Console Management Switches help manage xSeries servers.
Press Release Summary:
Advanced Connectivity Technology (ACT) switches provide alternative to KVM cabling, allowing users to cable, monitor, and manage rack servers. Products are installed outside of server and allow 3 levels of tiering. Conversion options allow switch cable plugging into PS/2® KVM port or USB KVM port on back of server. Scalable solutions support up to 16 servers per chain, up to 2,048 servers when tiering, and up to eight chains to Local 2 x 8 Console Manager.
Original Press Release:
New Advanced Connectivity Technology Console Management Switches and Conversion Options for IBM xSeries and BladeCenter Systems
At a glance
Advanced Connectivity Technology (ACT) is an innovative alternative to keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) cabling allowing you to inexpensively cable, monitor, and manage your rack servers. Features include:
Thin, readily available, inexpensive CAT5 cabling
Support for xSeries servers with KVM ports
Solution support:
Entry level: Up to 128 servers managed locally
Advanced level: Up to 2,048 servers managed locally and remotely
Installed outside the server; no adapter card required:
Easy to implement and designed for rapid deployment
No PCI slot required
No need to open server to install or rerun wiring if server is taken off line
Management software powered by intuitive on screen displays (OSDs); easy management and setup
IBM conversion options
Convert KVM signals for CAT5 cabling for servers with PS/2 KVM ports or for servers with USB KVM ports.
Overview
New ACT switches are a high-function, economical, and space-efficient alternative to current KVM solutions used to cable and manage rack servers. By using CAT5 cabling instead of bulky, cumbersome KVM cables, this set of products is an innovative solution for setting up and monitoring multiple racks with multiple servers from one or more consoles.
These powerful switches support nearly all xSeries® servers. They allow three levels of tiering.
Benefits
Highly scalable; support for up to 16 servers per chain, up to 2,048 servers when tiering
Up to eight chains to a Local 2 x 8 Console Manager
Up to 16 chains to either Global Console Manager
Investment protection; backward-compatible with existing xSeries servers
Easy and less expensive to deploy than traditional KVM solutions
The conversion options allow switch cable plugging into either a PS/2® KVM port or a USB KVM port on the back of a server.
Innovative design
The new ACT switches are easy to install. The cabling is handled outside the server as opposed to solutions that require a PCI card to convert KVM signals for CAT5 cabling. ACT eliminates the need to:
Open the server to install it
Use a valuable PCI slot
Rerun wiring if the server is taken off line
Accept a high level of system blocking
Setup and management made easy
Powered by intuitive OSDs for simplified setup and management applications
Local 2 x 8 Console Manager, which includes On Screen Configuration and Reporting (OSCAR) for IBM; support for local management
Global Console Manager (2 x 16 or 4 x 16), which includes OSCAR for IBM and Java(TM)-based Virtual Console Software; support for local and remote management
Three-year limited warranty
IBM 10GbE SR Server Adapter Option
This adapter is the first PCI-X 2.0 64-bit, 266 MHz 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter in the industry. It delivers full 10 Gigabit Ethernet performance for xSeries server systems (10x the performance of today's Gigabit Ethernet). The adapter operates over industry-standard optical fiber multimode (850 nm SR) cabling with XPAK module and LC connectors.
Key prerequisites
IBM rack cabinet
Rack-mounted xSeries server
Monitor, keyboard, and mouse
Refer to the Hardware requirements section for additional information.
Planned availability dates
October 31, 2005, IBM 10 GbE SR Server Adapter
November 4, 2005
Local 2 x 8 Console Manager
Virtual Media Conversion Option (VCO)
December 2, 2005
Global 2 x 16 Console Manager
Global 4 x 16 Console Manager
USB Conversion Option
250 mm KVM Conversion Option
1.5 m KVM Conversion Option
