Remote KVM over IP for the Global IT Environment
Lantronix Spider provides secure KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) server management over an IP network. Unlike any other product on the market, Spider offers a flexible, scalable and affordable CAT5-based remote access KVM solution in a cable friendly, compact “zero-footprint” package.
Spider is ideal for remotely managing geographically distributed IT equipment. It eliminates server-to-switch CAT5 cable distance limitations and gives system administrators 24/7 access to mission critical servers distributed across a wide variety of network environments such as high-density data centers, corporate or university campuses, multi-floor buildings, branch offices, and test and development labs.
Connected directly to the server, Spider guarantees non-blocked access from any web browser, anywhere, at any time! More cost-effective than traditional KVM, it provides one of the lowest “cost-per-remote-user” server management solutions available. And no client software or external power supply is required. Amazingly scalable, Spiders can be easily daisy-chained together using Lantronix SwitchPort+™ integrated Ethernet switch technology. This provides an economical and highly flexible solution in environments where numerous cable drops and distance limitations can be a challenge when adding servers.
Access Servers Anytime, from Anywhere
KVM over IP switches are a valuable part of an effective infrastructure management strategy, enabling administrators to gain BIOS-level access to servers, perform maintenance and solve problems from virtually anywhere at a moment’s notice – regardless of location. However, the cable distance limitation between servers and a KVM switch present a problem. In a “distributed IT” environment a better solution is needed.
Lantronix Spider provides secure KVM access to servers over a standard IP network. It does not have the cable-length restrictions inherent with computer interface modules (CIMs) and current CAT5 KVM switches. Servers can be across the room or across the globe! Video degradation is not a factor, and additional cable drops are not necessary.
Fully Secure, Non-Blocked Remote Access
Lantronix Spider provides continuous availability to servers with 1:1 non-blocked access. This allows administrators to have guaranteed access to mission critical servers, regardless of how many of them need remote access. In other words, administrators are not locked in to a fixed number of remote users. And adding more remote users is simple and cost effective – just add another Spider!
Additionally with Spider, you can add remote IP users one server port at a time, rather than adding another switch that provides costly, pre-defined multiples. And there is no single point of failure with Spider deployments. If a unit is disabled, you lose access to just one server and the Spider is easily replaced.
Small Size, Big Performance… and No External Power Required
This unique Lantronix innovation is a fully-integrated, digital IP-based KVM switch. And it has all the capabilities of a traditional KVM switch – all in a miniaturized, zero-footprint package! About the size of a small chalkboard eraser and weighing about 6 oz., Spider does not consume any valuable rack space and is light enough to be cable-supported from the back of a server.
Available in USB and PS2 models, the unique low-power design enables Spider to be powered directly from the attached server, with no external power supply required.* A redundant power supply option is available.
* In cases where the target server cannot supply enough power to Spider, or power is not persistent through reboots, the optional power supply may be required.
The Ultimate in Flexibility and Scalability
Spider’s unique dual-Ethernet port design takes advantage of Lantronix SwitchPort+ integrated Ethernet switch technology. SwitchPort+ enables flexible, cost-effective add-as-you-grow scalability by cascading multiple units together through a single Ethernet connection. This allows all OOB interfaces to be accessed from one IP connection with superior video quality and exceptional mouse tracking performance. Best of all, it requires no client software.
As part of the Lantronix Out of Band Management (OOBM) family of products, Spiders can be easily integrated into a total remote OOB management strategy including serial console management (award-winning Lantronix SLC), remote power management (Lantronix SLP – Phase Out), and consolidated management access including auto-discovery, access control and logical device grouping (Lantronix SLM).
It’s also an ideal complement to a traditional KVM switch. By adding a Spider to the local port of an existing analog KVM switch, administrators gain all the advantages of remote access without having to replace their current equipment.
All the Power You Need – In a Tiny Package
Spider features a powerful ARM based processor, on-board memory (Flash, Video and CPU SDRAM), secure operating system, web server and intelligent power management. It also includes a video encoder and embedded Ethernet switch with built-in support for Virtual Media. Spider integrates a serial interface and second Ethernet port, allowing hardware connections to all commonly used out-of-band management interfaces.
The internal processor provides data translation and packetizing so users may access any or all OOB interfaces via one Ethernet connection.
- Hardware-based compression algorithm ensures exceptional video performance and low bandwidth consumption
- VESA standard video support resolution up to 1600×1200 @ 60Hz
- Automatic video resolution detection with manual setting capability for support of non-standard video formats
- Exceptional mouse synchronization and video performance
- Serial data rates up to 115200 baud – supports an external modem for out-of-band access
Software, Security and Management features
- Full BIOS-level control of the attached server
- Virtual Media Support
- RADIUS, LDAP and Active Directory remote authentication support
- Secure encryption of keyboard, mouse, and video data
- User-definable groups with multilayer users and passwords
- Serial administration console port (RS-232) supports Telnet and SSH tunneling to a server COM port
- Event Log to NFS server, E-mail (SMTP), SNMP destination IP
- Firmware upgradeable via web browser
- User configurable hot keys
- Spider View – optional Windows® client management utility included
Remote KVM vs. High-Density KVM
| Lantronix Spider | High-Density KVM Solution |
|---|---|
| With Spider, you can add one port at a time. | 34 servers may require two 32-port KVMs or some combination that leaves unused ports, increasing the cost per port. |
| If a unit is disabled you lose access to just one server; and Spider is easily replaced. | If a 32-port KVM unit fails, all access to those connected servers is lost. |
| Spiders can be cascaded or connected individually back to a switch. They can even be distributed among multiple switches so no single switch failure cuts you off from all your servers. | If access to all 32 servers is through a single Ethernet connection and the switch port fails, access to all 32 servers is lost. |
| Spider has the necessary HD-15 video, USB and PS/2 connections built in. | Most high-density solutions require purchasing dongles to connect to managed servers, increasing cost. |
| Each Spider allows one or more people to connect to a server. 32 Spiders means 32 simultaneous non-blocking connections – multiple users can access the attached server simultaneously! | A typical high-density solution allows access to a limited number of managed servers at a time. (A high-end 32-port KVM may only allow as many as 8 servers to be accessed at once.) |
| With Spider, there are no virtually cable limitations and image quality doesn’t degrade with distance. | Current CAT5-based solutions are limited to 50 to 150 feet between the switch and server. And image quality degrades with distance. |
| Spider is a completely integrated IP-based KVM switch that does not require an external power supply. | Switch-based solutions may require separate KVM and serial dongles and/or external power supplies. |
