Out-of band (OOB) access to critical infrastructure for reconfiguration or repair was pioneered more than 30 years ago. It began as a DIY solution where engineers used terminal servers, repurposed server computers or routers with serial ports to access their infrastructure. Reverse telnet (later reverse SSH) functionality allowed serial over Ethernet redirection and command line/terminal access to the device console.
Fifteen years ago, OOB experienced a massive transformation resulting from the growth of crammed data closets, machine rooms and sophisticated data centers. Due to the density and wide array of critical IT, networking and power infrastructure, tens, hundreds and thousands of serial consoles needed to be accessed and monitored to keep the corporate IT engine running. To cope with this, (more…)
So one might ask, who’s the best?
This question seems to get asked a lot as people make many important purchases; a new TV, car, smartphone, or even a console server, wink-wink. Research is an important part of the purchasing cycle. So, if you have been considering the purchase of an out-of-band management (OOBM) solution for your networks, you’ve definitely come to the right place. Within this report, you will find we do all the legwork for you.
There are a few important factors that go into purchasing a top-notch OOBM solution. Wasting no time, here they are. (more…)
The other day I was talking with a network engineer from a large hosting company in Denver, CO. He was looking for a cellular out-of-band management device to attach to a router, switch and firewall for a remote data center location. We discussed the ACM5004-GV-E, our Verizon version, as he wanted to try the product he has heard many of his peers say is “the best OOBM device on the market today.”
After a discussion about the limitless hardware and software features the product offers, I asked him what he is using today for OOBM. His response actually stunned me. 6 months ago they ordered a 128k DSL line from their CLEC (a well known name) for $125/month as an OOBM circuit to these devices. It still had not been installed so he decided it was time to call Opengear. With data plans as low as $5/month and the ability to activate the ACM5004-GV-E within 24 hours of receiving it, he decided to cancel his DSL line order and buy a new Opengear cellular product. (more…)