Avocent Cyclades ACS4 User manual

Cyclades ACS
®
Advanced Console Server
Secure, Remote Console
Management Solution

Securely access and manage network assets and IT assets from anywhere, anytime.
In today’s information age, keeping IT infrastructures fully operational while lowering operational costs has
never been more important. With IT infrastructures evolving to include geographically dispersed data
centers comprised of hundreds or thousands of IT assets, the cost of maintaining these assets can become
overwhelming. To reduce operational costs and ensure round-the-clock service availability, you need
effective and reliable out-of-band management to securely access, diagnose and restore disconnected or
failed IT assets quickly.
Business stops when the IT production network is down or an IT asset is not responding. In-band
management tools alone cannot correct the problem. Administrators often need out-of-band management
tools to troubleshoot and restore IT assets across the enterprise, whether the IT assets are close at hand or far
away. Out-of-band management tools by Avocent include Cyclades®ACS advanced console servers, DSR®
switch appliances, Cyclades PM intelligent power distribution units (IPDUs) and Cyclades OnBoard service
processor manager, all controlled by DSView®3 management software. The Avocent solution integrates these
products into a comprehensive, remote management system with enterprise-class security and a single,
consolidated user interface.
Effective out-of-band management reduces IT operational costs and risks while increasing IT asset and
personnel productivity. Out-of-band management tools by Avocent enable administrators to access and
troubleshoot IT assets even if the production network is down. Access is available through a variety of
methods (LANs, WANs, cell phones – GSM or CDMA, Internet, PSTN), so that management is not limited to
a single network or a single point of failure.
Cyclades ACS console servers provide IT professionals with secure, remote access and management of IT
assets from anywhere, anytime. Cyclades ACS console servers are NEBS Level 3* certified, support multiple
PC cards and provide dual-entry, redundant AC and DC power supplies. Appliances are available in 1-, 4-, 8-,
16-, 32- and 48-port models in 1U form factor.
*Cyclades ACS console server models ACS16 and ACS32, DC versions only.
Cyclades ACS
Advanced Console Server
Challenge Decrease IT Operational Costs and Increase IT Productivity
Avocent Solution Cyclades ACS Advanced Console Server
Cyclades ACS advanced console server
UNIX
UNIX Linux Windows PBX Router Switch
Access Monitor Control
Secure in-band and
out-of-band access to the
serial console ports of servers
and other network assets
Real-time monitoring to identify
problems before they occur,
minimizing costly downtime
Proactive problem resolution
through real-time monitoring,
event notification and centralized
management
Secure console and
integrated power management
Server and network management
Telco central office remote
console management
Legacy terminal server environments
Industrial and commercial automation
Ethernet-attached serial
board replacement
Applications

Connectivity and Remote Management
Ease of Use
In-band access via Telnet and SSH server
Secure out-of-band access via PPP, dial and terminal ensures
networked devices are always accessible, even when individual
devices (such as a switch or router) fail
Alternative remote access via PC cards such as modem
(V.92 and ISDN), fiber and wireless LAN (GSM, CDMA and GPRS)
provide the flexibility for dial-in connectivity
Web interface access using HTTP and HTTPS
Command line access via SSHv1, SSHv2 and Telnet
Standard Linux tools for configuration files edition
Bulk configuration via customized scripts
SNMP – V1, V2 and V3
Anytime, anywhere access to monitor and control IT assets for
optimal performance and network availability.
Easy configuration and management to access data center systems
and network devices with command line, Web and SNMP interfaces.

PBX
Switch
Router
Solaris Server
Windows Server
UNIX Server
Linux Server
Cyclades ACS
advanced console server
Cyclades PM
IPDU
Internet
Internet
PSTN
Cyclades ACS Advanced Console Server Features
Centralized Management and Integrated Power Control
Centralized Management
DSView 3 software
Production Infrastructure
Modem Access
(V.92, ISDN)
Wireless Access
(GSM, CDMA, GPRS)
(Telnet, SSH)
Continuous online and offline data logging with time stamps for
regulatory compliance and easy troubleshooting
Automatic event tracking and notification of fault conditions
Easy collaboration and training with session sharing
Secure, remote power management with remote reboot
Easy maintenance with backup and restore of device configurations
Serial signal change alerts with DCD, DSR, etc.
Reduced need for POTS lines with PPP and IP forwarding
Easy and simple cabling with structured wiring and CAT5 cabling
View consolidation and control of all IT assets from one single
Web-based interface via DSView 3 software
Centralized configuration, change control and upgrade of
system firmware
Seamless integration with power management for integrated viewing,
configuring and management of power ports
Remote Network
Access
Productivity and Cost Savings for Increased Efficiency and Profitability
System administrators can pinpoint problems before they escalate, minimizing and often avoiding costly downtime.
E
nterprise-level scalability with centralized management
f
or security, administration, maintenance and upgrades.

Security
Authentication with virtually all authentication servers
(including RADIUS, LDAP, Active Directory, TACACS+,
Kerberos and NIS protocols) with failover options
Strong user authentication using Two-Factor
Authentication with RSA SecurID
Device authentication using certificates and host key
Authorization based on local access control lists or
server-based group authorization (Active Directory, LDAP,
TACACS+ and RADIUS)
Accounting with local and remote data logs, audit trails and
event logs, enabling secure auditing and easy troubleshooting
Advanced session management with inactivity time out,
preemption, terminate and monitor features
Data privacy with the latest versions of OpenSSH and OpenSSL
Physical security by monitoring the data carrier detect
(DCD) signals of serial ports to alert users of potential
physical connectivity and network problems
Strong dial-up security with One-Time Password (OTP),
Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) and dial-back options
Enhanced Security Framework provides integration with existing
security infrastructure and support for enterprise security standards.