Comparison of VNC, RDP, and other Remote Access software
with KVM over IP technologies
by 42U
As many IT departments are operating at downsized levels
and employees are being asked to manage more mission-critical
server room equipment with fewer resources, the ability to remotely
monitor and maintain performance of server equipment has become
essential.
Administrators primarily use two remote management approaches
for controlling computers by leveraging the IP network. The
first approach is KVM over IP, which utilizes network-based
KVM switches to provide out-of-band BIOS-level access. The second
approach is through the use of remote access software. Depending
on the datacenter environment and application, these approaches
can be used separately or in combination and allow network administrators
to remotely view target systems as though they were sitting
directly in front of them.
Remote Access Software
Remote access software programs are loaded onto the target computer
or, in some cases both target and remote computers, and allow
users to view and take remote KVM control and access servers
from any location with internet access.
Remote management software includes
Virtual Network Computing (VNC),
PCanywhere, and
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Older versions of PCanywhere
could only be used on Windows-based computer systems. The current
version (12.0), by Symantec, can be used with Windows, Linux,
and Mac OS operating systems. Using a platform-independent software
approach, VNC requires users to load software on both client
and server computers. RDP is built into Windows products.
Although most remote access software is simple to load and can
in some instances be obtained for free, users must install the
remote management software on every machine in the datacenter
that needs remote connectivity. This approach increases the
number of touches needed to a server by an administrator and
also introduces the need to test any new software programs with
the control software.
The other drawback to remote access software
is that the remote operating system must be up and running at
the application level for the remote session to work properly.
If the operating system crashes on the remote computer during
remote connectivity at any time, users will be forced to take
alternative ways to activate the remote computer. In most cases,
this will result in the need to physically reboot the remote
server from a cold start.
KVM over IP Remote Server Management
KVM over IP is a general industry term used to describe
a server management hardware-based approach that allows administrators
to gain true keyboard and mouse control of servers remotely.
KVM over IP applications generally fall into two broad categories:
pure digital applications and front-end IP products.
Digital KVM Switches: A pure digital implementation
uses digital KVM switches and is a network-based management
approach that allows administrators to gain BIOS-level access
of the attached servers by communicating with the networked
digital KVM switch.
Front-End IP Products:
KVM over IP
can also be implemented using front-end IP products, which are
positioned at the console of existing analog switches and permit
remote users to gain secure access to an existing KVM switch.
In both cases, an administrator uses a standard internet browser
session to remotely access the KVM switch and attached servers.
Administrators can gain access with most major Web browsers,
including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape, and
Safari. In addition, KVM Over IP remote server management products
can be seamlessly integrated with remote management software,
such as Avocent's DSView, which allows administrators to manage
datacenter appliances from any location worldwide.
KVM over IP remote access architecture
Comparison Chart
The chart below compares features of KVM over IP and remote
access software.
*-Some KVM over IP
datacenter
management products including Avocent's
DSView
and Raritan's
CommandCenter
offer the ability to manage integrated remote power PDU's.
**-Some remote software tools do not provide the ability
to send software patches.
***-Some remote software solutions only authorize against
windows active directory.
About 42U
42U focuses on providing Facilities and Data Center Managers
with objective and trusted independent information on
Data Center Power and
Data Center Cooling best practices along with
KVM over IP
and Remote Power
lights out management to help them reduce their organization's
power consumption. Our Data
Center Management website has helped millions of IT professionals
globally who search for best practices and technologies to help
them make their computer environment more efficient.
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported
License.
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