I just use a Raspberry Pi with USB to Serial adapters or old servers with PCI(-E) 8 port serial cards. They make it so easy to adapt to any environment, and it phones home to my conserver (https://www.conserver.com/) gateway. The total cost for hardware is less than $150.

Ryan

From: NANOG <nanog-bounces@nanog.org> On Behalf Of Christopher Morrow
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 9:04 AM
To: Sameer Khosla <skhosla@neutraldata.com>
Cc: nanog list <nanog@nanog.org>
Subject: Re: Console Servers

a vote for (so far so good) the nodegrid ZPE devices.

On Tue, Sep 18, 2018 at 8:54 AM Sameer Khosla <skhosla@neutraldata.com> wrote:

My favorite are the lantronix SLC console servers.  Fairly bullet-proof, they are one of those devices that just work.  Can usually be picked up used ~$300 for 32 or 48 port varieties in good condition if you aren’t in the biggest hurry.

Sk.

From: NANOG <nanog-bounces@nanog.org> On Behalf Of Alan Hannan
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 9:37 AM
To: NANOG <nanog@nanog.org>
Subject: Console Servers

I'd like your input on suggestions for an alternate serial port manager.

Long ago I used Cisco 2511/2611 and was fairly happy.  A little later I used portmaster and was less so.  Recently I've been using Opengear and they work fairly well but the price is fairly high.   I use the CM7100 and IM7100.

General specs I'm looking for are:

 * 8 to 48 or more rs232 serial ports on rj45

 * nice-to-have software selectable pinouts (cisco v. straight)

 * gig-e ethernet port (100mbps ok)

 * 1U form factor

 * redundant AC power

 * access physical serial connections via local port #

 * access physical serial connections via local IP alias (nice to have)

Can you recommend a serial port server/concentrator that I could use in place of opengear for a better value and/or lower cost?

I'm just ignorant about the current market for serial port concentrators and so far web searches have not revealed ideas, so your input is appreciated!

Thanks!

-alan