Console Servers

[Alan Hannan <alan () routingloop com>]

I'd like your input on suggestions for an alternate serial port manager.

Long ago I used Cisco 2511/2611 and was fairly happy.  A little later I
used portmaster and was less so.  Recently I've been using Opengear and
they work fairly well but the price is fairly high.   I use the CM7100 and
IM7100.

General specs I'm looking for are:

 * 8 to 48 or more rs232 serial ports on rj45
 * nice-to-have software selectable pinouts (cisco v. straight)
 * gig-e ethernet port (100mbps ok)
 * 1U form factor
 * redundant AC power
 * access physical serial connections via local port #
 * access physical serial connections via local IP alias (nice to have)

Can you recommend a serial port server/concentrator that I could use in
place of opengear for a better value and/or lower cost?

I'm just ignorant about the current market for serial port concentrators
and so far web searches have not revealed ideas, so your input is
appreciated!

Thanks!

-alan