Perle Console Server Replacement Options

Perle offers two console server solutions for out-of-band (OOB) management of data center infrastructure: the IOLAN SCG and the IOLAN SCR. The SCG is available in both fixed and modular form factors, while the SCR comes in four models with different combinations of 56 managed ports, allowing companies to choose the OOB management hardware that best suits their environment. Unfortunately, IOLAN solutions suffer from hardware and software limitations that can curb scalability and limit agility. This guide discusses Perle console server replacement options that enable streamlined growth through automation capabilities and vendor freedom.

Key takeaways

• Perle IOLAN SCG appliances offer out-of-band console server management for up to 48 devices in a fixed or modular form factor. Perle IOLAN SCR console servers come with four different managed port configurations for added flexibility.
• Perle console servers offer some automation capabilities, like auto-discovery and zero-touch provisioning, as well as comprehensive firewall functionality. However, their underpowered hardware and closed management software prevent Guest OS hosting or third-party infrastructure automation and orchestration.
• The Nodegrid platform from ZPE Systems overcomes these limitations with robust CPU, RAM, and storage, as well as vendor-neutral software. It enables data center scalability by providing high-density serial port configurations and supporting 3rd-party automation.
• Nodegrid can also run networking, security, edge computing, AIOps, and more, consolidating the data center tech stack and improving operational efficiency.

Perle IOLAN console server overview

Perle IOLAN SCG console servers provide out-of-band management for up to 48 infrastructure devices. Fixed-form-factor models use copper Ethernet for networking and OOB, while the modular version has options for Wi-Fi, cellular, and dial-up. The modular series also has three expansion bays that support any combination of 16-port RS-232 or USB serial modules.

Perle IOLAN SCR console servers come in four different models with up to 56 managed serial, USB, and Ethernet ports, as well as optional cellular integration.

Click here to compare Perle console server tech specs.

Perle console servers have automatic LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) discovery and can extend zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) to end-devices. They come with an embedded firewall, OpenVPN and IPSec VPN, and AES encryption. The PerleVIEW cloud-based management software provides centralized monitoring and control of all connected data center infrastructure.

Why consider Perle console server alternatives

IOLAN console servers have an underpowered 500 MHz core 32-bit ARM processor, 4GB of flash storage, and 1GB RAM. This hardware may be sufficient for basic infrastructure management workflows and ZTP, but it prevents Guest OS hosting and more advanced automation. The Perle platform also doesn’t integrate with any third-party automation or orchestration solutions.

An inability to fully automate infrastructure management workflows – or to orchestrate those tasks that can be automated – ultimately limits operational efficiency and data center scalability. Consequently, IT teams can’t effectively support the needs of the growing business, adapt to strategy changes, or focus on revenue-driving innovations like artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).

What’s needed is an open platform that can manage any device, automate any workflow, and work with third-party software to provide a fully integrated infrastructure orchestration experience.

Perle console server replacement options from ZPE Systems

Nodegrid is a family of vendor-neutral console server solutions from ZPE Systems. It comes in four models:

1. The Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP) is a robust platform offering up to 96 managed serial ports in a 1U rack-mounted form factor for hyperscale data centers and cloud service providers.
2. The Nodegrid Serial Console S Series provides up to 48 auto-sensing ports to unify management of legacy, modern, and multi-vendor data center environments.
3. The Nodegrid Net Services Router (NSR) is a modular solution that can be customized with a range of serial, networking, storage, and compute cards to adapt to any use case.
4. The Nodegrid Serial Console Plus Core Edition (NSCP-CE) is ideal for break-fix deployments while providing more robust security capabilities than comparable solutions.

Nodegrid devices come with Intel x86-32 bit processors, robust (and upgradable) internal storage and RAM options, and a Linux-based Nodegrid OS. The NSCP, S Series, and NSR support Guest OS and Docker containers for third-party applications. That means they can directly host infrastructure automation and orchestration (like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef), security (like Palo Alto’s next-generation firewalls), and much more. Plus, it can extend this automation to legacy and mixed-vendor devices that otherwise wouldn’t support it.

All Nodegrid models can use a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors to help remote teams maintain optimal conditions in the data center. Nodegrid hardware protects the control plane with advanced security features like BIOS protection, UEFI Secure Boot, self-encrypted disk (SED), Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, and a multi-site VPN using IPSec, WireGuard, and OpenSSL protocols. The Nodegrid OS and the ZPE Cloud management software are also Synopsys-validated as achieving industry-leading security.

Which Nodegrid serial console is right for you?

Future-proof your data center with Nodegrid

Perle console servers deliver unified, out-of-band management of remote data center infrastructure with some basic automation capabilities, but their closed architecture and underpowered hardware limit extensibility and scalability. Nodegrid improves upon outdated console server solutions with a vendor-neutral platform that supports unlimited innovation and growth with less management complexity.

To learn more about Perle console server replacement options, schedule a demo of the vendor-neutral Nodegrid platform.

Perle IOLAN console server tech specs