[c-nsp] PC console/terminal server

[Ed Ravin]

On Thu, Dec 15, 2005 at 11:13:34AM -0600, Phil Bedard wrote:
> I would also go the 2509 route or if you have more room just get some 
> old Livingston PM2s.  Pretty high density, regular RS232 ports and they 
> can be had for really cheap.   

I second the recommendation for a Livingston Portmaster - my shop uses
them in similar applications, they work great - they do not simulate
the BREAK signal when powered off, which is important if you're using them
as a console server for Suns or other things that stop on BREAK.

We also use the aux port on a 7500 and a 7200 as console ports for other
machines - if the routers are powered off, the computers will see a BREAK,
which occasionally causes us problems (though not as big as the problems
caused by the router powerdown).

Since the Portmasters only do telnet, if you want security, use a Linux
box or Cisco for incoming SSH, then hook the Portmaster to the SSH box
via private network wire or isolated VLAN with no other traffic.

We've also used old Annex gear as console servers - they work, have a
smaller footprint than the PM2s, but ours need an external server to boot
so they're a bit of a pain to set up.