Avocent's DS Series of switches and DSView management software provide remote management of servers to system administrators via KVM connectivity. Using the switches, admins can connect to servers via local KVM ports on the switches themselves, or via IP from any Internet-enabled location.

The management software--DSView 3--is loaded on Windows servers, and provides a redundant "hub and spoke" connectivity architecture. A central server is configured as the "hub," with up to 15 separate servers designated as "spokes." Login and security information is automatically replicated/updated to the spokes from the hub (real-time or scheduled), and in the event the central hub fails a spoke can automatically take over its role, providing redundant connection points for admins. Connectivity to the management software--and therefore to the end servers--is via Web browser (IE6+).

Features of the new version 3 release of the DSView management software include:

- Exit macros to automatically log off a user when a session window is closed

- Audit logs, capturing all switching and system activity

- Encrypted communications, including video

- Scalable sessions allow users to view multiple connections to different servers without using the entire desktop

- E-mail and pager notifications

- Task scheduling

- Load balancing, allowing for the limitation of traffic to a hub during peak hours

- Appliance auto-discovery

The DS Series KVM Switches supply the necessary hardware connectivity to the remote servers, typically via CAT5 cables running from the KVM switch to the server, where a server interface module provides the actually connectivity to the keyboard, video, and mouse ports of the servers. Avocent notes that multiple servers are supported, including PS/2, Sun, and USB connections (all switches may not support all server types; check the vendor's details for specifics). Multiple switches in the product line offer port/access capabilities according to admin needs:

- DSR1020: 16 ports

- DSR1021: 8 ports

- DSR1022: 4 ports

- DSR1024: 1 port

The DSR1020, 1021, 1022, and 1024 offer a single data path; i.e., a single user can manage a server through the switch at a time.

- DSR2020: 16 ports, two digital paths (two users can manage servers--one apiece--simultaneously)

- DSR4020: 16 ports, four digital paths

- DSR8020: 16 ports, eight digital paths

Each of the switches support external modem connectivity and SPC power control (enabling for remote power recycling) and the DSR1020/2020/4020/and 8020 additionally support USB keyboard and mouse connections on a local port.

Other hardware offerings considered by the vendor to be part of the "DS" series line include the DSI5100 IPMI proxy appliance for monitoring and management of IPMI-enabled servers; and the CCM850, CCM1650, and CCM4850 console management appliances, sporting 8, 16, and 48 ports, respectively.

The DSView Software and KVM Switches are now available, and priced separately. Visit the Avocent Web site for further information.