Re: Console Servers

[Andrew Latham <lathama () gmail com>]

Note: newer Lantronix don't require Java for the config interface at all.

Also note that you can organize OOBM and in band management with
https://guacamole.apache.org/ if needed.

On Wed, Sep 19, 2018 at 12:47 PM Jeremy Bresley <brez () brezworks com> wrote:

> On 9/19/18 04:40, James Bensley wrote:
> > On Tue, 18 Sep 2018 at 14:38, Alan Hannan <alan () routingloop com> wrote:
> > > 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)
> > Hi Alan,
> >
> > I'd be reluctant to deploy Cisco 2800s (or similar) today unless there
> > is a newer variant, is there an ISGv2 variant with serial connectivity
> > that Cisco will be supporting for a few more years? I know OpenGrear
> > are expensive but in my current outfit, they do "just work" and the
> > few we had at my old place, again they did "just work".
> The ISR G2s do have several options for async available as do the
> current generation ISR4Ks.
>
> The ISR G2s (1900/2900/3900s) can take the HWIC-8A, HWIC-16A, or SM-32A
> for 8/16/32 ports (SM-32A only in 2911 and higher due to being a Service
> Module form factor)
>
> Data sheet:
>
> https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/interfaces-modules/1800-2800-3800-series-16-port-async-high-speed-wan-interface-card/product_data_sheet0900aecd80274416.html
>
> The ISR G2 routers were all announced for End-of-Sale a while back, the
> modules for them were also announced recently, but are still available
> for sale until Feb 2019.  They'll still be supported until Feb 2024.
>
> EOL Announcement:
>
> https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/interfaces-modules/network-modules/eos-eol-notice-c51-741231.html
>
> The ISR 4Ks have the NIM-16A, NIM-24A, and the SM-X-64A (16/24/64
> ports).  The SM-X is only supported in 4331 and higher due to the SM-X
> form factor, the 16/24 port ones support at least 2 modules in all
> ISR4Ks even the low-end 4221.  The NIM-16A and the SM-X-64A can use the
> same cables as the older async modules, the NIM-24A requires the newer
> low profile cable for 1 of the ports (can use it for all ports).
>
> Data sheet:
>
> https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/routers/4000-series-integrated-services-routers-isr/datasheet-c78-739968.html
>
> Talk to your favorite SE or partner for more info and pricing.
>
> Jeremy
>
> Disclaimer, I do work for Cisco, this info is provided to the list as it
> was requested and hoping to clarify what's available.
>
> My personal $0.02: I've also used some of the older Opengear boxes in
> the past, they're solid, and Opengear are very good with customer
> suggestions/feedback.  Lantronix SLCs work once you get them configured,
> but their configuration web interface was intolerably slow (page
> refreshes would eat whatever you input into a second option box you
> clicked to change) and their built-in terminal required Java.  Benefit
> of Opengear is the other "things" you can do with them since they're
> Linux based (TFTP/syslog/etc). Benefit of a Cisco ISR is they're
> straight IOS (G2s)/IOS-XE (4Ks) so any configuration tool that can
> handle a Cisco box can work with them.

-- 
- Andrew "lathama" Latham -