Data centers are the lifeblood of businesses.

Global Site Management, a uniquely designed logical and complete power management solution enables you to monitor and manage global networks, systems and IT equipment from anywhere, at any time.

NORLINX now brings together another series of solutions of console and KVM management promising to deliver the world's most effective and secure line of remote enterprise management solutions.

Secure console management has become an essential requirement for operating today's complex data centers and managing assets across distributed environments. IT organizations need to give their core team of Skilled sysadmins, ready access to critical business computing resources on an anywhere/anytime basis. If that access is not adequately provisioned, core systems may under-perform or fail leading to potentially disastrous consequences for the business.

When the number of servers and boxes in the network grow above a few nodes, it becomes unpractical to have one management console per box. Customers need to access all the console ports without moving from one terminal to another. A Console Access Server is the equipment that allows the system administrator to conveniently access all console ports in a computer network or server farm from one single station.

Another reason to use a Console access server is the need to access the console ports remotely. A console management solution should enable console access from anywhere, anytime, locally through the LAN or remotely through the Internet or dialup connections.

A Console Access Server has multiple RS-232 serial lines for connection to the console ports and at least one Ethernet LAN port for connection to the network. It provides connectivity so that access is easy, fast and convenient and security so that intruders are kept out.

With more mission critical applications being implemented on server farms rather than on a single large mainframe, Console Access Servers become indispensable elements in any large computer installation.

Scalability and Port Density - Because rack space in a data center is expensive, having the maximum number of ports in the minimum space is essential. Products in the market offer a maximum number of ports ranging from 16 or 64 ports per chassis. Some products allow stacking multiple boxes to create larger virtual boxes. Typical port densities range from 8 to 16 ports per 1U of rack space, with the highest densities being of 32 ports per 1U (1U equals 1.75 inches of height in a standard 17-inch rack).

Mechanical Characteristics - The console access server should integrate well with your rack and cable management systems. Built-in connectors, minimum external cabling, absence of moving parts, high-level of integration, front panel LED status indications, integrated power supply, are examples of desirable features. Some products offer clumsy external cables or won't easily fit in a rack.

Security and Connectivity - anyone who gains access to the console port of servers and routers can potentially take control of the entire network. Security features such as IP Packet and Service Filtering, RADIUS Socket Authentication, and Secure Shell (SSH) are essential. A CAS should allow easy, fast and convenient access for the system managers, but must be able to keep intruders out. It should have full support to Internet, LAN and dialup connectivity. Older products from the pre-Internet era lack the security or the Internet connectivity required by today's networks.

Functionality and Flexibility - Some generic terminal server products marketed as CAS lack the features for good console port management. A CAS should support direct telnet or SSH to a serial port and support multiple port addressing methods (IP address, TCP port number, or manual selection in a menu).. It should allow logging of messages. Depending on the product selected, you may be able to customize the functionality to your own needs.

Cost and Service - Depending on the vendor's focus and knowledge on console management, there may be significant variation on the cost of the equipment and the quality of service offered with the product. Before purchasing, make sure the vendor understands networking in general and console access in particular and that the product has a modern design is cost-effective and can be updated though a software download.

NORLINX now presents scalable, secure, flexible and cost-effective console management solutions for today's enterprise computing environments that are fairly large, complex and geographically distributed.