Cyclades AlterPath User manual

AlterPath KVM Installation,
Configuration, and Users Guide
Software Version 2.0
Cyclades Corporation
3541 Gateway Boulevard
Fremont, CA 94538 USA
1.888.CYCLADES (292.5233)
1.510.771.6100
1.510.771.6200 (fax)
http://www.cyclades.com
Release Date: June 2005
Part Number: PAC0369

©2005 Cyclades Corporation
This document contains proprietary information of Cyclades Corporation and is not to be
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Cyclades and AlterPath.
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prior written consent of Cyclades Corporation.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Description ............................................................................................2
What’s New in KVM ............................................................................3
Color OSD .........................................................................................4
Enhanced Power Management for Cascaded Devices ......................5
Enhanced Syslogging ........................................................................5
Guidelines for Using the KVM .............................................................5
Connectors on the KVM .......................................................................6
Types of Ports ....................................................................................6
Connectors on the Back .....................................................................8
Power Connector and Power Switch .............................................9
KVM Ports .....................................................................................9
Management Ports (Console, Ethernet, User 1, User 2) ..............10
AUX Port .....................................................................................12
Activity LEDs on the Back of the KVM ............................................12
AlterPath KVM Ordering Options ......................................................15
Types of Users ....................................................................................15
Simultaneous KVM Logins .............................................................16
Simultaneous Server Connections ...................................................17
Administration Options .......................................................................18
Cyclades Web Manager ......................................................................19
Prerequisites for Using the Web Manager ..........................................20
Cascaded Devices ...............................................................................21
KVM Port Permissions .......................................................................23
Understanding KVM Port Permissions ...........................................24
KVM Port Permissions Hierarchy ...................................................25
Decision 1: Check User’s KVM Port Permissions ......................25
Decision 2: Check Group’s KVM Port Permissions ...................26
Decision 3: Check Generic User’s KVM Port Permissions ........26
Decision 4: Check User’s Default Permissions ...........................27
Contents

Contents
ii AlterPath KVM Installation, Configuration, and Users Guide
Decision 5: Check Group’s Default Permissions ........................27
Decision 6: Check Generic User’s Default Permissions .............28
Administering Users of Connected Servers ........................................29
Types of Access to Ports .................................................................29
Tasks Related to Access to Connected Devices ..............................29
Redefining Keyboard Shortcuts (Hot Keys) .......................................30
Redefining KVM Connection Hot Keys .........................................31
Redefining Sun Keyboard Equivalent Hot Keys .............................31
Summary of Tasks for Redefining Hot Keys ..................................31
Power Management ............................................................................33
Setting Up and Configuring Power Management ...........................34
Options for Managing Power ..........................................................35
Controlling Power Through the Web Manager IPDU Power
Management Forms .....................................................................35
Controlling Power While Connected to KVM Ports ...................36
Authentication .....................................................................................37
Choosing Among Authentication Methods .....................................37
Tools for Specifying Authentication Methods ................................39
Notifications, Alarms, and Data Buffering .........................................40
Syslog Servers .................................................................................42
Prerequisites for Logging to Syslog Servers ...............................42
Facility Numbers for Syslog Messages .......................................42
Example of Using Facility Numbers ...........................................42
Configuring Logging and Alarms ...................................................43
Considerations When Choosing Whether to Enable DHCP ...............43
KVM Terminator Usage and Types ....................................................44
KVM Expander ...................................................................................45
KVM Expander Features .................................................................46
KVM Expander Models and Components ......................................47
Ports on the KVM Expander ...........................................................48
LEDs on the KVM Expander ..........................................................49
Power Outlets on the KVM Expander .............................................49
Cascading a KVM Expander ...........................................................49
Adding the KVM Expander to the KVM Unit’s List
of Cascaded Devices .......................................................................52
Upgrading the KVM Expander Microcontroller Code ...................52
User Access .....................................................................................53

AlterPath KVM Installation, Configuration, and Users Guide iii
AlterPath KVM RP .............................................................................54
Connectors on the Back of the KVM RP ........................................54
Chapter 2: Installing the KVM
Shipping Box Contents AlterPath KVM ............................................59
Setting Up the KVM ...........................................................................61
TTo Mount the KVM .....................................................................61
Making an Ethernet Connection .........................................................63
TTo Make an Ethernet Connection ................................................63
Connecting Servers to the KVM Ports ...............................................64
TTo Prepare to Connect Devices to the KVM ...............................65
TTo Connect Computers to KVM Ports ........................................66
Making a Direct Connection for Network Configuration ...................68
TTo Connect to the Console Port ...................................................68
TTo Connect to the User 1 Management Port ...............................69
Powering On the KVM and Connected Devices ................................69
TTo Power On the KVM ................................................................69
TTo Power On Connected Devices ................................................69
Performing Basic Network Configuration ..........................................70
Configuring Basic Networking Using the wiz Command ..............71
TTo Log Into the KVM Through the Console ..........................71
TTo Change the Password Through the Console .......................71
TTo Use the wiz Command to Configure Network Parameters .72
TTo Apply and Confirm the Network Parameters Defined Using
the wiz Command 73
Configuring Basic Networking Using the OSD ..............................74
TTo Log Into the OSD ...............................................................75
TTo Change a Password Using the OSD ...................................76
TTo Configure Network Parameters Using the OSD .................78
TTo Set the Time and Date Using the OSD ...............................81
Completing Configuration Using the Web Manager ..........................83
Changing Default Passwords ..............................................................84
TChanging admin’s Default Password [Web Manager] ................84
TChanging the Root Password [Command Line] ..........................84
TChanging Default Passwords [OSD] ...........................................85

Contents
iv AlterPath KVM Installation, Configuration, and Users Guide
Enabling Access to the Web Manager without Making a Direct
Connection ..........................................................................................86
TTo Use the Default IP Address to Access the Web Manager ......86
TTo Use a Dynamic IP Address to Access the Web Manager ......87
Preconfiguring the KVM for Remote Installation ..............................89
TTo Preconfigure the KVM ...........................................................89
TTo Set Up a Preconfigured KVM ................................................89
Additional Configuration Tasks ..........................................................90
Avoiding Conflicting Mouse Settings ................................................90
TTo Prevent Mouse Conflicts [Windows XP/Windows 2003] ......91
TTo Prevent Mouse Conflicts [Windows 2000 / ME] ...................92
TTo Prevent Mouse Conflicts [Windows 95/98/NT] .....................92
TTo Prevent Mouse Conflicts [Linux] ...........................................93
Avoiding Internet Explorer Conflicts .................................................94
TTo Modify IE Security Settings ...................................................94
Connecting an External Modem .........................................................97
TTo Connect an External Modem to the AUX Port ......................97
Chapter 3: Installing KVM-related
Products and Components
Connecting AlterPath PMs to the KVM ...........................................100
TTo Connect a PM to the AUX Port ............................................100
TTo Connect Multiple PMs to the KVM .....................................101
Installing the AlterPath KVM Expander ..........................................102
Shipping Box Contents KVM Expander .......................................103
Setting Up the KVM Expander .....................................................105
TTo Mount the KVM Expander ...............................................105
Powering On the KVM Expander and Connected Devices ..........108
TTo Power On the KVM Expander ..........................................108
TTo Power On Devices Daisy Chained to the KVM Expander’s
Power Outlet ..........................................................................108
TTo Power On KVM-connected Devices ................................108
Connecting Cascaded KVM Units to the Primary KVM .................109
TTo Connect a Secondary KVM, KVM/net, or KVM/net Plus to the
Primary KVM ............................................................................110
TTo Connect a KVM Expander to the Primary KVM .................111

AlterPath KVM Installation, Configuration, and Users Guide v
Installing the AlterPath KVM Remote Presence ..............................112
Shipping Box Contents KVM RP .................................................113
TTo Connect the RP to the KVM ................................................114
Options for Accessing the RP .......................................................114
TTo Connect the RP to a Dedicated Keyboard, Monitor, and
Mouse .....................................................................................114
TTo Connect the RP to the Local Work Station .......................115
Supplying Power to the RP ...........................................................115
TTo Power On the KVM RP ........................................................115
Chapter 4: Web Manager for Administrators
Common Tasks .................................................................................118
Common Features of Administrators’ Windows ..............................120
Administrators’ Control Buttons, Logout Button, and KVM
Information ....................................................................................120
Obtaining More Information .........................................................121
Logging Into the Web Manager and Saving Changes ......................122
TTo Log Into the Web Manager as Admin ..................................122
TTo Save Configuration Changes ................................................124
Administrative Modes .......................................................................125
Wizard Mode ....................................................................................125
Procedures in Wizard Mode ..........................................................126
Steps in Wizard Mode ...................................................................126
Step 1: Network Settings [Wizard] ...............................................126
TTo Change Network Settings [Wizard] .....................................127
Step 2: Access [Wizard] ................................................................128
TTo Add a User [Wizard] ............................................................129
TTo Delete a User [Wizard] .........................................................131
TTo Change a Password [Wizard] ...............................................131
Step 3: System Log [Wizard] ........................................................133
TTo Add a Syslog Server [Wizard] .............................................134
TTo Delete a Syslog Server [Wizard] ..........................................134
Expert Mode .....................................................................................135
Overview of Menus and Forms in Expert Mode ...........................136
Access ...............................................................................................137
Connect to Server ..........................................................................137

Contents
vi AlterPath KVM Installation, Configuration, and Users Guide
Power Management .......................................................................138
Outlets Manager .........................................................................139
TTo View Status, Lock, Unlock, and Cycle Power
Outlets [Expert] ......................................................................140
View IPDUs Info .......................................................................141
TTo View and Reset IPDU Information [Expert] ....................141
Users Manager ...........................................................................142
TTo Configure Users to Manage Specific Power Outlets ........142
Configuration .............................................................................143
TTo Configure Creation of Alarms and Syslog Files
for IPDUs [Expert] .................................................................144
Software Upgrade ......................................................................144
TTo Upgrade Firmware on an AlterPath PM [Expert] ................145
Configuration ....................................................................................147
KVM ..............................................................................................148
General .......................................................................................148
General .......................................................................................149
Enabling Direct Access to KVM Ports [Expert] ........................150
TTo Enable Direct Access to KVM Ports [Expert] ..................150
Redefining KVM Connection Keyboard Shortcuts (Hot Keys) 150
TTo Redefine KVM Session Keyboard Shortcuts [Expert] .....151
Specifying Authentication for KVM Port Logins .....................152
TTo Specify an Authentication Method for KVM
Port Logins 152
Local User and IP Users ............................................................153
TTo Configure Local User 1 and User 2 Sessions ...................155
Modifying Individual KVM Ports .............................................156
TTo Configure a KVM Port for Power Management [Expert] 158
Configuring Cascaded KVM Units ...............................................158
TTo Add a Secondary KVM Unit to be Cascaded from the
Master KVM ..............................................................................160
TTo Edit the Configuration of a Cascaded KVM Unit ................161
TTo Delete the Configuration of a Cascaded KVM Unit ............163
Modifying Individual KVM Ports .............................................163
TTo Configure a KVM Port for Power Management [Expert] 165
TTo Specify or Change the Alias for a KVM Port ...................167
TTo Enable or Disable a KVM Port .........................................167

AlterPath KVM Installation, Configuration, and Users Guide vii
Users & Groups .............................................................................168
TTo Add a User [Expert] .............................................................169
TTo Delete a User or Group [Expert] ..........................................170
TTo Change a User’s Password [Expert] .....................................170
TTo Add a Group [Expert] ...........................................................171
TTo Modify a Group [Expert] ......................................................171
TTo Select Users and Groups for Assigning KVM Port
Access [Expert] ..........................................................................172
TTo Assign KVM Port Access to a User or Group .....................173
Configuring an Authentication Method ........................................176
TTo Configure an Authentication Method for KVM Logins .......177
TTo Configure an Authentication Method for Logins Through
KVM Ports .................................................................................178
Configuring Authentication Servers for Logins to the KVM and
Connected Devices ....................................................................179
TTo Identify a Kerberos Authentication Server .......................180
TTo Identify an LDAP Authentication Server [Expert] ...........182
TTo Configure an SMB(NTLM) Authentication
Server [Expert] 184
TTo Configure a NIS Authentication Server [Expert] .............185
TTo Identify a RADIUS Authentication Server [Expert] ........186
TTo Identify a TACACS+ Authentication Server [Expert] .....187
Network .........................................................................................188
Host Settings ..............................................................................189
TTo Configure Host Settings [Expert] .....................................190
Syslog ........................................................................................192
TTo Configure Syslogging for KVM Ports and Specify Message
Filtering [Expert] ....................................................................193
Services ......................................................................................194
TTo Select the Daemons Used for Incoming Connections ......195
IP Filtering .................................................................................195
TTo Add a Chain [Expert] ........................................................203
TTo Edit a Chain [Expert] ........................................................203
TTo Edit a Rule for IP Filtering ...............................................204
TTo Add a Packet Filtering Rule [Expert] ...............................205
TTo Add a Chain for IP Filtering .............................................205
TTo Edit A Chain for IP Filtering ............................................207

Contents
viii AlterPath KVM Installation, Configuration, and Users Guide
TTo Add a Rule for IP Filtering ...............................................207
VPN ...........................................................................................212
TTo Configure VPN .................................................................213
SNMP ........................................................................................216
TTo Configure SNMP ..............................................................216
Host Tables ................................................................................220
TTo Configure Hosts ................................................................220
Static Routes ..............................................................................222
To Add, Edit, or Delete a Static Route ......................................222
AUX Port .......................................................................................224
TTo Configure the AUX Port for Use With a PM or an
External Modem ........................................................................225
System ...........................................................................................226
Time/Date ..................................................................................227
TTo Set the KVM’s Date and Time Manually .........................228
TTo Set The Time and Date With NTP ....................................228
TTo Set the Time and Date to the KVM’s Local GMT ...........229
Boot Configuration ....................................................................229
TTo Configure KVM Boot .......................................................233
Viewing System Information ............................................................234
General ..........................................................................................234
TTo View General Information for Your KVM ..........................234
Port Status .....................................................................................235
TTo View Port Status ...................................................................235
Management ......................................................................................237
Backup Configuration ...................................................................238
TTo Back Up or Retrieve KVM Configuration Data ...................240
Firmware Upgrade .........................................................................241
TTo Find the Cyclades Pathname for Firmware or
Microcode Upgrades ..................................................................243
TTo Upgrade Firmware [Expert] .................................................244
Microcode Upgrade .......................................................................245
TTo Download Microcode From an FTP Server [Expert] .......246
Microcode Reset ............................................................................248
TTo Reset the Microcode After Upgrade .................................248
Active Sessions .............................................................................249
TTo View Active Sessions Information .......................................249