Serial Console Server - Access Serial Ports on Remote Network Devices
Even small problems at remote network sites can add up to major headaches for network administrators. You could easily fix those problems if you could just get your hands on them, but if the problem causes the network to crash, then there's no way to take care of it, except traveling to the remote site in person, just to restart a router or key in a few simple configuration commands.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could skip the road trip, and somehow reach out across the miles and connect to a serial console port on a troublesome router or conflicted server? WTI Serial Console Servers provide you with out of band management capabilities that allow you to establish secure, reliable communication with serial console ports on remote network equipment, eliminating the need for that long drive, and cutting the time required to get your network back up and running again.
WTI offers three serial console server product lines; RJ45 Port Serial Console Servers (TSM Series), DB9 Port Serial Console Servers (RSM Series) and RJ45 Serial Console Server + Power Control Hybrids:
Secure Serial Console Server Access to Command Functions on Remote Network Equipment
- Access Console Ports via Network, Modem or Local Setup Port
- Secure Access to Command Functions on Remote Network Devices
- Embedded Validated FIPS 140-2 Cryptographic Module
- Remote Authentication: LDAP, Kerberos, RADIUS, TACACS+
- Environmental Alarms and Status Alarms Monitor Conditions in Remote Network Cabinets
- Event Notification via SNMP, Email, Text Message, SYSLOG
- Multi-Level Subscriber Directory
- Multiple Concurrent SSH Sessions
- Full MIB Support
- Supports Both IPv4 and IPv6
Four Different User-Selectable Serial Port Modes
WTI Serial Console Servers offer four separate, user-selected port modes, designed to allow users to quickly configure serial ports to for specific applications and fit the requirements of the device connected to the port. When set to "Any-to-Any" mode, the serial port will allow connection to other serial ports and can also provide access to command and configuration functions. Passive mode ports provide communication with other connected serial ports, but do not allow access to command functions. In Buffer Mode, serial ports are set aside for data collection and storage, allowing the port buffer to store error messages and other important data from a connected device. Modem Mode ports are designed to simplify the process of connecting an external modem to the serial console server, and allow definition of a reset string, initialization string and other modem-related parameters.
The Lost Communication Alarm - Notification when Serial Port Communication is Disrupted
When communication with a device attached to a serial port is interrupted, the Lost Communication Alarm can provide prompt notification via email, SNMP Trap, Syslog or Text Message. This provides network administrators with a secure, reliable way to know when attached devices may have malfunctioned or ceased to respond. In addition to providing notification when a device connected to a serial port stops communicating, the Lost Communication Alarm can also send secondary notification if communication with the attached device is later restored.
A Serial Console Server Model to fit Every Application
In order to fit the requirements of almost any size or type of out of band management application, WTI Serial Console Servers are available with a variety of different serial port configuration options. Our TSM Serial Console Server products feature RJ45 serial ports and are available with 8, 24 or 40 serial ports for connection to console ports on network devices. For applications with legacy cabling requirements, our RSM Serial Console Serer products offer DB9 serial ports and are available in 8, 16 or 32 serial ports.
Dual Power Input Models for Power Fallback Redundancy
Our TSM Serial Console Server products are ideal for applications that require power fallback capabilities. Both the 24-serial port and 40-serial port models of the TSM are available with a dual power supply option, which provides two power inlets for connection to a main power supply and back up power supply. In the event that the main power source is not available, the serial console server will automatically fallback to the secondary power source, ensuring that secure, reliable access to serial console ports on remote network devices is always available.
Network Time Protocol Allows True Server Sync
Network Time Protocol (or NTP) is a tool that administrators can employ to ensure that all elements in their network are set to the same time value. NTP compatibility enables each network element to download a time setting from a central NTP server; allowing administrators to be certain that each device in their network is set to exactly the same time value. WTI serial console server products can employ NTP compatibility to make certain that all time critical functions, such as event records and alarm records, are time and date stamped in accordance with the same clock and calendar settings used by other NTP compatible devices on the network.
Buffer Threshold Alarm - Prompt Notification when Port Buffers Become Full
Buffer Mode allows any port on the serial console server to collect data from a network device that is connected to the port. When configured for Buffer Mode, the serial port will gather and save status messages, error messages and other data generated by the attached network device and sent out via console port. This data can often be very valuable to administrators who need to keep track of the status of connected devices, and is often useful in diagnosing problems when network devices malfunction. In order to ensure that collected data is retrieved before being overwritten by new data, WTI serial console server products include a Buffer Threshold Alarm, which can promptly notify administrators when the amount of data stored in a port buffer approaches a user-defined threshold value. When accumulated data reaches this threshold level, the Buffer Threshold Alarm can promptly notify the appropriate personnel via SNMP Trap, email, text message or Syslog message.
Save Serial Console Server Configuration Parameters
WTI Serial Console Server products allow network administrators to save configuration parameters to an ASCII format file. If the configuration of the Serial Console Server is accidentally corrupted later on, the saved configuration parameters can be uploaded to the Serial Console Server in order to quickly restore the previous configuration without going through each individual menu to reselect the correct parameters. This feature also comes in handy when setting up multiple WTI Serial Console Server units with similar parameters; the parameter file can be uploaded to each desired unit, providing quick set-up without the need to define each parameter manually.
Five Year Warranty
All WTI serial console server products are covered by one of the best five year warranties in the industry. The WTI five year warranty provides coverage for five mission-critical factors: labor, parts, tech support service, product updates and even product replacement. With a WTI serial console server product, you can rely on years of dependable operation, backed up by the assurance that repair and replacement costs are thoroughly covered.
Supports Both IPv4 and IPv6
In order to prepare for the upcoming switchover to IPv6 protocol, all WTI Serial Console Servers now provide full support for both IPv4 and IPv6 (the intended successor to IPv4.) This helps to ensure that WTI Serial Console Servers purchased today will be fully compatible with the planned IPv6 internet environment, and will not be rendered obsolete when the IPv6 protocol eventually becomes the new worldwide standard for network communications.