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Secure Serial Console Servers

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Remotely manage servers and network devices ensuring maximum network uptime

Network uptime is critical for most global corporations today for sales, operations, production, and communication activities.  Outages can be extremely costly.  While software management tools can be used for performance monitoring and some remote troubleshooting, they only work when the network is up. For a more reliable solution, large corporations turn to out-of-band management with console servers. Network engineers can use OOB with console servers to reconfigure, reboot and reimage remotely across the internet or WANs even if the primary data network is down.


Console servers are a good solution for large distributed enterprises with multiple branches— such as banks, insurance companies, hospitals, utilities, retail and school systems— that may not have IT staff on-site. Network administrators can choose from a wide range of port densities to suit the application. For example, one console server may have as many as 48 serial ports for remote management of assets in data centers. Other console servers may have just four ports and are suited for connecting LAN switches and routers in data closets.

 
 

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Product Features

  • Multiple Network Device Management
    Access hundreds of console servers connected to thousands of servers, switches, and routers across multiple sites.

  • Out-of-Band Management and Remote Network Troubleshooting
    Remotely manage multiple console servers, pinpoint failed devices, and address issues quickly, eliminating the need to send personnel on-site in response to issues.

  • Maximum Network Uptime
    Enable ongoing maintenance and disaster recovery of mission-critical IT infrastructure, even when the network is down.

  • Enterprise-Grade Network Security
    Control network access with local and remote authentication, authorization, and accounting with RADIUS, Kerberos, Active Directory, TACACS+, and other security protocols.

  • Centralized Networking Performance Monitoring and VCMS Software Support
    Access devices, monitor status and troubleshoot issues from anywhere through a single portal, minimizing downtime and the impact on your operations with Virtual Central Management System (VCMS) software support.

Product Benefits

Out-of-Band Management 

Out-of-Band Management

Allow to proactively perform ongoing maintenance and disaster recovery of mission-critical IT infrastructure, even when the network is down


Flexible Remote Network Access

Reliable remote access to remote data center equipment through Internet, POTS, or cellular wireless access

 

Remote Power Management

Unified power management of PDU and UPS equipment, allowing a user to trigger a soft shutdown of any server, thus controlling disruptions and surges

 

Redundancy through Automatic Failover of Network and Power

Enable uninterrupted workflows through a redundant power supply and a secondary network interface for mission-critical situations where automatic failover is required

 

Network Troubleshooting

With VCMS (Virtual Central Management System), you get proactive alerting, allowing to detect faults before they become failures, address issues quickly and minimize downtime

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Serial-over-IP Access

IP access and control of serial devices like servers, networking devices, security appliances, rack PDUs, virtual hosts, and wireless/telecom equipment

Out-of-Band, not Out-of-Hand

Most IT organizations use network management systems (NMS) such as HP Openview to manage and monitor critical network assets. If IT assets rely on the data network for connectivity to the NMS, and the network goes down, the NMS usefulness is limited. Console servers allow network administrators to use a separate out-of-band management network or communications link for configuration and troubleshooting that is independent of the data network, improving diagnostics and network availability. Admins can choose from several secure WAN connection options including Ethernet, cellular wireless, and POTS modems.

Use out-of-band management with console servers to remotely reconfigure, reboot and reimage:

  • Switches, routers, servers, or any device with a RS-232 serial console port
  • PBXs, video conferencing systems, firewalls
  • PDUs and UPSs
  • Environmental monitoring

Product Portfolio

Commercial
Access remote equipment with console servers designed for superior security features, high-availability, and wireless operation.
Industrial
Access hard-to-reach remote serial equipment as if it were local. Rugged design for operation in a wide temperature range. 
Accessories
Connect a device server or console server to a switch, router, or firewall with one of our adapters.
SeriesSerial portsDual powerDual uplinks4G wirelessPOTSUSB ports
LES150016, 32, 48 •  •
LES16004, 8 •• •
LES17008, 16, 32, 48•• ••

Industry Applications

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Data Centers and Co-locations

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Corporate

USE CASES

Industrial and Manufacturing
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Provide real-time access to process control systems
  • Connect to serial devices over very long distances—as far as your network stretches or across the Internet
Finance and Insurance
  • Provide secure administrator access to the Ethernet switches, at any time, from anywhere
  • Maximise the availability of systems
  • Minimise down-time in the event of systems failure
Data Centres and Co-locations
  • Remote data centre device management
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Power management
Oil and Gas
  • Remotely manage proprietary equipment where physical access is difficult
  • Environmental monitoring
Government
  • Allow mission-critical applications and networks to be effectively managed at all times
  • Remote management

Cisco ISR 2900 Series Routers EOL Replacement

If your customers have a need for a high-density terminal server and they have always relied on the Cisco 2900 or any ISR router, ask them to look at the Black Box LES1600 and LES1700 series console servers. These devices are embedded with innovative OOB technology and are purpose-built to provide terminal/console server access. They can easily be substituted into new or existing data centers and come in various port densities ranging from 4 to 48. The Black Box console servers are designed specifically to work with Cisco equipment.

Cisco recommends the ISR 4000 series as an alternative to the ISR 2911 combined with NIM modules. With our LES1700 solution, you can connect up to 48 devices with an embedded PSTN modem and/or cellular. The new ISR 4000 can only connect up to 32 devices in the same 1 RU configuration. View the comparison chart to compare specifications.

 

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