User's Manual

Several factors related to the network setup, including the Rack Power Manager software
database replication schedule and methods of device access, can affect the speed of a multi-site
VPN network. The trade-off must be made based on the network setup.
Frequent replication of the Rack Power Manager software database will increase WAN/VPN
traffic but provide steady data reception at the local sites. Infrequent database replication made
at the various sites decreases the WAN/VPN traffic but delays the reception of changes at the
local site.
In addition, the methods used to access devices affects network speed. VPN access of a
managed appliance is always slower than local access.
The Rack Power Manager management software supports VPNs that provide full transparency
for IP addresses, as well as ports between sites and many VPNs that perform network address
translation (NAT) between sites. For example, the VPN in Figure 5.2 could use NAT if Site A
and Site B are separate companies that merged but have not resolved their IP addresses. See
NAT Devices on page 56.
Figure 5.2: Rack Power Manager Software System on a VPN
Table 5.4: Typical Rack Power Manager Software System Firewall Configuration Descriptions
Number Description Number Description
1 Rack Power Manager Software Client 7 Replication
2 Firewall 8 VPN
Chapter 5: Basic Operations 55