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Opengear Lighthouse Appliances: Alternative Options

by | Nov 21, 2024 | Data Center Management, Data Center Resilience, Improve Network Security, Increase Productivity, Minimize Impact of Disruptions, Monitoring & Reporting, Out of Band Management, Power Management, Remote Network Management, Serial Consoles, Streamline Deployments, Vendor Neutral Platform

The Opengear OM2200 Lighthouse Appliance.

 

Lighthouse appliances are Opengear’s out-of-band management (OOBM) solutions for data center and branch deployments. Lighthouse refers to the on-premises software application used to monitor and control Opengear-connected infrastructure devices.

Opengear Lighthouse appliances are good second-generation solutions, but they suffer from a few major limitations that prevent organizations from fully automating and securing the control plane. This guide explains why you might consider Lighthouse alternatives before providing third-generation OOBM options from ZPE Systems that improve upon the four most popular Opengear models.

Why consider Lighthouse alternatives?

Lighthouse appliances are second-generation (or Gen 2) out-of-band management solutions that suffer from three major limitations:

  1. Much of their automation capabilities, such as Docker container hosting and Python scripts, are locked behind an upgraded version of Lighthouse.
  2. They do not support two-factor authentication (2FA) or SAML 2.0 authentication.
  3. Lighthouse appliances are not truly vendor-neutral, only supporting certain integrations and requiring software license upgrades for some capabilities.

These factors prevent teams from fully automating and securing their control plane. A lack of automation, security, and the ability to host third-party tools on the OOB network also limits an organization’s network resilience.

The Nodegrid platform from ZPE Systems fills these gaps with an open, Gen 3 architecture that enables end-to-end automation using powerful, all-in-one devices protected with robust on-board security features.

Nodegrid alternatives for Lighthouse appliances

ZPE Systems offers a wide range of Nodegrid appliances to meet almost any business need or use case. This guide highlights four Nodegrid models that serve as direct replacements for – or alternatives to – Opengear Lighthouse appliances.

Opengear CM8100 alternative: Nodegrid Serial Console Plus

The CM8100 is Opengear’s high-density appliance for large data center deployments. The Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP) improves upon the CM8100 in several key ways:

  • The NSCP provides up to 96 managed serial ports in a 1U appliance, unlike the CM8100’s 96-port model which takes up two units of rack space.
  • Its Intel x86 CPU and 4GB of RAM provide enough processing power to easily run 3rd-party Docker and VM apps while supporting 1,000+ concurrent serial sessions, beating out the CM8100’s ARM CPU and 2GB of RAM.
  • It supports automation out of the box and extends zero-touch provisioning and other automation to legacy and mixed-vendor infrastructure, unlike Lighthouse which requires an enhanced license for most automation.
  • Several NSCP models have dual-SIM cellular slots for failover and OOBM, but none of the CM8100 models support cellular.
  • It supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors to help control conditions in remote data centers.
  • Unlike the CM8100, it comes with robust security features like BIOS protection and GPS geofencing and also supports SAML 2.0 authentication.

Comparison Table: CM8100 Lighthouse Appliance vs. Nodegrid Serial Console Plus

 

Nodegrid NSCP Opengear CM8100
Serial Ports 16 / 32 / 48 / 96x RS-232 16 / 32 / 48 / 96x RS-232
Network Interfaces 2x SFP+

2x ETH

1x Wi-Fi (optional)

2x Dual SIM LTE (optional)

 2x ETH
Additional Interfaces 1x RS-232 console

2x USB 3.0 Type A

1x HDMI Output

 1x RS-232 console

2x USB 3.0
CPU Intel x86_64 Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz Dual-Core
Storage 32GB SSD (upgrades available) 32GB eMMC
RAM 4GB DDR4 (upgrades available) 2GB DDR4
Environmental Monitoring Any USB sensors –
Form Factor 1U Rack Mounted 1U Rack Mounted (up to 48 ports)

2U Rack Mounted (96 ports)

Opengear OM2200 alternative: Nodegrid Serial Console S Series

The OM2200 console server has software-selectable serial ports that allow administrators to manage devices with straight or rolled RS-232 pinouts for mixed legacy and modern infrastructures. The Nodegrid Serial Console S Series serves as a direct alternative that offers a few key advantages:

  • The S Series has auto-sensing ports, further streamlining the management of mixed architectures.
  • It comes with 14 high-speed managed USB ports, compared to the OM2200’s 8 USB ports.
  • As with the NSCP, it supports automation out of the box, has cellular options (via USB connections to cellular modems), can use USB environmental sensors, and provides comprehensive security for the control plane.

Comparison Table: OM2200 Lighthouse Appliance vs. Nodegrid Serial Console S Series

 

 

Nodegrid S Series

Opengear OM2200

Serial Ports

16 / 32 / 48x Software Selectable RS-232

14x USB-A serial

16 / 32 / 48x Software Selectable RS-232

8x USB 2.0 serial

(OM2224-24E) 24x Software Selectable RS-232 and 24x Managed Ethernet

Network Interfaces

2x1Gbps or 2x ETH

2x SFP+ or 2x ETH

1x V.92 modem (select models)

Additional Interfaces

1x RS-232 console

1x USB 3.0 Type A

1x HDMI Output

1x RS-232 console

1x Micro USB

2x USB 3.0

CPU

Intel x86_64 Dual-Core

AMD GX-412TC 1.4 GHz Quad-Core

Storage

32GB SSD (upgrades available)

64GB SSD

RAM

4GB DDR4 (upgrades available)

8GB DDR3

Environmental Monitoring

Any USB sensors

–

Form Factor

1U Rack Mounted

1U Rack Mounted 

Opengear CM7100 alternative: Nodegrid Serial Console Core Edition

The CM7100 is the previous generation of the CM8100 appliance, and it comes with several price-saving options (like smaller storage and RAM configurations) that make it popular for simple break-fix OOBM access to remotely troubleshoot and recover from issues.

ZPE Systems offers the NSCP Core Edition, a more stripped-down version of the Nodegrid Serial Console Plus. It improves upon the CM7100 in a few important ways:

  • The NSCP-CE comes with analog modem and dual-SIM cellular options for network failover and OOBM, unlike the CM7100.
  • Like the other Nodegrid models, it supports a wide range of environmental sensors, while the CM7100 supports specific sensors for smoke, water leaks, and vibration.
  • As with the other Nodegrid models, it supports automation via ZPE Cloud, has cellular options, and provides comprehensive security for the control plane.

Comparison Table: CM7100 Lighthouse Appliance vs. Nodegrid Serial Console Core Edition

 

Nodegrid NSCP-CE Opengear CM7100
Serial Ports 16 / 32 / 48 / RS-232 16 / 32 / 48 / 96x RS-232
Network Interfaces 2x SFP ETH
1x Analog modem (optional)

 

2x 5G/4G LTE (optional)

 2x ETH
Additional Interfaces 1x RS-232 console

2x USB 3.0 Type A

 1x RS-232 console

2x USB 2.0
CPU Intel x86_64 Dual-Core Armada 370 ARMv7 800 MHz
Storage 16GB Flash (upgrades available) 4-64GB storage
RAM 4GB DDR4 (upgrades available) 256MB-2GB DDR3
Environmental Monitoring Any USB sensors Smoke, water leak, vibration
Form Factor 1U Rack Mounted 1U Rack Mounted (up to 48 ports)

2U Rack Mounted (96 ports)

Opengear ACM7000 alternative: Nodegrid Gate Services Router

The ACM7000 Resilience Gateway provides gateway routing and OOBM for smaller deployments in branch and edge locations. The Nodegrid platform includes six multi-functional branch services routers available in various form factors and configurations to meet the needs of any organization. The Gate SR in particular makes an excellent replacement for the ACM7000 because it offers:

  • Up to 4TB of storage to run up to 3 Guest OSes or 4 Docker applications.
  • Optional dual-SIM 5G/4G cellular, while the ACM7000 only supports 4G LTE.
  • The option for an embedded Nvidia Jetson Nano processor capable of running AI workloads, like those for computer vision, alongside traditional applications.
  • Support for a wide range of environmental sensors, while the ACM7000 supports specific sensors for external water, smoke, and dry contact.
  • Support for automation out of the box as well as comprehensive control plane security.

Comparison Table: ACM7000 Lighthouse Appliance vs. Nodegrid Gate Services Router

 

 

Nodegrid Gate SR

Opengear ACM7000

Serial Ports

8x RS-232

4 / 8x RS-232

Network Interfaces

2x SFP ETH

1x Wi-Fi (optional)

2x Dual SIM LTE (optional)

2 / 4x ETH

1x Single SIM LTE

Additional Interfaces

1x RS-232 console

4x ETH Switch

4x PoE ETH Switch

2x USB 3.0 Type A

2x USB 2.0 Type A

1x RS-232 console

4x USB 2.0

CPU

Intel x86_64 Dual-Core

Armada 370 ARMv7 800 MHz

Storage

16GB Flash (upgrades available)

4GB storage

RAM

4GB DDR4 (upgrades available)

256MB DDR3

Environmental Monitoring

Any USB sensors

Smoke, water leak, vibration

Form Factor

1U Rack Mounted

1U Rack Mounted

Ready to upgrade to a Gen 3 OOBM appliance?

The Nodegrid platform from ZPE Systems offers third-generation automation, control, and security for the ultimate network resilience, improving upon Opengear’s outdated architecture. But we know that replacing Lighthouse appliances and other console servers takes a lot of effort. That’s why ZPE now offers a complete package of budget-friendly products and engineering services to help. Click here to see how we simplify the upgrade process.

Upgrade Now

What is FIPS 140-3, and Why Does it Matter?

by | Nov 14, 2024 | Data Center Management, Data Logging, Edge Computing, Improve Network Security, Increase Productivity, Micro-segmentation, Minimize Impact of Disruptions, Monitoring & Reporting, Out of Band Management, Power Management, Remote Network Management, Zero Trust Security

A lock representing cybersecurity, with the title What is FIPS 140-3 and why does it matter?

Handling sensitive information is a responsibility shared by so many organizations. Ensuring the security of data, whether in transit or at rest, is not only critical for maintaining the trust of end users and customers, but is often a regulatory requirement. One of the most reliable ways to secure data within network infrastructure is by implementing FIPS 140-3-certified cryptographic solutions. This certification, which was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), serves as a benchmark for robust encryption practices, enabling organizations to meet high security standards and ensure regulatory compliance.

Let’s explore what it means to have FIPS 140-3 certification, why it matters, and its key applications in network infrastructure.

What is FIPS 140-3 Certification?

The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3 certification is a stringent, government-endorsed security standard that sets guidelines for cryptographic modules used to protect sensitive data. It includes requirements for securing cryptographic functions within hardware, software, and firmware. The certification process rigorously tests cryptographic solutions for security and reliability, ensuring that they meet specific criteria in data encryption, access control, and physical security.

There are four levels of FIPS 140-3 certification, each adding layers of protection to help secure information in various environments:

  • Level 1: Ensures basic encryption standards.
  • Level 2: Adds tamper-evident protection and role-based authentication.
  • Level 3: Provides advanced tamper-resistance and strong user authentication.
  • Level 4: Offers the highest level of security, including physical defenses against tampering.

FIPS 140-3 certification ensures that an organization’s network infrastructure meets high standards for cryptographic security. This is important for protecting sensitive information against cyber threats as well as fulfilling regulatory requirements.

Why FIPS 140-3 Certification Matters

1. Meeting Regulatory Compliance Requirements

FIPS 140-3 certification is often required by regulatory bodies, especially in sectors like government/defense, healthcare, and finance, where sensitive data must be protected by law. Here are a few industry-specific regulations that FIPS 140-3-certified modules help with:

  • Defense: DFARS, NIST SP 800-171
  • Healthcare: HIPAA
  • Finance: PCI-DSS
  • Energy: NERC CIP
  • Education: FERPA

Compliance with FIPS 140-3 also makes it easier for organizations to meet audit requirements, reducing the risk of fines or penalties for security lapses.

2. Strengthening Customer Trust

End users and customers expect that their data is handled with care and protected against breaches. By using FIPS 140-3-certified solutions, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to securing customer data with recognized, government-endorsed security standards. FIPS certification is a valuable trust signal, showing customers that their information is being managed with the highest level of protection available.

3. Protecting Against Emerging Cyber Threats

Relying on uncertified or outdated cryptographic solutions increases the risk of data breaches. FIPS 140-3-certified solutions are tested to withstand advanced attacks and tampering, which is an important safeguard against threats that continue to evolve in complexity. Certified modules help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, whether through intercepted communications, phishing, or other cyber threats.

FIPS 140-3 certification gives assurance, especially for organizations that handle high volumes of data, that they have adequate encryption to protect against sophisticated attacks.

4. Ensuring Business Continuity and Operational Resilience

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, data breaches now cost $4.88 million (global average), with healthcare being the most costly at $9.8 million per breach. The financial impact is staggering, but the ongoing operational disruption and recovery efforts determine whether an organization can fully bounce back from a breach. With FIPS 140-3 certification, there’s an added layer of resilience to an organization’s infrastructure, which reduces the likelihood of breaches and ensures a secure base for maintaining continuity (such as through an Isolated Recovery Environment). By implementing FIPS-certified encryption, businesses can minimize downtime, maintain access to encrypted systems, and recover more smoothly from potential incidents.

5. Gaining a Competitive Advantage in Security-Conscious Markets

Organizations that follow rigorous data security standards are more likely to gain the trust of clients, stakeholders, and customers, especially in industries where security is non-negotiable. Organizations that adopt FIPS 140-3-certified infrastructure can differentiate themselves as having a reputation for security, which can be a competitive advantage that attracts customers and partners who value data protection.

Key Applications of FIPS 140-3 in Network Infrastructure

For organizations managing large amounts of customer data, FIPS 140-3-certified solutions can be applied to several critical areas within network infrastructure:

  • Network Firewalls and VPNs: FIPS-certified encryption ensures that data moving across networks remains private, protecting it from interception by unauthorized users.
  • Access Control Systems: Identity-based access controls with FIPS-certified modules add another layer of security to protect against unauthorized access to sensitive data.
  • Out-of-Band Management: Using FIPS 140-3-certified encryption in OOB management ensures the same stringent security level for OOB traffic as for in-band network traffic.
  • Data Storage and Backup: FIPS-certified encryption secures data at rest, protecting stored customer information from unauthorized access or tampering.
  • Cloud and Hybrid Environments: For companies using cloud or hybrid environments, FIPS-certified encryption helps protect data across multiple infrastructure layers, ensuring consistent security whether data resides on-premises or in the cloud.

Discuss FIPS 140-3 With Our Network Infrastructure Experts

FIPS 140-3 certification gives organizations the ability to reassure customers, meet compliance requirements, and protect critical data across every layer of the network. Get in touch with our network infrastructure experts to discuss FIPS 140-3, isolated management infrastructure, and other resilience best practices.

Contact Us

Explore FIPS 140-3 for Out-of-Band Management

Read about 7 benefits of implementing FIPS 140-3 across your out-of-band management infrastructure. This article discusses the benefits it brings to remotely accessing devices, protecting against physical attacks, and securing edge infrastructure.

FIPS for Out-of-Band Management

More Resources

7 Security Benefits of Implementing FIPS 140-3 for Out-of-Band Management

by | Nov 14, 2024 | Data Center Management, Data Logging, Edge Computing, Improve Network Security, Increase Productivity, Micro-segmentation, Minimize Impact of Disruptions, Monitoring & Reporting, Out of Band Management, Power Management, Remote Network Management, Zero Trust Security

ZPE Systems -FIPS 140-3

Out-of-band (OOB) management is essential for maintaining control over critical network infrastructure, especially during outages or cyberattacks. This separate management network enables administrators to remotely access, troubleshoot, and recover production equipment. However, managing network devices outside the main data path also brings unique security challenges, as these channels often carry sensitive control data and system access credentials.

Implementing FIPS 140-3-certified encryption within OOB systems can help organizations secure this vital access path to ensure that management data can’t be intercepted or manipulated by unauthorized actors. Here’s how FIPS 140-3 certification can enhance the security, reliability, and compliance of your out-of-band management.

What is FIPS 140-3 Certification?

FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) 140-3 is a high-level security standard developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It specifies rigorous requirements for cryptographic modules used to protect sensitive data. FIPS 140-3 certification covers everything from data encryption to user authentication and physical security. For out-of-band management, FIPS 140-3 certification ensures that cryptographic components in hardware, software, and firmware meet stringent data security standards.

By implementing FIPS-certified solutions, organizations can ensure their OOB management is resilient against modern cyber threats, protecting both the control channels and the sensitive data they carry. Here are seven security benefits of implementing FIPS 140-3 for out-of-band management.

7 Security Benefits of Implementing FIPS 140-3 for Out-of-Band Management

1. Secure Encryption of Management Traffic

OOB management often involves remote access to routers, switches, servers and other critical devices. FIPS 140-3 certification guarantees that all cryptographic modules used in these systems have been rigorously tested to secure data in transit. Encrypting management traffic is crucial to prevent interception or manipulation by unauthorized users, particularly for tasks such as command execution, configuration updates, and device monitoring.

With FIPS-certified encryption, companies can protect OOB traffic between management devices and network components, so that only authorized administrators have access to sensitive system commands and device settings.

2. Enhanced Authentication and Access Control

OOB management solutions typically support different user roles, each with its own access privileges. FIPS 140-3-certified modules, like ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid, feature multi-factor authentication (MFA) to control who can initiate OOB management sessions. Certified solutions also include secure key management practices that prevent unauthorized access, ensuring that only verified users can control and modify network devices.

These protections mean FIPS-certified solutions help mitigate the risk of unauthorized users accessing high-value assets. This is especially important during ransomware recovery efforts, when teams need to launch a secure, Isolated Recovery Environment to combat an active attack in a compromised environment.

3. Protection Against Tampering and Physical Attacks

Many organizations deploy IT infrastructure in locations where physical device security is lacking. For example, remote colocations, unmonitored drilling sites, or rural health clinics can easily expose network infrastructure to device tampering. FIPS 140-3 certification mandates tamper-evident and tamper-resistant features to protect the cryptographic modules used in OOB systems. OOB solutions like ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid provide robust protection against tampering, with features including:

  • UEFI secure boot: Prevents the execution of unauthorized software during the boot process.
  • TPM 2.0: Ensures secure key generation and storage, so only authorized software can run.
  • Secure erase: Allows for deletion of all data from storage, so no data can be recovered from devices that have been tampered with.

These features prevent unauthorized individuals from physically accessing OOB equipment to intercept or modify management traffic. In remote and edge locations, FIPS-certified cryptographic modules provide robust protection against physical attacks, making it harder for adversaries to compromise OOB management pathways.

4. Compliant and Secure Logging of Access Activities

Because OOB management systems provide access to critical equipment, organizations need transparency into OOB users and their management activities. This means logging and auditing are essential to maintaining security and compliance. FIPS 140-3-certified modules support secure logging of all management activities, creating a clear audit trail of access attempts and security events. These logs are stored securely to prevent unauthorized users from altering or erasing them, providing valuable insights for security monitoring and incident response.

Secure logging is not only critical for monitoring access but also necessary for meeting regulatory compliance. FIPS 140-3 ensures that OOB management systems can satisfy audit requirements, making compliance easier and protecting organizations from potential regulatory penalties.

5. Meeting Regulatory Requirements in Sensitive Environments

Many industries handle sensitive data, especially government, healthcare, and finance. For organizations in these industries, it’s often mandatory to use FIPS-certified cryptographic solutions. FIPS 140-3 certification helps OOB management systems align with federal security regulations and standards like HIPAA and PCI-DSS. By deploying FIPS-certified encryption, organizations can comply with these standards, streamline audits, reduce the risk of regulatory penalties, and reinforce trust with customers.

6. Consistent Security Across Main and OOB Networks

It’s easy for organizations to focus mostly on securing the main network, while overlooking the security protections that they employ on their out-of-band network. FIPS-certified solutions help establish consistent security standards across both paths. This is especially important in protecting against lateral attacks, where hackers infiltrate one network and are then able to jump to the other. In cases where attackers gain access to one segment of the network, matching security protocols across the main and OOB networks prevents them from moving laterally into sensitive management channels.

Using FIPS 140-3-certified encryption across both networks also strengthens the organization’s ability to monitor, manage, and control devices, even when the primary network is under threat.

7. Securing Remote and Edge Devices

For organizations with remote infrastructure, such as telecom and retail, OOB management is critical for managing network devices in distant locations. However, these environments often lack the physical security of centralized data centers, making them vulnerable to tampering. FIPS-certified solutions ensure that all communication with remote OOB devices is encrypted, which protects management data from unauthorized access.

FIPS 140-3 certification also supports the resilience of IoT and edge devices, which often require OOB management for secure monitoring, patching, and configuration.

Implement the Most Secure Out-of-Band Management with ZPE Systems

Security in Layers

ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid is the industry’s most secure out-of-band management solution. Not only do we carry FIPS 140-3, SOC 2 Type 2, and ISO27001 certifications, but we also feature a Synopsys-validated codebase and dozens of security features across the hardware, software, and cloud layers. These are all part of a multi-layered, secure-by-design approach that ensures the strongest physical and cyber safeguards.

Download our pdf to explore more of our security assurance.

Explore ZPE Systems' Security Assurance

See FIPS-Certified Out-of-Band in Action

Our engineers are ready to walk you through our industry-leading out-of-band management. Use the button below to set up a 15-minute demo and explore FIPS 140-3 security features first-hand.

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Terminal Server Alternative for Simple Break/Fix Use Cases

by | Nov 13, 2024 | Data Center Management, Data Center Resilience, Improve Network Security, Increase Productivity, Minimize Impact of Disruptions, Monitoring & Reporting, Out of Band Management, Power Management, Remote Network Management, Serial Consoles, Streamline Deployments, Vendor Neutral Platform

 

The Nodegrid Serial Console Core Edition terminal server alternative.

A terminal server is a device that provides consolidated remote management access to routers, switches, and other network infrastructure in data centers. There are numerous reasons to consider replacing an existing terminal server solution. Many of these devices are old and unpatched, leaving them vulnerable to exploits. Older solutions may not integrate well with newer hardware and software or lack the ability to unify management for all deployed terminal servers across a distributed enterprise network, creating a lot of management complexity and potential human error.

On the other hand, some newer terminal server solutions (also known as serial consoles or console servers) include advanced features or beefed-up hardware that increase both costs and complexity. It’s important to find the right balance between security, functionality, and ease-of-use for your particular use case. This guide compares five terminal server alternatives that are optimized for simple break/fix deployments, giving teams reliable remote management access without unnecessary complications.

Key takeaways

 

Pros

Cons

ZPE Nodegrid NSCP-Core Edition
  • Up to 48 managed serial ports in a 1U appliance
  • Extends OOB management and ZTP to legacy and mixed-vendor infrastructure
  • Analog modem and 5G/4G LTE options available
  • Robust on-board security features like BIOS protection and TPM
  • Integrates with third-party software
  • Supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors
  • Supports automation only via ZPE Cloud

Opengear CM8100
  • 2U model can manage up to 96 devices 
  • Extensible operating system
  • Automatic port discovery
  • No cellular, Wi-Fi, or analog modem
  • Doesn’t support 2FA or SAML 2.0 security
  • Most automation requires Lighthouse Enterprise software upgrade

WTI DSM Series
  • Can manage up to 50 devices
  • Optional analog modem or 4G cellular
  • Integrates with select third-party vendors
  • OS is not extensible
  • Lacks an embedded firewall
  • No environmental sensor ports

Vertiv Avocent ACS8000
  • Includes 8 managed USB ports for 56 total serial connections
  • 4G LTE WAN, OOB, and failover support
  • Environmental sensor port
  • Doesn’t support any third-party integrations 
  • Lacks advanced authentication features
  • No embedded firewall or VPN

Perle IOLAN SDSC
  • Simple, easy-to-manage solution
  • Includes an analog modem for OOB
  • Robust security features
  • OOB is only available over an analog connection
  • Doesn’t integrate with any third-party software
  • Barebones internal hardware can’t support modern software

Comparing terminal server alternatives for break/fix use cases

Read our in-depth reviews of the best terminal server alternatives below, or click here to compare tech specs.

ZPE Nodegrid NSCP-Core Edition

The Nodegrid Serial Console Core Edition (NSCP-CE) from ZPE Systems provides out-of-band (OOB) serial console management for up to 48 devices. It’s vendor-neutral, which means it can extend OOB control and zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) to legacy and mixed-vendor infrastructure. It has dual SFP+ and dual Ethernet ports as well as 5G/4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and analog modem options for both network failover and OOB management.

Nodegrid’s management software is available either on-premises or in the cloud so you can choose the best option for your use case. ZPE frequently patches the NSCP-CE’s software, firmware, and modern, Linux-based operating system to prevent known exploits. Plus, the device itself comes backed with security features like BIOS protection, UEFI Secure Boot, self-encrypted disk (SED), Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, and multi-site VPN using IPSec, WireGuard, and OpenSSL protocols.

The NSCP-CE’s vendor-neutral architecture integrates with third-party 2FA and SAML 2.0 authentication providers as well as other software for security, automation, and troubleshooting. It also supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors to help remote teams control conditions in the data center.

Pros:

  • Up to 48 managed serial ports in a 1U appliance
  • Extends OOB management and ZTP to legacy and mixed-vendor infrastructure
  • Analog modem and 5G/4G LTE options available
  • Robust on-board security features like BIOS protection and TPM
  • Integrates with third-party software
  • Supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors

Cons:

  •  Supports automation only via ZPE Cloud

Opengear CM8100

The Opengear CM8100 console server provides remote terminal server management for up to 48 devices in a 1U form-factor, or up to 96 devices in a 2U form-factor. It comes with dual ETH ports or dual switchable ETH/SFP ports for in-band, out-of-band, and failover, without any alternative network interfaces like cellular or analog modem. It supports some automation, such as ZTP and Python scripts, but only with an upgraded version of the Opengear Lighthouse management software.

The CM8100 includes some advanced security features like IPsec & OpenVPN, SSL tunnels, and Secure Shell (SSHv2) as well as a stateful firewall with IP filtering and port forwarding. While its embedded Linux operating system is programmable and extensible with third-party integrations, it does not support 2FA, SAML 2.0, or multi-site IPsec VPN.

Pros:

  • 2U model can manage up to 96 devices
  • Extensible operating system
  • Automatic port discovery

Cons:

  • No cellular, Wi-Fi, or analog modem
  • Doesn’t support 2FA or SAML 2.0 security
  • Most automation requires Lighthouse Enterprise software upgrade

WTI DSM Series

The WTI DSM series provides out-of-band terminal server management for up to 50 devices. It comes with options for single or dual Ethernet interfaces as well as an optional analog modem or cellular interface. The WTI centralized management software integrates with some third-party software like PRTG and Splunk, and it provides ZTP and RESTful API support for automation. However, only a small handful of providers are supported, and the device’s OS is not extensible.

DSM console servers come with robust security features including advanced authentication, port-specific password protection, and invalid access lockout and alarm. It also integrates with Duo, RSA, Okta, and Azure for 2FA. It lacks an embedded firewall, however, as well as an environmental sensor port.

Pros:

  • Can manage up to 50 devices
  • Optional analog modem or 4G cellular
  • Integrates with select third-party vendors

Cons:

  • OS is not extensible
  • Lacks an embedded firewall
  • No environmental sensor ports

Vertiv Avocent ACS8000

The Vertiv Avocent ACS800 can manage up to 48 devices over RS-232 serial and up to 8 devices over USB for a total of 56 managed ports. In addition to dual Ethernet and dual SFP ports, you can add 4G LTE connectivity for WAN, OOB, and failover. The on-premises DSView management software provides ZTP as well as event logging and notifications, but it doesn’t support any third-party integrations.

The ACS8000 doesn’t support 2FA, SAML 2.0, or advanced authentication features, though it does support FIPS 410-2 cryptography. It also lacks an embedded firewall and VPN functionality. It does, however, have an environmental sensor port.

Pros:

  • Includes 8 managed USB ports for 56 total serial connections
  • 4G LTE WAN, OOB, and failover support
  • Environmental sensor port

Cons:

  • Doesn’t support any third-party integrations
  • Lacks advanced authentication features
  • No embedded firewall or VPN

Perle IOLAN SDSC

The Perle IOLAN SDSC is a simple break/fix terminal server that can manage up to 32 devices. It has dual Ethernet ports for WAN and failover, but OOB is only available via the included analog modem, so it’ll be a much slower experience for remote administrators. Perle’s management software provides ZTP but does not offer any automation capabilities or integrate with any third-party solutions. Additionally, the SDSC’s barebones CPU, RAM, and storage hardware may make the software itself slow and frustrating to use, even over the in-band Ethernet connection.

The IOLAN SDSC comes with an embedded firewall and advanced security features like 2FA, IPsec VPN/OpenVPN, and remote RADIUS, TACACS+, and LDAP authentication.

Pros:

  • Simple, easy-to-manage solution
  • Includes an analog modem for OOB
  • Robust security features

Cons:

  • OOB is only available over an analog connection
  • Doesn’t integrate with any third-party software
  • Barebones internal hardware can’t support modern software

Tech Specs: Terminal server alternatives for break/fix use cases

 

Nodegrid NSCP-CE

Opengear CM8100

WTI OOB Rescue

Vertiv Avocent ACS8000

Perle IOLAN SDSC

Serial Ports

16 / 32 / 48x RS-232

16 / 32 / 48 / 96x RS-232

8 / 24 / 40x RS-232 

8 / 16 / 32 / 48x RS-232

8 / 16 / 32x RS-232

Network Interfaces

2x SFP & 2x ETH

1x Analog modem (optional)

2x 5G/4G LTE (optional)

2x ETH

1x ETH

or

2x ETH

1x Analog modem (optional)

1x 4G Cellular (optional)

2x SFP & 2x ETH

2x ETH

Additional Interfaces

1x RS-232 console

2x USB 3.0 Type A

1x RS-232 console

2x USB 3.0

1x RS-232 console

1x USB Mini Set-up Port

1x RS-232 console

8x USB 2.0 Type A

–

CPU

Intel x86_64 Dual-Core

ARM Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz Dual-Core

–

ARM Cortex-A9 Dual-Core

MPC8349E 400 MHz

Storage

16GB Flash (upgrades available)

32GB eMMC Flash

–

16GB eMMC Flash

16MB Flash

RAM

4GB DDR4 (upgrades available)

2GB DDR4

–

1GB DDR3L

64MB

Environmental Monitoring

Any USB sensors

–

–

4 digital-in ports

–

Wi-Fi

Optional

No

No

No

No

Cellular

Optional

No

Optional

Optional

No

Power

Dual AC

or

Dual DC

Dual AC

or

Dual DC

Single AC

or

Single DC

Single or Dual AC

or

Single or Dual DC

Single AC

Form Factor

1U Rack Mounted

1U Rack Mounted (up to 48 ports)

2U Rack Mounted (96 ports)

1U Rack Mounted

1U Rack Mounted

1U Rack Mounted

Experience the convenience of a vendor-neutral management platform

The Nodegrid Serial Console Core Edition is a vendor-neutral terminal server alternative that strikes the perfect balance between simplicity, functionality, and security. With flexible OOB and networking options, extensible cloud-based software, and industry-leading security features, Nodegrid can streamline and protect any environment.

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Edge Computing Platforms: Insights from Gartner’s 2024 Market Guide

by | Nov 11, 2024 | Application Hosting, Consolidation, Edge Computing, EdgeOps, Failover Connectivity, Improve Network Security, Increase Productivity, Minimize Impact of Disruptions, Modernize Legacy Environments, Monitoring & Reporting, Network Automation, Out of Band Management, Power Management, Remote Network Management, SD-Branch, SD-WAN, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), Simplify Branch Infrastructure, Streamline Deployments, Vendor Neutral Platform, Virtualization, Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP)

Interlocking cogwheels containing icons of various edge computing examples are displayed in front of racks of servers

Edge computing allows organizations to process data close to where it’s generated, such as in retail stores, industrial sites, and smart cities, with the goal of improving operational efficiency and reducing latency. However, edge computing requires a platform that can support the necessary software, management, and networking infrastructure. Let’s explore the 2024 Gartner Market Guide for Edge Computing, which highlights the drivers of edge computing and offers guidance for organizations considering edge strategies.

What is an Edge Computing Platform (ECP)?

Edge computing moves data processing close to where it’s generated. For bank branches, manufacturing plants, hospitals, and others, edge computing delivers benefits like reduced latency, faster response times, and lower bandwidth costs. An Edge Computing Platform (ECP) provides the foundation of infrastructure, management, and cloud integration that enable edge computing. The goal of having an ECP is to allow many edge locations to be efficiently operated and scaled with minimal, if any, human touch or physical infrastructure changes.

Before we describe ECPs in detail, it’s important to first understand why edge computing is becoming increasingly critical to IT and what challenges arise as a result.

What’s Driving Edge Computing, and What Are the Challenges?

Here are the five drivers of edge computing described in Gartner’s report, along with the challenges that arise from each:

1. Edge Diversity

Every industry has its unique edge computing requirements. For example, manufacturing often needs low-latency processing to ensure real-time control over production, while retail might focus on real-time data insights to deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences.

Challenge: Edge computing solutions are usually deployed to address an immediate need, without taking into account the potential for future changes. This makes it difficult to adapt to diverse and evolving use cases.

2. Ongoing Digital Transformation

Gartner predicts that by 2029, 30% of enterprises will rely on edge computing. Digital transformation is catalyzing its adoption, while use cases will continue to evolve based on emerging technologies and business strategies.

Challenge: This rapid transformation means environments will continue to become more complex as edge computing evolves. This complexity makes it difficult to integrate, manage, and secure the various solutions required for edge computing.

3. Data Growth

The amount of data generated at the edge is increasing exponentially due to digitalization. Initially, this data was often underutilized (referred to as the “dark edge”), but businesses are now shifting towards a more connected and intelligent edge, where data is processed and acted upon in real time.

Challenge: Enormous volumes of data make it difficult to efficiently manage data flows and support real-time processing without overwhelming the network or infrastructure.

4. Business-Led Requirements

Automation, predictive maintenance, and hyper-personalized experiences are key business drivers pushing the adoption of edge solutions across industries.

Challenge: Meeting business requirements poses challenges in terms of ensuring scalability, interoperability, and adaptability.

5. Technology Focus

Emerging technologies such as AI/ML are increasingly deployed at the edge for low-latency processing, which is particularly useful in manufacturing, defense, and other sectors that require real-time analytics and autonomous systems.

Challenge: AI and ML make it difficult for organizations to determine how to strike a balance between computing power and infrastructure costs, without sacrificing security.

What Features Do Edge Computing Platforms Need to Have?

To address these challenges, here’s a brief look at three core features that ECPs need to have according to Gartner’s Market Guide:

  1. Edge Software Infrastructure: Support for edge-native workloads and infrastructure, including containers and VMs. The platform must be secure by design.
  2. Edge Management and Orchestration: Centralized management for the full software stack, including orchestration for app onboarding, fleet deployments, data storage, and regular updates/rollbacks.
  3. Cloud Integration and Networking: Seamless connection between edge and cloud to ensure smooth data flow and scalability, with support for upstream and downstream networking.

A simple diagram showing the computing and networking capabilities that can be delivered via Edge Management and Orchestration.

Image: A simple diagram showing the computing and networking capabilities that can be delivered via Edge Management and Orchestration.

  1.  

How ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid Platform Addresses Edge Computing Challenges

ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid is a Secure Service Delivery Platform that meets these needs. Nodegrid covers all three feature categories outlined in Gartner’s report, allowing organizations to host and manage edge computing via one platform. Not only is Nodegrid the industry’s most secure management infrastructure, but it also features a vendor-neutral OS, hypervisor, and multi-core Intel CPU to support necessary containers, VMs, and workloads at the edge. Nodegrid follows isolated management best practices that enable end-to-end orchestration and safe updates/rollbacks of global device fleets. Nodegrid integrates with all major cloud providers, and also features a variety of uplink types, including 5G, Starlink, and fiber, to address use cases ranging from setting up out-of-band access, to architecting Passive Optical Networking.

Here’s how Nodegrid addresses the five edge computing challenges:

1. Edge Diversity: Adapting to Industry-Specific Needs

Nodegrid is built to handle diverse requirements, with a flexible architecture that supports containerized applications and virtual machines. This architecture enables organizations to tailor the platform to their edge computing needs, whether for handling automated workflows in a factory or data-driven customer experiences in retail.

2. Ongoing Digital Transformation: Supporting Continuous Growth

Nodegrid supports ongoing digital transformation by providing zero-touch orchestration and management, allowing for remote deployment and centralized control of edge devices. This enables teams to perform initial setup of all infrastructure and services required for their edge computing use cases. Nodegrid’s remote access and automation provide a secure platform for keeping infrastructure up-to-date and optimized without the need for on-site staff. This helps organizations move much of their focus away from operations (“keeping the lights on”), and instead gives them the agility to scale their edge infrastructure to meet their business goals.

3. Data Growth: Enabling Real-Time Data Processing

Nodegrid addresses the challenge of exponential data growth by providing local processing capabilities, enabling edge devices to analyze and act on data without relying on the cloud. This not only reduces latency but also enhances decision-making in time-sensitive environments. For instance, Nodegrid can handle the high volumes of data generated by sensors and machines in a manufacturing plant, providing instant feedback for closed-loop automation and improving operational efficiency.

4. Business-Led Requirements: Tailored Solutions for Industry Demands

Nodegrid’s hardware and software are designed to be adaptable, allowing businesses to scale across different industries and use cases. In manufacturing, Nodegrid supports automated workflows and predictive maintenance, ensuring equipment operates efficiently. In retail, it powers hyperpersonalization, enabling businesses to offer tailored customer experiences through edge-driven insights. The vendor-neutral Nodegrid OS integrates with existing and new infrastructure, and the Net SR is a modular appliance that allows for hot-swapping of serial, Ethernet, computing, storage, and other capabilities. Organizations using Nodegrid can adapt to evolving use cases without having to do any heavy lifting of their infrastructure.

5. Technology Focus: Supporting Advanced AI/ML Applications

Emerging technologies such as AI/ML require robust edge platforms that can handle complex workloads with low-latency processing. Nodegrid excels in environments where real-time analytics and autonomous systems are crucial, offering high-performance infrastructure designed to support these advanced use cases. Whether processing data for AI-driven decision-making in defense or enabling real-time analytics in industrial environments, Nodegrid provides the computing power and scalability needed for AI/ML models to operate efficiently at the edge.

Read Gartner’s Market Guide for Edge Computing Platforms

As businesses continue to deploy edge computing solutions to manage increasing data, reduce latency, and drive innovation, selecting the right platform becomes critical. The 2024 Gartner Market Guide for Edge Computing Platforms provides valuable insights into the trends and challenges of edge deployments, emphasizing the need for scalability, zero-touch management, and support for evolving workloads.

Click below to download the report.

Download Market Guide

Get a Demo of Nodegrid’s Secure Service Delivery

Our engineers are ready to walk you through the software infrastructure, edge management and orchestration, and cloud integration capabilities of Nodegrid. Use the form to set up a call and get a hands-on demo of this Secure Service Delivery Platform.

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