MergePoint™ Unity MergePoint™ Unity SwitchesSwitchesMergePoint™ Unity MergePoint™ Unity SwitchesSwitchesRonny Schnüriger

AgendaAgendaAgendaAgenda Problems in the Market

Product Solutions

Product Description

– Connection Diagram

Key Features and Benefits

Other options to consider

Remote Management Remote Management of Rack Assets – of Rack Assets – Target PersonaTarget Persona

Remote Management Remote Management of Rack Assets – of Rack Assets – Target PersonaTarget Persona

How can I access a remote server that is having an OS or network connectivity issues?

If a server drops off the network, how can I quickly determine the cause and restore connectivity?

How can I access a remote server to restart a service or stop a runaway process if my remote software tools cannot make a connection?

How can I access the configuration port of a network router/switch that is offline without having to take my laptop and a serial cable into the DC?

If I want to provide remote access to branch offices that include servers/network equipment, do I need to purchase multiple appliances?

When working on remote server OS or application issues, how can I transfer data or load a new application if the network connection on that device is down or unavailable?

System Admin – Lance Miller

•Keep the servers up

•Solve it quickly and reliable

•Be the answer man

Lab Manager – Lloyd Bell

•Know where assets are

•Be fast, flexible and deliver on time

•Save money

Problems in the MarketProblems in the MarketProblems in the MarketProblems in the Market

Staff Efficiency – Staff Efficiency – Target PersonaTarget Persona

Staff Efficiency – Staff Efficiency – Target PersonaTarget Persona

• How long does it take to identify and resolve incidents and problems with servers and network equipment?

• What about for remote locations?• How valuable is that downtime and

the time your staff?• Do you have SLAs (Service Level

Agreements) in place? Penalty cost?• Is the IT staff wasting valuable time

that could be better spent on more strategic and proactive projects?

• Are you interested in reducing the time spent to diagnose/resolve/reconfigure and restore these devices?

DC Manager – Jim Richards

•Efficiently manage his staff

•Increase process efficiency

•Find better solutions to manage the data center

Problems in the MarketProblems in the MarketProblems in the MarketProblems in the Market

Security – Target Security – Target PersonaPersona

Security – Target Security – Target PersonaPersona

• How can I use Smart Card readers for computer authentication if I’m using remote hardware such as digital KVM switches?

• How can I reduce the need for my IT staff, consultants, and contractors to physically enter the data center without impacting their ability to do their work?

• How can I control who physically connects to the KVM, USB, and serial ports of the equipment I have in the data center? What kind of reports do I currently have to show this?

Security Admin – Nick Nimitz

•Keep the environment secure

•Prevent outages

•Plan for growth

Problems in the MarketProblems in the MarketProblems in the MarketProblems in the Market

Product Solutions - Improve Remote Product Solutions - Improve Remote ManagementManagementProduct Solutions - Improve Remote Product Solutions - Improve Remote ManagementManagement

MergePoint Unity switch improves remote management•Overcomes the limitations of in-band software tools such as RDP, VNC, and typical SSH connections•Connect even when the target is having OS health and network connection problems•The power of a local physical connection from anywhere

• One application to provide out –of-band connections to servers and rack based network equipment and other serial devices

• Virtual media allows admins to load/copy/transfer file to a server even if the server is offline

•Load patches and upgrades•Reinstall OS or application

Product Solution - Improve Staff Product Solution - Improve Staff EfficiencyEfficiencyProduct Solution - Improve Staff Product Solution - Improve Staff EfficiencyEfficiency

MergePoint Unity switch improves staff efficiency• Out-of-band (OOB) access greatly improves response

and resolution time – Access anytime from anywhere– Eliminate need to walk/travel to the equipment

• Provides more visibility to diagnose and capabilities to resolve because our an OOB remote connection is: – Equivalent to a local physical connection– Not dependent on the network connection of the target

device – Not affected by OS or application issues– Not dependent on a service running on the target

device

Product Solutions - Improve SecurityProduct Solutions - Improve SecurityProduct Solutions - Improve SecurityProduct Solutions - Improve SecurityThe MergePoint Unity switch improves security

• Reduce the need for people to enter data center– Provides remote users the capabilities of a direct physical

connection to KVM, USB, and serial ports of servers and other IT equipment from anywhere.

– Overcomes the limits of traditional in-band tools

– Support for environments that use CAC/Smart card readers for authentication- (exclusive Avocent feature)

– OOB along with Virtual media replace the need for many activities that require users to physically touch devices

• When used with DSView 3 management software centralized reporting captures all user and system activities

Product DescriptionProduct DescriptionProduct DescriptionProduct Description The Avocent MergePoint Unity switches

include both KVM over IP and serial console management technology in a single appliance.

This unique combination provides IT Administrators a complete remote management solution to access and control servers, networking equipment, and other devices found in data centers and branch offices.

When using DSView 4 software with MergePoint Unity switches, administrators that use in-band management technologies (RDP, VNC, etc) have an secure automatic failover with out-of-band connections directly to the physical KVM, USB, and serial ports. This unified approach enables IT administrators a faster method to diagnose, reconfigure, or restore equipment to meet SLAs and minimize downtime

Product Description: Quick FactsProduct Description: Quick FactsProduct Description: Quick FactsProduct Description: Quick Facts Remote access to KVM, USB, and serial connections

Serial adapter supports SSH connections

Serial adapters support the Cisco pin out to make connections to Cisco® equipment quick and easy

Video interfaces for VGA, HDMI, DVI and Display Port

Virtual media enables remote USB connections and support for Smart Card/CAC readers

Built in web interface for standalone applications

Centralize management when used with DSView® 4 software

Configuration DiagramConfiguration DiagramConfiguration DiagramConfiguration Diagram The MergePoint Unity switch connects directly

to the physical ports of equipment using server and serial modules• KVM, USB, and Serial• Cat-5 cable is used between the switch and modules

• Local and remote access to all attached devices (Compatible with Avocent LCD trays)

Optional- attach Avocent PM PDU for remote power switching and metering

Features and BenefitsFeatures and BenefitsFeatures and BenefitsFeatures and BenefitsFeature Benefit

Advanced Remote ManagementProvides secure and remote, out-of-band connections directly to the physical KVM, USB and serial ports to complement existing in-band software management tools

Centralized Management Support using DSVIew 4 Management Software

Unified approach enables IT administrators a faster method to diagnose, reconfigure or restore equipment to meet service level agreements and minimize downtime

Virtual MediaEnables USB media such as CD-ROMs, flash memory and external drives to be virtually attached to a remote server's USB port

CAC/Smart Card SupportUtilizing the virtual media capabilities remote or local users can map a USB-based smart card reader to the attached servers and authenticate using their smart cards

Enhanced Serial AdaptersSupports standard, remote SSH connections to attached serial devices, includes electronic pin-out options for connections to the console ports on Cisco network equipment

Dedicated Power Device Port Connect supported PDUs for integrated power control, measurement and reporting

FIPS 140-2 Compliant CryptographyThe FIPS mode of operation uses an embedded FIPS 140-2 certified OpenSSL cryptographic module (Certificate #1051)

VGA, HDMI, DVI and Display Port Interfaces

Supports analog and digital video for support to all video formats

Dual 10/100/1000 Network ports Dual Power Supply Options

Increased redundancy to provide access to critical equipment when power or network issues occur.

Virtual Media - DefinedVirtual Media - DefinedVirtual Media - DefinedVirtual Media - Defined Local Virtual Media

– Attach a USB device to the KVM switch as the rack, and map it directly to any attached server

Remote Virtual Media

– Attach USB devices from your local desktop and map them directly to the KVM switch and the USB port of a remote server

MergePoint Unity also supports CAC/Smart Card readers for authentication

Virtual Media - LocalVirtual Media - LocalVirtual Media - LocalVirtual Media - Local Attach a USB device to the KVM switch as the

rack, and map it directly to any attached server

Local keyboard, video, and mouse or rack LCD tray

Virtual Media - RemoteVirtual Media - RemoteVirtual Media - RemoteVirtual Media - Remote Attach USB devices from your local desktop and

map them directly to the MergePoint Unity switch and the USB port of a remote server

Virtual Media – Key BenefitsVirtual Media – Key BenefitsVirtual Media – Key BenefitsVirtual Media – Key Benefits

• Empowers IT staff to do more remotely– Improve response times– Lets IT staff spend more time on higher value task– Reduce travel or onsite visits

• Increase availability– Shorten MTTR– Minimize downtime

• Reduce security issues– Reduce physical access to the data center– Limit who has virtual media capabilities

Serial Device SupportSerial Device SupportSerial Device SupportSerial Device Support Key features of the serial adapter

– Allows a user to use an SSH client to provide a standard SSH connection to the attached serial port

• Buffering data is captured by the SSH client only

• Enables cut and paste capabilities

Electronic pin-out for quick and easy connection to the Cisco network configuration ports, requiring no additional adapters

Matches the pin out of the ACS ports to utilize the same adapters, providing ease of installation

Product OfferingProduct OfferingProduct OfferingProduct Offering Hardware platform includes several models

– 4 and 8 port models have 1 digital path

– 16 port models have 1 or 2 digital paths

– 32-port models have 4 or 8 digital paths

– Single and dual power options

– All models include dual ethernet connections

New Serial module with USB power option

• Can also use existing external power supply to power up to 4 modules

MPU Switches at a GlanceMPU Switches at a GlanceMPU Switches at a GlanceMPU Switches at a Glance

Models Users Ports Features

MPU108E 1 local 1 remote 8 virtual media/dual AC/dual network

MPU1016 1 local 1 remote 16 virtual media/dual AC/dual network

MPU2016 1 local 2 remote 16 virtual media/dual AC/dual network

MPU2032 1 local 2 remote 32 virtual media/dual AC/dual network

MPU4032 1 local 4 remote 32 virtual media/dual AC/dual network

MPU8032 1 local 8 remote 32 virtual media/dual AC/dual network

Server Interface ModulesServer Interface ModulesServer Interface ModulesServer Interface Modules

DSAVIQ-PS2M

MPUIQ-SRL

MPUIQ-VMCHSMPUIQ-VMCDP

MPUIQ-VMCDV

MPUIQ-VMCHD

MPU ConnectivityMPU ConnectivityMPU ConnectivityMPU Connectivity

External Modem Support

SPC Power Control USB Ports

10/100/1Gig Ethernet connection

for digital KVM access

Configuration portLocal User Ports

Interface Cables

MPU Management OptionsMPU Management OptionsMPU Management OptionsMPU Management OptionsCentralized

DSView 4 Software

Centralized management

Large server counts with multiple OS

More users/departments

More than one location (regional, branch, disaster recovery site)

Direct Access

On-board Web Interface

Smaller server counts

(Less than 100)

Expertise in one OS

Small number of users

(Less than 5)

Typically one location

Competitive OverviewCompetitive OverviewCompetitive OverviewCompetitive Overview Other vendors offer remote KVM solutions

– Few have Virtual Media

– None support a true serial connection. Instead they use converters to change the serial signal to PS2 keyboard and VGA video

What makes the MergePoint Unity switch unique?– Supports KVM, USB, and Serial in a single appliance

– Virtual media with CAC/Smart Card reader support

– Largest install base in the world and pioneered digital KVM technology

– Up to 8 digital paths- highest throughput in the industry

– Trusted technology licensed by all the main server vendors

SummarySummarySummarySummary• The MergePoint Unity switch supports most equipment

found in data centers today• Provides remote access when you need it• Complements software tools to empower staff to do

more in a shorter amount of time• Eliminates need to physically enter data centers• Can be used with other Avocent hardware and software

to create a more centralized solution– DSView 3 software provides granular permissions and an event

log that can report all user actions (Access, USB connections, & Power commands)

– Avocent power strips can add remote power management with switching and metering capabilities

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