[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” alt=”Comparing Console Server Hardware” title_text=”Comparing Console Server Hardware” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”src” _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” link_option_url=”https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/edge-computing-architecture-zs\/” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Console servers – also known as <\/span>serial consoles<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>console server switches<\/span><\/a>, serial console servers, serial console routers, or <\/span>terminal servers<\/span><\/a> – are critical for data center infrastructure management. They give administrators a single point of control for devices like servers, switches, and power distribution units (PDUs) so they don\u2019t need to log in to each piece of equipment individually. It also uses multiple network interfaces to provide <\/span>out-of-band (OOB) management<\/span><\/a>, which creates an isolated network dedicated to infrastructure orchestration and troubleshooting. This OOB network remains accessible during production network outages, offering remote teams a lifeline to recover systems without costly and time-consuming on-site visits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Console server hardware can vary significantly across different vendors and use cases. This guide compares console server hardware from the three top vendors and examines four key categories: <\/span>large data centers<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>mixed environments<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>break-fix deployments<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>modular solutions<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Large and <\/span>hyperscale data centers<\/span><\/a> can include hundreds or even thousands of individual devices to manage. Teams typically use infrastructure automation, like infrastructure as code (IaC), because managing devices at such a large scale is impossible to do manually. The best console server hardware for high-density data centers will include plenty of managed serial ports, support hundreds of concurrent sessions, and provide support for <\/span>infrastructure automation<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Click here<\/span><\/a> to compare the hardware specs of the top providers, or read below for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP)<\/span><\/a> from ZPE Systems is the only console server providing up to 96 RS-232 serial ports in a 1U rack-mounted form factor. Its quad-core Intel processor and robust (as well as upgradable) internal storage and RAM options, as well as its Linux-based Nodegrid OS, support Guest OS and Docker containers for third-party applications. That means the NSCP can directly host infrastructure automation (like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef), security (like Palo Alto’s next-generation firewalls and Secure Access Service Edge), and much more. Plus, it can extend zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) to legacy and mixed-vendor devices that otherwise wouldn\u2019t support automation.<\/span><\/p>\n The NSCP also comes packed with hardware security features including BIOS protection, UEFI Secure Boot, self-encrypted disk (SED), Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, and a multi-site VPN using IPSec, WireGuard, and OpenSSL protocols. Plus, it supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors to help remote teams control conditions in the data center or colocation facility.<\/span><\/p>\n The Opengear CM8100 comes in two models: the 1G version includes up to 48 managed serial ports, while the 10G version supports up to 96 serial ports in a 2U form factor. Both models have a dual-core ARM Cortex processor and 2GB of RAM, allowing for some automation support with upgraded versions of the Lighthouse management software. They also come with an embedded firewall, IPSec and OpenVPN protocols for a single-site VPN, and TPM 2.0 security.<\/span><\/p>\n The IOLAN SCG is Perle\u2019s fixed-form-factor console server solution. It supports up to 48 managed serial ports and can extend ZTP to end devices. It comes with onboard security features including an embedded firewall, OpenVPN and IPSec VPN, and AES encryption. However, the IOLAN SCG\u2019s underpowered single-core ARM processor, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of storage limit its automation capabilities, and it does not integrate with any third-party automation or orchestration solutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2x SFP+\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2x ETH<\/span><\/p>\n 1x Wi-Fi (optional)<\/span><\/p>\n 2x Dual SIM LTE (optional)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/th>\n 1x RS-232 console<\/span><\/p>\n 2x USB 3.0 Type A<\/span><\/p>\n 1x HDMI Output<\/span><\/p>\n<\/th>\n 1x RS-232 console<\/span><\/p>\n 2x USB 3.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 1x RS-232 console<\/span><\/p>\n 1x Micro USB w\/DB9 Adapter<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Single or Dual AC<\/span><\/p>\n Dual DC<\/span><\/p>\n<\/th>\n Dual AC<\/span><\/p>\n Dual DC<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 1U Rack Mounted (up to 48 ports)<\/span><\/p>\n 2U Rack Mounted (96 ports)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Data center deployments that include a mix of legacy and modern solutions from multiple vendors benefit from console server hardware that includes software-selectable serial ports. This feature allows administrators to manage devices with straight or rolled RS-232 pinouts from the same console server.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nConsole server hardware for large data center deployments<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP)<\/span><\/h3>\n
Advantages:<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Disadvantages:<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Opengear CM8100<\/span><\/h3>\n
Advantages:<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Disadvantages:<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Perle IOLAN SCG (fixed)<\/span><\/h3>\n
Advantages:<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Disadvantages<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Comparison Table: Console Server Hardware for Large Data Centers<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n <\/th>\n Nodegrid NSCP<\/b><\/th>\n Opengear CM8100<\/b><\/th>\n Perle IOLAN SCG<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n Serial Ports<\/b><\/th>\n 16 \/ 32 \/ 48 \/ 96x RS-232<\/span><\/th>\n 16 \/ 32 \/ 48 \/ 96x RS-232<\/span><\/td>\n 16 \/ 32 \/ 48x RS-232<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Max Port Speed<\/b><\/th>\n 230,400 bps<\/span><\/th>\n 230,400 bps<\/span><\/td>\n 230,000 bps<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Network Interfaces<\/b><\/th>\n \n 2x ETH<\/span><\/td>\n 1x ETH<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Additional Interfaces<\/b><\/th>\n \n \n \n \n Environmental Monitoring<\/b><\/th>\n Any USB sensors<\/span><\/th>\n –<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n CPU<\/b><\/th>\n Intel x86_64 Quad-Core<\/span><\/th>\n ARM Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz Dual-Core<\/span><\/td>\n ARM 32-bit 500MHz Single-Core<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Storage<\/b><\/th>\n 32GB SSD (upgrades available)<\/span><\/th>\n 32GB eMMC<\/span><\/td>\n 4GB Flash<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n RAM<\/b><\/th>\n 4GB DDR4 (upgrades available)<\/span><\/th>\n 2GB DDR4<\/span><\/td>\n 1GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Power<\/b><\/th>\n \n \n Single AC<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Form Factor<\/b><\/th>\n 1U Rack Mounted<\/span><\/th>\n \n 1U Rack Mounted<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Data Sheet<\/b><\/th>\n Download<\/b><\/a><\/th>\n \n Download<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n Console server hardware for mixed environments<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n