Raritan Improves Blade Server Management with New Software for Dominion KX II KVM-over-IP Switch
Dominion KX II simplifies data center management with remote and at-the-rack access support for leading blade servers from IBM, HP and Dell
SOMERSET, N.J. (January 12, 2009) - Raritan today expanded its capabilities for managing blade servers, including leading blade servers from IBM, HP and Dell, so that data center blade and rack-mounted servers can be managed efficiently through a single easy-to-use interface.
The new software release for the Dominion® KX II -- Raritan's award-winning KVM-over-IP switch -- presents a more complete view of the data center by including all types of servers in a hierarchical display, and provides extensive server access options and a rich suite of management features.
Unlike competing offerings, Dominion KX II provides blade access and management without requiring the use, and expense, of a separate management system. The KX II automatically discovers blades and provides server access at the rack or remotely from the office, home or on-the-road using secure in-band and/or out-of-band access methods. The KX II's easy-to-use, browser-based user interface provides a consistent user experience for both remote and at-the-rack server management.
By identifying blade servers with name and/or slot number, the KX II enables one-click user access -- eliminating the need to use complex and sometimes non-intuitive hot-key switching sequences provided by blade manufacturers. The KX II's Universal Virtual Media feature enables remote installation of software, file transfers, data backup and diagnostics. When used with Raritan's power management products, the Dominion KX II can remotely control a server's power.
"The high market adoption of the Dominion KX is a testament to its unique and powerful server management capabilities, and its ability to support the evolving data center," said Peter Suriani, Director of Product Management at Raritan. "It addresses today's data center management issues arising from higher-density, virtualized, and lights-out operations. It also supports Green IT trends. The Dominion KX II helps IT teams manage more - servers, locations, technology platforms, applications -- with fewer resources."
Overcoming the complexity of managing multiple blade architectures, the Dominion KX II leverages the inherent strengths and capabilities of a blade server. For example, Raritan security features -- including 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) of keyboard, video and mouse data, strong password support, and built-in authentication capabilities -- are maintained, while several blade-specific security features are leveraged, including per-blade access permissions to give fine, granular user access control and hot-key blocking to avoid unauthorized access.
By accessing a blade's management module, the server's advanced management and administration capabilities are leveraged by the Dominion KX II. This includes automated blade discovery, dynamic blade server status, and secure blade switching.
Dominion KX II and CommandCenter Secure Gateway for Enterprises
For enterprise customers, the CommandCenter® Secure Gateway (CC-SG) management system expands the capabilities of the Dominion KX II solution. CC-SG integrates multiple Dominion KX II switches and connected servers to provide consolidated discovery, access and control, power management and auditing of all elements of an IT infrastructure - including virtual servers, physical servers (blade and rack servers), networking equipment, and power devices. Accessed by logging onto a single IP address, CC-SG eliminates time-consuming multiple logins and the need to open multiple interfaces in order to reach a specific server or group of servers.
CC-SG provides multiple views of blade servers, including a device view that shows blade servers organized by chassis. Custom views enable customers to view and organize blade servers by a variety of dimensions, such as site, rack, application or organization.
Customers also can choose the type of access most useful to them for the task at hand by leveraging CC-SG's powerful in-band access to individual blade servers, as well as embedded KVM access (via iLo, DRAC or RSA).
CC-SG is an especially helpful tool for managing dynamic virtualized environments. To deliver accurate, real-time IT infrastructure views, CC-SG keeps tabs on the migration of data between virtual and physical machines.
Dominion KX II Availability
Dominion KX II 2.1 is available worldwide through Raritan's distribution channels. Winner of the '2008 InfoWorld Technology of the Year Award,' the Dominion KX II is self-contained and comes with all key features, including authentication and Web-access, built into the appliance. Visit www.raritan.com/Blade-Management for more information on the Dominion Series.
