CONTACT US
1-844-4ZPE-SYS
ZPE CLOUD

Providing Out-of-Band Connectivity to Mission-Critical IT Resources

Home » Archives for ZPE Systems » Page 17

Providing a Safe Development Environment to Protect IP and Prevent Accidents

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Case Studies

Providing a Safe Development Environment to Protect IP and Prevent Accidents

Background/Problem

Virtual Machines (VMs) and physical servers are located on the Telco’s production network. Their 1,000+ developers are located on a different network and need to access their VMs without having direct network access to the production network — thereby creating a secure development environment.

The Telco’s system administrators needed to maintain a tight list of firewall ports for each developer’s IP address to allow access only to authorized VMs. The Telco’s existing solution also required them to keep their VMware ESXi at version 5.0 or older due to vMotion incompatibilities.

The Solution – Nodegrid Manager

NodeGrid Manager gives users secure dynamic tunnel access to all authorized devices (and ports) across data centers and through firewalls.

All port forwarding happens inside of a FireTrail™ secure tunnel between each user’s workstation and NodeGrid Manager. At no time do users need to know the credentials to any firewalls. Users only see the machines and ports they are entitled to see with a complete isolation of networks. Users can access Mouse-Keyboard-Screen (MKS) of their VMs while having configurable power control within the same window.

Key FireTrail Tunnel Features

Secured tunnel via SSH TCP port forwarding
Keeps your Firewall whole. There’s no need to punch holes in your Firewall to give per-user access to various devices and ports.
Controlled user visibility of Authorized Devices behind Firewalls based on AD/LDAP enterprise authorization.
Dynamic user/device association. Users receive controlled access per managed device and per TCP port.

Next Step: Schedule a Demo and See What NodeGrid Can Do For You

We are perfectly positioned to meet anything manufacturers can throw at us. We pioneered IT infrastructure access and control back in the day and we’re pioneering IT infrastructure access and control for today and the future. Check us out. You’ll be glad you did.

Schedule a Nodegrid Demo Today

Nodegrid Manager® – Multi-Vendor Viewer

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Case Studies, Vendor Neutral Platform

Background/Problem

A Global customer had to deal with various vendor solutions implemented throughout their infrastructure – The customer wanted a single point of management to provide access and control over their devices.

With an environment built up of various manufacturers offerings, vendor lock-in is inevitable. What works to manage one device doesn’t manage same device types of different vendors – i.e PDU’s from Company A and Company B.

Another common pain point in the data center is the use of older Java based KVM management solutions that cause version match issues based on browser, applet, etc…

The Solution – Nodegrid Manager

ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid Manager® allows management of various devices, regardless of manufacturer all under a single software platform – That’s why Nodegrid Manager is Software Defined Infrastructure.

Gone are the days of having to use vendor specific viewers/apps to manage singular devices. Every manufacture has a best-fit solution for your infrastructure – Why can’t it all work together? With Nodegrid Manager, you no longer have to ask that question – Nodegrid Manager was made to be THE management solution for In-Band and Out-of-Band physical and virtual Infrastructure.

Nodegrid
Nodegrid Manager® Infrastructure Management software provides secure, vendor-neutral, out-of-band access and control of physical and virtual IT infrastructures. Make use of our comprehensive solution to control and manage all data center devices from one unified interface.

Existing Environment

  • Java security settings were causing issues, not allowing the customer to run the KVM applet
  • Browser refuses to connect with unsecure certificate
  • Management solution bound to single vendor appliances
  • Authentication limited by single method, server or domain
  • Monolithic solution doesn’t allow segmentation by organization and location
  • Scalability compromised by all nodes storing all data

Nodegrid Manager

  • Nodegrid Manager uses HTML5 connections to communicate with target devices, eliminating the need for Java
  • Browser-in-a-container handles untrusted connections
  • Seamless integration with multi-vendors KVM, PDU, Console Servers
  • Multiple authentication methods with fallback capability
  • Distributed nodes interconnected through SSL
  • Each node stores only its own data
  • Data is indexed and shared among other nodes
NGMDiagram2

How Nodegrid Manager Works

  • Multiple Authentication methods with fallback options
  • Ability to discover and access KVM target devices from multiple vendors
  • KVM sessions via HTML5 (no Java required)
  • Support to Servertech, APC, Emerson, Legrand and others smart PDUs
  • Power merged to managed devices
  • Support to IPMI (Power and vKVM access)
  • DeviceURL direct access
  • Discovery of existing VMs and IPMIs out of the box
  • Device access, control, monitoring and logging via CLI and WEB
  • Device search and 360° device view
  • Data logging, event notification and alarms

Next Step: Schedule a Demo and See What Nodegrid Can Do For You

We are perfectly positioned to meet anything manufacturers can throw at us. We pioneered IT infrastructure access and control back in the day and we’re pioneering IT infrastructure access and control for today and the future. Check us out. You’ll be glad you did.

Schedule a Nodegrid Demo Today

Saving Serial Ports with Device Cascading

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Case Studies

Background/Problem

A top global networking company asked ZPE Systems for a high-density device with a very specific feature set. The customer needed a 96 port console solution that could do bulk port configuration, zero touch provisioning (ZTP), port hostname detection, 360 device search, port occupancy notifications, alerts, actionable data, and tacacs.

The Solution – ZPE’s NodeGrid Family of Products

A top cellular service provider needed a solution that would work with their environment. Before they contacted ZPE, they were using up many of their switch ports to account for devices. The customer wanted a new solution – A solution that would allow for multiple devices out of a single switch port (cascading) support for additional hotspots to alleviate blind spots and to simplify connectivity.

NSCCascade

Nodegrid Serial Console is the Next Generation of Serial Console

Nodegrid Serial Console is robust, extensible and programmable. Nodegrid Serial Console (NSC) helps data center managers improve productivity and reduce MTTR costs with the latest technologies. The world’s fastest serial console server also sports industry-exclusive system configuration security checksum™, bare metal booting and recovery capabilities, and Docker readiness. No competing product comes close.

IT staff can manage more devices with fewer cables, IP addresses and configuration time using our industry-exclusive 1U 96 port serial console server. The Nodegrid Serial Console server consolidates and manages attached devices via a Serial Port Connection including: servers, network routers and switches, storage, PDUs, UPSs, and any other device with a serial port.

Nodegrid Serial Console also creates a secure network separation to protect IPMI and IoT management ports and maps IPMI and IoT devices to authorized users. Nodegrid has the ability to handle native Java based KVM viewers, translating them to HTML5 sessions and addressing security and compatibility issues. Provide DHCP IP addresses on the secure management network to your IPMI and IoT devices out of Nodegrid Serial Console and save configuration time.

Next Step: Schedule a Demo and See What Nodegrid Can Do For You

We are perfectly positioned to meet anything manufacturers can throw at us. We pioneered IT infrastructure access and control back in the day and we’re pioneering IT infrastructure access and control for today and the future. Check us out. You’ll be glad you did.

Schedule a Nodegrid Demo Today

High Density NodeGrid Serial Console™ Saves Space and Reduces Costs

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Case Studies

Background/Problem

A top global networking company asked ZPE Systems for a high-density device with a very specific feature set. The customer needed a 96 port console solution that could do bulk port configuration, zero touch provisioning (ZTP), port hostname detection, 360 device search, port occupancy notifications, alerts, actionable data, and tacacs.

The Solution – Nodegrid Serial Console™

ZPE Systems’ NodeGrid Serial Console™ and NodeGrid [CI]™ come in 1U 96-port configurations to allow for maximum use efficiency. Save precious rack space by implementing a high-density appliance, cut device and power costs by powering less devices at a higher port density. Fit 192 ports in just a 4U space (with 48 port NodeGrid Serial Console) or in 2U’s with NodeGrid Serial Console’s 96 port configuration.

HighDensity

Nodegrid Serial Console is the Next Generation of Serial Console

Nodegrid Serial Console is robust, extensible and programmable. Nodegrid Serial Console (NSC) helps data center managers improve productivity and reduce MTTR costs with the latest technologies. The world’s fastest serial console server also sports industry-exclusive system configuration security checksum™, bare metal booting and recovery capabilities, and Docker readiness. No competing product comes close.

IT staff can manage more devices with fewer cables, IP addresses and configuration time using our industry-exclusive 1U 96 port serial console server. The Nodegrid Serial Console server consolidates and manages attached devices via a Serial Port Connection including: servers, network routers and switches, storage, PDUs, UPSs, and any other device with a serial port.

Nodegrid Serial Console also creates a secure network separation to protect IPMI and IoT management ports and maps IPMI and IoT devices to authorized users. Nodegrid has the ability to handle native Java based KVM viewers, translating them to HTML5 sessions and addressing security and compatibility issues. Provide DHCP IP addresses on the secure management network to your IPMI and IoT devices out of Nodegrid Serial Console and save configuration time.

NSCDiagram
  • Modern 64-bit Linux OS
  • World’s fastest serial console server: Dual-core x86-64bit Intel CPU with 4GB RAM and 32GB SSD memory (upgrades available)
  • World’s highest concurrent session in a serial console: 1,000+ sessions, 20 users per port at 115,200bps
  • World’s first all in one vendor-neutral PDU, support for IPMI and IoT management ports.
  • World’s first high-density 96 port 1U serial console server, also available in 16/32/48 port editions
    HTML5 remote console access – no
  • Java issues unlike outdated competitors
  • World’s first serial console server optimized for Docker and Open Compute Hardware Management
  • World’s first serial console server with bare metal booting and firmware recovery
  • Zero Touch Provisioning and failover to any cellular service provider of your choice (no vendor lock-in)
  • New, easy-to-use software development kit for software innovation

Next Step: Schedule a Demo and See What NodeGrid Can Do For You

We are perfectly positioned to meet anything manufacturers can throw at us. We pioneered IT infrastructure access and control back in the day and we’re pioneering IT infrastructure access and control for today and the future. Check us out. You’ll be glad you did.

Schedule a Nodegrid Demo Today

Connecting to Networking, Servers, and Power Devices within the Data Center

by | Sep 1, 2020 | Case Studies, Power Management

Background/Problem

A web scale company needed a solution for their environment that would securely access and control networking, servers, and power devices. They needed LLDP to detect network devices, configuration finger print check for security purposes, advanced command line interface (CLI), a performance heavy CPU, the latest security features and puppet/chef automation integration and SNMP support.

The Solution – Nodegrid Serial Console™

ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid Serial Console™ secures the access to all serial ports and allows a network separation implementation via its two network interfaces, protecting IPMI and IoT management ports. With Nodegrid Serial Console running Nodegrid software, the customer is able to manage all devices, regardless of vendor for unparalleled security, access, and control.

Only authorized users are able to access serial ports, and IPMI / IoT management ports in Nodegrid. Weak IPMI credentials and IPMI security vulnerabilities are no longer exposed to the network. Nodegrid functions as a gatekeeper of all the devices, elevating the security of the management network.

Nodegrid also understands multi-vendor Java based KVM viewers and knows how to render them in HTML5 format.

Nodegrid Serial Console is the Next Generation of Serial Console

Nodegrid Serial Console is robust, extensible and programmable. Nodegrid Serial Console (NSC) helps data center managers improve productivity and reduce MTTR costs with the latest technologies. The world’s fastest serial console server also sports industry-exclusive system configuration security checksum™, bare metal booting and recovery capabilities, and Docker readiness. No competing product comes close.

IT staff can manage more devices with fewer cables, IP addresses and configuration time using our industry-exclusive 1U 96 port serial console server. The Nodegrid Serial Console server consolidates and manages attached devices via a Serial Port Connection including: servers, network routers and switches, storage, PDUs, UPSs, and any other device with a serial port.

Nodegrid Serial Console also creates a secure network separation to protect IPMI and IoT management ports and maps IPMI and IoT devices to authorized users. Nodegrid has the ability to handle native Java based KVM viewers, translating them to HTML5 sessions and addressing security and compatibility issues. Provide DHCP IP addresses on the secure management network to your IPMI and IoT devices out of Nodegrid Serial Console and save configuration time.

NSCDiagram
  • Modern 64-bit Linux OS
  • World’s fastest serial console server: Dual-core x86-64bit Intel CPU with 4GB RAM and 32GB SSD memory (upgrades available)
  • World’s highest concurrent session in a serial console: 1,000+ sessions, 20 users per port at 115,200bps
  • World’s first all in one vendor-neutral PDU, support for IPMI and IoT management ports.
  • World’s first high-density 96 port 1U serial console server, also available in 16/32/48 port editions
    HTML5 remote console access – no
  • Java issues unlike outdated competitors
  • World’s first serial console server optimized for Docker and Open Compute Hardware Management
  • World’s first serial console server with bare metal booting and firmware recovery
  • Zero Touch Provisioning and failover to any cellular service provider of your choice (no vendor lock-in)
  • New, easy-to-use software development kit for software innovation

Next Step: Schedule a Demo and See What NodeGrid Can Do For You

We are perfectly positioned to meet anything manufacturers can throw at us. We pioneered IT infrastructure access and control back in the day and we’re pioneering IT infrastructure access and control for today and the future. Check us out. You’ll be glad you did.

Schedule a Nodegrid Demo Today