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  1. #1

    Mass Deployment KVM Solution that costs $65 per port?

    I am looking for a KVMoverIP solution that I can purchase starting with enough ports for about 30-32 servers that runs $65 per port total cost.

    Any ideas? Needs to have port assignable users, etc.

  2. #2
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    Is this just for backend admin work / no client access? If so, 30 servers at $65 per port is easy to do. Pick up 2 aten single port KVM/IP boxes and connect them to 2 basic 16 port kvm boxes, that would give you 32 ports.
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  3. #3
    Thats the problem, I need to have one user per port assignable/lockable.

    If it isn't able to be done at $65 per port, whats the next step up that can do it?
    I've never done much research on KVM devices before as all my needs have been on a smaller scale, this requirement is for a large scale, mass user, mass deployment over time.

  4. #4
    With client access, in my research, it gets very expensive / often means going towards sometype of software with a per-user license model. I've done the way webnx suggested and that's worked great; you can get it setup very cheap (about a third of the price you're looking at).

    This may or may not be relevant to you but if you do decide to give your end-users kvm access, you need to look into the software required. For some of the KVM solutions that I've implemented, it does not work at all on a mac or any browser other than internet explorer.

  5. #5
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    Have you considered an IPMI solution instead? You could probably manage that for around $65 or less per server and due to the fact it uses out-of-band bandwidth everything would go over the same switch port as the NIC card. This would also give you some nice extras such as environmental and hardware monitoring as well as console access and remote reboot.

    - Chris

  6. #6
    because IPMI is worthless.

    IPMI serial port redirection barely works, if ever and only on certain setups.
    IPMI is useless when a server is hung, kernel panic'ed, or otherwise.

    The only time IPMI can be used is when the operating system is in good working order, otherwise you cannot access the machine.

    IPMI is good for remote reboot, but I can do that cheaper.


    Why would I need access to the machine via serial console, if I could just access it via SSH?
    The only time would be when its crashed, and IPMI won't work during those times.

    Serial Console is a lot slower than SSH or Telnet access, so I wouldn't want to use it for normal administration.

  7. #7
    I am finding similar products. Does the one below did the job?
    http://www.aten-usa.com/?product&cat=577&Item=KN9116

    Thanks

  8. #8
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    We use HP boxes for just this, although I think the model we use may be discontinued now - they are basically HP branded Avocent units, but without the silly software cost per person you want to be able to access it. Same sort of deal with the Dell ones AFAIK.
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  9. #9
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    I have researched this extensively, and have not found a solution for KVM/IP for a multi-user environment that was close to being cost effictive.

    Our solution is to purchase individual Belkin units, and just connect to them on a server at the client's request.

    I would be interested as well in a good solution.
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  10. #10
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    Think ours costs us about &#163;60/server, can't say I've paid too close attention to the per server cost though. Once the &#163;60 is spent, it's spent, for the lifetime of that server and probably the one after it and the one after that as well, so even &#163;200 is nothing over 5+ years (&#163;3.33/month).
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  11. #11
    I am interested in this as well.
    KDA: when you delve into the high spec, low budget market, you'll have a better perspective.

    Server ROI is 6-12 months, and w/ razor thin margins, profit needs to come quick to allow for internal expansion to handle the ever increasing load on a month by month basis.

  12. #12
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    If you can't afford &#163;3.33/month per server, then you seriously seriously need to re-evaluate your business IMHO.
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  13. #13
    Can you post the model # of the rebranded avocent or perhaps elaborate on your solution so that we can judge the costs for ourself/efficiency?

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by KDAWebServices
    If you can't afford £3.33/month per server, then you seriously seriously need to re-evaluate your business IMHO.
    Thats about $4/month USD ... and that also means you are locked in for 5 years to reach amortization.
    In 5 years I would expect KVMoIP to be outdated. You also are not going to find anywhere that will lease you that equipment for 5 years with a cost of $4/month per port.

    Those numbers are "wishing numbers". IE: I wish the world was this way.

  15. #15
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    Why is IPMI useless when a server is hung or otherwise not in "good working order?" IPMI is the same as a kvm over IP in these situations. There are only a few things you can't do in IPMI that you can do with a KVM over IP. You can't send a ctrl-alt-del (AFAIK), but you can remote reboot. IPMI always works for us. Well, it always works on linux... windows it doesn't do that much good of course being text only. One reason you might want to use IPMI instead of SSH is to really secure your system by not even allowing any SSH at all.

    Quote Originally Posted by IndeInvest
    because IPMI is worthless.

    IPMI serial port redirection barely works, if ever and only on certain setups.
    IPMI is useless when a server is hung, kernel panic'ed, or otherwise.

    The only time IPMI can be used is when the operating system is in good working order, otherwise you cannot access the machine.

    IPMI is good for remote reboot, but I can do that cheaper.


    Why would I need access to the machine via serial console, if I could just access it via SSH?
    The only time would be when its crashed, and IPMI won't work during those times.

    Serial Console is a lot slower than SSH or Telnet access, so I wouldn't want to use it for normal administration.
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  16. #16
    IPMI is O/S dependant

  17. #17
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    When I was referring to IPMI above, I meant the serial console capability. Any unix will output to serial console, with the necessary OS config changes, as well as they output to KVMs.
    Quote Originally Posted by IndeInvest
    IPMI is O/S dependant
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  18. #18

    Windows text mode Emergency Management Services

    Quote Originally Posted by smueller
    Why is IPMI useless when a server is hung or otherwise not in "good working order?" IPMI is the same as a kvm over IP in these situations. There are only a few things you can't do in IPMI that you can do with a KVM over IP. You can't send a ctrl-alt-del (AFAIK), but you can remote reboot. IPMI always works for us. Well, it always works on linux... windows it doesn't do that much good of course being text only. One reason you might want to use IPMI instead of SSH is to really secure your system by not even allowing any SSH at all.
    BTW, Windows has a text-mode that works over serial. It's called Emergency Management Services.

    http://www.lowtek.com/blog/2006/09/d...h-windows.html

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by MSV_AR
    In 5 years I would expect KVMoIP to be outdated.
    Yes, it won't be a current model, but it will still work, unless someone comes up with a radical new way of doing input and display - which is not likely, as server vendors like to keep things compatible for as long as humanly possible - which is why we still have PS2 ports and 15 pin d-sub on server grade kit.
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