| Why? Now you don't have to choose between Cat5 analog KVM
and KVM-over-IP
solutions.
Only Raritan allows you to integrate your company's Cat5 analog KVM and
KVM-over-IP switches (and serial devices) for truly seamless IT
infrastructure management.
Raritan's CommandCenter allows Cat5 analog KVM and
KVM-over-IP switches to peacefully coexist, while providing
centralized management through a single sign-on to a single interface,
with secure, anytime, anywhere access via Web browser.
When evaluating Cat5 analog KVM and KVM-over-IP switches, consider the
following factors:
User Distance From Target
Servers
If primary users are in the data center or within 1000
feet of connected devices, a Cat5 analog KVM solution may be appropriate.
Remote access can be provided to occasional or after-hours users through
an IP-Reach gateway or IP-enabled user station, the UST-IP. Remote access
is also available via integration with CommandCenter and Paragon II System
Controller.
If the primary users are outside the data center - for
example, in a Network Operations Center (NOC) that supports multiple data
centers - then a KVM-over-IP solution is more appropriate. The same is
true for a lights-out data center, where physical access is not assumed
for regular IT management tasks.
Non-Blocked Access
Requirements
Cat5 analog KVM switches can provide non-blocked
access for up to 64 users. KVM-over-IP switches currently support up
to four remote users and one local one. If more than five
users need simultaneous access, only the first five will be able to
access devices; additional users will be blocked. It is possible to
overcome the blocking limitation of KVM-over-IP by spreading servers
requiring frequent management across different KVM switches.
Cabling
Limitations
KVM-over-IP switches require less Cat5 cabling per
rack. If an existing data center is being retrofitted for KVM and multiple
Cat5 cable runs are not feasible, KVM-over-IP is probably the best way to
go. If multiple cable runs can be easily added, this is not a deciding
factor.
Performance (Mouse Synchronization)
Requirements
Cat5 analog KVM devices, running locally "out of
band," (over its own network), provides the best mouse synchronization.
Depending on network traffic and user-to-switch distance, mouse response
on KVM-over-IP may experience a small lag; this limitation is inherent to
IP and not specific to any product. While perfectly acceptable for most
applications, in some cases, even minimal latency may be a deciding factor
to choose a Cat5 analog KVM solution.
Video Quality
Cat5
analog KVM devices, running locally "out-of-band," (over its own network)
provides the best video quality. Depending on network traffic and
user-to-switch distance, video quality on KVM-over-IP may experience some
degradation; this limitation is inherent to IP and not specific to any
product. While perfectly acceptable in most applications, even minimal
video degradation may be a deciding factor in favor of Cat5 for other
applications. Raritan KVM gives users the flexibility to conserve
bandwidth by adjusting the color depth of video transmission over IP.
Network Independence
Cat5
analog KVM solutions are completely "out of band," meaning they are not
part of the data center LAN or WAN. They provide an alternate path to
servers' keyboard, video and mouse ports, thus allowing control of servers
even if the network fails.
KVM-over-IP solutions, on the other hand, rely on a LAN connection
between the user and the switch, and are therefore dependent on the health
of the LAN. It is possible to achieve reliability close to that of a Cat5
analog KVM solution by using a separate network to insulate KVM traffic
from network congestion and failures.
Security
Cat5 analog
KVM switching, by definition, is performed over a dedicated, on-site
network. As long as it is fully out-of-band, it is as secure as its
physical location; servers cannot be reached by any off-site users.
Therefore, Cat5 analog KVM is the preferred choice for extremely
security-conscious users such as financial and governmental organizations.
KVM-over-IP switching, while not as secure because it rides the IP
network, can be made equally secure with proper application of encryption,
authentication and authorization technologies.
| Cat5 analog KVM vs. KVM-over-IP: Comparison
|
| |
Cat5 Analog KVM |
KVM-over-IP |
Hybrid
Infrastructure |
| Network Independent |
YES |
* |
YES |
Real-time
Video/Mouse Response
|
YES |
|
YES |
| Requires Less Cabling & Components |
|
YES |
YES |
| Easier Scaling at Lower Cost Per Port |
|
YES |
YES |
| Unblocked Access to More Simultaneous Users |
YES |
|
YES |
| Leverages Existing LAN Infrastructure |
|
YES |
YES |
| Uses Network Bandwidth |
|
YES |
YES |
| Security |
** |
?/TD>
| ** ?/TD> |
| Alternative Access Methods |
|
*** |
*** |
* Can be run over a separate maintenance network
** Security
enhanced through out-of-band, isolated access path
*** Supports modem
access in case of network failure
?Enhanced security via 128-bit or
higher SSL encryption of keyboard, video and mouse
signals. | 
