Dell PowerEdge 180AS User manual

Dell™ Remote Console Switch
System User’s Guide
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better
use of your computer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss
of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage,
personal injury, or death.
___________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2008 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
2161DS-2/4161DS/2321DS Remote Console Switch

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590-728-599C/59E-728-599C
October 2008
Model 2161DS-2/4161DS/2321DS Remote Console Switch

Safety and EMC Approvals and Markings
• UL / cUL
• CE - EU
•N(Nemko)
•GOST
•C-Tick
•NOM/NYCE
•MIC(BCC)
•SASO
•TUV-GS
•IRAM
•FCC,ICES,
•VCCI
•SoNCAP
•SABS
•Bellis
•FIS/Kvalitet
•Koncar
•CKT
•INSM
•Ukrtest
•STZ
Safety certifications and EMC certifications for this product are obtained under
one or more of the following designations: CMN (Certification Model
Number), MPN (Manufacturer’s Part Number) or Sales Level Model
designation. The designation that is referenced in the EMC and/or safety
reports and certificates is printed on the label applied to this product.
Please refer to the
Dell Regulatory Technical Bulletin included with your Remote
Console Switch for more detailed EMC and EA text.

iv Contents
Contents
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv
Rack Mounting of Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi
LAN Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
1 Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Remote Console Switch Features and Benefits . . . . . . 1
SIP Intelligent Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Multiplatform Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Interoperability with Avocent® IQ Module Intelligent
Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
OSCAR Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
On-board Web Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DSView® 3 Management Software Plug-in . . . . . 2
Virtual Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Encryption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Operation Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FLASH Upgradeable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Cascade (Tier) Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Remote Console Switch Software Features and Benefits 5
Easy to Install and Configure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Powerful Customization Capabilities . . . . . . . . . 6
Extensive Remote Console Switch Management . . 6
IPv4 and IPv6 Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Contents v
LDAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Interoperability with Avocent Products . . . . . . . 6
2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Console Switch Quick Setup Checklist . . . . . 8
Remote Console Switch Installation and Setup . . . . 10
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Setting Up Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Keyboards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Rack Mounting Your Remote Console Switch Unit . . . 11
Installing the Remote Console Switch Unit. . . . . 15
Video Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Mouse Acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Connecting a SIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Adding a Cascade Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Cascading with Legacy Switches . . . . . . . . . 29
Adding a PEM (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Connecting to the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
On-board Web Interface Installation and Setup . . . . 32
Supported Browsers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Launching the On-board Web Interface . . . . . . 32
Remote Console Switch Software Installation and Setup 33
Installing the Remote Console Switch Software . . 34
3 Controlling Your System at the Analog
Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Viewing and Selecting Ports and Devices . . . . . . . 36
Selecting Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

vi Contents
Soft Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Navigating the OSCAR Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Configuring OSCAR Interface Menus . . . . . . . . . . 41
Changing the Display Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Setting Console Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Controlling the Status Flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Setting the Interface Language. . . . . . . . . . . 48
Assigning Device Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Assigning Device Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Configuring Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Displaying Version Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Scanning Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Setting the Preemption Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Displaying Configuration Information . . . . . . . . . . 56
Running System Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Broadcasting to Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Power Controlling Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Power window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
PDUs window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
PDU Settings window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
PDU Inlets window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
PDU Outlets window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
4 Remote Console Switch Software
Basic Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Launching the Remote Console Switch Software. . . . 65

Contents vii
Navigating the Remote Console Switch Software . . . 65
Viewing Your System in the Explorer . . . . . . . . 66
Explorer Window Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Adding a Remote Console Switch or Avocent Remote
Console Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Accessing Your Remote Console Switch . . . . . . . . 75
Launching the VNC or RDP Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Changing Server and Switch Properties . . . . . . . . 78
Changing General Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Changing Server Network Properties . . . . . . . 80
Changing Switch Network Properties . . . . . . . 81
Changing Information Properties. . . . . . . . . . 83
Viewing Server Connections Properties . . . . . . 84
VNC properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
RDP properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Accessing a Server via a Browser Window . . . . 89
Changing Server and Switch Options . . . . . . . . . . 89
General options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
HTTP/HTTPS options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
VNC options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
RDP options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Organizing Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Modifying Custom Field Names . . . . . . . . . . 95
Creating Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Assigning a Unit to a Site, Location, or Folder . . . 96
Deleting and Renaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Customizing the Explorer Window . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Modifying the Selected View on Startup . . . . . . 99
Changing the Default Browser . . . . . . . . . . . 100

viii Contents
Managing Your Local Databases . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Saving a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Exporting a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Loading a Database. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
5 Using the Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Accessing Servers from the Remote Console Switch
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Accessing Servers from the On-board Web Interface 105
Interacting With the Server Being Viewed . . . . . . 106
Viewer Window Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Adjusting the Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Adjusting the Viewer Resolution . . . . . . . . . 111
Adjusting the Video Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Minimizing Remote Video Session Discoloration. 114
Improving Screen Background Color Display . . 114
Setting Mouse Scaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Minimizing Mouse Trailing . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Improving Mouse Performance . . . . . . . . . 116
Reducing Mouse Cursor Flickering . . . . . . . . 117
Viewing Multiple Servers Using the Scan Mode . 117
Scanning Your Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Thumbnail View Status Indicators . . . . . . . . 120
Navigating the Thumbnail Viewer . . . . . . . . 121
Using Macros to Send Keystrokes to the Server . 122
Session Options - General Tab . . . . . . . . . . 123
Screen Capturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Preemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Preemption of Remote User by a Remote
Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Contents ix
Preemption of a Local User/Remote Administrator
by a Remote Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Connection Sharing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
6 Virtual Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Common Virtual Media Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Configuring Virtual Media Locally . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Enabling/Disabling Virtual Media Using the
OSCAR Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Setting Virtual Media Options Using the OSCAR
Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Configuring Virtual Media Remotely . . . . . . . . . . 133
Enabling/Disabling Virtual Media Using the
On-board Web Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Setting Virtual Media Options Using the On-board
Web Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Launching Virtual Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Virtual Floppy Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Virtual CD/DVD Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Virtual Media Connection Status . . . . . . . . . . 138
Reserving a Virtual Media Session. . . . . . . . . 139
Resetting the USB Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
7 Managing Your Remote Console Switch Using the
On-board Web Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Migrating Switches from the Remote Console
Switch Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Viewing and Configuring Remote Console Switch
Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Changing Remote Console Switch Parameters . . 141

xContents
Setting Up User Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Locking and Unlocking User Accounts . . . . . . 147
Enabling and Configuring SNMP . . . . . . . . . 148
Enabling Individual SNMP Traps . . . . . . . . . 150
Viewing and Resynchronizing Server Connections 151
Modifying a Server Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Viewing and Configuring Tiered Switch
Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Viewing the SIPs and Avocent IQ Modules. . . . 154
Viewing Remote Console Switch Version Information 155
SIPs Subcategory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Upgrading Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Controlling User Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Rebooting Your System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Managing Remote Console Switch Configuration Files 164
Managing User Databases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Installing a Web Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Managing PDUs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
8 Migrating Your Remote Console Switch 171
Accessing the AMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Upgrading Firmware Using the AMP . . . . . . . . . 172
Upgrading Remote Console Switch Firmware . . 172
Migrating Remote Console Switches to the On-board
Web Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Using the Resync Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Contents xi
9 LDAP Feature for the Remote Console
Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
The Structure of Active Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Domain Controller Computers . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Object Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Schema Extensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Standard Schema versus Dell Extended Schema. . . . 180
Standard Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Configure the Override Admin Account . . . . . . . . . 182
Configuring DNS Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Configuring the Network Time Protocol Settings. . . . 183
Configuring the LDAP Authentication Parameters . . . 184
LDAP SSL Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Enabling SSL on a Domain Controller . . . . . . . 187
Login Timeout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
CA Certificate Information Display . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Configuring Group Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Active Directory Object Overview for Standard
Schema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Dell Extended Schema Active Directory Object
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Configuring Active Directory with Dell Schema
Extensions to Access Your RCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Extending the Active Directory Schema (Optional) 202

xii Contents
Installing the Dell Extension to the Active Directory
Users and Computers Snap-In (Optional). . . . . 203
Adding Users and Privileges to Active Directory with
Dell Schema Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Creating a SIP Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Creating a Privilege Object . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Using Dell Association Objects Syntax . . . . . . . . 205
Creating an Association Object. . . . . . . . . . 206
Adding Objects to an Association Object. . . . . 206
Console Redirection Access Security. . . . . . . . . 207
Using Active Directory to Log In to the Remote
Console Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Target Device Naming Requirements for LDAP
Implementation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
A Appendix A: Updating the Remote Console Switch
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
B Appendix B: Remote Console Switch Software
Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . 213
C Appendix C: TCP Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
D Appendix D: MIBs and SNMP Traps . . . 217
MIB Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Enterprise Traps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

Contents xiii
E Appendix E: FLASH Upgrades . . . . . . . . 247
Upgrading the Remote Console Switch . . . . . . 247
Upgrading the SIP module firmware . . . . . . . . 250
F Appendix F: Technical Specifications . . 253
G Appendix G: Technical Support . . . . . . . 257
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258

xiv
Safety Precautions
Use the following safety guidelines to help ensure your own personal safety
and to help protect your system and working environment from potential
damage.
CAUTION: The power supplies in your system may produce high voltages and
energy hazards, which can cause bodily harm. Only trained service technicians
are authorized to remove the covers and access any of the components inside the
system. This warning applies to Dell™ PowerEdge™ servers and Dell
PowerVault™ storage systems.
This document pertains only to the Dell 2161DS-2/4161DS/2321DS Console
Switch. You should also read and follow the additional safety instructions.
•The Remote Console Switch Installation Guide included with your rack
solution that describes how to install your system into a rack.
•The
User’s Guide which provides information about setting up and
operating your rack mounted server system.
• The appropriate Avocent installer/user guide for your product, if
applicable. Visit
avocent.com/manuals for more information.
General
• Observe and follow service markings.
• Do not service any product except as explained in your system
documentation.
• Opening or removing covers that are marked with the triangular symbol
with a lightning bolt may expose you to electrical shock.
• Components inside these compartments should be serviced only by a
trained service technician.
– This product contains no serviceable components. Do not attempt to
open.

xv
• If any of the following conditions occur, unplug the product from the
electrical outlet and replace the part or contact your trained service
provider:
– The power cable, extension cable, or plug is damaged.
– An object has fallen into the product.
– The product has been exposed to water.
– The product has been dropped or damaged.
– The product does not operate correctly when you follow the operating
instructions.
• Keep your system away from radiators and heat sources. Also, do not block
cooling vents.
• Do not spill food or liquids on your system components, and never operate
the product in a wet environment. If the system gets wet, see the
appropriate section in your troubleshooting guide or contact your trained
service provider.
• Use the product only with approved equipment.
• Allow the product to cool before removing covers or touching internal
components.
• Operate the product only from the type of external power source indicated
on the electrical ratings label. If you are not sure of the type of power
source required, consult your service provider or local power company.
NOTICE: To help avoid damaging your system, be sure the voltage selection switch
(if provided) on the power supply is set for the voltage that most closely matches
the AC power available in your location. Also be sure that your monitor and
attached devices are electrically rated to operate.
• Be sure that your monitor and attached devices are electrically rated to
operate with the power available in your location.
• Use only power cables provided with this product.
• To help prevent electric shock, plug the system and peripheral power
cables into properly grounded electrical outlets. These cables are equipped
with three-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use
adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable.

xvi
• Observe extension cable and power strip ratings. Make sure that the total
ampere rating of all products plugged into the power strip does not exceed
80 percent of the ampere ratings limit for the power strip.
• To help protect your system from sudden, transient increases and
decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or
uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
• Position system cables and power cables carefully. Route cables so that they
cannot be stepped on or tripped over. Be sure that nothing rests on any
cables.
• Do not modify power cables or plugs. Consult a licensed electrician or your
power company for site modifications. Always follow your local/national
wiring rules.
Rack Mounting of Systems
• Refer to the rack installation documentation accompanying the rack for
specific caution statements and procedures.
• System rack kits are intended to be installed in a rack by trained service
technicians. If a non-Dell rack is utilized, be sure that the rack meets the
specifications of a Dell rack.
• Elevated Ambient Temperature: If installed in a closed rack assembly, the
operation temperature of the rack environment may be greater than room
ambient. Use care not to exceed the rated maximum ambient temperature
of the unit.
• Reduced Air Flow: Installation of the equipment in a rack should be such
that the amount of airflow required for safe operation of the equipment is
not compromised.
• Mechanical Loading: Mounting of the equipment in the rack should be
such that a hazardous condition is not achieved due to uneven mechanical
loading.
• Circuit Overloading: Consideration should be given to the connection of
the equipment to the supply circuit and the effect that overloading of
circuits might have on overcurrent protection and supply wiring. Consider
equipment nameplate ratings for maximum current.

xvii
• Reliable Earthing: Reliable earthing of rack mounted equipment should be
maintained. Pay particular attention to supply connections other than
direct connections to the branch circuit (for example, use of power strips).
LAN Options
• Do not connect or use during a lightning storm. There may be a risk of
electrical shock from lightning.
• Never connect or use in a wet environment.

Product Overview 1
1
Product Overview
The multiuser, Dell™ 2161DS-2/4161DS/2321DS Remote Console Switch
integrates Dell field-proven digital keyboard, video and mouse (KVM)
switching technology with advanced cable management, flexible access for up
to four simultaneous users, and a patented, next-generation user interface.
The Remote Console Switch features user-side USB and PS/2 ports that
support major device platforms.
Using powerful on-screen management through the OSCAR®interface,
Remote Console Switch Software, or on-board web interface provides easy
system configuration and device selection.
Remote Console Switch Features and Benefits
SIP Intelligent Module
The Remote Console Switch also provides SIP intelligent module capability.
The SIP module with CAT 5 design dramatically reduces cable clutter, while
providing optimal resolution and video settings. The built-in memory of the
SIP module simplifies configuration by assigning and retaining unique device
names and Electronic ID (EID) numbers for each attached device. The SIP
module is powered directly from the device and provides Keep Alive
functionality even if the Remote Console Switch is not powered.
PS/2 and USB SIP modules are available allowing direct KVM connectivity to
devices. A USB2 virtual media SIP is also available. Each Remote Console
Switch has up to 32 Analog Rack Interface (ARI) ports for connecting SIP
modules.
Utilizing the SIP module, you can attach additional switches to expand your
Remote Console Switch system. This flexibility allows you to add capacity as
your data center grows.

Product Overview 2
Multiplatform Support
The Dell SIP modules available for use with the Remote Console Switch
support PS/2, USB and USB2 device environments. Using the OSCAR®
interface in conjunction with these modules allows you to switch easily
across platforms.
Interoperability with Avocent
®
IQ Module Intelligent Cabling
Avocent IQ module intelligent cable may also be used to connect devices to
the Remote Console Switch. PS/2, USB, Sun®, and serial cabling options are
available. For more information, please refer to the appropriate Avocent
installer/user guide for your product. Visit avocent.com/manuals for more
information.
OSCAR Interface
You can use the OSCAR interface to manage the Remote Console Switch.
OSCAR features intuitive menus to configure your switch system and select
computers. Devices can be identified by a name, EID, or port number,
allowing you to assign unique device names.
On-board Web Interface
The on-board web interface provides similar management functions as the
Remote Console Switch Software, but does not require a software server or
any installation. The on-board web interface is launched directly from the
switch, and any servers connected to the Remote Console Switch are
automatically detected. You can use the on-board web interface to configure
Remote Console Switches from a web browser. Launch the Viewer from the
on-board web interface to establish KVM and virtual media sessions to target
devices. The on-board web interface also supports LDAP authentication,
which
allows permissions for multiple Remote Console Switches to be managed
through a single interface.
DSView®3 Management Software Plug-in
The Avocent®DSView 3 management software is a secure, web browser-
based, centralized enterprise management solution that allows users to
remotely access, manage, monitor, and control target devices through
managed appliances. A session may be launched to a target device with a
single point of access.

3Product Overview
You can manage and connect to multi-vendor servers and devices from within
the DSView 3 software. Include your Dell Remote Console Switch in the
DSView 3 software heterogeneous network environment with the DSView 3
software plug-in. Once a Remote Console Switch is added, you can use the
DSView 3 software for fault management, sessions management, firmware
upgrades, and more.
Virtual Media
Virtual media allows you to view, move, or copy data located on virtual media
to and from any server that is connected to the Remote Console Switch.
Manage remote systems more efficiently by allowing operating system
installation, operating system recovery, hard drive recovery or duplication,
BIOS updating, and server backup.
Virtual media can be connected directly to USB ports on the switch or the
server hosting the on-board web interface browser session. You can open a
virtual media session to a server from the Viewer. The Viewer can be opened
from either the on-board web interface or Remote Console Switch software.
NOTE: To open a virtual media session with a server, the server must first be
connected to a Remote Console Switch using a virtual media capable USB2 SIP
module.
Security
The OSCAR interface allows you to protect your system with a screen saver
password. The screen saver mode engages and access is prohibited until the
appropriate password is entered to reactivate the system. By typing Help in
the password dialog, you are directed to Dell Technical Support.
Recommended usage for the Remote Console Switch is in a datacenter
infrastructure protected by a firewall.
Encryption
The Remote Console Switch supports 128-bit SSL, as well as AES, DES, and
3DES encryption of keyboard/mouse, video, and virtual media sessions.