LWFX

When your network begins to expand, it becomes necessary to access conveniently access all console ports in a network or server farm from a single station.  An efficient console management solution should enable console access from anywhere, at any time, locally or remotely.

A console access server provides the ability to access your console ports remotely and provides access that is east, fast and convenient, not to mention secure.  With more and more critical applications being executed via server farms rather than a single mainframe, console access servers have become indispensable in any large data center.

So what do you look for when choosing the right server for your application?

• A console access server should allow easy, fast and convenient access for IT manager, but must also keep intruders out.
• The console access server you choose should integrate well with your rack and cable management systems and not include clumsy external cables that won’t easily fit in a rack.
• The unit you choose should allow local or server-based authentication.
• Businesses can choose from a number of ports ranging from 16 or 64 ports per chassis.
• Before purchasing a console access server, make sure that the product has a modern design and can be updated through a software download.

Following are some choices to consider when making your decision:

PC-based Terminal Servers:  With the availability of PC hardware and Open Source operating systems, building a terminal server by installing a multi-port serial board in a PC is feasible; however. these units are weak in port density and integration.

Traditional Console Access Servers:  These products are complex, costly and have not been able to keep up with the advancements required when increasing the size of server farms; they focus on hardware rather than software-based modularity.

Generic Terminal Servers:  These servers typically have strong internet connectivity and security capability, but lack targeted console features.

Check out WTI’s products like a serial switch.

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