The SD series of devices from Opengear provide remote access to individual devices, including PCs, meters, switches, routers, or any other gear that can be managed either via an Ethernet connection or via its serial port. The Linux-based Opengear SD devices can themselves be accessed via the network (LAN or WAN), a local serial port connection, or a dial-up connection to the serial port; the SD device then communicates with the target device to be managed either via a direct connection between the SD and the serial port of the target device, or over the LAN via the Ethernet ports of both the target device and the SD.

The SD series devices differentiate themselves from the vendor's CM series primarily in terms of target environments; with the CM series serving larger capacity (up to 48 ports) IT-related (RS232 serial ports only) environments; and the SD series serving control environments such as factory floors and supporting multiple serial flavors (RS232/422/485), a more rugged construction, a wider range of potential power supplies, and DIN rail mounting.

Called Secure Device Servers, initially two devices are offered in the line. The SD4002 offers an RS232 serial port, an RJ-45 10/100 Ethernet port, and an RS232/422/485 port. The SD4008 also includes single RS232 and RJ-45 ports, but expands the available RS232/422/485 serial ports to eight. The smaller SD4002 is just shy of 4x3x1 inches; while the SD4008 is about 8.2x5x1.2 inches.

The SDs offer multiple possibilities for interfacing with the target devices, including support for both standard text (CLIs) and graphical management interfaces such as those present in devices with embedded Windows operating systems. VNC and RDP connections are supported (via the LAN or via VNC- RDP-over-serial forwarding), allowing end-users to establish VNC or RDP-based remote access connections to target devices over secure connections. Additionally, secure remote HTTP interface connections are also supported.

A key feature of the SD line is the ability to establish secure, encrypted (up to 128 bit AES) communications between the SD device and the remote user. In brief, a secure SSH tunnel is setup between the SD device and the end user; communication packets are then decrypted at the SD device and forwarded to the target device to be managed through standard LAN connections.

Other security access features of the devices include filtering and access logging (off line archiving supported); restriction of access by IP address, password, or account; local or remote communications logging; and support for E-mail or other alert triggers that are raised in response to defined events. The SD devices themselves are managed via a Web browser interface or via direct command-line access to the Linux kernel.

The SD series devices are available now, with pricing set at $245 for the SD4002 and $595 for the SD4008.

Contact Opengear for further information.