 |
Call
toll free: 877-647-2728 Mon - Fri 6:00am - 6:00pm PST email: info@mirapath.com |
PartnersSupport
Professional
Service
CompanyContact
UsAvocent
BayTechCyclades
DigiOpengear
Raritan
Server Tech |
Console Servers AlterPath™ ACS TS Series KVM Enterprise Solutions Alterpath™KVM Analog Alterpath™KVM/net (KVM over IP) Alterpath™KVM/netPlus (KVM over IP) Power Management AlterPath™PM OOBI Management Alterpath™Manager Blade Management Alterpath™ Blade Manager Branch Office Management AlterPath™OnSite Alterpath™ACS1 TS100 & TS110 Multiport Serial Cards Cyclades Z Series Cyclom Y Series Other AlterPath™Biometric Scanner Cables and Adapters
|
|
Cyclades
AlterPath™ ACS - Application Notes Integrated Console and Power Management The scenario: The recognized “Best Online Photofinisher” relies on Cyclades products to keep their excellence. Since its inception in 1999, they have consistently rolled out award-winning services to millions of online customers. They knew they needed the best-managed network to continuously provide the best services. The network staffs use some in-band LAN connection for network management. When needed, out-of-band console access is used to manage networked machines and remotely controlled power outlets to hard-reboot devices. The problem: How to integrate and streamline the actions required when networking devices in a remote data center fail to respond to their in-band management connections. Remotely controlled power outlets must be used to power cycle to the devices. Without integration, however, this will require administrators to manually crossreference machines and power outlets in a process that is too time-consuming and prone to human errors. Remote management solutions usually have separate interfaces for console and power management, delivering weak combined security.  The solution: Use the seamless integration of the AlterPath ACS Advanced Console Server and AlterPath PM Intelligent Power Distribution Units. This solution provides a friendly unified interface for remote management of both console and power, which will feature the strong security and encryption features inherent to the Cyclades AlterPath Console Servers.  The AlterPath ACS Advanced Console Server provides IT professionals with additional ways to remotely access managed networks from anywhere in the world. The AlterPath PM series of products are a range of Intelligent Power Distribution Units that enables remote control of power to managed devices from anywhere in the world. The greatest benefit to the IT professionals comes when the two products are used together to provide a secure user friendly interface for both console management and power management in a single user session. By utilizing the AlterPath ACS as the method of connecting to the AlterPath PM the two products are viewed and managed as a single integrated unit. All of the security benefits of the ACS are inherited in the solution, which includes SSHv2, IPSEC, strong authentication, access control, and audited logging capability. Using the AlterPath ACS and PM together the administrator can configure any device for both the serial console access and one or more of the power outlets to control the power to the device. In equipment with redundant power supplies it is possible to control the console and all of the power outlets from a single session. Making the logical connection between console and power at configuration time simplifies the task of the system administrator by removing the need for the usual spreadsheet or document containing names and addresses of console ports, power devices etc. and avoids managing each device separately. In the integrated environment everything becomes connected under the simple AlterPath user interface. The daisy chain feature of the AlterPath PM means that two or more independent power sources can be controlled at the same time, which is ideal for systems using dual redundant power feeds. In this case, both power outlets can be switched at the same time from the power management subsystem. The daisy chain feature also allows up to 128 devices to be managed from a single secure connection. When a user needs to power cycle a system then he can first connect to the console port after proper authentication and authorization. This gives an immediate validation that he is connected to the correct machine. He can then simply hit a user defined hot key to bring the power management menu into operation. This level of transparency and validation significantly reduces the risk of operator errors the Gartner Group accounts for 40% of all data center downtime. This seamless integration of the PM series of Intelligent Power Distribution with any of the Cyclades AlterPath ACS and Cyclades-TS console servers is currently recognized as “the best tool ever” to help effective, secure data center management. | |
| © 2003-2008 Mirapath, Inc. | 10268B
Bandley Dr., Cupertino, CA 95014 | T: (408) 873-7883 | F: (408) 521-0520 Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |