PCI Adapter simplifies remote server management.
Press Release Summary:
Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA, for xSeries® 445 Servers, is a half-length, 32-bit PCI adapter containing 2 serial ports, Ethernet port, and interconnect port. It enables seamless console redirection with text and graphics, keyboard, and mouse support over system management LAN connections. Common Line Interface supports program control of server management functions using scripts. Unit includes built-in video compression hardware, and remote diskette and CD-ROM drive support.
Original Press Release:
IBM Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA for IBM eserver xSeries 445 Servers Simplifies Remote Management
At a glance
Accelerated graphics, advanced control and monitoring features virtually any time, from virtually any place
New features
Scriptable command-line interface (CLI) and text-based serial console redirect accessible via Telnet or second serial port
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
User authentication information stored
Enhanced user authority levels
Full systems network management protocol (SNMP)
Multiple remote drives and disk images
Remote disk image storage
Some existing features (Description has details)
Highly secure easy-to-use Web interface
Graphical console redirection with accelerated graphics
Integration with IBM Director via Management Processor Assistant (MPA)
Enhanced automated server restart (ASR)
Advanced Predictive Failure Analysis® (PFA)
LAN, serial, and Advanced System Management interconnect remote access
Remote firmware update and access to critical server settings
For technical support:
Call the HelpCenter® at 800-IBM-SERV (426-7378)
or
Request technical information from www.ibm.com/pc/support
Overview
The Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA for xSeries® 445 Servers, an affordable, next-generation, systems-management adapter helps make everyday management tasks easier and more efficient.
You benefit from simple remote management and enabling around-the-clock remote access to xSeries 445 servers.
New features include:
System-independent graphical console redirection
Built-in video compression hardware eliminates drivers.
Graphics response, up to five times faster than with predecessor, makes monitoring and control more efficient.
System-independent installation eliminates the need to install service processor drivers, helps save IT staff time, and reduces installation complexity.
Remote diskette and CD-ROM drive
Enables remote booting and software loading of the server for:
Application or operating system installation/updates
Single server deployment
Performs configuration remotely; helps save IT time and money by reducing on-site presence and server downtime
Scriptable command-line interface and text-based serial console redirect
CLI supports program control of server management functions using scripts.
Serial text redirect for access to text-mode BIOS and text-based system consoles such as Linux, NetWare, and Microsoft(TM) Windows(TM) Emergency Management Services (EMS).
Program control of text-based console using scripts.
Two serial ports supported; extra serial port to redirect console of additional device.
User authentication and authority features
User IDs, passwords, and login permission attributes can be stored in a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) server.
Enhanced user authority levels sets the access rights for users to match job responsibilities for managing your xSeries servers.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypts data transmitted between LDAP server and Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA.
Investment protection
Supports IBM Interconnect (RS-485) connection with other xSeries servers
Integrates with IBM Director and Director Agent
Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA for xSeries 445 Servers also supports the feature set of your existing network of IBM systems management hardware, such as:
Remote management independent of server on/off status
Remote control of hardware and operating systems
Easy-to-use, highly secure, remote management from a standard Web browser
Key prerequisites
An xSeries 445 server. Refer to the Hardware requirements section.
Planned availability dates
December 5, 2003, xSeries 445
January 8, 2004, xSeries 445 Datacenter
Description
The Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA for xSeries 445 Servers is a half-length, 32-bit PCI adapter containing:
Two serial ports that support pager alerts via a modem, PPP access, or redirection of server's text-based serial console data
Ethernet port that enables systems management from a LAN connection
Interconnect port that supports advanced systems-management interconnect to reduce modem, telephone lines, or modem-concentrating requirements
Remote graphical console redirection over LAN
The Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA for xSeries 445 Servers enables seamless console redirection with text and graphics, keyboard (operating system independent), and mouse support over the system management LAN connections. Now with new video compression built into the adapter, it redirects graphics up to five times faster than its predecessor.
It can also display all server activities from power-on to full operation remotely and allow remote user interaction at virtually any time with remote control from a standard Web browser (the Java(TM) plug-in is required). No systems management software is required on the managed server for remote control.
Remote diskette and CD-ROM drive support
You can boot and load software on the server remotely through diskette, CD-ROM, and disk image remote disk support. These can be mounted and accessed simultaneously. You can configure your system remotely to help reduce costs, improve convenience, and bring systems back online quickly.
Using the Web interface, you can mount a remote disk drive on the server or storeserver, or a diskette image on the Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA for later use. The remote disk function can be used with Windows, Linux, and other operating systems with USB mass storage device support.
Scriptable CLI and text-based serial console redirect
The Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA contains a command-line interface that accesses the basic monitor and control features including:
Server restart
Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA restart
Server power on/off status
Switch to console redirect
You can access the CLI from a user computer using a Telnet client or one of the two serial connections provided by the Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA. The user can write scripts to monitor and control the CLI.
The text-based serial console redirect feature logically connects one of the serial ports to a Telnet session or the other serial port. When a Telnet client first establishes a session with the Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA after exchanging user ID and password, the CLI appears. The user, or a user-written script, can issue a command, or a console 1 or console 2 command, to redirect the serial data stream from serial port 1 or 2, respectively. An escape key sequence is later issued to switch back to the CLI.
The Remote Supervisor Adapter II-EXA supports two serial interfaces. Each serial interface can be attached to a serial device such as the serial console interface of the server. Alternatively, a serial interface may be attached to an ASCII terminal or ASCII terminal emulator to gain access to the CLI or the redirected serial data from the other serial port.
