Remote Console

[Harry_Trotter]

I've been tasked with designing the layout for the remote console network in our datacenter. The equipment we're going to use are the Avocent's CPS 1610 and 800 series.

These are KVM/IP switches that allows remote access to servers. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with these switches and what your general feedback is.

Also, if anyone has any experience in designing a network of KVM/IP switches what layout do you suppose works the best? I know it'll vary depending on datacenters, but let's speak in generic terms.

Also, I've seen several references on the boards to 'XO'. What is that refering to?

Thanks.

[maxhest]

XO= XO Communications. Those are some good stuff there, but do you have a site for your datacenter? (Website)

[Harry_Trotter]

No site with a layout of the datacenter. I wouldn't be able to do that since it would be a breech of security with the government contracts we're running.

However, the datacenter layout is rather typical in that there are many distinct rows.

Row 1 - - - - - - - - -
Row 2 - - - - - - - - -

And etc.

I'm wondering if anyone has already used the CPS switches and what type of layout they used in their datacenter for ideas on what to do with ours.

I originally wanted a per rack setup where there would be a switch for every rack in the datacenter. Management didn't like that idea because of the end cost involved.

My backup idea is to setup a new rack at the end of each row and to use that as a switch rack. The number of ports we need to cover the row will equate to the number of switches that are racked in the switch rack.

I don't like that idea cause it would mean having to run 50' reversing cables from end to end.

Any other ideas on this?

[mfjp]

Looks like 1 KVM switch per Rack would be the choice to go. And then uplink it to 1 Controller KVM over IP switch in the network rack.

[Harry_Trotter]

That was my original notion, but my company was less than impressed with the $2000 price tag one of these switches carry.

The other idea I opted for was a switch cabinet at the end of each row. That'll allow us to better utilize the number of ports per row, but it would involve a lot more cabling.

But since I've posted the original message it may appear we are not going to be using the KVMs to the degree as originally believed.

We're upgrading the enterprise with IBM Bladecenters. 14 servers in one basically mean we may only need 1 KVM port for every chassis of 14 blades.

In the mean time I'm pushing this project to the side until I get to see how the Bladecenter build-out happens.