multiple terminal servers You can mix terminal server types/vendors CC session CS 1 LAN TS A H1 H2 H3 H4 logging Async serial © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 33 This is the most versatile configuration, in our opinion. Again, security on the internal network is not a concern in this model. You can get more ports on a terminal server (TS) than you can practically add to a console server (CS) host.
Basic Architectures (#4) Ø Client can access from anywhere on your network ² ² Terminal Server is located physically near consoles Console Server App host doesn’t have to be close to monitored consoles. client session CS 1 CC Network logging and session TS A H1 H2 Async serial © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 34 The console client (CC) can be anywhere on your network.
Advanced Architectures (#5) Ø Addressing Security Concerns ² ² ² Add a management Network Put Network Management Station on this network Put Console Server and clients there LAN H1 H2 H3 serial R1 TS logging CS © 2002 David K. Z. Harris H4 1 session A MGMT CC NMS Pg.
Security Issues Ø It’s easier to maintain secure communication to a Console Server Host, than it is to make secure connections to Console Server hardware. Ø Take steps to restrict access to your console servers and logs. Ø Centralize your access rights. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 36 Remote access to your serial consoles will become an invaluable tool (if it isn’t already). It can easily become a major part of your administration foundation.
Advanced Architectures (#6) Ø Security for large networks ² ² Physically extend Management Net Requires additional resources • fiber runs, hub/switch ports, etc ² R1 is a router connecting the networks LAN H1 H2 H3 TS logging © 2002 David K. Z. Harris H4 H1 H2 H3 serial R1 CS LAN 1 session MGMT CC serial logging A H4 TS B MGMT NMS Pg. 37 If you have a need to support multiple data centers, you may want to extend your management network to those other data centers.
Advanced Architectures (#7) Ø Security for large networks ² ² ² Distributed Terminal Servers Use encrypted IP tunnel Management Net is more secure LAN H1 H2 H3 TS logging © 2002 David K. Z. Harris H4 serial R1 CS LAN 1 session H1 H2 H3 H4 serial TS A MGMT CC IP tunnel to R2 MGMT logging B MGMT NMS Pg. 38 In an environment where network connection paths are limited, you may want to consider adding an encrypted tunnel from one of your management networks to another.
Free software adds value Ø Logging Ø Forensics data Ø Mentoring Ø Data for other Apps ² ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Netcool Swatch Pg. 39 Terminal servers give you easy access to the serial ports around your networks. A logging console server will open a reverse telnet session to each of the serial ports that you care about, and log any data sent by the attached devices, even if nobody is connected.
Console Server App. Costs Ø Software can be free ² Commercial solutions ARE available Ø Can be run on an existing CPU ² You may want to use a dedicated box Ø Security policy may require a dedicated CPU Ø Serial cards in the server versus using Terminal Servers © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 40 There are many free solutions available, depending on the features that you want. There are at least two commercial applications available to you.
Adding a logging server Ø Captures forensics information ² ² Why did it crash? Who made changes? Ø Can be linked to other tools Ø Allows juniors and seniors to work together ² ² One session controls, others watch A backup administrator can watch the screen during critical changes, or during extended service windows. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 41 You can integrate a commercial logging server with your terminal servers. You can install many logging servers *instead* of terminal servers.
Advanced Architectures (#8) Ø Distributed Console Servers ² ² ² One master configuration file Client is redirected from ‘local’ server Logging continues if WAN fails! default session CC CS 1 Network redirected session CS TS 2 B H1 H2 logging serial © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg.
Advanced Architectures (#9) Ø Distributed CS and Security ² ² ² Distributed Console Server App and Terminal Servers Logging is on local mgmt net Client sessions traverse the tunnel LAN H1 H2 H3 TS logging © 2002 David K. Z. Harris H4 serial R1 CS LAN 1 session H1 A H2 H3 H4 serial CS MGMT CC IP tunnel to R2 MGMT TS 2 log B MGMT NMS Pg. 43 We can extend the idea of distributed console server hosts in our earlier security models.
Synopsys Ø Multiple distributed data centers Ø 35+ field offices Ø Field sites host a Conserver Ø Router supports ² ² ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Dial-in/out ISDN access Local authentication Console ports Pg. 44 Synopsys has been using Conserver for more than a decade. They had expanded their implementation across the major data centers for the company, and during 2000, they replaced older ANNEX terminal servers for all Cisco 3600-series hardware, to eliminate Serial BREAK problems.
Synopsys Basic Field Office Ø WAN for main traffic Ø PSTN (ISDN) for field dialup ² (Public Switched Telephone Network) Ø Local Conserver Host Internet Router DSU serial H1 ISDN P.S.T.N. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris CS 1 H2 Pg. 45 In the field office, the field office router also became the Console Server, and the ‘local dialup connection’ for staff near the field offices.
Advanced Architectures (#10) Ø One server for control Ø Secondary logging server ² ² ² ² ² Dedicated machine No NFS dependencies Only 1-2 admins Physically secured Strictly READ ONLY GDF H RW RO Ø Ports from devices connected to two jacks! © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 46 Legend: G = signal ground, D = tx and rx data, F = hardware flow control leads, and H = hardware handshaking leads. Basically, only the signal ground and the data coming from the attached console is delivered to the second port.
Installing Terminal Servers Ø What networks will host them? ² ² DNS addresses and names Do you want them on your mgmt net? Ø Shelf or Rack Mount? ² ² Where will each one live? Will you need infrastructure cabling? Ø Power and cooling needs? Ø Network connections/addresses? © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 47 Before your terminal servers arrive, you should know where they will physically live (so you will know if you can order a rack-mount version, or if you have to buy shelves).
Modular Adapters Will Help! Ø Pre-wired + labeled = trusted ² ² ² Troubleshooting is faster Easy to spot the wrong part Easy to tell what the right part is Ø Small cost over parts cost to you ² Your time is worth more than that Ø Get a Passive Signal Tracer! ² © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Invaluable tool for physical layer Pg. 48 Many of the higher-density console servers use an RJ-45 connection, to save space over the DB-n predecessors.
Signal Tracer Demo Ø Passive signal tracers don’t need batteries. Ø No Break-Out boxes. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 49 The image above is an ‘animated GIF…so you’ll need to look at the Minor Scroll of Console Knowledge (http://www.conserver.com/consoles/msock.html) to see the image in action. It demonstrates how you test the signals on the host, and then the adapter on the cable.
Adding Consoles to PCs Ø Normally, this wouldn’t work… Ø Some vendors add BIOS support ² Compaq, Network Engines Ø Other vendors add optional cards ² Hewlett-Packard Ø You can add a third-party card ² PC-Weasel (EISA and PCI versions) Ø Rackable Systems’ “Phantom” © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 50 Traditionally, the PC architecture has not lent itself to using the COM ports as serial consoles, they way that UNIX machines have.
PC BIOS limited access Ø Usually limited to ² ² ² P.O.S.T. output until GUI starts A few BOIS settings (via EISA add-in) Rebooting the server Ø Some can capture crash dumps ² ² Compaq lets you replay them! Real-time! ANSI and color! Ø Some allow multiple accounts © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 51 Owners of newer Compaq servers have the ability to control basic server functions (power cycling, soft resets, some BIOS support) via a serial console port.
Compaq Serial Console Ø Integrated Remote Console (IRC) ² Must be built into the server hardware Ø Password in Server NVRAM Access levels allow ² ² ² Up to 12 users, definable access rights viewing of statistics and events rebooting the system Ø http://www.compaq.com ² Search for “integrated remote console” © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 52 Go to the Compaq web site, and get the primer for Integrated Remote Console. (http://www.compaq.com/support/techpubs/user_reference_guides/281862002.
Network Engines Ø BIOS redirection in ROM > v.96 ² ² Can be installed from Mgmt System Can be upgraded via CD from N.E. Ø Smart Drive & Ethernet Interfaces ² ² ² BIOS hands off to these Smart parts Interfaces report directly to screen (The output from drive controllers and network interfaces do not get redirected to the serial port.) © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg.
HP Admin Console Ø HP Remote Assistant ² ² Specific to HP Hardware Doesn’t catch ‘Smart NICs’ Ø Allows reset, and power cycle ² Graceful reboots require daemons Ø Can page with attached modem Ø Captures event/status info Ø Reboot to utility partition ² Useful for diagnostics © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 54 Some Netserver CPUs have some remote control capability built in.
PC Weasel Pointers Ø PC Weasel ² http://www.realweasel.com/ Ø Detail demo ability via Internet. ² http://www.realweasel.com/demo.html Ø Add-in card, with a serial port ² ² ² ² ² Available in EISA & PCI card formats On-board 16550 UART Send/monitor keystrokes Press/release/cycle reset button Cycle power as well © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 55 The devices appears to the computer to be a monochrome video adapter. The P.O.S.T.
Rackable Systems Ø Their 1000 Series servers ² ² ² 2-rack units tall Front-mounted connections Front air-inlet, rear exhaust Ø “Phantom” management system ² ² ² (PIC Dog!) Available in most 1-, 2-, 3-U servers Display, 8 temperatures, LED signals © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 56 You have many options for Intel-based servers. Rackable offers many variations, and features. However, I mention them here because they are Conserver-Friendly! Cary Roberts (Tellme.
Remote Power Control Ø Some vendors allow full network access, besides serial access. ² ² Telnet access (some even allow http!) Some UPS vendors allow SNMP control with add-in modules. Ø Restricting access to consoles controls who cycles the power. Ø Some vendors add serial ports to power controllers. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 57 Many UPS vendors allow SNMP management of their larger units. This often includes the ability to shut down output circuits.
Wrap-up Ø Did we cover everything? ² Console Server features, sources ² Evaluation criteria, BREAK info ² Console Server Application info. ² Best Practices Ø Questions and Answers. ² BOF session, Wed, 7-9p, Salon K ² Vendors: Cyclades and Aurora Tech Ø Please fill in your evaluation forms and drop them off © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg.
Suggested Reading Ø Aurora Technologies ² http://www.auroratech.com/ ² /free guide.html ² A good primer for console services, and an even-handed discussion of “Distributed Servers” versus “Console Servers plus Terminal Servers” topic ² Email info@auroratech.com, and ask for the Guide to Multiport Connectivity for Solaris and NT. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 59 There are very few comprehensive works, explaining how to set up serial console services, which is why we developed this tutorial.
Web Links Ø Stokely Consulting ² http://www.stokely.com/ ² Good sysadmin and netadmin info ² Useful K/V/M info as well. Ø Conserver.Com ² http://www.conserver.com/ Distribution repository and FAQ ² http://www.conserver.com/consoles/ Console connection guides Ø Credits… © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg.
Vendor Links Ø Cisco Systems ² The 2600 and 3600 series. • 3660 line numbers are 33-224! • IOS 12.05(t), look up UDPTN • Async input, multicast output! ² ² Ø Xyplex, iTouch Communications ² ² Ø Use the NM-32A 32-port modules. Americable sells patch panels. The InReach line is now “Sun-safe” The iTouch Xyplex family is not! Both RJ-45 ports are symetrical! © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 61 Terminal Server Vendors Cisco Systems http://www.cisco.com http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/pcat/2600.
Vendor Links, cont’d. Ø Cyclades ² ² ² ² Built-in Linux core TS2000 is a great device! PC multi-port cards available Most products are Sun-safe Ø Digi Communications ² ² ² Many devices available PortServer CM is a good tool Many products are now Sun-safe © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 62 Cyclades and Digi are both long-time makers in this arena. Cyclades was the first (and only) console server hardware we found in our Serial BREAK testing that had a software-controlled BREAK problem.
Vendor Links, cont’d. Ø Perle (Perle Systems Ltd.) ² ² CS9000 is Sun-safe Cables, status LEDs on same side • Good or bad? You decide… ² Good integration with MS Windows • May be useful in a mixed environment Ø Lantronix ² Still a workhorse in the industry © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 63 Perle System took on the Chase Research IOLAN line, as well as Specialix products. You can still get support, and buy hardware from Perle if you want these lines. (The IOLAN model 102 and 104 servers are Sun-safe.
Accessory Vendor Info Ø Nu-Data non-BREAK adapters Ø PC Weasel in-server cards Ø ASP Technology ² ² CatWalk interface Power interface for Xyplex, Digi Ø DataTran passive signal tracers ² ² If you can find them, BUY THEM! Two LEDS are better than one… © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 64 Nu-Data is the sole source for a “Non-aborting Serial Console Adapter” (part number 4723), but their website PDF links have been broken for longer than I can remember.
Accessory Vendor Info Ø Weeder Technologies ² ² ² Serial interfaces for process control Counters, timers, motor control Analog and digital I/O Ø Black Box Corporation Ø Patton Electronics ² ² Maybe they can make signal tracers Can’t hurt to call and ask for them. © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 65 Weeder Technologies If you are looking for ways to get information from devices that don’t have consoles, check out this site.
Remote Power Control Ø American Power Conversion ² MasterSwitch line Ø BayTech ² RPC product line Ø Server Technologies ² Sentry product line © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 66 American Power Conversion has been a long-time UPS maker, and a leader in developing SNMP management for UPS gear. Their MasterSwitch product line allows for serial port access to power outlets, as well as telnet and HTTP control. http://www.apcc.com/ http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=70 http://www.apcc.
Americable Ø Custom cables and adapters ² Serial adapter kits for consoles • Annex/Bay/Nortel • Cisco/Lantronix • IOLAN • iTouch/Xyplex Ø Short power cords Ø Fiber and Ethernet gear/cables Ø Fast turnaround © 2002 David K. Z. Harris Pg. 67 I’ve used Americable as a vendor for more than 6 years, and I’ve been very happy with them as a vendor. They’ve been able to turn some important orders around very quickly.
