IBM 17352GX User manual

Installation and User’s Guide
43V6037 590527501C
For 1735-2GX and 1735-4GX
Global 2x16 Console Manager
Global 4x16 Console Manager

Global 2x16 Console Manager
Global 4x16 Console Manager
Installation and User’s Guide

Notices and statements used in this document
•Note: These notices provide important tips, guidance, or advice.
•Important: These notices provide important information or advice that might help you avoid
inconvenient or problem situations.
•Attention: These notices indicate possible damage to programs, devices or data.
An attention notice is placed just before the instruction or situation in which damage could
occur.
•Caution: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially hazardous to you. A cau-
tion situation is placed just before the description of a potentially hazardous
procedure step or situation.
•Danger: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially lethal or extremely haz-
ardous to you. A danger statement is placed just before the description of a
potentially lethal or extremely hazardous procedure step or situation.
Important:
All caution and danger statements in this documentation begin with a number. This number is used
to cross reference an English caution or danger statement with translated versions of the caution or
danger statement in the IBM Safety Information book.
For example, if a caution statement begins with a number 1, translations for that caution statement
appear in the IBM Safety Information book under statement 1.
Be sure to read all caution and danger statements in this documentation before performing the
instructions. Read any additional safety information that comes with the server or optional device
before you install the device.
Sound Level Measure
The measured sound level of this appliance is 44.7 dB(A).
Die arbeitsplatzbezogene Geräuschemission des Gerätes beträgt 44,7 dB(A).

vii
Table of Contents
List of Figures .................................................................................................................xi
List of Tables................................................................................................................. xiii
Chapter 1: Product overview .......................................................................................... 1
Features and benefits.........................................................................................................................1
Authorization and authentication ......................................................................................................2
SNMP.................................................................................................................................................2
Virtual media..............................................................................................................................2
Conversion option cables ...........................................................................................................3
OSCAR graphical user interface................................................................................................4
Video...........................................................................................................................................5
Flash upgradability ....................................................................................................................5
Accessing the appliance through network connection................................................................5
Accessing target devices.............................................................................................................5
Example appliance configuration......................................................................................................6
Chapter 2: Installation ..................................................................................................... 7
Required items ...................................................................................................................................9
Operating System, Browser, and JRE Requirements.........................................................................9
Required adjustments to mouse and cursor settings........................................................................10
Safety precautions............................................................................................................................10
Rack mounting the appliance...........................................................................................................13
General guidelines....................................................................................................................14
Installing the appliance vertically in the side of a rack............................................................14
Installing the appliance horizontally in the 1-U rack mounting space ....................................15
Connecting hardware to the appliance.....................................................................................16
Verifying Ethernet connections........................................................................................................16
Daisy chaining.................................................................................................................................17
Appliance tiering..............................................................................................................................17
Configuring tiering for the maximum number of target devices .....................................................21
Configuration options and default authentication...........................................................................21
Local configuration options......................................................................................................22
TABLE OF CONTENTS

viii Global Console Manager Installation and User’s Guide
Remote configuration options...................................................................................................22
Configuring the appliance IP address......................................................................................23
Configuring users accounts and user device access using the Web interface.................................23
Chapter 3: Using the Web Interface ............................................................................. 25
Supported browsers .........................................................................................................................25
Upgrading GCM2 and GCM4 appliances to use the Web interface...............................................25
Web interface window......................................................................................................................28
Port numbers in Path columns .................................................................................................29
Reboot Required button............................................................................................................29
Video Viewer....................................................................................................................................29
User access rights............................................................................................................................30
Connecting to target devices............................................................................................................31
Session sharing options ...................................................................................................................31
Viewing and disconnecting session status .......................................................................................32
Overview of viewing and configuring appliance parameters..........................................................33
Configuring network parameters, KVM sessions, virtual media, and authentication.....................34
Configuring users and user access rights........................................................................................39
Enabling Security Lock-out and unlocking user accounts...............................................................41
Configuring SNMP ..........................................................................................................................42
Configuring SNMP traps .................................................................................................................43
Viewing target device information and naming target devices .......................................................45
Viewing CO cable information and setting a CO language............................................................46
Viewing and configuring cascade devices.......................................................................................47
Viewing software and firmware versions for the appliance ............................................................48
Viewing CO cable version information and administering firmware..............................................48
Using the Tools................................................................................................................................51
Rebooting the appliance using the Tools.........................................................................................51
Upgrading the appliance firmware using the Tools ........................................................................52
Upgrading firmware on multiple CO cables using the Tools..........................................................53
Managing appliance configuration files..........................................................................................54
Managing user databases................................................................................................................56
Chapter 4: Using the OSCAR interface........................................................................ 59
OSCAR interface Main window.......................................................................................................59
Using the OSCAR interface .............................................................................................................61

TABLE OF CONTENTS ix
Connecting to a target device..........................................................................................................62
Configuring and starting local virtual media sessions....................................................................62
Configuring the appliance and the OSCAR interface......................................................................64
Assigning target device names..................................................................................................65
Configuring ports on cascade devices......................................................................................66
Changing the display behavior.................................................................................................68
Selecting the display language .................................................................................................69
Configuring the status flag .......................................................................................................69
Setting the keyboard country code............................................................................................71
Setting appliance security.........................................................................................................72
Setting the preemption warning.......................................................................................................73
Managing target device tasks using the OSCAR interface..............................................................74
Displaying version information................................................................................................74
Upgrading the CO cable firmware...........................................................................................75
Upgrading the appliance firmware..................................................................................................76
Viewing the switching system configuration ............................................................................76
Viewing and disconnecting user connections...........................................................................76
Resetting the keyboard and mouse ...........................................................................................78
Scanning the switching system.........................................................................................................78
Running switching system diagnostics.............................................................................................80
Broadcasting to target devices ........................................................................................................81
Chapter 5: Using the Console Menu ............................................................................ 83
Console Main Menu.........................................................................................................................83
Network Configuration Menu..........................................................................................................84
Security Configuration option .........................................................................................................85
Firmware Management option ........................................................................................................86
Enable Debug Messages option................................................................................................86
Set/Change Password option....................................................................................................86
Restore Factory Defaults option...............................................................................................87
Reset Appliance option.............................................................................................................87
Enable LDAP Debug Messages option.....................................................................................87
Exit option.................................................................................................................................87
Appendixes..................................................................................................................... 89
Appendix A: Flash upgrades ....................................................................................................89

xGlobal Console Manager Installation and User’s Guide
Appendix B: Virtual media .......................................................................................................91
Appendix C: UTP cabling.........................................................................................................93
Appendix D: Technical specifications......................................................................................95
Appendix E: Getting help and technical assistance .................................................................97
Appendix F: Notices .................................................................................................................99
Index.............................................................................................................................. 107

xi
List of Figures
Figure 1.1: GCM2 or GCM4 appliance............................................................................................1
Figure 1.2: Examples of CO cables...................................................................................................3
Figure 1.3: Cat5 cable and a terminator connected to RJ-45 ports on a UCO cable ......................4
Figure 1.4: Example appliance configuration...................................................................................6
Figure 2.1: Basic appliance configuration........................................................................................8
Figure 2.2: Appliance vertical installation......................................................................................15
Figure 2.3: Appliance horizontal installation .................................................................................15
Figure 2.4: Appliance configuration with a single tiered appliance...............................................18
Figure 2.5: Tiering an earlier-model appliance..............................................................................19
Figure 3.1: Web interface window with Connections tab selected and Reboot Required button ...28
Figure 3.2: Status window...............................................................................................................33
Figure 3.3: Configure tab with left menu options and Appliance window......................................34
Figure 3.4: Appliance Sessions window..........................................................................................35
Figure 3.5: Appliance > Authentication window ............................................................................36
Figure 3.6: Appliance > Authentication window ............................................................................37
Figure 3.7: Users window ...............................................................................................................39
Figure 3.8: Add/Modify User window.............................................................................................40
Figure 3.9: Users Access window....................................................................................................40
Figure 3.10: SNMP Configuration window.....................................................................................43
Figure 3.11: SNMP Traps Window .................................................................................................44
Figure 3.12: Servers window...........................................................................................................45
Figure 3.13: Modify Server Name window......................................................................................45
Figure 3.14: Servers - COs window ................................................................................................47
Figure 3.15: Modify Cascade Device window.................................................................................47
Figure 3.16: Versions window.........................................................................................................48
Figure 3.17: COs Firmware Version Window.................................................................................49
Figure 3.18: CO Version window....................................................................................................50
Figure 3.19: Tools tab .....................................................................................................................51
Figure 3.20: Upgrade Appliance Firmware window- TFTP server................................................52
Figure 3.21: Upgrade Appliance Firmware window - file system ..................................................53
Figure 3.22: Upgrade CO Firmware window.................................................................................54
LIST OF FIGURES

xii Global Console Manager Installation and User’s Guide
Figure 3.23: Save Appliance Configuration window ......................................................................55
Figure 3.24: Restore Appliance Configuration window..................................................................56
Figure 3.25: Save Appliance User Data window ............................................................................57
Figure 3.26: Restore Appliance User Data window........................................................................58
Figure 4.1: Example of a Main window..........................................................................................59
Figure 4.2: Setup window................................................................................................................64
Figure 4.3: Names window..............................................................................................................65
Figure 4.4: Name Modify window...................................................................................................66
Figure 4.5: Devices window............................................................................................................67
Figure 4.6: Device Modify window .................................................................................................67
Figure 4.7: Menu window................................................................................................................68
Figure 4.8: Language window.........................................................................................................69
Figure 4.9: Flag Setup window .......................................................................................................70
Figure 4.10: Set Position window....................................................................................................71
Figure 4.11: Keyboard window.......................................................................................................71
Figure 4.12: Preempt window .........................................................................................................73
Figure 4.13: Commands window.....................................................................................................74
Figure 4.14: Version window ..........................................................................................................75
Figure 4.15: Upgrade window.........................................................................................................76
Figure 4.16: User Status window ....................................................................................................77
Figure 4.17: Disconnect window.....................................................................................................77
Figure 4.18: Scan window...............................................................................................................79
Figure 4.19: Diagnostics window....................................................................................................80
Figure 4.20: Broadcast window ......................................................................................................82
Figure 5.1: Console Menu...............................................................................................................83
Figure 5.2: Network Configuration Menu.......................................................................................84

xiii
List of Tables
Table 1.1: GCM2 and GCM4 appliance model comparison.............................................................6
Table 2.1: Earlier model switches configuration for the (2048(maximum number of target devices.
21
Table 2.2: Local configuration options ...........................................................................................22
Table 2.3: Remote configuration options ........................................................................................22
Table 3.1: User access rights ..........................................................................................................30
Table 3.2: Session sharing definitions.............................................................................................31
Table 3.3: CO cable status symbols.................................................................................................46
Table 4.1: OSCAR interface status symbols ....................................................................................60
Table 4.2: OSCAR interface navigation basics ...............................................................................61
Table 4.3: Setup features to manage routine tasks for the target devices.......................................64
Table 4.4: OSCAR interface status flags .........................................................................................69
Table 4.5: Commands to manage routine tasks for the target device .............................................74
Table 4.6: Diagnostic test details....................................................................................................80
Table C.1: UTP wiring standards....................................................................................................93
Table D.1: GCM2 and GCM4 appliance product specifications....................................................95
LIST OF TABLES

xiv Global Console Manager Installation and User’s Guide

1
CHAPTER
1Product overview
The IBM®Global 2x16 Console Manager (GCM2) and the IBM Global 4x16 Console Manager
(GCM4) appliances integrate digital and analog KVM switching technology with advanced cable
management and provide access for up to three or four simultaneous users. Virtual media support is
included. The appliance transmits KVM information between users and target devices attached to
the appliance when the users are either remote or locally connected.
Options for remote management and access include an integrated Web interface and VCS client
software that can be installed on a remote computer. Options for local management and access
include the OSCAR®interface available through a monitor, keyboard, and mouse that can be
connected to local user KVM ports on the appliance. Console menu access is also available through
a terminal that can be connected to the serial port.
Each appliance has 16 ports for connecting target devices such as servers and routers. Up to 256
target devices can be managed by daisy-chaining target devices. Additional appliances can be
tiered for support for up to 2048 target devices.
Features and benefits
The appliances are rack mountable KVM switches supporting analog (local) and digital (remote)
connectivity. Video resolutions are supported up to 1280 x 1024 for remote users.
The GCM2 appliance includes support for KVM-over-IP access for two remote users and virtual
media capability for one local user and up to two remote users. The GCM4 appliance includes
support for KVM-over-IP access for four remote users, and virtual media capability for one local
user and up to four remote users.
Figure 1.1: GCM2 or GCM4 appliance

2Global Console Manager Installation and User’s Guide
Users can access connected target devices remotely through the1000BASE-T Ethernet port and
directly through a local user station.
IP access through standard LAN connections supports target device control from anywhere in
the world.
Both appliance models have USB and PS/2 ports for one local user station. USB and PS/2
connectors can be mixed; for example, a USB keyboard and a PS/2 mouse can be connected.
A terminal or a computer running a terminal emulation program can be connected to the
configuration port for firmware upgrades and other types of configuration.
USB media devices such as CD drives can be connected to any of the four available USB ports for
virtual media support.
Authorization and authentication
Authorization and authentication can be configured to use local databases, or LDAP, or a
combination of both methods, as described below:
• Local authentication is always used, whether it is the primary or backup authentication method, and
it cannot be disabled.
• Local databases or LDAP can be used for both authentication and authorizations checking.
• LDAP can be used for authentication only while the local databases are used for authorizations
checking.
SNMP
Administrators can configure Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) managers to access
the appliances and can configure traps to be sent to designated SNMP servers.
Virtual media
Virtual media support allows USB media devices, such as CD devices, flash storage devices, and
disk storage devices, to be shared with the target devices. For virtual media to work, the target
device must be directly connected to the appliance with a Virtual Media Conversion Option (VCO)
cable. Virtual media is not supported for target devices that are daisy-chained or that are connected
to tiered appliances.
The media device being shared can be connected either to one of four USB ports on the appliance
or to a USB port on a remote computer. Remotely attached media can be shared with the target
devices using either the Web interface or the Virtual Console Software (VCS) client software
installed on the remote computer.
Using the virtual media capability, users can perform operations on target devices such as installing
or upgrading the operating system; booting from a CD; installing applications; updating the BIOS,
or backing up the system.

Chapter 1: Product overview 3
Conversion option cables
A Conversion Option (CO) cable is an intelligent interface that is attached to each target device.
Firmware on the CO cables can be upgraded using the Web interface, the OSCAR interface, the
VCS, or the Console menu.
CO cable models support target devices with either PS/2 and USB ports. You must connect one of
the following types of CO cables to each target device:
•IBM 250 mm KVM Conversion Option (KCO) cable - PS/2 and VGA connectors
•IBM 1.5 M KVM Conversion Option (KCO) cable - PS/2 and VGA connectors
•IBM Virtual Media Conversion Option (VCO) cable - USB2 and VGA connectors
NOTE: For virtual media support, the target device must be connected to a VCO cable, and the VCO cable must
be directly connected to the appliance. Virtual media is not supported for daisy-chained target devices or for
target devices connected to tiered appliances.
•IBM USB Conversion Option (UCO) cable - USB and VGA connectors
Figure 1.2: Examples of CO cables
Using Cat5 cables dramatically reduces cable clutter while providing optimal digital display
resolution and video settings. The built-in memory of each CO cable simplifies configuration by
storing unique identification codes and optional names that can be configured for each attached
target device.
The intelligence integrated into the CO cable enhances security and prevents unauthorized access
to a target device through cable manipulation. Each CO cable receives power directly from the tar-
get device.
Keep Alive functionality on the CO cables emulates a keyboard to prevent server lock-up even if
the appliance is not turned on or if the connection between the CO cable and the switch is
interrupted.
Each KCO and UCO cable has two RJ-45 ports for connecting Cat5 cables. Each VCO has one RJ-
45 port. The RJ-45 ports are used in the following ways.
• A Cat5 cable must be connected to an RJ-45 port on the CO cable of a target device and to an ARI
port on a standalone or tiered appliance.
UCO or VCO cable
KCO cable

4Global Console Manager Installation and User’s Guide
• When target devices are daisy chained from a single ARI port, a Cat5 cable must be connected to the
second RJ-45 port on a KCO or UCO that is connected to a target device. The other end of the Cat5
cable must then be connected to the first RJ-45 port on a KCO or UCO cable that is connected to the
next target device in the chain.
• When only one target device is connected to a port with a KCO or UCO cable or when the target
device is the last in a daisy chain, a terminator must be connected to the second RJ-45 port on the
connected KCO or UCO cable.
Figure 1.3: Cat5 cable and a terminator connected to RJ-45 ports on a UCO cable
OSCAR graphical user interface
Users at a local user station can use the OSCAR interface, which provides menus to configure the
switching system and select target devices. You can list target devices by unique name, eID
(electronic ID), or port number. See Chapter 3 for details on how to use the OSCAR interface.
Security
Administrators can configure the OSCAR interface to restrict access to the switching system by
configuring a password and the screen saver. After an administrator-defined period of inactivity,
the screen saver engages and access is not allowed until the correct password is entered.
Operation modes
The OSCAR user interface allows administrators to configure the broadcast, scan, switch, and
share operation modes for the target devices.
Cat5 cable
Terminator