Podcast: "Cost Effective Solutions for Remote Server KVM Access"

LISTEN NOW

Time: 3:15 minutes

Speaker: David Zucker, Director of KVM Business Development, Minicom

Talking points:

• Why we suggest not throwing out perfectly good KVM switches and serial devices just because you need to upgrade to an IP environment.
  
• How you save time, money, and training headaches by concentrating on your Real Needs.
  
• What our competitors do not want you to know about extending the lives of your products.

LISTEN NOW

For more free podcasts, visit the Minicom Media Club

Minicom Offers Leasing Program for Today’s Tight Budgets

For Immediate Release: (Applies to North American HQ only)

“We want to introduce you to our new Minicom / Direct Capital Corp Leasing partnership, says Saul Mishaan, President of Minicom in North America, which provides our customers a means to finance Minicom’s equipment. We all realize that budgets are tight and a lot of potential customers either can't get financing or choose not to spend their cash reserve on a capital investment at this time. Leasing can be a very valuable tool to help close more sales.”

“Some of the advantages of leasing are that it saves cash reserves and is profitable the first day the equipment is used as well as allows the customer to get the size of equipment they need, not just what they can afford, said James P. Broom , CEO of Direct Capital (DCC). The tax advantages could be considerable and we can offer 24 hour turnaround on applications. We are very pleased to offer this program to Minicom and you and hope to help in closing more sales.”

About Direct Capital (DCC)

Direct Capital (DCC), headquartered in Portsmouth, NH, is a national finance company founded in 1993 to provide equipment and technology financing to companies of all sizes.

For more information contact:
Direct Capital– NH Headquarters155 Commerce WayPortsmouth, NH 03801
Client Services Team: 800-253-0157Phone: 866-777-0117Fax: 800-875-0312
http://www.directcapital.com/

Minicom Advanced Systems
North America HQ
414 N. Wood Ave
Linden, NJ
Tel: 888-486-2154
info.usa@minicom.com
www.minicom.com

NEW PRODUCTS: Multi-user KVM Switches - Smart 216 / Smart 232

Minicom announces the launch of two new multi-user KVM switches for IT managers of server rooms and data centers – the Smart 216 and the Smart 232. The new products allow two users to control up to 16 or 32 mixed-platform (PS/2 & USB) servers. They also provide seamless power control via Minicom's Serial Remote Power Switch (RPS).

Easy installation via user friendly OSD and compatibility is increased thanks to USB keyboard and mouse console.

Physically, the Smart 216 and Smart 232 are both thin 1U sized, rack-mountable devices that save critical space in crowded computer room environments. They both feature Minicom KVM over CAT5 technology that directly connects the switch to each computer in the server room, eliminating cable clutter and extending the distance between server and switch up to 30m/100ft.

“Thanks to their advanced functionality the Smart 216 and Smart 232 overcome many of the challenges facing today’s crowded server rooms and data centers,” says Minicom’s KVM Product Manager Benny Hayumi. “They are the ideal solution for corporate server rooms requiring both a powerful and versatile KVM solution.”

The Smart 216 and Smart 232 strengthen Minicom’s position in the KVM market by going to the next level of control. From a single remote user product line (Smart 108, Smart116) Minicom now offers a dual user line. In addition Minicom offers a full line of remote access switches for both single and multiple users (Smart 116 IP, Smart 216 IP and Smart 232 IP)

To learn more, download and read our latest white paper “How to Achieve Cost-Efficient Data Center Growth” through centralized management that leverages your existing KVM infrastructure.

Minicom’s entire line of KVM Products is available in an online catalog. Also, view case studies from different industries featuring Minicom KVM products.

CRN Review: Pick A Minicom PX For Remote KVM

Recently, the Minicom PX - a single port, palm-sized device that gives you remote KVM access, directly to your computer or server was reviewed by CRN.

The review from CRN website:

A KVM switch is a must when connecting many servers in the data center. But what of smaller environments that don't need a 16-port switch?

Test Center looked at the Smart 116 IP KVM switch from Minicom Advanced systems in a separate review. For a shop with only one server that need remote BIOS-level control, the price tag can be a little high. Minicom offers the PX " a KVM device similar to the SecureLinx Spider from Lantronix for this scenario. The PX costs $545.

The PX is larger than the Spider. It's slightly bigger than the "palm-sized" that Minicom claims, measuring 3.25 inches by 4 inches by 1.25 inches and weighing slightly less than a pound (15.5 ounces). The metallic box has a RJ45 port on one side and a 26-pin connector port on the other side. The KVM cable (26 inches long) plugs into the connector port and has two wires with VGA and USB connectors on the other end. A regular CAT5 cable connects the PX's RJ45 port to a PoE switch on the network. If the network doesn't have a PoE switch, there's a 4-pin port next to the RJ45 port for the optional power adapter (included). Minicom also supplies several types of plug-ends that can be swapped onto the power cable, depending on the outlet.

Setup is very simple " even more so than for the Smart 116 IP. After connecting the PX to the target server (or desktop, in this test) and network, the PX automatically grabs an IP address from the DHCP server. The PX also comes with a default
IP address in case the network doesn't have a DHCP server, and a static IP can also be assigned using the Web-browser-based configuration tool. Brackets are provided in case the PX needs to be mounted on a rack. The PX can connect to any Linux, Mac, Sun Solaris, Novell (NSDQ:NOVL), or Windows (98 and later) machine. To access the server, the PX requires Internet Explorer 6 or higher running on Windows 2000 or
later. The host computer's resolution should not exceed 1600x1200 at 85 Hertz.

Administrators can install a SSL certificate to secure the PX using the configuration tool. To access the target server, the Web browser uses HTTPS to point to the server IP address. The remote session in the browser is fairly responsive. The Active X-based viewer is easier to use and navigate with than a Java applet would have been. The toolbar also has options to adjust bandwidth, compression, and color options. Keyboard shortcuts and sequences can be programmed to send to the target server.

The convenience of BIOS-level control means administrators can pop a CD on the local machine and copy files directly to the target server. This simplifies management, configuration, and regular maintenance, especially for solution providers offering customers remote support services. The PX provides a way for small businesses to have a way to access the server in case of emergency without making that extra trip.

Minicom Article: KVM IP Management for Today’s IT Budget

Add-On Technology that Maximizes Your IT Installed Base

By Kenneth Dukofsky, Marketing Communications Manager of Minicom Advanced Systems

The numerous benefits of remote KVM IP access and management have made them the new must have technologies for IT managers. With KVM IP, companies can perform remote maintenance, increase response times, reduce downtime, slash travel costs and increase security. Unfortunately many remote access and management solutions are too costly for SMB’s. Much of their high costs derive from the contemporary “Rip and Replace” approach.

With over 60% of KVM switches in server rooms analog-based, IT administrators have a heavy investment in their current KVM systems. But when it comes to adding KVM IP access, most KVM manufacturers advocate replacing everything. In order to add KVM IP access to your server environment these companies make you completely remove your perfectly functioning analog KVM switches and replace them with their KVM switches with built-in IP technology. This makes their solutions very costly as you are paying for the KVM switch component twice, once for the analog KVM switch that you are throwing away and once for the new one.

An alternative approach allows companies to upgrade their existing analog switches; transforming them into IP enabled KVM switches. This is achieved by simply adding a technology layer on top of the legacy KVM systems, safeguarding the company investment. This cost effective solution, where you buy only what you need, costs less than half the price of competing systems. This approach saves time and money without sacrificing functionality providing a cost effective solution to KVM IP access. Minicom Advanced Systems calls this the Real Needs ™ approach.

The Real Needs approach is an affordable way to add KVM IP access that makes more sense for the end user. All companies really need to remotely control IT devices is a KVM IP gateway and a management system that is third party KVM switch compatible. There is simply no need to replace analog KVM switches. With the Real Needs approach companies upgrade to IP access and management for half the price of conventional methods saving tens of thousands of dollars in the process.

The Real Needs approach also slashes installation costs. IT managers have spent months building the perfect server racks and years laying wires all over their building. The thought of ripping up thousands of meters/feet of wire and laying brand new ones is a nightmare. Instead of destroying everything they have built up over the years and starting all over from zero, they can keep everything in place. With the Real Needs approach they simply add an additional technology layer on top of the existing systems. Not only do IT managers save themselves many hours of work, they also eliminate critical downtime for their company in the process.

Click here to read more about add-on technology that maximizes your IT installed base in Minicom’s new white paper
“KVM IP Management for Today’s IT Budget”.


Please visit our website for free informative resources such as white papers, case studies, podcasts and webinars on the subjects of KVM and Digital Signage.

The writer, Kenneth Dukofsky, is the Marketing Communications Manager of Minicom Advanced Systems. Minicom manufactures KVM server and computer management solutions that facilitate the control of the enterprise and corporate IT environments. Additionally, Minicom is an innovative manufacturer of distribution and extension solutions that provide the Digital Signage Last Mile™ player-to-screens stage of connectivity for Digital Signage systems. Minicom is an Intel Capital portfolio company and was named a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 company. Founded in 1988 Minicom has an international presence in over 70 countries, with headquarters in Israel and regional offices in North America and Europe.

Free Webinar: Cost Effective Solutions For Remote Data Center Access

Minicom Along with TAB invite you for a free webinar:
Cost Effective Solutions For Remote Data Center Access

Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT
Speaker: David Zucker, Director, Business Development, Minicom Advanced Systems

In today's unstable economy, many companies are slashing their IT budgets leaving little or no money for Data Center technology upgrades. We know your organization needs Remote Access to increase efficiency and reduce those late night trips to the office.

Join Minicom Advanced Systems to learn how you can give your Data Center's KVM infrastructure a facelift and transform it into a remotely accessible IP system without replacing your legacy KVM switches.

Best of all, you can accomplish this upgrade at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing your Real Needs. Not only will you be paying less by just adding on, it is the greener way to do it. Come and learn how.

In this webinar, we will be focusing on

• Why we suggest not throwing out perfectly good KVM switches and serial devices just because you need to upgrade to an IP environment

• How you can save time, money, and training headaches by concentrating on your Real Needs

• What our competitors do not want you to know: how to extend the life of your products.

REGISTER NOW - Space is limited, reserve your spot