Unique dual-user Cat 5 KVM switch enables ‘lights-out' access to server rooms
Capelle aan den IJssel (The Netherlands) , 2 September 2008 - Raritan today expanded its KVM product line to support businesses that are looking for a cost-effective way to simplify server maintenance in small and mid-sized server rooms and data centers.
The new MasterConsole® CAT KVM switch, which supports two simultaneous and independent user sessions, gives administrators lots of flexibility on where and how they work on servers. IT administrators are able to access and troubleshoot target servers from two workstations without having to run back and forth from server rack to rack. One of the workstations can be placed outside the server room -- up to 30 meters away from the switch.
"The MasterConsole CAT offers flexible and efficient server management at a great price," said Christian Paetz, Director, Product Management. "The second console could be located in an IT administrator's office up to 30 meters (100 ft) away from the MasterConsole CAT. It also could be used for lights-out operations - whereby authorized administrators could access target servers and remediate problems without having to enter the server room."
Two independent users can control up to eight or 16 servers, depending on the model. MasterConsole CAT switches can be cascaded to support up to 256 connections. The MasterConsole CAT delivers BIOS-level control -- even if the target server's operating system is not responding -- and enhanced security through a direct KVM network. Easy-to-install and inexpensive Cat 5e cable - instead of proprietary KVM or coax cabling - is used to carry a server's KVM signaling from the MasterConsole CAT switch to the User Stations.
According to Paetz, the MasterConsole CAT 8-port (MCCAT28) and 16-port (MCCAT216) models are the perfect solutions for affordable, centralized management of multi-platform servers. Another benefit of centralized management is the elimination of extra keyboards, monitors and mice - which helps reduce room clutter and saves in rack space and power consumption.
Gallatin Steel, which produces 1.6 million tons of hot band coils annually, from its 24/7 facility in Kentucky - selected MasterConsole CAT to help streamline its operations and reduce clutter in its production-floor computer room. Servers support all the processes involved in the hot-rolling mill production -- from the point when scrap metals are melted to when the molten mixture is poured and cast into slabs of steel.
"We had eight computers sitting in front of an operator - with eight keyboards and mice," said Brian Shafer, Process Manager-Hot Rolling Process Control at Gallatin Steel. "With the MasterConsole CAT, I was able to replace all those mice and keyboards with one keyboard and one mouse, which frees up valuable physical space as well as helps us save time. "We don't lose valuable time looking for the right set of mouse and keyboard. No more ‘Which mouse is this again?' All of our computers can easily be located and accessed using the MasterConsole CAT console."
MasterConsole CAT Pricing
The two-user MCCAT28 model supports up to eight servers and has a suggested list price of € 788.00.
MCCAT216, which supports up to 16 servers and two users, is priced at € 876.00.
The User Station (MCCAT-UST), which provides access to the second user, has a suggested list price of € 220.00.
More information on MasterConsole CAT can be found http://www.raritan.eu/products/analog-kvm/masterconsole-cat/.