{"id":26274,"date":"2022-03-28T22:20:46","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T22:20:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/?p=26274"},"modified":"2022-07-29T19:57:12","modified_gmt":"2022-07-29T19:57:12","slug":"vertiv-avocent-acs-eol-zs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/vertiv-avocent-acs-eol-zs\/","title":{"rendered":"Vertiv Avocent ACS EOL: Choose Your Replacement Option"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|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 _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”auto” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/shutterstock_1307044159.jpg” alt=”Old,Way,Or,New,Way,With,Business,Woman,Using,A” title_text=”Old,Way,Or,New,Way,With,Business,Woman,Using,A” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||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 _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”auto” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_text_color=”#214C64″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Vertiv discontinued their Avocent ACS6000 line of serial console servers at the end of 2018 and will stop supporting them on July 31, 2023 (or whenever your warranty expires). The Vertiv Avocent ACS EOL guide<\/a> recommends the ACS8000 series as a direct replacement, but before you make the switch you should consider all your options.<\/p>\n

In this blog, we\u2019ll directly compare the ACS6000 to the ACS8000, as well as recommend an alternative replacement option for your EOL serial consoles.<\/p>\n

Vertiv Avocent ACS EOL Model: ACS6000<\/h2>\n

The Vertiv Avocent ACS6000 series<\/a> is an enterprise data center serial console server with support for remote out-of-band management and zero touch provisioning (ZTP)<\/a>. Vertiv offers on-premises management via their DSView\u2122 management software, CLI (command line interface), and web app. The ACS6000 supports advanced authentication via Radius, TACACS+, LDAP\/AD, NIS, and Kerberos, as well as one-time passwords (OTP). However, its automation capabilities are limited to ZTP and auto-sensing ports.<\/p>\n

Vertiv Avocent ACS6000 tech specs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Serial console features:<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • SSH direct to consoles<\/li>\n
  • Telnet, SSH, or a serial terminal connection<\/li>\n
  • Multiple concurrent sessions<\/li>\n
  • Automatic device name discovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pinout auto-detection:<\/b><\/td>\nCyclades and Cisco pinouts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vendor neutral:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CPU:<\/b><\/td>\nPPC440Epx @ 533 MHz<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DRAM:<\/b><\/td>\n256MB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum ports:<\/b><\/td>\n48<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cellular failover:<\/b><\/td>\n3G\/4G failover and OOB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sensors:<\/b><\/td>\nInternal temperature sensor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Operating system:<\/b><\/td>\nLinux OS and DSViewTM management software<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On-premises management:<\/b><\/td>\nDSViewTM, CLI, web app<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cloud management:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automation:<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Zero touch provisioning<\/li>\n
  • Auto-sensing ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automation for end devices:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guest OS support:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Authentication servers:<\/b>
<\/b><\/td>\n		\n
    \n
  • Local<\/li>\n
  • Radius<\/li>\n
  • TACACS+<\/li>\n
  • LDAP\/AD<\/li>\n
  • NIS<\/li>\n
  • Kerberos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hardware security:<\/b><\/td>\nEmbedded FIPS 140-2 module<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two-Factor Authentication:<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power management:<\/b>
<\/b><\/td>\n		Power management integrated with serial session as well as the Vertiv GXT UPS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vertiv Avocent ACS EOL Replacement Option: ACS8000<\/h2>\n

Vertiv\u2019s direct replacement for the EOL ACS6000 is the ACS8000 series<\/a>. To make your migration easier, the ACS8000 supports your existing ACS6000 configuration files and CLI scripts. In addition, the ACS8000 delivers new features such as an upgraded CPU, more RAM, and an environmental sensor port with support for temperature, humidity, leak, pressure, and contact sensors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Where the ACS8000 really improves upon the old EOL series is with automation\u2014it supports RESTful API Python and Perl scripts and automated management of PDU (power distribution unit) and UPS (universal power supply) products. However, the ACS8000 still only provides on-premises management, and it doesn\u2019t support integrations with third-party automation and orchestration solutions.<\/p>\n

Vertiv Avocent ACS6000 vs. ACS8000 tech specs<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nVertiv Avocent ACS6000<\/b><\/td>\nVertiv Avocent ACS8000<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Serial console features:<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • SSH direct to consoles<\/li>\n
  • Telnet, SSH, or a serial terminal connection<\/li>\n
  • Multiple concurrent sessions<\/li>\n
  • Automatic device name discovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • \n
      \n
    • SSH direct to consoles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Keystroke logging<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • \n
          \n
        • Telnet, SSH, or a serial terminal connection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Alert on cable disconnects<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Multiple concurrent sessions<\/li>\n
          • Automatic device name discovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pinout auto-detection:<\/b><\/td>\nCyclades and Cisco pinouts<\/td>\nCyclades and Cisco pinouts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vendor neutral:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CPU:<\/b><\/td>\nPPC440Epx @ 533 MHz<\/td>\nDual-core ARM\u00ae Cortex\u2122-A9 MPCore\u2122 with CoreSight\u2122<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DRAM:<\/b><\/td>\n256MB<\/td>\n1GB<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum ports:<\/b><\/td>\n48<\/td>\n48<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cellular failover:<\/b><\/td>\n3G\/4G failover and OOB<\/td>\n3G\/4G failover and OOB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sensors:<\/b><\/td>\nInternal temperature sensor<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • \n
      \n
    • Environmental sensor port<\/li>\n
    • Internal temperature<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Door<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Dry contact<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Humidity<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Operating system:<\/b><\/td>\nLinux OS and DSViewTM management software<\/td>\nLinux OS and DSViewTM management software<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On-premises management:<\/b><\/td>\nDSViewTM, CLI, web app<\/td>\nDSViewTM, CLI, web app<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cloud management:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automation:<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Zero touch provisioning<\/li>\n
  • Auto-sensing ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • \n
      \n
    • Zero touch provisioning<\/li>\n
    • Auto-sensing ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • RESTful API<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Python<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Perl<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automation for end devices<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Avocent Power Management<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Vertiv MPH2 Rack PDU<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Cyclades PM<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Intelligent PDU<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Avocent SPC power control devices<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Server Technology<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Sentry<\/b>TM <\/b>Server Technology<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Sentry<\/b>TM <\/b>Power Tower<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Eaton<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Raritan<\/b><\/li>\n
  • APC<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guest OS support:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Authentication servers:<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Local<\/li>\n
  • Radius<\/li>\n
  • TACACS+<\/li>\n
  • LDAP\/AD<\/li>\n
  • NIS<\/li>\n
  • Kerberos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Local<\/li>\n
  • Radius<\/li>\n
  • TACACS+<\/li>\n
  • LDAP\/AD<\/li>\n
  • NIS<\/li>\n
  • Kerberos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hardware security:<\/b><\/td>\nEmbedded FIPS 140-2 module<\/td>\nEmbedded FIPS 140-2 module<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two-Factor Authentication:<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power management:<\/b><\/td>\nPower management integrated with serial session as well as the Vertiv GXT UPS<\/td>\nPower management integrated with serial session as well as the Vertiv GXT UPS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vertiv Avocent ACS EOL Replacement Option: Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP)<\/h2>\n

The ACS8000 addresses some of the weaknesses of the EOL ACS6000 series. However, if your enterprise needs a NetDevOps data center solution<\/a> with next-gen features like cloud management and vendor-neutral orchestration support, then Vertiv\u2019s models fall short.<\/p>\n

The Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP)<\/a> from ZPE Solutions delivers these features and more in a high-density, 96-port 1U rackmount design. The NSCP also provides hardened device security with on-board features like secure boot, encrypted disk, TPM 2.0 and geofencing, as well as embedded firewall security and SAML 2.0 authentication. Plus, the NSCP runs on Nodegrid OS, an open Linux-based architecture with full support for NetDevOps automation and orchestration solutions like Docker, Chef, Puppet, and Ansible.<\/p>\n

Head-to-head: ACS6000 vs. ACS8000 vs. NSCP tech specs<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nVertiv Avocent ACS6000<\/b><\/td>\nVertiv Avocent ACS8000<\/b><\/td>\nNodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Serial console features:<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • SSH direct to consoles<\/li>\n
  • Telnet, SSH, or a serial terminal connection<\/li>\n
  • Multiple concurrent sessions<\/li>\n
  • Automatic device name discovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • SSH direct to consoles<\/li>\n
  • Keystroke logging<\/li>\n
  • Telnet, SSH, or a serial terminal connection<\/li>\n
  • Alert on cable disconnects<\/li>\n
  • Multiple concurrent sessions<\/li>\n
  • Automatic device name discovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • \n
      \n
    • SSH direct to consoles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Keystroke logging to ZPE Cloud<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • \n
          \n
        • Alert on cable disconnects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Text pattern match<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Multiple concurrent sessions<\/li>\n
          • Automatic device name discovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pinout auto-detection:<\/b><\/td>\nCyclades and Cisco pinouts<\/td>\nCyclades and Cisco pinouts<\/td>\nCisco pinout<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vendor neutral:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nYes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CPU:<\/b><\/td>\nPPC440Epx @ 533 MHz<\/td>\nDual-core ARM\u00ae Cortex\u2122-A9 MPCore\u2122 with CoreSight\u2122<\/td>\nIntel x86, 64 bit<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DRAM:<\/b><\/td>\n256MB<\/td>\n1GB<\/td>\n4GB<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum ports:<\/b><\/td>\n48<\/td>\n48<\/td>\n96<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cellular failover:<\/b><\/td>\n3G\/4G failover and OOB<\/td>\n3G\/4G failover and OOB<\/td>\n5G<\/b>\/4G\/LTE and Wifi<\/b> failover and OOB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sensors:<\/b><\/td>\nInternal temperature sensor<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Environmental sensor port<\/li>\n
  • Internal temperature<\/li>\n
  • Door<\/li>\n
  • Dry contact<\/li>\n
  • Humidity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n

External USB attached sensors:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Particulate<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Smoke detector<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Airflow and temperature<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Proximity\/door<\/li>\n
    • Temperature<\/li>\n
    • Humidity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Plus, a 7-port USB hub<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Operating system:<\/b><\/td>\nLinux OS and DSViewTM management software<\/td>\nLinux OS and DSViewTM management software<\/td>\nFlexible, open, 64-bit Linux-based Nodegrid OS optimized for integration with third-party automation and orchestration tools<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On-premises management:<\/b><\/td>\nDSViewTM, CLI, web app<\/td>\nDSViewTM, CLI, web app<\/td>\nNodegrid Manager<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cloud management:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nZPE Cloud Manager<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automation:<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Zero touch provisioning<\/li>\n
  • Auto-sensing ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Zero touch provisioning<\/li>\n
  • Auto-sensing ports<\/li>\n
  • RESTful API<\/li>\n
  • Python<\/li>\n
  • Perl<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • \n
      \n
    • Zero touch provisioning<\/li>\n
    • Auto-sensing ports<\/li>\n
    • Python<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • ZPE Cloud<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Chef<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Docker<\/b><\/li>\n
    • KVM Hypervisor<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Puppet<\/b><\/li>\n
    • RedHat Ansible<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Ruby<\/b><\/li>\n
    • ShellScript<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automation for end devices<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Avocent Power Management<\/li>\n
  • Vertiv MPH2 Rack PDU<\/li>\n
  • Cyclades PM<\/li>\n
  • Intelligent PDU<\/li>\n
  • Avocent SPC power control devices<\/li>\n
  • Server Technology<\/li>\n
  • SentryTM Server Technology<\/li>\n
  • SentryTM Power Tower<\/li>\n
  • Eaton<\/li>\n
  • Raritan<\/li>\n
  • APC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • ZPE Cloud<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Chef<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Docker<\/b><\/li>\n
  • KVM Hypervisor<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Puppet<\/b><\/li>\n
  • RedHat Ansible<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Ruby<\/b><\/li>\n
  • ShellScript<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guest OS support:<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nAbility to run VMs and Docker<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Authentication servers:<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Local<\/li>\n
  • Radius<\/li>\n
  • TACACS+<\/li>\n
  • LDAP\/AD<\/li>\n
  • NIS<\/li>\n
  • Kerberos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Local<\/li>\n
  • Radius<\/li>\n
  • TACACS+<\/li>\n
  • LDAP\/AD<\/li>\n
  • NIS<\/li>\n
  • Kerberos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • \n
      \n
    • Local<\/li>\n
    • Radius<\/li>\n
    • TACACS+<\/li>\n
    • LDAP\/AD<\/li>\n
    • NIS<\/li>\n
    • Kerberos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • SAML 2.0 (Okta, DUO, PINGID, ADFS)<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hardware security:<\/b><\/td>\nEmbedded FIPS 140-2 module<\/td>\nEmbedded FIPS 140-2 module<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • TPM 2.0<\/b><\/li>\n
  • BIOS protection<\/b><\/li>\n
  • UEFI Secure Boot<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Geofencing<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two-Factor Authentication:<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power management:<\/b><\/td>\nPower management integrated with serial session as well as the Vertiv GXT UPS<\/td>\nPower management integrated with serial session as well as the Vertiv GXT UPS<\/td>\n\n