HP 5600 Deploying HP KVM consoling solutions best practices - Page 18

The Remote KVM and Lights-Out management networks can be separate or connected to a single LAN. For maximum security, remote KVM and Lights-Out networks should be isolated from the user network or intranet and accessible only by system administrators on the managed network. When integrating an HP console switch with a system using RILOE II or iLO interfaces, users should consider the following points: • If RILOE is installed, the interface adapter should be attached to the video and keyboard ports. • Users cannot access the RILOE II or iLO-managed server with the normal KVM or local console while a RILOE II or iLO session is active. • The RILOE II/iLO interface has highest priority and will terminate local KVM sessions and IP console viewer sessions. More information on remote management Lights-Out technology is available at www.hp.com/servers/lights-out Integrating legacy KVM components The HP console switches introduced in this paper can be used in conjunction with earlier (legacy) HP and Compaq console switches, expansion modules, and interface adapters. The latest KVM solutions retain RJ-45 compatibility with interfaces of legacy components, so existing installations using those components can be expanded with newer solutions. It is important to note, however, that using legacy KVM components with the new-generation KVM console solutions will inhibit virtual media functionality and may limit tiering capabilities and video performance. Infrastructure designers should note the following limitations of legacy server management components: • Virtual media operation is not supported. • No tiering is supported downstream of a legacy device. • Video resolutions above 1024 x 768 @ 256 colors may result in poor performance. • Expansion modules support downstream servers only and cannot be used to cascade switches. A console link composed of legacy and new components will be limited to the abilities of the legacy component. Legacy Compaq console switches must be upgraded with the latest firmware to be recognized by the HP IP Console Switch. The HP IP Console Switch is not compatible with the Compaq PCI KVM card or legacy HP console switches. Firmware upgrades for HP console servers are available by selecting the desired product from the HP web page at this URL: www.hp.com/go/kvm. KVM consoling example Figure 16 illustrates an example of a KVM console requirement where virtual media support is needed for all managed servers. A network PC running HP IP Console Viewer 3.0 or later software and acting as the remote KVM console can access servers in both tiers. That network PC can also map a USB device or an ISO image on its hard drive to any server in the system. The Local KVM Console attached to the HP IP Console Switch can also manage any server in the system and can map the USB removable media drive attached to the HP IP Console Switch to any server in either tier. The Local KVM Console attached to the HP Server Console Switch can manage any server in the second tier. 18