Comparing the Best Console Servers for Data Centers in 2022

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Console servers are critical for data center infrastructure management and remote out of band (OOB) connectivity. At a minimum, your console server should give you remote access to and control over your data center devices. However, your enterprise needs more than just the minimum—you need a console server that delivers fast, reliable network access, robust security functionality, and support for NetDevOps infrastructure and network automation. This guide compares the best console servers for data centers in 2022, so you can choose the right solution for your environment.

Please note that over the years these terms have been used to refer to what we are now calling Console Servers:

Key Takeaways

Download and use this Access Code: “S22”

Avocent ACS8000

The Avocent ACS8000, an advanced console server from Vertiv, comes in 8, 16, 32, and 48 serial ports RJ45 models with USB. For the ACS8000 series, Avocent added new features such as 4G LTE connectivity for WAN, OOB, and failover, as well as few environmental sensors to provide visibility into data center operating conditions.

The ACS8000’s internal hardware leaves little headroom to grow and is optimized for cost, with a dual-core ARM 766MHz CPU, and a max of 1GB RAM and 16GB flash storage. Its minimum port speeds are faster than average at 1200 bps. Security-wise, ACS8000 serial consoles lack an embedded firewall, advanced authentication features, and VPN functionality, though they do support FIPS 410-2 cryptography.

Avocent console servers come with an updated Linux OS and the proprietary DSViewTM software to help you manage and monitor your OOB solution. This includes console event logging and notifications, such as “dying gasp” alarms when systems unexpectedly lose power. However, though the ACS8000 supports ZTP for automation, but due to its ARM CPU architecture it doesn’t integrate with Docker or VM’s for to run third-party orchestration solutions.

Avocent ACS8000 Cons:

• CPU, RAM, and flash storage are under par
• Lacks embedded firewall and advanced security features
• No support for Docker or third-party orchestration

Avocent ACS8000 Technical Breakdown:

Perle IOLAN SCG LWM 

The Perle IOLAN SCG LWM console server is a robust solution that improves upon older models with on-board 2.4 and 5 GHz WiFi, integrated RJ11 V.92 modem failover, and built-in 4G LTE failover. The SCG LWM model has a modular design that supports any “mix-and-match” combination of 16 serial RJ45 or USB 3.0 interface cards up to 48 total ports.

Perle IOLAN console servers come with embedded firewall and security features such as two-factor authentication (2FA), remote RADIUS, TACACS+, and LDAP authentication, and both IPSec VPN and OpenVPN. However, the SCG LWM’s internal CPU, RAM, and flash storage are the least impressive on our list.

In addition, the Perle IOLAN SCG LWM supports zero touch provisioning, but does not integrate with third-party automation or orchestration solutions. On the plus side, it does come with device auto-discovery via LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol), as well as a lifetime limited warranty.

Perle IOLAN SCG LWM Cons:

• Very limited CPU, RAM, and flash storage
• No third-party integrations with Docker, orchestration, etc.

Perle IOLAN SCG LWM Technical Breakdown:

ZPE Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP) 

The Nodegrid Serial Console (NSC) family of console servers helps consolidate and streamline your data center management by providing up to 96 serial RJ45 ports in a 1U form factor device.  ZPE holds the patent for 96 port serial consoles in patent  (Patent No. 9,905,980). The Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP) comes with built-in 4G/5G LTE and WiFi for failover and OOB access, as well as device auto-discovery via network scan and custom probes.

The NSCP really shines when it comes to security and automation and hosting apps and VMs.  It is built with CPU and memory headroom and boasts on-board hardware security features like BIOS protection, TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, and geofencing. Plus, the embedded firewall offers advanced features like selectable cryptographic protocols and cypher suite levels, multi-site IPSec VPN, AD/LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, and Kerberos authentication, as well as 2FA and SAML 2.0.

Another major benefit of the NSCP is that it runs on the open, Linux-based Nodegrid OS with full support for NetDevOps automation solutions like Docker, Chef, Puppet, and Ansible. Because ZPE hardware uses Intel X86 CPU’s it can natively run VM and Docker applications that run on Linux OS. In addition, you can monitor and administer your Nodegrid appliances with ZPE Cloud, a vendor-neutral, web-based infrastructure management solution. ZPE Cloud consolidates all your data center and cloud appliances behind one pane of glass for efficient management, automation, and orchestration. 

Nodegrid Serial Console Plus Cons:

• USB ports limited on 96 port version

ZPE Nodegrid Serial Console Plus Technical Breakdown:

Overall, each of these console servers will deliver remote out of band management, automatic zero touch provisioning, and some security features. However, only the OpenGear CM7100 and Nodegrid Serial Console Plus offer true network infrastructure automation and orchestration capabilities via open OS architectures that allow for third-party integrations. And only Nodegrid secures NetDevOps automation with robust on-board hardware security protection and a full suite of firewall, encryption, and authentication features including 2FA and SAML.