HPE IP KVM Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media & CAC

The HPE IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media and Common Access Card (CAC) support is a key component in managing the heterogeneous data center and along with the IP Viewer software allows remote access to multiple servers running various operating systems. Virtual Media capability allows a removable drive or ISO image to be remotely mapped to an attached server in the data center or a remote office for software installations and upgrades. An intuitive User Interface provides menus for configuration, virtual media, display, and even security and upgrades from the local console. The term CAC stands for Common Access Card, also known as "Smart Cards". The CAC allows government agency and other company employees to keep all of their network access information on a card (about the size of a credit card) that is read by either an external USB reader or a port on the PC/server. These appliances adds support for reading and transmitting USB CCID Generic Smart Card/CAC data from user station (local or remote) to end server.
In tiered environments the HPE IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media & CAC can allow an administrator to manage up to 1024 servers across two tiers from a single console. When tiered with additional HPE Server Console Switches with Virtual Media application installations and upgrades can be pushed through to any server on any of the two tiers from a single console.
The HPE IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media & CAC is backwards compatible with all HPE Cat5 based Server Console Switches and interface adapters that do not support virtual media.
Standard rack mounting of the HPE IP Console Switches will take up 1U (1.75") of front panel rack space. However, the switches can also be mounted in a "zero U" profile by mounting in the side rails of the rack, or behind the HPE 1U Rackmount Keyboard or the 1U LCD8500 Console.

At A Glance

• Increased target server port counts:

- Up to 32 target server ports per switch increases flexibility

• Improved video support:

- New video compression allows 1600x1200 @ 60hz or 1680 x 1050 @ 60hz 16-bit color for remote sessions without impacting performance

- Increases cable distances at higher resolutions

• Improved security:

- CAC support to the server

- Dual-stack IPv6 with stateless auto configuration

- Keyboard, video, mouse and virtual media activity is fully encrypted using 128-bit SSL, AES, DES, or DES3 for remote sessions

- Remote console sessions to the data center can be shared by other remote users. Stealth mode can also be used by administrators to monitor remote sessions without announcing it for security reasons

• LDAP included:

- Microsoft Active Directory integration using LDAP is standard

- Local security database on switch is also available for non LDAP implementations

• Remote and local virtual media:

- Administrators can map local media on a workstation to a remote server in the data center or remote office to easily perform application installations or upgrades

- A USB CD-ROM, USB DVD, USB floppy drive, or USB key can be attached directly to the HPE IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media & CAC and mapped to an attached server

- When used locally with the HPE 1U Rackmount Keyboard with USB or the HPE LCD8500, RKM USB drives can be connected to the front USB port on the keyboard for increased ease of use

- Virtual media support requires the use of Virtual Media Interface Adapters

• Virtual media interface adapter with CAC:

- New interface adapters support virtual media and provide CAC on ProLiant servers

- Virtual Media Interface Adapters support USB 1.1 full speed.

• Tiering support:

- Two levels of tiering are available to support up to 1024 servers. When all tiers are comprised of virtual media compatible console switches and interface adapters, virtual media can be mapped to a server on any tier

• IP Viewer 4.1 software:

- Supports HPE IP Console Switches with Virtual Media, HPE Server Console Switches G2 with Virtual Media, HPE Serial Console Servers, and legacy Cat5 based HPE IP Console Switches

- Supports remote virtual media sessions

- Compatible with Windows and Linux clients

- No software to install on target servers

Target Applications and Markets

Network Administrators, System Administrators, Engineering Managers, Chief Information Officers, and Managers of Information Systems are all among the users who will see benefits from using the HPE family of console switches.

• 24/7 data centers - The HPE IP Console Switch enables staffed data centers to move people out of computer rooms while still maintaining server accessibility. Technicians can load the IP Viewer software on their local workstation at a desk or cubicle and access the servers in the computer room through a LAN/WAN connection.
• Staffed remote sites - The HPE IP Console Switch provides users with access to local KVM functions over their LAN or WAN. Remote users can access servers and perform actions as if they are standing at a local console.
• Heterogeneous environments - The HPE IP Console Switch connects to any type of server that has a standard PS/2 or USB KVM connection and will also connect to BladeSystems and serial devices.

Features

New Features:

• Common Access Card (CAC) support
• True Serial
• DVD Support
• Video resolution supporting up to 1600 x 1200 on the local port
  • Widescreen video support modes include; 1680 x 1050, 1440 x 900, 1280 x 800, 1024 x 640, 800 x 500
• 1local port and 1 tiering port.
  • For the digital appliances, the local ports will be represented by one Tiering connection and one local KVM connection. The two ports will be independent of one another (i.e. not pre-emptive or shared).
• Supports Virtual Media (VM), Tiering (or tiering) up to 2 levels (base plus one lower level) through the Tiering port.
• Supports existing ITFC server modules, backward compatible.
• Dual-stack IPv6 with stateless auto configuration
• Support for DVD-ROM data over virtual media
• Syslog support
• BladeSystem c-Class KVM Interface Adapter for supporting BladeSystem c-Class servers.

Standard Features:

• The 4x1Ex32 model will support up to 6 users as 4 remote users and 1 local user and 1 Tiered user. The 2x1Ex16 model will support 4 users simultaneously as 2 remote users, 1 local user and 1 Tiered user.
• Full remote KVM functionality - Remote KVM control of servers and serially attached devices at near local performance.
• Remote virtual media - Easily load and update software and firmware from anywhere on the LAN or WAN when used with Virtual Media Interface Adapters.
• iLO compatibility - Easily switch between remote KVM and iLO sessions directly from the IP Viewer software.
• Local Console User Interface - Displays all system-related information on the console monitor. Same look and feel as the remote On-Board Web Interface (OBWI).
• Programmable Scanning - An evaluation of system performance can be made by sequentially scanning any or all of the computers in the system. Programmable scanning allows you to determine which computers to include as well as the duration of the connection.
• Configuration NVRAM - NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) makes it easy to set configuration information using commands entered from the keyboard. The NVRAM stores the resulting configuration until a user decision is made to change the information, even if the unit loses power.
• Password Protection - For protection against unauthorized users, the switch box provides a local password option for security purposes as well as individual user authentication and access rights for remote users.
• Switch Firmware Update - The application code of the switch can be quickly and easily updated via FLASH ROM. Updates can be accomplished remotely over the LAN using the IP Viewer 3.0 or higher software.
• Multiple Space Saving 0U Installation Methods -

- Rear Rack Mount - HPE Console Switches may be mounted behind a HPE 1U Rackmount Keyboard, or the LCD8500 rack mounted console with slide rails provided with the switch.

- Side Mount - Rails are provided for mounting the unit to the side of rack cabinets with side mounting capability

• PS2 Virtual Media Interface Adapter supports servers with PS2 mouse and keyboard connection and a USB port for virtual media. This is the recommended interface adapter for virtual media
• USB Virtual Media Interface Adapter supports servers without PS2 mouse and keyboard connections such as Integrity servers running Microsoft Windows

- USB 1.1 full speed protocol on both Virtual Media Interface Adapters

- System also supports AF603A and AF604A

• Support for a variety of server connections with Interface Adapters where virtual media is not needed

- PS/2

- USB mouse and keyboard

- True VT100 Serial Console Support

- BladeSystems support via front diagnostics connector

• The following input devices provide a convenient front USB pass through port for connecting USB media locally to the HPE IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media & CAC

- HPE 1U Rackmount Keyboard with USB

- HPE LCD8500 Rackmount Keyboard Monitor

Notes: For more information please visit: https://www.hpe.com/us/en/integrated-systems/rack-power-cooling.html

Tiered Configurations

Tiering is the ability to connect one or more switches under a single switch at the top as in a pyramid. Tiering allows an administrator to access larger numbers of servers from a single local or remote console. The HPE IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media & CAC will support up to 2 levels of tiering under certain conditions

• HPE IP Console Switch G2 can now be on the second tier of a tiered configuration.
• HPE IP Console SwitchG2 with Virtual Media may be tiered to HPE Server Console Switches with Virtual Media or any Cat5 based HPE Server Console Switches by connecting a Cat5 cable from a server port on the top switch to the dedicated tiering port on the switch below. Interface adapters are not needed to tier HPE Server Console Switches.
• Virtual media can be mapped to servers on any tier but only if the server is connected to a HPE Server Console Switch with Virtual Media using a Virtual Media Interface Adapter. Virtual media operation requires a Virtual Media Interface Adapter connected to a HPE Console Switch with Virtual Media.
• An HPE IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media & CAC cannot be tiered under a legacy Cat5 based HPE Server Console Switch.
• To perform a firmware upgrade for a tiered HPE Server Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media and all attached Interface Adapters; you must connect to the tiered HPE Server Console Switch G2 On Board Web Interface (OBWI).

Notes: For more information on tiering HPE IP Console Switches please visit: https://www.hpe.com/us/en/integrated-systems/rack-power-cooling.html.