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IBM CoNSoLe SwITCh
Decision Maker’s Guide
No solution built with IBM Server® xSeries® servers is complete until
Contents
the products are brought together using the right KVM switching options.
KVM switching solutions provide access and control of multiple servers
Global Console Manager 2
from a central console. These switches eliminate extra keyboards, monitors
Key features and benefits 3
and mice, allowing businesses to save critical space in their data centers.
Basic GCM configu
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Global Console Manager Products and Solutions The IBM® Global 2 x 16 Console Managers (GCM2) and the IBM Global 4x16 Console Manager (GCM4) appliances integrate digital and analog keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) switching technology with advanced cable management, access for three (2 remote, 1 local) or four (3 remote, 1 local or 4 remote) simultaneous users, and an intui- tive graphical user interface. The appliances have USB and PS/2® ports on the rear panel that support all major target
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Virtual Media The appliance supports virtual media when connected to a VCo cable. You can use virtual Key features and benefits media support to connect USB media devices to the appliance and make those devices available to any connected GCM2 or GCM4 appliance. Use virtual media to move data between a target device and USB media devices that are connected to the appliance. You can install, upgrade, or recover the operating system; update the BIoS code; or start the target device from a USB
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Basic GCM configuration Last updated October 2005 4
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Technical Specifications Target device Ports Number 16 Types VCo, KCo, and UCo Connectors RJ-45 Sync Types Separate horizontal and vertical Plug and Play DDC2B Video Resolution 640 x 480 @ 60 hz (Local Port and Remote Port Minimum) 800 x 600 @ 75 hz 960 x 700 @ 75 hz 1024 x 768 @ 75 hz 1280 x 1024 @ 75 hz (Remote Port Maximum using a VCo) Supported Cabling 4-pair UTP Cat5 or Cat6, 10 meters maximum length Serial
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The IBM® Local 2x8 Console Manager (LCM2) appliance integrates analog keyboard, Local Console Manager 2 video, and mouse (KVM) switching technology with advanced cable management and access for two local simultaneous users. on-screen management through the oSCAR® for IBM graphical user interface provides easy system configuration and target device selection. The LCM2 appliance has USB and PS/2® ports on the rear panel that support all major target device platforms. The LCM2 uses the same C
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Basic LCM2 configuration Last updated October 2005 7
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Technical Specifications Target device ports Number 8 Cable types VCo, KCo, and UCo Connectors RJ-45 Sync types Separate horizontal and vertical Plug and Play DDC2B Video resolution Local Port Maximum 1280 x 1024 @ 75 hz Serial port Number 1 Type Serial RS-232 Connector DB9 female Analog port sets Number 2 Type PS/2, USB, VGA, and ACI Connectors PS/2 miniDIN, 15 pin D, RJ-45 Dimensions height x width x Depth 4.3
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The IBM 1x8 Console Switch and the IBM 2x16 Console Switch integrate keyboard, video, 1X8 Console Switch & and mouse (KVM) switching technology with advanced cable management, flexible access for up to two simultaneous users, and an intuitive user interface. The console 2X16 Console Switch switches feature powerful onscreen management for easy system configuration and server selection. NoTe: The 1x8 console switch enables a single local user to access any attached servers. The 2x16 console
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CAT5 Cabling The CAT5 switch cables using industry-standard RJ45 connectors for secure, quick Key features and benefits connections helps dramatically reduce cable clutter at the rack. OSCAR Graphical User Interface The console switch uses the oSCAR interface, which features intuitive menus to configure the switch system and select servers. Servers can be identified by a unique name and port number, enabling you to assign a unique server name. Security The oSCAR interface enables you to prot
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Basic console switch configuration Last updated October 2005 11
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Technical Specifications Server Ports Number 8 (1x8 console switch), 16 (2x16 console switch) Cable Types USB and PS/2 Connectors RJ-45 Sync Types Separate horizontal and vertical Plug and Play DDC2B Video Resolution Local Port Maximum 1280 x 1024 @ 75 hz Update Port Number 1 Type Serial RS-232 Connector DB-9 Male Local Port Sets Number 1 (1x8 console switch), 2 (2x16 console switch) Type PS/2, VGA and ACI (ACI port avai
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Selecting the right IBM KVM solution when shopping for KVM switches, it is important to get the right solution for your needs. The table below should help simplify the decision-making process. IBM KVM 1x8 Console 2x16 Console Local Console Manager Global Console Global Console product Switch Switch (LCM2) Manager (GCM2) Manager (GCM4) Description • CAT5 cabling with industry-standard RJ45 • Virtual Media capabilities • Remote management--KVM over IP--of connectors for secure, quick connect
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Frequently Asked Questions 1x8 and 2x16 Console Switches Q. what computer platforms do the IBM 1x8 or 2x16 Console Switches support? A. The switch cables available with the console switch support PS/2 and USB server environments. Using the on-Screen Configuration and Activity Reporting (oSCAR®) graphical user interface in conjunction with these cables enables you to switch easily across platforms. Q. what kind of security features are available on IBM 1x8 or 2x16 Console Switch? A. The
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Q. where can I find the Firmware Update? A. Go to http://www.ibm.com/pc/support and click on Downloads and drivers. Search on the product name to access the firmware upgrade file. After the download is complete, navigate to the drive where you have saved the firmware update and unzip the file. GCM2, GCM4, and LCM2 Q. what do I need in order to take advantage of the Virtual Media features? A. Virtual media is supported on IBM GCM2, GCM4, and LCM2 KVM Appliances. To take advantage of the virtu
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Q. what is Virtual Media? A. A USB media device that can be attached to the appliance and made available to any target device that is connected to the appliance. Q. what operating Systems can VCS be installed on? A. The following operating systems are supported by the VCS: • Microsoft® windows® 2000 w orkstation Service Pack 4 • Microsoft windows 2000 Server Service Pack 4 • Microsoft windows XP (home and Professional) Service Pack 2 • Microsoft windows Server 2003 Se
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A. The VCo is a composite USB 2.0 device. If the BIoS does not support (or supports in a limited fashion) USB 2.0 composite devices, then the VCo can not work with it. Q. why can’t I use a VCo to access a computer’s BIoS when I can hook up a keyboard, mouse, USB CDRom, and USB Mass Storage Device to a USB hub attached to the same computer and they work? A. The VCo is a composite USB 2.0 device. A USB hub acts as a compound device. The USB specification (and BIoS support) for composite devi
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For more information World Wide Web IBM Server xSeries ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/storage/rack.html IBM xSeries Rack Configurator ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/library/configtools.html Important notes and trademarks Last updated October 2005 18
