Serial console server

A Serial console server is a device that allows many RS-232 serial ports to be accessible remotely, technically it is a Terminal Server configured in reverse mode. Typically, the device has 8, 16, 32 or 64 serial ports, either DB-9, DB-25 or RJ-45-wired, connected to the serial ports of other equipment, such as servers, routers or switches. It is then possible to telnet- (or dail-) in to the serial console server and access any of the ports for out-of-band administration. Some more modern servers even include SSH support.

One of the renowned makers of serial console servers is the Cyclades Corporation, so much that such devices are sometimes called "Cyclades" or "Cyclades switches". Of course, many other companies build and sell such devices, and you can even build your own.

And alternative approch used in some cluster setups is to null-modem wire and Daisy-chain consoles to otherwise unused serial ports.

In either case, generally, the Conserver software package is used to manage concurent access and centrally log activity.

See Also

• System console
• Console server
• Terminal server

External links

• How to build your own console server using FreeBSD
• Remote Serial Console HOWTO
• Linux Serial Consoles for Servers and Clusters By Matthew Hoskins linuxjournal 2004-08-01
• Project Hydra: the USB Multiheaded Monster by Poul Petersen for linuxjournal 2004