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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Schedule a demo to see the Nodegrid terminal server alternative in action.