HP 5600 Deploying HP KVM consoling solutions best practices - Page 8

HP KVM console switches should be tiered using the following hierarchy: • HP IP Console Switch with Virtual Media - recommended for first tier • HP Server Console Switch with Virtual Media - first, second, or third tier Figure 6. 2-tier KVM consoling configuration Local KVM console HP IP Console Switch w/Virtual Media First Tier Second Tier HP Server Console Switch with Virtual Media Interface Adapter CAT5e cable Server B2 Interface Adapter Server A16 To other switches or Group A servers To other Group B servers Virtual media functionality KVM consoling components with virtual media functionality allow a system administrator to conveniently perform software installations or upgrades to attached servers. An administrator can map a locally connected mass storage device (USB floppy or drive key) or an optical (CD or DVD) drive to a target server. An IMG image file of a floppy disk or ISO image file of a CD-ROM can also be mapped to a target server from a remote client using IP Console Viewer 3.0 or later. HP IP Console Viewer has the built-in ability to mount and use .img and .iso images. For more information on using ISO images in the client OS, refer to the following URL: http://h20229.www2.hp.com/downloads/iso_format.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN. Virtual media operation can be invoked either from local KVM consoles using the OSD interface or from remote KVM consoles using IP Console Viewer software. Virtual media devices may not be shared between local and remote KVM consoles. Locally attached media can be used only by the local KVM console. A remote KVM session can only use media directly connected to the computer running IP Console Viewer. Virtual media operation can occur over tiered systems; however, for virtual media operation to occur, all components (switches and interface adapters) in the link from the virtual media device (CD-ROM, USB drive, etc.) to the target server must be virtual media-capable. 8