[ale] KVM switch

[Lightner, Jeffrey]

Admins here have Avocent KVMs to manage the systems on our desk.

However, to manage the systems at our data center (via web) we use Raritan.   It is highly expandable AND you can configure it so only certain people see certain consoles (e.g. Here the Linux team can access all the consoles for Linux servers, Disk Arrays and SAN switches and Deduplication Appliances,  Network Team can manage ethernet switches and MS Team can manage Windows systems.)

It works fairly well.   You can even mount a DVD through the interface to the remote server.   (Not sure how that bit of magic works but it does - the dongle at the server goes to the video and 2 USB ports for keyboard and mouse.)   They do also have (or had) dongles for serial connections.

We have multiple Raritans for multiple racks but they are all managed by a central device and the web interface sees the systems regardless of which Raritan they are in.  The web interface calls itself CommandCenter Secure Gateway - not sure what the actual devices are called as I don't manage them - just the hosts attached via them.

Jeffrey C. Lightner
Sr. UNIX/Linux Administrator
 
DS Services of America, Inc.
2300 Windy Ridge Pkwy
Suite 600 N
Atlanta, GA  30339-8461
 
P: 678-486-3516
C: 678-772-0018
F: 678-460-3603
E: jlightner at dsservices.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of James Taylor
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2016 4:26 PM
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
Subject: Re: [ale] KVM switch

Way back the last time I looked at Avocent, they only supported the management interface on windows. Did they fix that?
-jt
 
 

James Taylor
678-697-9420
james.taylor at eastcobbgroup.com



>>> Harold Bieber <harold.bieber at gmail.com> 12/1/2016 3:50 PM >>>
jim, We use Avocent. Works well, although we aren't using the KVM over IP.
Only issue we have had was a lost/forgotten password after the person that set it up left the organization. Having to connect to the unit with serial port and none of the "tricks" support offered worked, had to do a factory reset of the device. This wasn't that bad as we only had 8 systems connected, all I had to do was go back in and rename the connections.
Overall been pretty happy with the units.

Harold

On Thu, Dec 1, 2016 at 3:23 PM, Jim Kinney <jim.kinney at gmail.com> wrote:

> Sometimes infrastructure hardware needs a kick in the pants. Like when 
> the network board in the KVMoIP switch fails. Again.
>
> I'm looking to replace an existing KVM switch that has no network 
> viewing of the consoles with a KVM switch that supports viewing the 
> consoles over a web connection.
>
> 32 ports is required. Ideally, it would have 2 local console ports so 
> I can plug one into a rack display and the other into the KVM in the 
> next rack for dual network access. LDAPS user access would be nice but 
> not a deal breaker without it.
>
> I currently have an ancient HP with no console over IP (so why even 
> _have_ a network port with ability to configure BUT NOT USE!!! ARGH!) 
> and 32 port unit from ACME Micro that is waiting for the second 
> replacement network board (I'm writing this from a datacenter wearing ear plugs).
>
> What are other people using (and not swearing at)?
>
> --
>
> James P. Kinney III Every time you stop a school, you will have to 
> build a jail. What you gain at one end you lose at the other. It's 
> like feeding a dog on his own tail. It won't fatten the dog. - Speech 
> 11/23/1900 Mark Twain http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
>
>
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