INTERNET

From the May 2003  issue of Communications News

Consider these product attributes and capabilities when selecting a solution.

by Bob Pollack

For more than a decade, keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) solutions have been helping IT managers and systems administrators save time, space and money by enabling out-of-band, BIOS level access and control of multiple computers from one or several centrally located user consoles. In most large-scale server environments, KVM switches complement network-based (in-band) network-management tools. 

Today, data center environments have become increasingly complex. As they continue to grow, the need for enterprise-wide control of servers and other network equipment becomes increasingly important, as does the ability to centrally manage both local data centers and satellite offices. The selection criteria for the right KVM solution should include:

• solutions that have been battle-tested in the marketplace;
• reliable, flexible and secure solutions, and vendors with track records for high levels of customer support;
• secure access and control of multiple server technology platforms;
• scalability, backward compatibility with current products to leverage existing investment, and designed to take advantage of future technologies;
• connectivity options such as Category 5, coaxial, fiber optic and over IP via Web browser- all from one user interface; and
• dependable anytime, anywhere solutions.

Specific features in an enterprise-class KVM solution should include:

• modular architecture, effectively distributing KVM switching functions to intelligent components, to satisfy space, distance and capacity requirements, and eliminate any single point of failure;
• cable connections that extend distances between users and servers up to 1,000 feet, replacing bulky, hard-to-manage, distance-limited coaxial cable;
• compact rack design;
• easy set-up and administration, featuring plug-and-play set-up, without the need for additional software, administration networks or staff; 
• continuous server availability–providing out-of-band access to target devices; and
• secure, seamless server access for authorized users with multilevel security, cross-platform compatibility and operating system independence.

An enterprise-class KVM solution also should provide direct analog access by multiple users to all data center servers. While direct analog connection through a KVM switch produces the most secure and highest quality control, digital KVM IP access is often required or desired. KVM access over IP involves digitizing, compressing, encrypting and transmitting keyboard, mouse and VGA signals through the LAN/WAN over the Internet or via dial-up modem. This enables control from any location where there is a computer available to access the network or a telephone line–even when the network is down or unavailable. There may be some trade-off in performance and even security, however, for the convenience of remote access.

An enterprise-class KVM solution should offer a choice of the access method for any given situation. If a manager needs emergency access to servers for BIOS-level troubleshooting from home, or is responsible for server administration at a remote site, any performance compromises will be acceptable so long as data encryption and user authentication are taken into account. On the other hand, when he is in or near the data center, then direct analog connection is a better choice. 

As data center operations scale to the enterprise level, IT professionals should consider three key factors if they want to deploy a scalable KVM solution:

• the power to control servers and other network devices any way, anytime, from anywhere;
• the flexibility to support all server platforms and other IT devices with an array of access options; and
• the security of knowing that remote access to the information resident on mission-critical servers is protected by the highest encryption levels and supported by industry-standard authentication schemes; and, if the network is unavailable, being assured that fail-safe access via modem is an option.

For more information from Raritan:
www.rsleads.com/305cn-251

Pollack is vice president, sales and marketing, at Raritan, Somerset, N.J.