![\"A](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/serial-code-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” 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 admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_text_color=”#214C64″ header_4_text_color=”#358AAF” custom_css_free_form=”table {|| width: 100%;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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PDUs (power distribution units) control and optimize how power flows to infrastructure devices like servers, routers, firewalls, and switches. PDUs are difficult to manage remotely, for a couple of reasons. First, many aren\u2019t network-connected, so configuring and updating new devices or fixing problems typically requires tedious, on-site work. Those that do have network connectivity tend to lack automation capabilities and integrations with other tools, so they have to be manually and individually managed.\u00a0 In modern enterprise environments with complex, distributed networks, managing hundreds of individual power devices one at a time is extremely challenging.<\/p>\n
A serial console<\/a> solves this problem by physically connecting to multiple PDUs and using a dedicated network interface to enable remote PDU management. A next-gen solution like Nodegrid<\/a> also provides a centralized management platform that teams can use to remotely administer all of the PDUs and other infrastructure devices deployed across the entire distributed network. Plus, Nodegrid has an open architecture that supports third-party power software and automation to streamline infrastructure management and boost operational efficiency.<\/p>\n This guide to serial console PDU management explains everything you need to know to get started with remote power control and automated provisioning using the Nodegrid platform.<\/p>\n The Nodegrid<\/a> family from ZPE Systems includes a range of serial consoles and branch routers that are designed for different use cases. They all provide out-of-band management, network failover, and serial console capabilities, but the number and type of interfaces and managed port configurations vary. Critically, all Nodegrid devices can automatically discover power devices from any vendor and provide secure remote access, eliminating the need to manage PDUs on-site.<\/p>\n Nodegrid also has an open architecture that can host or integrate other vendors\u2019 software for PDU management, NetOps automation, SASE security<\/a>, and more. It gives administrators a single, unified platform to orchestrate both automated and manual workflows for PDUs and other Nodegrid-connected infrastructure at all distributed business sites.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How to deploy the Nodegrid Hive SR for serial console PDU management.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Nodegrid\u2019s out-of-band (OOB) management solution creates an isolated management network that doesn\u2019t rely on production resources and, as such, remains remotely accessible during major outages, ransomware infections, and other adverse events. This gives IT teams a lifeline to remotely roll back PDU firmware updates, power-cycle hung devices, and rebuild infected systems without the time and expense of on-site visits.<\/p>\n How the Nodegrid Net SR isolates and protects the management network.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Nodegrid serial consoles and services routers are accessible via the on-premises Nodegrid Manager<\/a> software or the SaaS ZPE Cloud<\/a> platform. When connected to the physical console ports on PDUs and other devices, it can provide serial console access and live status messages (such as connected, in-use, and disconnected).<\/p>\n A view of all the equipment connected to a Nodegrid device.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n 1. Click on the PDU\u2019s name from the access dashboard. The PDU device view screen will appear, as seen below.<\/p>\n 2. Click on the Console<\/strong> tab. A terminal session will open, providing remote console access to the PDU as if you were directly connected.<\/p>\n 3. If your PDU is network-enabled, adding it to the Hive SR via IP address provides access to the Web UI from Nodegrid, adding a WEB<\/strong> tab as seen below.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. Clicking the WEB<\/strong> tab will open the PDU\u2019s web UI.<\/p>\n An example of a PDU web UI that will open upon clicking the WEB tab.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Nodegrid can integrate your PDU so that each managed serial port on the Hive is mapped to a specific outlet. Doing so allows users to power individual outlets off and on from Nodegrid Manager or ZPE Cloud. It also enables a continuous console session to the managed device with BIOS-level control during the reboot cycle.<\/p>\n 1. Click Managed Devices<\/strong> from the top menu bar, and then select the Devices<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n The Managed Devices :: Devices menu.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 2. Click the Commands tab<\/strong>, click ADD<\/strong>, and then select Outlet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 3. Select the applicable PDU, tower, and outlet to map to the specified managed serial port and then click Add<\/strong>. A confirmation message will appear in the window below.<\/p>\n Mapping the selected serial port to Outlet 3 on PDU 2.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Click Access<\/strong> from the top menu bar, and then click the name of the relevant port\/device<\/p>\n 2. If the PDU has been integrated with that port, the Outlet Status<\/strong> display appears as shown below.<\/p>\n The Outlet Status for the Cisco switch configured on this port and outlet.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 3. Depending on the outlet\u2019s present status, certain options will be available:<\/p>\n Nodegrid uses zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) to automatically configure managed devices on boot-up. If your PDU is network-connected and DHCP-enabled, like some ServerTech and Raritan PDUs, Nodegrid\u2019s ZTP can automate configurations and firmware updates.<\/p>\n Nodegrid ZTP includes a magic cookie, a unique identifier stored on the PDU that prevents the repeated execution of the same configuration tasks. If a mismatch between the stored cookie and the new configuration cookie is detected, the device knows to pull fresh configurations, ensuring that updates are only applied when needed.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#358AAF” width=”100%” custom_padding=”2rem|4rem|2rem|4rem|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”2rem|4rem|2rem|4rem|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”2rem|1rem|2rem|1rem|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#358AAF” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nDeploying Nodegrid for remote PDU management<\/h2>\n
![\"Stacked](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/NSCP_front-back-1.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Hive-SR-PDU-Diagram-1.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/IMI-with-Nodegrid-1024x735.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAccessing and managing PDUs with Nodegrid<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Provision-and-Configure-Devices-1024x434.png\")
<\/p>\nTo access and manage a PDU from Nodegrid Manager or ZPE Cloud:<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Image-1714725890518-1024x790.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Managed-Devices-Provision-1024x656.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Managed-Devices-Provision-1-1024x670.png\")
<\/p>\nRemotely controlling power for individual outlets<\/h2>\n
To map a PDU outlet to a managed serial port from Nodegrid Manager or ZPE Cloud:<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/managed-devices-1024x129.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Mapping](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Managed-Device-Operations-1024x977.png\")
<\/p>\nTo control power for a specific serial port\/managed device:<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Nodegrid-Device-Operations.png\")
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Implementing automated PDU provisioning and updates<\/h2>\n
To implement zero-touch provisioning for PDUs:<\/h3>\n
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Want to learn more?<\/h2>\n