Digi Passport now goes further

Features expanded support for Dell, HP, IBM, Rackable Systems and Sun servers and support for Server Technology power management equipment
 
Digi International has expanded capabilities for its Digi Passport console server, a powerful data centre management device that combines serial and network-based console management as well as remote KVM functionality in one hardware interface.  With these changes, the Digi Passport now supports the network-based remote access methods of the top five server manufacturers. In addition, the Digi Passport adds support for both serial and IP-based power management controllers from Server Technology, Inc., which are broadly deployed in data centres worldwide.

"The increasingly heterogeneous nature of data centres requires cross-platform equipment support," said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Digi International.  "The expanded capability of the Digi Passport addresses this trend making it even more flexible and compelling for data centre managers to deploy.  The integrated functionality of the Digi Passport not only delivers tremendous versatility, but can reduce data centre hardware management costs by as much as seventy-five percent when compared to alternative KVM over IP solutions."

The new capabilities provide additional support for network-based management protocols from the world's leading server vendors.  In addition to existing support for Advanced Lights Out Management (ALOM), Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) and Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), the Digi Passport now supports Dell Remote Access Card (DRAC), Integrated Lights Out (iLO) and Systems Management Architecture for Server Hardware (SMASH)

SMASH extends generic system management capabilities by providing a standardised set of instructions to talk to both operating systems and hardware platforms through a common language.  By offering a consistent interface, companies can reduce the time and expense associated with ongoing network and systems management. In addition, the Digi Passport now supports Server Technology's CDU family of switched power management solutions for remote power management and control.

"The integration of the Digi Passport line of console servers and Server Technology's CDU product family greatly expands power management product accessibility in the evolving cabinet power distribution marketplace," said Brandon Ewing, President of Server Technology.  "Power access and control in the data centre is critical."

With improvements made to Automatic Device Recognition, a Digi technology that automatically detects connected devices and issues alerts upon disconnection, the Digi Passport can now also determine the baud rate of connected devices, automate the port configuration process and autoconfigure freeKVMT.

Finally, freeKVM itself has been strengthened with the ability to support additional virtualised server platforms, providing greater utility at a time when data centres are increasingly adopting server virtualisation to reduce run-time costs. All of these capabilities are now available on each model of the Digi Passport. 

About Digi International
 
Digi International, the leader in device networking for business, develops reliable products and technologies to connect and securely manage local or remote electronic devices over the network or via the web.  Digi offers the highest levels of performance, flexibility and quality, and markets its products through a global network of distributors and resellers, systems integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).