Centralized Management
Introduction
Distributed enterprises and network operating centers require powerful, centralized, and remote control of computer systems, serial-based devices, and power distribution products such as UPS and intelligent power strips. To effectively manage all of these disparate devices from a single console, a comprehensive user interface is necessary to provide point-and-click connectivity and enforce strong access and control.
Most vendors have a way of remotely accessing and managing their equipment, but each tool is different. As the number of devices that need to be monitored, managed, and maintained grows, finding the right management tool or utility can be a chore. Multiple tools mean multiple interfaces, multiple systems to learn, and no single point of management. Because there is no integration between the tools and no single interface to work from, you will have to connect using a method specific to that piece of equipment on your management console. This means you have to maintain multiple software clients, IP address lists, physical serial connections, and possibly other special hardware to connect to a device.
Without a centralized management console, there is no centralized user access management between each system. Each connection type must maintain its own user and password list—no sharing of information.
A good centralized management platform easily provides a solid return on investment in many ways. It lets you control multiple devices from a single system. It increases physical and server security by providing lights out operation. It helps you reduce complexity and downtime by giving users a fast and easy method to complete a variety of tasks. And it lets you quickly take control or log on to a piece of network hardware from a single interface, one that is accessible from anywhere.
The Platform
By combining your miscellaneous management tools into a single integrated platform, you can not only centralize your access control to each device, but also provide a smoother, more streamlined interface.
An effective solution must have access to all of these tools and components even when the network, server hardware, or the installed OS is having problems. That means out-of-band management options that provide redundant access, because your management platform has to work all of the time.
An integrated management solution speeds up the diagnostic process. Gathering information about a problem and then fixing that problem can be accomplished faster when the IT administrator can turn to a single console with a unified interface.
When systems are diagnosed, repaired, and brought back online quickly, users experience very little downtime. They are more productive, the company runs more efficiently, and the organization is more successful.
Solutions
Avocent has the right combination of hardware, software, and embedded technology to provide you with a unified interface, centralized user management, and connectivity to all of your servers and devices. The need to learn and manage multiple software systems is eliminated with the comprehensive Avocent solution.
Avocent KVM switch products and serial console appliances work in conjunction with DSView® 3 management software to offer a complete data center management solution from a single graphical user interface (GUI). Power control is accomplished through embedded IPMI or through intelligent power strips which are also integrated into this single interface. It’s an arrangement that offers you complete access and control over all aspects of your IT infrastructure.
DSView 3 software provides lights out operation from anywhere. The DSView 3 software hub and spoke architecture also provides backup/failover capabilities to maintain accurate user permission rights and detailed event logs across multiple sites and user groups. Virtual Media support furthers server and physical security by allowing administrators to remotely load software by mapping a local removable media or mass storage device to a remote server.
