The RSM-8 Remote Site Manager provides secure, in-band and out-of-band access to RS232 console ports and maintenance ports on UNIX servers, routers and any other network element equipped with a serial console port. System administrators can access the RSM-8 via TCP/IP, using SSH or Telnet, or out-of-band via internal modem or local terminal.

The RSM includes full RADIUS, LDAP and TACACS capability, DHCP and an invalid access lockout feature. An Audit Log records all user access, login and logout times and command actions, and an Alarm Log records user-defined alarm events. Two separate command interfaces are provided: a convenient, user-friendly secure web browser interface, and a simple, command driven text interface.

Intelligent Port Selection

Each RS232 serial port of the RSM-8 can be individually accessed by number, name, or group via SSH or Telnet sessions. The RSM-8 also allows direct connections using TCP port assignments. Each serial port can be separately configured using simple menu driven commands to set the port password, data rates, flow control and other operating parameters.

The full matrix capability of the RSM-8 allows you to easily connect any two ports on the switch, even when the ports are using different communications settings. Ports can also be connected or disconnected by a third party with supervisor rights, and system managers can swap various RS232 devices between ports at a remote location.

Security and Co-Location

Secure Shell (SSHv2) encryption and address-specific IP security masks prevent unauthorized access to command and configuration functions. The RSM-8 also provides four different levels of user security; the Administrator, Supervisor, User and View Only level. The Administrator level, which is intended for use by system managers and other administrators, provides complete access to all port connection / disconnection functions, operating features and configuration menus, and also allows access to any port on the switch. The User level is ideal for co-location applications, since users are only permitted to view status and connect to the ports allowed by their user name and password.

Capture Buffer

"Buffer Mode" allows individual ports to capture and store incoming data, such as error and status messages received from attached console ports. This "snapshot" of the last data received is stored in memory, and can be viewed, saved or erased by the system operator at any time. Console messages can be stored in the RSM-8 port buffers, and sent to a remote location via SYSLOG, or an SNMP message can be generated to alert administrators when new console messages are received.

Specifications