KVM Technology - Choosing the Right One

David Miller, P. Eng. gives a very good analysis of a eWeek.com article – KVM Technology - How to Choose the Right KVM Switch for Your Small Server Room Published

Summary
The author has emphasized an area that is not a serious issue in most installations and at the same time has missed an opportunity to educate the reader on one exposure that can lead to the very serious consequence of having to reboot servers. In addition, the author failed to bring up two very important aspects: mouse synchronization with IP enabled KVM switches as well as the ability of seeing all installed KVM switches as part of best practices within the context of IT infrastructure.

David’s brings up some considerable issues with the eWeek article. I agree with him that one important missing topic the article overlooks is mouse synchronization with IP enabled KVM switches. If you choose to read both articles, you will have a very good overview on how to choose the right KVM switch for a small server room.

Read David Miller’s full analysis of the article>>

Minicom Interview: Eli Sasson - CEO/President

In February 2009, Minicom split into two separate divisions – with the creation of the new Digital Signage Division. Ronni Guggenheim became the CEO of the new division, leading a team in our Zurich HQ.

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Eli Sasson, CEO and President of Minicom Advanced Systems and ask him some questions about what’s been going on at Minicom since this new change came into effect.

mini.sid: Why did you decide to split now, and what was the main goal for splitting the divisions?

Eli Sasson: The decision to split the divisions was a strategic step for Minicom with a goal to have two completely separate units with each of them having a dedicated focus on their areas and markets.
As for the timing, I have always felt that we should not be defensive or reactive during a market crisis (such as last year) but rather take it as an opportunity to make strategic changes and prepare for the next business cycle.


mini.sid: When did you first consider splitting DS & KVM IT divisions at Minicom?

Eli Sasson: We started activity in the digital signage business around 2001/ 2002 and at an early stage it was apparent that it would become very successful for us. We considered the split several times during the years but the conditions were not ready for it. As the digital signage business grew, we started facing dilemmas with focus and resource allocation in sales & marketing as well as R&D and Logistics. It was an ongoing strategic discussion until all things matured and timing was right.

mini.sid: When did you finally decide to make this strategic split?

Eli Sasson: We made the decision to split towards the end of 2008, when the markets were in crisis but before the big crisis of October 2008. We took into consideration that we are executing a strategic change in rough times. Once we made the decision, it took 2-3 months to plan and launch the change internally and another couple of months to present it to our partners and work with them before we finally made the announcement publically.


mini.sid: What do you feel Minicom and its partners gained from the split?

Eli Sasson: This is a customer facing move. We are now closer to our customers and end users. We have better focus. Our marketing messages sharpened and our marketing activities became more effective. Our product roadmaps changed and became more ambitious and aggressive with new products in both DS and IT markets.


mini.sid: How has Minicom partners responded to the changes?

Eli Sasson: We recently made a survey to our partners and the feedback has been very positive. Most agreed that there is better focus and service for each unit. Only very few had comments and improvement suggestions on any effects from the change which were taken care of immediately.

mini.sid: Internally, how have the Minicom departments managed?

Eli Sasson: Strategic planning was considered all the way down to marketing activities, product roadmap and development. For marketing it was unbelievable, almost like reformatting a computer. In a matter of weeks each of the teams were 100% dedicated to each side of their new mission. Some felt like they were missing an opportunity but only days after seeing the size of the challenge, and the scope of the mission, the actions and all attitudes changed with full enthusiasm. Also, since mid-year we hired new sales managers to fill spots. Structurally, it’s much better – we are ready to go for the most important part of our year – Quarter 4.

mini.sid: Why did you create new and separate Mission statements?

Eli Sasson: The Mission we had before remains true to our parent organization but the mission statements for each unit were changed. When we acted as one unit we gave a quite generic vision that was true for everything. The separate statements help to direct and orient our business better, internally and externally.


mini.sid: What was the biggest challenge?

Eli Sasson: The market conditions have been the biggest challenge. When markets grow, it’s easier to make changes. It’s expected that you pay the penalty for mistakes as a part of it. In today’s market conditions, any mistake is much more painful – change becomes that much more difficult.


mini.sid: How do you feel about the markets?

Eli Sasson: Cautiously optimistic. The business environment is getting better daily, but in small steps. In both units, we see consistent and slight improvements since April. It’s getting better every day. Incoming sales, special orders, projects and opportunities are in the pipeline. While sales and orders grow nicely – projects and opportunity in the pipeline grow faster. The last part of the year is expected to be very good.

On the other hand, like everyone else we are very concerned with external conditions that still can be changed dramatically – like October 2008 – everything is still very fragile. After the bubble crisis in 2001, Minicom grew at 45% CAGR for several years. I will take the risk and predict that we will return in 2010 to a fast growth both in our IT and DS activities.

mini.sid: What new things has the KVM & IT division been working on since the split?

Eli Sasson: We have been very proactive during the crisis; we sharpened the market message, introduced new access management products, multi-user KVM IP switches and added to the Smart family. The new products have been very well accepted in the market so far. It shows in sales overall – The Real Needs Approach which helps businesses to control costs while growing and upgrading is very compelling to IT managers and users. While our competition pushes the end user “to throw everything out” and replace their entire KVM installation, Minicom offers the Real needs™ approach of simply adding on another access or management layer to the existing system.
We’ve already won significant business through this approach.


mini.sid: Minicom has been very involved with social media lately – how has it made a difference?

Eli Sasson: Social media for us is still relatively new, however I enjoy connecting with our partners, customers and distributors. Being able to reach our end users and hear from them directly has been very rewarding. I recently began to use Twitter. Also, we now have a Minicom LinkedIn group with 125 members already and it’s growing on a daily basis. LinkedIn has brought many of our partners together and in ways that traditional media would not have given us the same opportunities. The initial response with social media has been beyond our expectations.

mini.sid: Thank you Eli for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions.

Eli Sasson: My pleasure

*****

You can follow Eli Sasson on Twitter @elisasson and join our LinkedIn Group.

Restrict Server Room Access to Increase Security

When staff is allowed in the data center, there is really nothing stopping them from plugging a crash cart into a Windows machine or worse, damaging or stealing equipment. By upgrading analog KVM switches with KVM IP gateways, additional security is provided by the ability to relate user names to their designated servers regardless of changes to their port configuration. Your IT staff’s access to servers and devices can be restricted, especially in branch offices where it might be harder to monitor all server room activity. If you don’t want your UNIX administrator to access Windows machines, you can make sure that does not happen.

Almost all KVM IP switches use SSL security; the same tools used by eBay and most ecommerce businesses. By using KVM IP gateways, you can manage and restrict server room access to secure your data center.

*****
Related Material:
White Paper: Remote Support using KVM IP Technology
Online Test Drive: KVM IP Access Demo of all products

Case Study: AGH, Poland’s second largest University DX System & IP Control

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

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

Mission to Mars

The Mars Probe Phoenix touched down on the Red Planet yesterday. I was wondering how NASA can control a device on another planet. I work for a company called Minicom that manufactures KVM over IP technology solutions.
We have the ability to access and control the KVM of a server remotely from anywhere in the world. It looks like companies will need to have KVM access and control even on other planets. I was wondering what NASA would do if the probes computer OS crashes? Our KVM can even access a down computer. Do they have a remote KVM way of going to the Bios of the probe to repair it? What if the Probe OS freezes? Can they cut the power to power it down and then add power to restart it? If they don’t they should talk to us about our PowerOnCable solution that can do that via RS-232.

Does NASA have a management system to control a few probes from one central IP address or does the IT department have to remember and re-enter all the passwords and usernames all the time? Minicom Advanced Systems just created a management system called KVM.net II that can access all servers, serial and network devices via a single IP address from anywhere in the solar system, including targets like video cameras and environmental monitoring devices. We even have IP gateways such as the PX IP Gateway that is ideal for non-blocking 1-to-1 remote access directly to mission critical devices, such as the probe. The PX includes virtual media, power control and absolute mouse synchronization. With our Customized Access Services NASA can create their own customized service using any application, URL, IP address or login method they want. I was thinking that with all of this technology we have become an advanced species to some far off planet. We have become the UFO’s.
Doesn’t that feel good?

Knowledge Is Power

In the KVM industry, white papers are seen as an important part of the process. White papers are one of the primary ways in which to educating people about your products, their features and benefits. We have amassed our own collection of white papers and Silicon.com has a nice collection as well. In a complicated industry such as this, education has more significance.

FAQs

If you are new to a complex industry such as the KVM one, FAQs are a valuable to help understand what it is all about. KVM Switches Online has a nice FAQ section. Set out nicely, it answers most of the basic questions such as What is a KVM Switch, What is KVM Over IP and What is a KVM Extender in a simple, easy to understand manner. Very helpful for those who are still trying to get their head around all that is KVM.

I've Got The Power

KVM Technology grants you power. The power of control, access and management. All of this is summed up in this article. As the article says: The KVM switch also offers greater hands-on ability to troubleshoot network issues from a distance. Remote Support provides solutions which otherwise be unimaginable.

French Connection

Never got to post about the recent IT Partners conference in Paris but it was a fantastic event and quite a success.
This exhibition is quickly becoming the place to be for all the vendors and distributors of the IT market and on our first time there we came away very impressed. Almost 5000 visitors attended which was an astounding 51% increase from last year. We had a 18m² booth dedicated to our KVM products and our partnership progam with resellers and distributors
Among all of our products on show, the PX is the one which attracted the most interest. What also created a buzz was that we were one of the few booths at the show to demonstrate products live.
Here are some photos:

Looking Forward

And so another year is about to come to an end. Who knows what 2008 will bring and what we will be reflecting on in 12 months time?
Have a happy new year and looking forward to seeing you on deck in following the life and times of KVM Technology.

The Minicom Blog

To those of you who are new to this blog I want to welcome you. Here is also an introduction of sorts for you. This blog will run along the same lines as Minicom's Digital Signage Blog. In addition to commentary and analysis on KVM Technology, it will include interviews with identities in the KVM world as well as a thorough run down of Minicom's product range.
Should you have any questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any nature, please don't hesitate to send them to blog@minicom.com

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Here we are on the last of the 10 Things You Never Knew Here about Minicom's KVM solutions.

1) And we've got plenty more on the way!

The Smart 116 IP and the Smart 108/116 are pioneers in a new family of analog and digital KVM switches designed to provide you with secure, high-performance out-of-band access to servers and computers while keeping you comfortably within budget.

Hopefully now you are very well-versed in Minicom's KVM Solutions and what they offer.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Here is the second last of the 10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM solutions.

2) We're happy to share our toys
With a proven track record of OEM success we are now making it easier for our business partners to use and integrate our KVM IP technology into their own solutions. The IP Development Kit gives you the ability to evaluate and build your own KVM IP switches or gateways, without the risks and costs of going it alone.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Here is Part VIII of 10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM solutions.

3) Our best-selling KVM switch gets even better
We've updated our best selling Smart CAT5 Switch 108/116, and added new ROC technology (Remote Interface Connection on Cable) that increases the distance between server and switch to 30m/100ft, giving you more server room flexibility and making life easier for your data center manager.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Here is Part VII of 10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM solutions.

4) Now you can control any device with an IP address
The latest version of the KVM.net features Minicom's unique Web Target technology that lets you connect to and control any IP-enabled device that has a URL address including ILO & RILOE, cameras and environmental monitoring devices.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Here we are at the halfway mark of the 10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM solutions.

5) Management really means management
KVM.net is the most intuitive, scalable and adaptable centralized management system available in the world today. Here's how:

KVM.net with Smart IP Access is able to connect to any brand of legacy KVM switch that you already have, which means you save thousands of dollars while you upgade your management. Read the WHITE PAPER to learn more.

The new Smart 116 IP is our latest digital KVM switch. It's KVM.net enabled, making it ideal for the growing business that needs a high-performance, cost-effective KVM switch today, and centralized management tomorrow.

KVM.net with PX lets any number of users securely and simultaneously access and control any number of servers - without the hassle of "blocked" access.

What if you already operate a number of Minicom's DX matrix systems and want to manage them all under the KVM.net? You can now achieve it with the DXU IP user unit.

And if your data center is a mix of all of the above scenarios? KVM.net is able to manage all your devices and targets in any combination of scenarios, with Smart IP Access, PX, Smart 116IP and DXU IP and their associated servers, able to work at the same time under the KVM.net umbrella.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Here is Part V in the Top 10 Things you never knew about Minicom's KVM product offerings.

6) Access and control now comes with power
Until now, the IP Control provided remote access and control. By connecting it to the RPS Serial, you can now add IP-based power control for your servers and computers - the final piece in the puzzle towards providing a complete remote presence experience.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Here is Part IV in the Top 10 Things you never knew about Minicom's KVM product offerings.


7) More is not less
Minicom's PX is the only KVM IP Gateway on the market today that offers a combination of virtual media, absolute mouse support, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and centralized management compatibility - all within a tiny palm-sized device. PX is ideal for providing secure, non-blocking server management for data centers, branch offices, testing labs, and lights-out facilities. And because it's a single-target device, there are no wasted ports - you only add more PX's when your business is ready to grow.

10 Things You Never Knew about Minicom's KVM Solutions

Number 8 in Top 10 Things you never knew about Minicom's KVM product offerings.

8) There's no need to be down
There is nothing on the market that can provide such a complete level of remote support for mission-critical computers or applications as the IP Control and PX. Providing remote BIOS level access - both systems give a major advantage over software support and technician call-outs. The result is a cost saving of thousands of dollars in technical maintenance costs and the elimination of needless downtime in mission-critical scenarios. Read the white paper that explains why.