Extend the Life of Your PS/2 Data Center Equipment

Minicom’s PS/2 to USB Converter, a small, plug & play converter which enables the use of a USB keyboard and mouse with PS/2 devices, transforms PS/2 equipment from outdated hardware to valuable tools for today's data centers.

For many years PS/2 was the keyboard/mouse technology of choice for servers, KVM switches, and KVM extenders. Today, USB is the industry standard. Like any adoption of new technology, this shift is accompanied by some growing pains, and IT managers must grapple with how to incorporate USB technology within a budget. The PS/2 to USB Converter lets IT managers use their existing PS/2 KVM switches, servers, and KVM extenders with a USB keyboard and/or mouse, updating capabilities for IT equipment that would otherwise be obsolete.

Learn more about the PS/2 to USB Converter

New! USB capability for Smart 108/116

Minicom's KVM IP Solutions Showcased by Rackwise at Datacenter Dynamics Sydney, Australia

Rackwise, the internationally recognized leader in Data Center Management and Intelligence solutions, featured Minicom's KVM solutions at Datacenter Dynamics Sydney, Australia, on June 16th.

Rackwise demonstrated RACKWISE DCM's ability to seamlessly point, click, and remotely connect to servers and other device management consoles. As part of their demonstration, Rackwise used one of Minicom's multi-user IP KVM switches, which gives IT managers remote, out-of-band access to their servers from anywhere in the world using a web interface. All equipment used for the demonstrations was located in Rackwise's Product Demonstration Center, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Try Minicom’s KVM IP solution

First Data Center Alliance Event Coming Up!

If you are a CIO, Facilities manager, IT manager, IT decision-maker, or system administrator,this is one event you won't want to miss!

Theme: The Winds of Change: Creative Concepts for Increasing Data Center Efficiency
When: July 27, 2010
Where: Biltmore hotel, 2151 Laurelwood Road, Santa Clara, CA, www.hotelbiltmore.com

Sponsored by the Data Center Alliance

Scalable designs for rack enclosures let you optimize airflow, giving you the ability to control energy expenditure. Exciting developments in data center mobility let you decide where you want your data center to be, and to use innovative technology for lowering cooling costs. Power management can also be an excellent tool for driving down energy use. How you build your facility can directly impact dada center efficiency as well. Delivering uninterrupted uptime and premier IT service requires solutions in order to maximize resources.

Get real-life answers for real-life scenarios from industry leaders about how to make your data center work for you. Enjoy the opportunity to network with others facing the same data center challenges.

Keynote speaker: Mr. Bill Dunckel , PG&E Energy Efficiency. Topic: "Myths & Facts Driving DC Energy"

Guest speaker: Ms. Kathy Diehl, Energy Star. Topic: "Energy Star for Data Centers"

Presentations by Digi International, Elliptical Mobile Solutions, Minicom, PDI, and Wright Line

Register now!

The IT Security Behind the World Cup

“Mahindra Satyam, the soccer tournament's official IT services provider, is responsible for safeguarding 160,000 users, the distribution of 3 million tickets, and 40 terabytes of data.” (full story here)

While you are keeping your eye on the ball, Satyam has to make sure no one hacks into the World Cup ticketing system, and to check out the security status of game attendees. Complying with the laws of each of the 208 participating countries was too complex, so Switzerland was chosen the gold standard.

Interesting angle – Satyam is also responsible for secure access and authentication of the 160,00 event management system users. Wonder if he has any time to watch the games…

When Virtualization Does/n’t Make Sense for the Data Center

There is much heated debate about the virtues of virtualization.

The blog post “Data Center Feng Shui” by Lori MacVittie provides a balanced, middle-of-road approach which cautions against unilateral adoption or rejection of virtualization. In the author’s words:

“There are certainly data center components across all four data center infrastructure tiers – security, network, storage, and application delivery – that can be (and perhaps should be) virtualized. There are also data center components in those tiers that should not be virtualized. Then there are the components that could go either way, depending on the specific organizational and operational goals, needs, and budget. \

In fact, there are times when the same component may in fact be deployed in both form factors simultaneously.”

This approach may be the wisest when it comes to virtualization, although it requires a bit more foresight and planning at the outset. The idea of having a virtualization strategy which examines what makes sense for each component isn’t rocket science. However, with all the hype surrounding the cloud, there’s a value to clearly advocating for the approach of weighing the pros and cons of virtualization on a case-by-case basis.

Have you:
a. Virtualized wherever possible?
b. Shunned virtualization wholesale?
c. Dipped your toes in the water just to check it out?

Move Over LinkedIn – First iPhone App for the Data Center Industry!

Calling all Data Center professionals – check out what the iPhone application has to offer (full story here):

 Latest Network Activity
 News (via the our network blog posts)
 Classifieds/Jobs
 Events
 Forums
 Videos - via our YouTube Channel (DataCenterIndustry)
 PUE/DCiE Calculator - (as defined by the Green Grid)
 Member List

What do you think?

Data Center & Cow Manure: The Scoop on HP’s Innovation

Source for diagram here





















HP’s new “server farm” concept is all over the news. The idea, as outlined in an academic paper, is as follows: take cow dung and convert it to energy in order to power data centers.

From an article on Mobiledia (full story here):



“Patel [Chandrakant Patel, the director of at HP Labs] said that 10,000 cows, each producing 20 metric tons of manure a year, could generate enough electricity to run a one-megawatt facility -- a small to medium-size unit, for instance, used by a bank.”


Don’t think about it next time you are at the ATM…


Read about the UK data center already using the approach outlined by HP

Coverage from SustainLane

One-Click Solutions: the Answer for Remote Access

According to an article in IT Business Edge entitled “Five Ways to Rethink Remote Access,” it is time for companies to evaluate and update their remote access policies (full story here).

When discussing remote access for employees, the article lauds the value of one-click solutions and a simple user interface:

“A one-click solution will shorten the amount of time it takes to train an employee. Companies can cut down their IT training because the network security portion is easy. A trouble-free solution will also increase productivity among the office and make employees satisfied because they are eliminating an annoyance.
Not only is connecting to the network easier with a one-click solution, but also making the user interface is simple to understand is important. Employees need to understand their connection and real-time information and not waste time trying to grasp it. “
My sentiments exactly!

Minicom’s remote access solutions for data centers epitomize one-click, simple remote access management, designed for ease of use.

Find out more about accessing all your IT assets, all the time.

IT Giants Extending the Life of Data Center Legacy Equipment

Even data center giants such as Dell are holding back on purchasing new IT equipment and trying to make the most of what they have already bought.

According to an article on Triple Pundit:

“Last month, Dell made the somewhat shocking announcement that it may never build another data center. The company was referring to the fact that it’s doubled its workload using no extra power and building no new data centers, simply by squeezing more capacity out of its existing servers.”

Companies such as HP and Wells Fargo are adopting similar strategies in the hopes of saving energy and money.

Minicom embraced this philosophy years ago with the Real Needs™ approach. The basic philosophy of our Real Needs™ approach is to make sure that you have the most efficient hardware for your data center requirements without spending IT dollars for equipment that you don't need. Rather than advocate a "rip and replace" approach, the Real Needs™ approach preserves past investments by repurposing and updating existing equipment. We utilize the infrastructure, installation, and training that you already have, and add the elements that are missing.

Find out how Minicom can help extend the life of the IT equipment you already have.

Minicom’s Road Show in China Hosts Another Successful Seminar

Showcasing remote management and support for data centers, the third seminar in the road show was met with great enthusiasm. The seminar, which highlighted practical applications and case studies for remote management and support in data centers, was held at the Park Plaza Beijing Science Park in Beijing on March 16th. With over 70 participants that included system integrators, resellers, and end–users, participants were excited about the opportunities they saw for incorporating Minicom’s solutions into their data centers.

“There is strong demand for remote management and support in the Chinese market, and these solutions are perfectly positioned to answer that demand,” said Song Wei Ling, KVM Sales Manager at Airworld. “Minicom’s clear and compelling presentation showed how their solutions can be easily integrated into existing IT infrastructures.”

To learn more about Minicom in China, visit www.minicomchina.com.

Video: Data Center Monitoring Spoof – Sarah Palin & Larry King

The animated Palin actually gets it: the need to view the health of IT infrastructures in real time, the dynamic nature of the data center, and the value of an automated monitoring system.

What would Sarah Palin say about Minicom’s remote access solution, whose open platform approach accommodates changing needs of the data center?

Volcanic Ash & Data Centers: To be Determined

According to this ChannelWeb article, the volcanic eruption in Iceland that brought air travel to a screeching halt may have some unpleasant ramifications for data centers:

“Data centers are constructed to withstand environmental extremes and natural disasters, but volcanic ash is known for its ability to wreak havoc on desktops, servers, and basically any type of IT infrastructure that has moving parts.”

Lighting doesn’t strike twice, but volcanoes are known for repeated eruptions. Despite a push for Iceland as a prime location for data centers (competitively priced hydroelectric power and geothermal energy, electricity from emission-free, sustainable natural resources), concerns about volcanic ash may cause companies to reevaluate.

PRESS RELEASE: Minicom Lowers Operational Costs and Increases Operational Efficiency for Data Centers and Server Rooms

With enhanced version of remote access management solution offering expanded support for PDU and console server vendors, IT managers preserve existing equipment

We are introducing an enhanced version of our remote access management platform, AccessIT™, at Interop Las Vegas 2010, Booth #2729. With AccessIT, a Web-based management solution, IT personnel impose order on the chaos of mixed product environments with fast, secure, and simple remote access.

System crashes in the data center are potentially disastrous given today’s expectations of 24/7 uptime, and short resolution time is essential. AccessIT’s speed makes a significant difference when a server is down. IT managers shave critical seconds off downtime using single sign-on. Mission critical applications are restored quickly, with minimal disruption of workflow. With the inclusion of single sign-on and exclusive mode, users of AccessIT can now enjoy even more peace of mind when it comes to security. IT managers love that they can get the system up and running in hours rather than days or weeks, and that there is a short learning curve for new personnel.

A unique, open platform system, this cost-effective solution saves on IT expenditure by preserving past investments and preventing vendor lock-in. The latest version of AccessIT is an embodiment of Minicom’s Real Needs™ approach. The ability to repurpose power, KVM, and serial equipment rather than replacing it with all new products radically reduces the overall cost of introducing a remote access management system. Companies only buy what they need rather than having to purchase entire packages. By embracing IT products from a wide range of vendors, AccessIT enables organizations to leverage their existing IT equipment, knowledge, and training. Additionally, this open platform system opens up choices: businesses have the freedom of choosing IT infrastructure products and vendors based on value, performance and quality.

IT managers enjoy a “single pane of glass” view of their IT infrastructure and access methods (power, serial, KVM, and software), enabling quick, easy access and control. AccessIT now supports a wide range of vendors of PDUs, such as APC, Black Box, CyberSwitching, Geist, Dell, Eaton, HP, and Server Technology, and a large selection of vendors of console servers, such as Cyclades (Avocent), Digi International, Aten, Perle Systems Limited, and OpenGear.

Visit Minicom at Interop in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 27th through 29th, at Booth #2729.

*****

If you can't make it to Interop this time, you can still test drive AccessIT via our online demo.

Optimistic Outlook for US And Global IT Market

You many not want to shell out $1749 for the full report, but even the table of contents from Forrester’s take on IT trends is encouraging:

• The $741 Billion US Tech Industry Is Recovering
• The US IT Market Is Set For 8% Growth In 2010
• US Industries That Had The Biggest Declines Will Have The Biggest Gains In 2010
• PCs, Peripherals, And Storage Will Shine In 2010; Software Closely Follows
• Global IT Purchases In Dollars Will Grow By 7.7 % In 2010
  

This report cites numbers to document the upswing that people are talking about with cautious optimism.

Are you feeling the recovery? Is your data center getting what it needs to work the way it should?

The Case For Remote Access Options For Employees

Tech Republic talks about the advantages of about remote worker initiatives, saying:

“Very few initiatives help IT departments save money while they increase the reach and service of their infrastructure; but a well thought-out remote access strategy can do just that. It can help it give distributed users the access they need to the information and resources they require from wherever they are located, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And, if done right, a remote access strategy can reduce the complexity and ongoing security and management headaches that have typically resulted from extending the reach of the network to remote users.”

Amen to that! Minicom’s remote access solutions are living examples of how to reduce IT complexity and management headaches.

But don’t take our word for it – here’s what satisfied users of our solutions have to say:

“Because we are not limited by physical location and can work remotely, this system really helps us reduce our response time. Minicom’s solution maximized our existing KVM infrastructure and investment, adding remote functionality to what we already had.”
Director Li, head of the Technical Department of the Library in Beihang University.

“Minicom’s KVM IP solution is very appealing because I can manage my whole network from my desk. They offered the most cost effective solution with the best technology to simplify management of our network.”
Charlie Maillet, IT engineering and operations specialist for Ohio’s Area Agency on Aging District 7

Still not convinced? More reasons to implement the ability to work remotely (per the article):

“A well thought-out remote access strategy can become a differentiator for an organization, supporting high-level business objectives that deliver strategic value. It can support disaster recovery preparedness, reduce environmental impacts, and create a flexible work environment that gives the organization an improved ability to attract and retain top talent…It is not often you can develop an IT strategy that is able to play defense (save money) and offense (improve reach to boost productivity and business continuity) at the same time. In the face of these myriad benefits, it is worth it for organizations to make the transition to a more strategic and effective remote access strategy to ensure business can be done from anywhere at anytime to maintain or increase their competitive edge.”

See for yourself – try our demo to witness firsthand the benefits of remote access.

Minicom Spins Out its Digital Signage Division; Raises $6 Million from JVP and Aviv Ventures for the New Venture

Today we have some very big news. Here is the official Press Release:

Minicom Advanced Systems, a developer of remote access, KVM, and digital signage solutions, today announced that it would spinout its digital signage division (“MDS”). The new company simultaneously announced that it had raised $6 million to finance its operations independently. The investment, which was led by Jerusalem Venture Partners and joined by Aviv Ventures, will enable the company to broaden its platform from its new offices in Jerusalem’s JVP Media Quarter.

MDS is a leading vendor of media distribution solutions for the Digital Signage and Digital out of Home (DooH) marketplace. According to MDS’ CEO, Ronni Guggenheim, “This investment is the natural next step in MDS’ lifecycle. The support of our investors positions us to explore inorganic growth options and to drive the acceleration of our product roadmap towards the establishment of MDS as a full scale enabling platform in the digital signage market.”

MDS’ technology is currently deployed on over 400,000 screens worldwide, and facilitates the distribution of content to consumers in retail, education, finance, transportation, and hospitality environments. In addition to the company’s headquarters in Israel, MDS has offices in the UK, Switzerland, and the US in order to meet the localized needs of its customers.
Gadi Tirosh, General Partner at JVP, explains that “MDS, with its seasoned leadership, global footprint, and strong operating history from within Minicom, is poised to build a broader platform in this growing but still fragmented market.” JVP typically invests in businesses that apply technology acumen towards the development of new media models, and with its investment in MDS, now enters another segment of traditional media that is on the verge of digitization.

About Minicom Advanced Systems
Minicom Advanced Systems provides KVM remote access, extension and management solutions designed to expedite and simplify IT services. Tailored for IT managers who need secure, centralized, and seamless access to their mixed IT environments, these solutions enable local, remote, in-band and out-of-band access and management. Minicom's unique approach maximizes past investments in IT infrastructure, installation, and training while adding innovative technology, resulting in reduced costs and increased productivity.
Founded in 1988, Minicom is a member of Intel Capital's portfolio of companies. In 2009, Minicom established Minicom Digital Signage. With headquarters in Israel and regional offices in North America, Europe and China, Minicom operates in over 70 countries.

About Minicom Digital Signage
Minicom Digital Signage is the world leader in the manufacture of advanced multimedia platforms. The company’s award winning solutions enable the transmission of rich content from media players to multiple digital displays located hundreds of meters/feet away. They also keep network costs down by reducing equipment and licensing requirements, and better preserving its customers’ systems. Today, over 400,000 screens worldwide are run on Minicom Digital Signage technology. Minicom Digital Signage began as a subsidiary of Minicom Advanced Systems, which has over two decades of experience in providing innovative technology solutions in the manufacture of media distribution and digital out of home multimedia platforms.

About JVP
JVP is one of the leading venture capital funds in Israel. The fund operates from Jerusalem and manages over $780 million. JVP focuses on building market leaders in the fields of digital media technology, including gaming and virtual worlds, mobile media, software and hardware applications and Internet advertising. With leading industry venture partners and consultants in New York, Los Angeles and Europe and an international network of strategic partners, JVP leverages its unique market expertise, its dedicated management team and substantial capital base to build companies with the potential of shaping the global markets.

About Aviv Ventures
Aviv Ventures invests in Israel related technology companies, with a focus on companies providing "high-tech solutions to low-tech industries". The fund seeks to invest in revenue stage companies as they transform themselves from R&D centric organizations into globally oriented companies with customer facing operations. Aviv helps its portfolio companies to bridge geographical and professional gaps as they grow and develop from Israel to world markets.

Media Contact:

Elizabeta Petakovic
elizabeta.petakovic@minicom.ch
+41 44 8238009
http://www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/

Stan Robinson
Stan.robinson@minicom.com
414 N. Wood Ave
Linden, NJ 07036
+1 908 4862100
http://www.minicom.com/

Minicom’s Innovative, Secure KVM Switch is a Hit with Network Computing

After thorough testing in a computing lab, Network Computing (European Edition) chose the Smart 232 IP as an “Editor’s Pick,” highlighting the fact that it is easy to install, easy to configure and easy to control (full story here).

Awards and more awards…between this and AccessIT™’s Product Innovation Award, we are running out of room on our trophy shelf. Watch this space to see what honors are bestowed on Minicom next!

Minicom’s Answer to the Ten Things You Won't Find in Your Datacentre in 2010

This article on ZDNet UK gives a concise and cogent forecast of what data centers will look like over the next year.

On the disadvantages of unified architectures (something you won’t see):

“The downside is you reduce your discounting power, and your technology choices are similarly limited by those the vendor will sell you. It is called lock-in.”

Minicom’s Real Needs™ approach in perfect harmony with the school of thought that challenges the benefits of unified architectures, recognizing that it is too limiting. The basic philosophy of our Real Needs approach is to make sure that you have the most efficient hardware for your data center requirements without spending IT dollars for equipment that you don't need, regardless of vendor. That’s why we offer KVM IP capability, remote power control, and remote access management for products from a wide range of companies. We want to give you solutions that make sense technically and economically, rather than forcing you to stay wedded to one vendor.

Another thing you won’t see: single pane of glass

“When it comes to management, vendors promise a single pane of glass — being able to view the whole network and infrastructure from one console. But what they offer usually extends only to their own systems or possible other systems like theirs.”

A ha! Minicom is not scared of enabling access to other systems, and in fact, recognizes and responds to this real life scenario with real life answers. Our remote access management solutions, KVM.net® II and AccessITTM, provide a single pane of glass for all industry-leading, in-band and out-of-band remote access services.

Unique, open platform systems, these cost-effective solutions save on IT expenditure by preserving past investments and preventing vendor lock-in. By embracing products from a wide range of companies and vendors, KVM.net II and AccessIT let organizations leverage their existing product knowledge and training, while reducing the cost of adopting an access management platform.

Prove ZDNet wrong – check out our demo to see how you can have a single pane of glass in 2010!

AFCOM Data Center World 2010 Pictures From the Show

We are at Afcom Data Center World 2010 this week showing our centralized access management solutions KVM.net II and AccessIT. Minicom's Dave White, David Zucker & Rami Sasson are sharing a booth with one of our partners SharkRack. Here are some pictures from the show:

PDI Joins Data Center Alliance

Minicom Advanced Systems announced that PDI, a manufacturer of electrical equipment for computer data centers, industrial and commercial buildings, and alternative energy applications, has joined the Data Center Alliance (DCA). The Data Center Alliance, formed with Minicom, Wright Line, ServerTechnology, Uptime Devices, and Digi International fills the information gap in the marketplace by providing a centralized, comprehensive source for building successful IT infrastructures.

“In addition to the opportunities that this partnership offers for significant market expansion, we are looking forward to contributing towards the collaborative efforts by the DCA members to help IT managers with better data center planning and operation, ” said Dave Mulholland, VP Marketing, Service at PDI. “Joining the DCA is a great way for us to work with the people who keep data centers running efficiently, and to offer PDI’s unique, effective solutions to a wider audience.”

To learn more about the Data Center Alliance, visit www.minicom.com/dca-partners.htm.

About PDI

PDI is a closely held specialized manufacturer of electrical equipment for computer data centers, industrial and commercial buildings, and alternative energy applications. PDI is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and also has manufacturing facilities in Howell, Michigan and Costa Mesa, CA. PDI is owned by Bertram Capital out of San Mateo, CA.