KVM over IP suggestions?
Howdy, I'm looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution. What we need is support for multiple users (more than 2), with access control that limits what users can connect to what ports on the KVM switch, and would allow you BIOS level access and os-installation type control over the server, would also be nice if it worked with windows and linux/unix based systems. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, -Drew
On Mon, Aug 22, 2005 at 11:15:23AM -0400, Drew Weaver wrote:
Howdy, I'm looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution. What we need is support for multiple users (more than 2), with access control that limits what users can connect to what ports on the KVM switch, and would allow you BIOS level access and os-installation type control over the server, would also be nice if it worked with windows and linux/unix based systems. Any suggestions would be helpful.
i haven't used it, but you might want to check out: http://www.realvnc.com/products/KVM-over-IP/ -- [ Jim Mercer jim@reptiles.org +1 416 410-5633 ] [ I want to live forever, or die trying. ]
Not a switch, but if you use DELL 2850 , 1850 and other _modern_ DELL xx8x servers, DRAC-IV cards provides very good IP-KVM functionality. (Older DRAC-III cards, used in 1650, are just a piece of junk). ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Mercer" <jim@reptiles.org> To: "Drew Weaver" <drew.weaver@thenap.com> Cc: <nanog@merit.edu> Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 8:25 AM Subject: Re: KVM over IP suggestions?
On Mon, Aug 22, 2005 at 11:15:23AM -0400, Drew Weaver wrote:
Howdy, I'm looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution. What we need is support for multiple users (more than 2), with access control that limits what users can connect to what ports on the KVM switch, and would allow you BIOS level access and os-installation type control over the server, would also be nice if it worked with windows and linux/unix based systems. Any suggestions would be helpful.
i haven't used it, but you might want to check out:
http://www.realvnc.com/products/KVM-over-IP/
-- [ Jim Mercer jim@reptiles.org +1 416 410-5633 ] [ I want to live forever, or die trying. ]
On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 11:15:23 -0400 "Drew Weaver" <drew.weaver@thenap.com> wrote:
Howdy, I'm looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution. What we need is support for multiple users (more than 2), with access control that limits what users can connect to what ports on the KVM switch, and would allow you BIOS level access and os-installation type control over the server, would also be nice if it worked with windows and linux/unix based systems.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks, -Drew
We have a non-IP switch from Raritan and saw presentations on their IP KVM products. Seemed pretty impressive. One problem you may want to focus on is screen resolution since the video output must be converted to IP packets with a lower refresh rate. We're planning to buy a few of these switches for remote monitoring. matthew black california state university, long beach
On 8/22/05, Matthew Black <black@csulb.edu> wrote:
On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 11:15:23 -0400 "Drew Weaver" <drew.weaver@thenap.com> wrote:
Howdy, I'm looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution. What we need is support for multiple users (more than 2), with access control that limits what users can connect to what ports on the KVM switch, and would allow you BIOS level access and os-installation type control over the server, would also be nice if it worked with windows and linux/unix based systems.
Where possible, I strongly prefer to work with serial console on a hardware platform with firmware serial console support. This works for any OS that supports a command line, including Windows Server 2003. Dell includes serial console support in the BIOS on "servers", and offers an enhanced remote management card which appears to work as a KVM-IP solution for Windows and (some versions of) Linux. I've never tried their DRAC/ERAC, only the serial console BIOS. All of the commercial remote serial console products we've considered so far have had serious security and/or usability flaws. This includes Cisco, Lantronix, Raritan, Digi, etc.
We have a non-IP switch from Raritan and saw presentations on their IP KVM products. Seemed pretty impressive. One problem you may want to focus on is screen resolution since the video output must be converted to IP packets with a lower refresh rate. We're planning to buy a few of these switches for remote monitoring.
The "IP Reach" video compression is bearable for installation and recovery. Video quality is degraded, but unless you really cannot stand moire patterns, it'll take an hour or so staring at the display before your headache becomes unbearable. I have experience with Raritan's "Paragon IP Reach" products, and they do work, but are expensive for such a low port density. Also it has been very difficult to work with tech support to make the Paragon product with a RADIUS server for OTP access control. The newer "Dominion" line may be better; I've heard some complaints about their serial console products, nothing either way about KVM. Kevin Kadow
DELL's DRAC-III is waste of money. DELL's DRAC-IV is a very good thing, and I find it replacing al consoles around (it have embedded monitoring with e-mail and SNMP alerts; have VNC based console servcie with perfect /not ideal, through/ mouse syncronisation, haVE VIRTUAL cd (SLOW, BUT WORKING) AND VIRTUAL FLOPPY, EASY-TO-USE INTERFACE (except strange password management), and so on. Compaq's RIB cards was good but expensive and nbot very reliable. Serial console can be fine, but do not eliminate normal console in many cases. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin" <kkadow@gmail.com> To: <nanog@merit.edu> Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 1:26 PM Subject: Re: KVM over IP suggestions? On 8/22/05, Matthew Black <black@csulb.edu> wrote:
On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 11:15:23 -0400 "Drew Weaver" <drew.weaver@thenap.com> wrote:
Howdy, I'm looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution. What we need is support for multiple users (more than 2), with access control that limits what users can connect to what ports on the KVM switch, and would allow you BIOS level access and os-installation type control over the server, would also be nice if it worked with windows and linux/unix based systems.
Where possible, I strongly prefer to work with serial console on a hardware platform with firmware serial console support. This works for any OS that supports a command line, including Windows Server 2003. Dell includes serial console support in the BIOS on "servers", and offers an enhanced remote management card which appears to work as a KVM-IP solution for Windows and (some versions of) Linux. I've never tried their DRAC/ERAC, only the serial console BIOS. All of the commercial remote serial console products we've considered so far have had serious security and/or usability flaws. This includes Cisco, Lantronix, Raritan, Digi, etc.
We have a non-IP switch from Raritan and saw presentations on their IP KVM products. Seemed pretty impressive. One problem you may want to focus on is screen resolution since the video output must be converted to IP packets with a lower refresh rate. We're planning to buy a few of these switches for remote monitoring.
The "IP Reach" video compression is bearable for installation and recovery. Video quality is degraded, but unless you really cannot stand moire patterns, it'll take an hour or so staring at the display before your headache becomes unbearable. I have experience with Raritan's "Paragon IP Reach" products, and they do work, but are expensive for such a low port density. Also it has been very difficult to work with tech support to make the Paragon product with a RADIUS server for OTP access control. The newer "Dominion" line may be better; I've heard some complaints about their serial console products, nothing either way about KVM. Kevin Kadow
I think this could make it: http://www.lantronix.com/data-center-management/kvm-solutions/securelinx-slk .html Regards, Jordi De: Drew Weaver <drew.weaver@thenap.com> Responder a: <owner-nanog@merit.edu> Fecha: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 11:15:23 -0400 Para: <nanog@merit.edu> Asunto: KVM over IP suggestions? Howdy, I¹m looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution. What we need is support for multiple users (more than 2), with access control that limits what users can connect to what ports on the KVM switch, and would allow you BIOS level access and os-installation type control over the server, would also be nice if it worked with windows and linux/unix based systems. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, -Drew ************************************ The IPv6 Portal: http://www.ipv6tf.org Barcelona 2005 Global IPv6 Summit Information available at: http://www.ipv6-es.com This electronic message contains information which may be privileged or confidential. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information, including attached files, is prohibited.
On 8/22/05, Drew Weaver <drew.weaver@thenap.com> wrote:
Any suggestions would be helpful.
I'd take a look at Cyclades offering. http://www.cyclades.com/products/kvmnet/ aaron.glenn
On 8/22/2005 11:15 AM, Drew Weaver wrote:
Howdy, I'm looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
http://www.nwc.com/shared/article/printFullArticle.jhtml?articleID=168500010 -- Eric A. Hall http://www.ehsco.com/ Internet Core Protocols http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/coreprot/
Things you must pay attention to: (1) IP KVM should not use client software - good switches uses VNC and can work via WEB. The same with authentication. (2) If you connect IP KVM to normal KVM, check if they are well compatible in suich things as: - monitor recognition on KVM; - switching ports on KVM; (3) If you use multiple servers, check that IP KVM can keep all your screen resolutions and frequences. I saw a case when everything worked, but IP KVM could not recognize still screen and generated huge traffic all the time. The same with frequencees - we have one Compaq KVM which refuse to work with IP KVM. (4) Pay attention to mouse syncronisation. It is tricky and bad IP KVM can require turning mouse acceleration off. Good IP KVM should know mouse acceleration rules in Windows and Linuxes. (5) If you can use embedded IP KVM card such as DELL : DRAC-IV or Compaq - RIB card, use them - IP KVM do not provides server reboot function and rarely can provide virtual CD or virtual floppy. We use IP KVM (do nopt remember vendor; cheap one, price was about $600) connected to 3 16 port KVMs (chained together), and it is good add-on to other tools. But it do not replace normal console in all cases - mouse sncronisation, slow refresh makes long work on it annoying. DRAC-IV card , on other hand, replaces consokle in 95% cases (5% rely to _DRAC-IV crashh; DRAC-IV lost keybvoard; etc cases). For the new project, I'd better take everything from one brand vendor (even if they OEM this things in most cases), just to be sure that KVM's are compatible. For cheap project, there are many cheap IP KVM's on the market, but TEST IT IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric A. Hall" <ehall@ehsco.com> To: "Drew Weaver" <drew.weaver@thenap.com> Cc: <nanog@merit.edu> Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 9:56 AM Subject: Re: KVM over IP suggestions?
On 8/22/2005 11:15 AM, Drew Weaver wrote:
Howdy, I'm looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
http://www.nwc.com/shared/article/printFullArticle.jhtml?articleID=168500010
-- Eric A. Hall http://www.ehsco.com/ Internet Core Protocols http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/coreprot/
Drew Weaver wrote:
Howdy, I’m looking for a way to give our remote users access to their servers, perhaps a KVM-IP solution. What we need is support for multiple users (more than 2), with access control that limits what users can connect to what ports on the KVM switch, and would allow you BIOS level access and os-installation type control over the server, would also be nice if it worked with windows and linux/unix based systems.
One thing to check: does the emulation require Java or Active X? I have a Cyclades, but when I wanted the IP portion, I chose Minicom because it uses Java, whereas Cyclades uses Active X. -jjb
From: "Drew Weaver" <drew.weaver@thenap.com>
Any suggestions would be helpful.<<
-Just- got this in an E-mail, fwiw. http://www.nwc.com/showitem.jhtml?docid=1616f3
participants (10)
-
Aaron Glenn -
Alexei Roudnev -
Drew Weaver -
Eric A. Hall -
Jack Bailey -
Jim Mercer -
JORDI PALET MARTINEZ -
Kevin -
Matthew Black -
Michael Painter