1. Server-Console Management Systems
December 6, 2001
Server-Console
Management Systems
The evolution of KVM switches
Presented by Daniel Schar, Rackit Technology

2. Server-Console Management Systems
December 6, 2001
Once upon a time there
was a PC...
It was designed for 1 person to sit in front of it, to be used as a workstation.
Presented by Daniel Schar, Rackit Technology

3. And then another…
...and another…
…and yet another…

4. Say hello to the Local Area Network (LAN).
Then it became clear they all needed to be tied in together, in a network, to communicate with one another, to share files, to share tasks and resources.
Say hello to the Local Area Network (LAN).

5. In order for PCs on the network to share files, share tasks and resources, we now needed servers.

6. As networks grew, and the number of servers grew with them, it no longer made sense to have a monitor, keyboard and mouse attached to each server.

7. After all, it’s not like some operator is constantly working each one of these servers at any given time, right?

8. So here’s a brilliant concept for you
Why can’t we hook up, say, 4 servers to ONLY ONE keyboard, one monitor, and one mouse?

9. The KVM Switch has been born
A Keyboard, Video, Mouse (KVM) Switch Box allows to access and control multiple servers through, say, ONE user console (1 keyboard, 1 monitor and 1 mouse).

10. Conceptual features of KVM Switches
A hardware solution. No software needs to be installed on any of the controlled servers.
A non-intrusive solution. No hardware needs to be installed into the controlled servers. Access is achieved through the server’s keyboard, video and mouse ports.
Independent of operating system. The KVM switch works on any given hardware platform regardless of the operating system.
“Out of band” basic level access. Controlling a server through a KVM switch allows the user to do ANY work on the server, to operate any software application running on the server, and even to perform a warm boot or to change CMOS settings as if the user console was a dedicated keyboard, monitor, and mouse connected directly to the server. The network may be down, but you still have access to the server through your KVM switch.

11. How do we benefit from using KVM Switches?
Save space. Getting rid of all the monitors and keyboards saves a ton of space
Conserve energy. Getting rid of all the monitors reduces heat dissipation, reduces cooling requirements and conserves energy.
Increased productivity. Much easier for one operator to control multiple servers through one console, rather than juggling dozens of consoles, not knowing at times which one is hooked up to which server.

12. The mechanical KVM Switch
The first KVM switches were mechanical, and are known as “AB Switches”.
Turning the knob physically made a connection between a port on the switch (connected via cables to the k/b, video and mouse ports of a server) to the user console connected to the switch.

13. Reliability issues with AB Switches?
If the knob was set on port A, then server B was LITERALLY disconnected from a keyboard and a mouse.
Modern operating systems, like Windows 2000 and NT4 occasionally look for a keyboard and mouse connection.
Can we afford to have a server hang because it doesn’t “see” a keyboard and mouse connected to it?

14. Operational limitations of “AB Switches”
To boot up a server, the knob must be set to that server’s port.
When one server is booting up, the user cannot work on another server.
Multiple servers must be brought up one at a time.

15. Do we really want to replace one “headache” with another?

16. How do we overcome these reliability limitations?
Electronic keyboard and mouse emulation. To have the switch “fool” all the servers connected to it to believe they have a keyboard and a mouse constantly connected.
Keep Alive. Make sure the servers don’t hang only because the switch stopped functioning.

17. So we want an Electronic Switch
Constant keyboard and mouse connection. continuous emulation of keyboard and mouse connections to all ports, so each server “sees” a keyboard and mouse connected to it, all the time.
Seamless boot-up. Boot up server A, while working on server B at the same time.
Multiple simultaneous boot-up. All attached servers may boot up at the same time, with no user intervention.

18. Now lets add even more reliability to the Electronic KVM Switch
Hot-Plugable. Servers may be connected or disconnected from the switch while it’s powered up, with no disruption to its normal operation or to any connected server.
External power supply. So we don’t need to rely on deriving power from the server’s keyboard port (like older electronic switches used to do, and entry level switches still do).
Keep Alive. The servers’ normal operation will not be disrupted even if the KVM switch suffers from an unexpected power failure.
Single connector cables with thumb screws. A secure connection is guarantied to avoid servers getting inadvertently disconnected from the switch.

19. Time for some frills???
Naming servers. Instead of referring to servers by port (A, B, C, etc.) why don’t we give the meaningful “real-world” names, and then be able to bring up a list of servers on the screen and select them by name.
Automatic scanning. Especially in a lab or control center environment, the switch can automatically scan through the active servers, each time displaying the video of the next server for a user-configurable amount of time.
On Screen Display menu system. For easy and intuitive operation and control over the KVM switch and the servers attached to it.
Password security. Assigning access rights to various users, like no access, or viewing access only, or complete access, per-user-per-server.

20. Who does the job? SwitchView Entry level switch 2 or 4 ports
AutoBoot technology
Automatic scanning
Keyboard or button
Switching
Industry-standard color-coded cable assemblies.

21. Who else does the job? Conductor Budget conscious switch 8 ports
Automatic scanning
OSD for naming and managing servers
Password security
Industry-standard color-coded cable assemblies.

22. For data-center applications
Paradigm
8 ports, expandable to 64.
Rack-mountable.
OSD for naming and managing servers.
Password security
Single connector cable
assemblies for secured
connections.
Automatic scanning

23. Server-Console Management Systems
December 6, 2001
Now lets play with some gadgets for additional flexibility…
Presented by Daniel Schar, Rackit Technology

24. You want the console away from the servers?
Console extender
Up to 1000 feet away, over standard UTP CAT 5 cable.

25. You want to access the server from two locations?
Dual Console extender
One local console and one extended console, to control the servers from 2 locations (one at a time).
Extended console located up to 1000 feet away, over CAT 5 standard network cable.

26. One user at-a-time isn’t enough?
AutoView 200
1 local console and a second extended console (up to 500 feet away over CAT 5) have simultaneous access.

27. Mix of IBM compatible servers, Suns and USB servers?
AutoView 400
Native multi-platform support for Suns, IBMs and servers with USB connections.
2 user consoles with simultaneous access.

28. But what if...
If we need to control more than 64 servers? Perhaps hundreds, maybe even thousands of them?
If we need more than just 2 concurrent user consoles?
If we need not only local and extended consoles, but also
remote control from another building? Another state?
Another country?

29. Server-Console Management Systems
Native cross platform support
Multi-console for simultaneous control and access for multiple users.
Scalable and re-configurable to support future expansion.
Modular design.
No single point of failure.

30. More enterprise features for Server-Console Management Systems
Support for Serial devices (hubs, routers), in addition to IBMs, Suns, RS/6000, DEC Alpha, SGIs and more hardware platforms.
No initial investments gets lost when expanding.
Server naming capability.
On Screen Display for servers and system management.
Automatic scanning.
Password security.
Modules can be FLASH upgraded to the most updated firmware version.

31. 4 User consoles controlling 60 servers XP4000 System

32. 16 User consoles controlling 128 servers XP4000 System

33. And what about remote control?
A hardware solution.
Supports one remote session over TCP/IP or dial-in via modem.
Connects to any KVM switch, to control multiple servers.
Access and control any platform that is supported by the KVM switch.

34. IP-Reach, a true hardware solution for remote control
No software required on any of the host servers.
Operates independently of the operating system, even when you have a “blue screen”.
Perfect for remote maintenance with tons of security features.
Optional power control, to manipulate power to any attached device.
Gets attached to a KVM switch as a User Console, and can perform any of the switches native features.

35. So far, so good? Takes a lot of rack space
Requires lots of cables, some of which are coaxial that occupy a lot of space in the rack
Requires management and maintenance
A little cumbersome

36. CAT 5 advanced technology
Solution?
CAT 5 advanced technology
Eliminate coaxial cables
Retaining high quality signal transfer over longer distances

37. 16 User consoles controlling 128 servers Paragon System

38. What’s in the future for Server-Console Management systems?
Occupying less rack space for the KVM switching hardware.
Easier scalability to support thousands of servers.
Easily adding more users, located anywhere in the world.
Easy management of large scale, and growing systems.
Significantly reducing wiring.
Capitalizing on the strengths of LANs, natively benefiting from technology improvements in LAN connectivity.
Capitalizing on Internet connectivity.

39. 1st step
Let’s get rid of the KVM user network

40. Use existing infrastructure
Lets use a network we already have our LAN

41. Insert KVM over IP switch
Users access the KVM switch through the LAN

42. Dominion Series Digital KVM switching over IP
No need for a separate “network” of user consoles.
Any computer on the network can be a console to access any server’s k/b, video, and mouse ports.
Supports as many servers as required, with no limitation.
Access from as many concurrent users as needed, with no limitation.
Digital performance, transfers signals from servers over the existing network, limited only by network’s bandwidth.
Sophisticated management tools to manage authentication, access rights, user groups, etc.

43. From AB mechanical switching to digital switching over IP
100% hardware solution
Independent of operating system
Works to access servers even when operating system is hanging (“Blue Screen”)
Direct access to Keyboard, Video and Mouse ports of a server
Non intrusive
Plug-and-play connectivity
No software needs to be running on controlled servers.

44. Server-Console Management Systems
December 6, 2001
Server-Console
Management Systems
The end…
Presented by Daniel Schar, Rackit Technology