Avocent Corporation today announced the release of a new embedded product and specification for remote server management: the Avocent Integrated Remote Access Module (iRAM), and a common connector specification for server manufacturers. The iRAM is an innovative mezzanine card that enables graphical server control from virtually anywhere. To further ease deployment, Avocent will release a common connector specification for enhanced remote management. This common connector specification will be released to qualified white box and server manufacturers who are interested in enabling end-to-end solution deployments of embedded remote server management.
iRAM
The iRAM solution brings keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) access “inside the box” with remote virtual media capability and leverages our revolutionary Dambrackas Video Compression™ (DVC) algorithm. Administrators can use KVM over IP technology to securely access remote servers and serial-based devices from any network location. Features include high performance video redirection, full virtual media capabilities for CD, DVD, and USB storage, complete platform OS independence, and a small form factor for rack-mount, pedestal or blade implementations. Time to market for the OEM is decreased through a set of robust SDK and HDK tools. Avocent simplifies integration for solutions that leverage an existing BMC (baseboard management controller) on the motherboard with its IPMI firmware stacks.
Common Connector Specification
The connector specification further leverages Avocent’s proven remote management technologies and supports the company’s industry-leading IPMI, virtual media, and embedded KVM solutions. Avocent will provide this specification to qualified partners under NDA.
”Management represents one of the last truly differentiating product features for many hardware vendors,” said Steve Daly, vice president of Embedded Solutions. “iRAM will provide our customers with quicker time to market and greater flexibility when designing their remote management solutions. Aggregating IPMI, virtual media and remote KVM capabilities within a single solution reduces development costs and allows for unique, competitive features.”
“Our customers are requesting a well integrated console to access IPMI, KVM, and virtual media capabilities. An industry-wide common connector is a solid step towards achieving this,” added Mark Lee, CEO of OSA Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Avocent Corporation.
“Supermicro, the fastest growing server company in the world, has always been a technology leader in engineering high quality, leading-edge server solutions for the global server market,” said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. “The deployment of this remote server management solution with a common connector enables our customers to introduce flexible remote system management features to the market in an early timeframe.”
“To enable our customers to get to market faster with a highly competitive product, Renesas Technology will extend its IPMI offering along with Avocent for intelligent remote server management,” said Sami Nassar, senior director and general manager, advanced solutions group for Renesas Technology America, Inc.
“Management features and standards like IPMI have continued to grow in importance with regards to the server market,” said Jeffrey Hewitt, principal analyst at Gartner Research. “These areas can offer strategic advantages to vendors who can demonstrate leadership in them.”
