When a vital network device at a remote network equipment site malfunctions or refuses to communicate, an out of band management solution provides administrators with a handy way to diagnose and correct problems at the remote site without the expense and inconvenience of a time-consuming service call. As a general rule, the more distant, remote and out-of-the-way the network equipment cabinet is, the more important it is to have out of band access to console port command functions when problems arise at the remote site.
Archive for the ‘out of band management’ Category
An Out of Band Management Solution for DC Powered Equipment Racks
Friday, January 13th, 2012Effective Security for Dial-Up Out of Band Management Applications
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011Security and authentication are two vital elements for any out of band management strategy. The reason for this is simple: given the powerful remote access capabilities provided by an out of band management solution, it’s extremely important that access to console port command functions on remote network elements is adequately protected from unauthorized users. While it’s relatively easy to implement effective security and authentication measures when out of band management is accessed via a secondary maintenance network connection, the task of authenticating each user can prove to be much more of a challenge when the out of band management solution is accessed via dial-up connection.
Out of Band Management and Environmental Monitoring, All in One Box
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011If your network infrastructure includes off-site data centers or distant network equipment racks, then you’re most likely already pretty familiar with the concept of utilizing a console server to provide out of band management capabilities for remote network equipment. When your off-site data center or remote network equipment cabinet includes an out of band management solution, many routine maintenance and troubleshooting tasks can be performed without the need for an expensive service call to the remote site and the associated time delays while tech support personnel travel to the remote equipment site.
Does Your Out of Band Management Application Include both RJ45 and DB9 Format Devices?
Tuesday, September 6th, 2011It’s pretty safe to say that most network administrators are already familiar with the communication capabilities that are provided by an out of band management solution. An effective out of band management solution provides administrators with a powerful tool for communicating with remote network devices when normal network communication is down or unavailable. In spite of this though, sometimes a very simple thing, such as cabling format, can stand in the way of implementation of an out of band management solution, even when the value of out of band communication is obvious.
Callback Security – Effective Authentication for Dial-up Out of Band Communication
Thursday, July 21st, 2011An out of band management (http://www.wti.com/c-45-out-of-band-management.aspx) solution can provide network administrators with a convenient, reliable means to communicate with remote network devices when communication via network is not available. Although out of band communication is a vital element in many remote network equipment management applications, in most cases, out of band management solutions rely on a dial-up modem connection between the administrator and the out of band management unit.
Out of Band Management – An Alternative Avenue for Communication with Remote Devices
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011One of the most difficult aspects of managing remote network devices is the challenge of communicating with remote network elements when normal network communication is either down or unavailable. When a vital network element at a remote equipment rack crashes and takes network communication down with it, sometimes the only means to address the problem is an expensive service call to the remote site in order to deal with the problem in person. In cases like this, an out of band management unit can provide network administrators with a convenient, reliable means to communicate with remote network elements regardless of whether communication via the main network is viable or not.
Why is Out of Band Management Such an Important Element of Modern Network Administration?
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011These days, one of the defining forces of the network industry is the need to accomplish as much as possible with the smallest possible number of employees. Throughout the world, most large corporations are doing their best to automate processes that used to require more human attention in order to cut costs, save money and improve overall network service. This means that network administrators are looking for ways to perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting tasks without relying on onsite employees. As a result, the concept of out of band management has become a key concern in minimizing the need for human presence at remote network equipment sites.
Secure Out of Band Access to Console Port Command Functions on Remote Network Elements
Monday, June 13th, 2011It’s pretty hard to imagine how difficult it must have been to maintain and service remote network devices before the advent of out of band management. Not too long ago, before the concept of out of band management was widely embraced, the only way to deal with a troublesome network element at a remote equipment site was to travel to the equipment site in person and initiate a power reboot or invoke a few quick console port commands in order to get a troublesome network element up and running again. For a large part, out of band management has almost completely eliminated the need for IT support personnel to be constantly on the road traveling from remote site to remote site, just to reboot misbehaving devices or change a few configuration parameters.
An Out of Band Mangement Solution for DC Powered Equipment Sites
Monday, May 30th, 2011Out of band management units provide network administrators with a secure, reliable means to access important console port command functions on remote network devices at off-site network equipment sites. In addition to allowing quick access to command functions, an out of band management unit can also serve as a valuable tool for remotely tracking equipment status and environmental conditions at remote network sites. When you consider the nature of most remote network equipment sites, and the fact that AC power isn’t always available at these sites, it makes perfect sense that many out of band management units are also available in a DC power configuration.
Direct Connect – A Useful Feature for Out of Band Management Applications
Monday, May 16th, 2011In addition to providing out of band access to console port command functions on remote network elements, a full-featured out of band management (http://www.wti.com/c-45-out-of-band-management.aspx) unit should also include functions that allow the unit to easily adapt to the requirements of a wide range of different network based applications. For example, if the out of band management unit will be deployed in a remote network management application that requires automated access to console ports on various network elements, then direct connect capability can often prove to be very useful.
