User guide

Dominion KX II – Frequently Asked Questions
© 2012 Raritan Inc. Page 12 of 18 V1098 R6 May 2012
Can I consolidate the local
ports of multiple KX IIs?
Yes. You can connect the local ports of multiple KX II switches to another KX II
using the “tiering” feature of the KX II. You can then access the servers
connected to your KX II devices from a single point in the data center via a
consolidated port list.
When I am using the local
port, do I prevent other
users from accessing
servers remotely?
No. The Dominion KX II local port has a completely independent access path to
the servers. This means a user can access servers locally at the rack – without
compromising the number of users that access the rack remotely at the same
time.
Can I use a USB keyboard
or mouse at the local port?
Yes. The Dominion KX II has USB keyboard and mouse ports on the local port.
Note that as of April 2011, the Dominion KX II switches no longer have PS/2
local ports. Customers with PS/2 keyboards and mice should utilize a PS/2 to
USB adapter.
Is there an onscreen display
(OSD) for local, at-the-rack
access?
Yes, but Dominion KX II’s at-the-rack access goes way beyond conventional
OSDs. Featuring the industry’s first browser-based interface for at-the-rack
access, Dominion KX II’s local port uses the same interface for local and remote
access. Moreover, most administrative functions are available at the rack.
How do I select between
servers while using the local
port?
The local port displays the connected servers using the same user interface as
the remote client. Users connect to a server with a simple click of the mouse or
via a hotkey.
How do I ensure that only
authorized users can
access servers from the
local port?
Users attempting to use the local port must pass the same level of
authentication as those accessing remotely. This means that:
• If the Dominion KX II is configured to interact with an external RADIUS,
LDAP or Active Directory
®
server, users attempting to access the local
port will authenticate against the same server.
• If the external authentication servers are unavailable, Dominion KX II
fails over to its own internal authentication database.
Dominion KX II has its own stand-alone authentication, enabling instant, out-of-
the-box installation.
If I use the local port to
change the name of a
connected server, does this
change propagate to remote
access clients as well?
Does it propagate to the
optional CommandCenter
appliance?
Yes. The local port presentation is identical and completely in sync with remote
access clients as well as Raritan’s CommandCenter Secure Gateway
management appliance. To be clear, if the name of a server via the Dominion
KX II onscreen display is changed, this updates all remote clients and external
management servers in real time.
If I use Dominion KX II’s
remote administration tools
to change the name of a
connected server, does that
change propagate to the
local port OSD as well?
Yes. If the name of a server is changed remotely, or via Raritan’s optional
CommandCenter Secure Gateway management appliance, this update
immediately affects Dominion KX II’s onscreen display.
Extended Local Port (Dominion KX2-832 and KX2-864 models only)
What is the extended local
port?
The Dominion KX2-832 and KX2-864 feature an extended local port. The KX II
eight-user models have a standard local port, plus a new extended local port
that extends the local port, via Cat5 cable, beyond the rack to a control room,
another point in the data center or to a Dominion KX II or Paragon II switch.
Can I connect the extended
local port to another KX II?
Yes, You can connect the extended local port to a server port of another KX II
using the “tiering” feature of the KX II.