Remote Reboot Power
Management Guide
Implementing a
remote reboot
power management
solution is a required procedure for assembling a true lights-out
data center or co-location facility. Stand-alone
power distribution
units can add tremendous value by providing outside
remote power
cycling capabilities to mission critical network equipment.
Additionally, advanced integration with new or existing
KVM over IP
solutions grants users with total remote operation for data
centers.
But why are remote reboot PDUs needed in the first
place? Remote
KVM over IP
access simply permits users initiate a full
computer
reboot. In order to
cycle power
to servers and network equipment, shutting down system power
remotely is the only option for a total cold reboot.
Remote reboot
can be as simple as adding a single port
Dataprobe iBoot remote power block or by employing more
robust products such as chaining together
ServerTech's
Power Tower
XL and XM for 32-ports worth of control.
Remote reboot
power management for the two aforementioned products is
accomplished through a standard secure internet browser
session - no special software is required. In addition,
alternate remote access options such as Telnet or serial
control are available in select models.
Sophisticated security, including chosen user name and
password authorization, is often meshed with
power management
devices in order to maintain a high-level of secure web
access to sensitive environments. A commonly used security
feature imbedded into ServerTech products is SSL. SSL or
Secure Sockets Layer manages security of messages sent over
the internet. ServerTech uses SSLv3/TLSv1 for a majority
of their web-based remote reboot management products.
Further adding to internet security, Secure Shell (SSH)
integrates with higher-end reboot devices to assist with
securing all remote reboot transmissions. For example,
ServerTech
supports SSHv2 for their web-based management products.
Small or large, several port options exist for any
size project requiring
remote power
control. Port varieties start at 1 and 2 outlet and continue
as high as hundreds of ports. Furthermore, expanding port
density for existing remote reboot environments has become
easier with the release of web controllable applications.
Web based remote reboot management programs allows users
to monitor an unlimited number of
power distribution
units from one software application. This will create an
easier environment for administrators to manage and make
adding new PDUs simple.
For simple applications, the single port
iBoot from
Dataprobe
enables one server or network device to incorporate remote
reboot control at any time. The web controllable
Dataprobe
iBoot uses a standard internet browser session to send and
receive signals for prompting remote reboot commands. Managing
multiple
iBoot's is considerably easier than before by downloading
the free program from Dataprobe which allows global management
of every iBoot located on a network. Controlling multiple
kiosk stations, for example, will make executing system-wide
shut-down commands for an entire network or scheduling routine
daily activities such as rebooting hassle free.
Comparably speaking, the
ServerTech
2-port IPM-2
PDU creates
web enabled remote reboot functionality for 2 computers
or devices and assists in safely monitoring these accessories
from any location. The
Sentry IPM-2
guards mission-critical systems against unplanned downtime
and helps maintain a proper operational mode at any given
time. The advanced web GUI creates an easy entrance point
for managing equipment around the clock and permits users
to gain access to multiple IPM-2s along with any Sentry
device all on the same network with use of the Sentry Global
View.
To overcome problems with managing multiple locations with
more than 16 devices in each site, ServerTech markets their
32-port
Power Tower XL and XM as the perfect solution for these
types of situations. A single IP address permits web browser
access to all or assigned ports on the combined 32-port
Power Tower solution from any location with internet capabilities.
Benefiting from
ServerTech's
Sentry Global View, controlling several 32-port co-location
facilities forces pricey field personnel to remain at home
to troubleshoot inactive computers and rack accessories.
Additional port options available from
ServerTech
include the 8-port Power Tower XL for small to mid-sized
remote locations and server rack environments. The 8-port
Power Tower incorporates the same product features and benefits
as the 32-port combined XL and XM solution.
Large enterprise level solutions can require over 100 ports
of remote reboot control from one management interface.
To accomplish this task, simply add as many Sentry Power
Tower's as needed to one network. Although, more than one
IP address will be required for such a project, controlling
and assigning user rights will be accomplished through the
Global View administrative program. Entrance is granted
to all or selected ports through a web browser from anywhere
with an internet connection.
Improving data center operations starts by establishing
Remote Reboot
power functionality for mission critical servers and network
devices. Decreasing labor costs and eliminating downtime
with locked-up data center equipment are examples of crucial
benefits gained by implementing 24/7 remote power management.
