[ale] KVM switch

Jim Kinney jim.kinney at gmail.com
Thu Dec 1 17:14:04 EST 2016


The Raritans sound like what I need. Specifically the ability to split
users to specific ports only. 

I'm certain they will cost some $$$ but should last a while. 

On Thu, 2016-12-01 at 21:49 +0000, Lightner, Jeffrey wrote:
> 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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> > 
> 
> 
> 
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-- 
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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