Dell POWEREDGE 1955 - Manual (Page 24)

24
About Your System
Avocent Digital Access KVM Switch Module
The optional Avocent Digital Access KVM switch module allows you to configure and manage the server
modules through a single keyboard, monitor and mouse. You select server modules using the On-Screen
Configuration and Reporting (OSCAR) graphical user interface (GUI).
The Avocent Digital Access KVM switch module includes the following features:
• Analog KVM switching
This switch can be used as an Analog switch, allowing local KVM switching through direct connection
of a keyboard, monitor and mouse; or tiered into external analog KVM switches. This switch uses the
same OSCAR interface as the Avocent Analog KVM switch to switch between server modules.
The Digital Access KVM switch provides a custom connector which brings out PS2/video ports. These
ports can be directly connected to a keyboard, monitor, and mouse, or tiered into an external analog
KVM switch with KVM ports. If you are connecting the Digital Access KVM switch to an external
KVM switch using Cat5 connectors/ACI ports, that switch’s dongle (PS2/video to Cat5) is required.
NOTE:
The Avocent Digital Access KVM module differs from the Avocent Analog KVM module in that the
Digital Access KVM switch module does not have an ACI port; it has an Ethernet network interface.
• Remote control of Virtual Media and virtual KVM
After connecting to your network using the switch’s Ethernet connection, use the system’s DRAC/MC
GUI to select Media and/or console and which server module to connect to.
NOTE:
You must connect the switch’s Ethernet port into the same network as the DRAC/MC port.
You can then use the switch’s Virtual Media and virtual KVM features:
– Virtual Media – Using this feature, you can remotely map local drives on a management
workstation to the server module, or boot a server module to a remote diskette, optical drive, or
USB key. For example, you can remotely perform operating system installation, operating system
recovery, BIOS updates, and other functions.
– Virtual KVM – You can remotely control the server modules from any location, using the digital
KVM and an OS-independent graphical console.