Console Management uses a device's console port to handle basic setup and maintenance tasks for a wide range of networking devices. Although the Console Management option has been available since at least the 1970's, it still provides one of the most efficient means of managing large numbers of networking devices, particularly when used in conjunction with a reliable Console Server.

A Console Server is a specialized network computer that has at least one Ethernet port, and multiple serial ports, providing the capability of using only one TCP/IP network host to connect simultaneously to the console ports of several devices. Centralized console control is generally achieved using Telnet through an Ethernet LAN/WAN connection. To serve as a backup when the Ethernet connection is unavailable, most Console Servers also provide for a direct telephone hookup using one modem with the administrator's computer, and a modem connected to one of the Console Server's serial ports.

Centralized Console Management

Async Server is a sophisticated network device server with its own built-in NIC (Network Interface Card) and unique IP address. The primary method of implementing Remote Console Management is to telnet to Async Server over an Ethernet LAN, WAN, or Internet connection. Each of the devices connected to Async Server's serial ports is associated with a unique TCP socket number, allowing the system administrator to establish a direct data communication connection between the host computer and serial devices.

Remote Access Solution 

An important aspect of Async Server's operation is that it can be used as a dial-in/dial-out server, allowing a remote administrator to access all console management functions from a private PPP connection (i.e., there's no need to go through an ISP), provided a modem is connected to one of Async Server's serial ports. In fact, with the scheme illustrated in the figure above, there is no need to obtain a public IP address for Async Server, since using Async Server's dial-in function provides remote access to your own private Ethernet LAN by transmitting data to the LAN via Async Server's Ethernet port.

Robust Connection Scheme 

Async Server's dial-in capability overcomes one of the problems with using a pure network management device. If you are accessing Async Server over a WAN or the Internet, your ability to connect depends on the integrity of someone else's network. With a pure network management device, when the network goes down, your only option is to wait until your ISP's engineers are notified of the problem, find the cause of the problem, and then fix the problem.

With Async Server, this problem can be avoided. By connecting the console ports of your network devices, such as switches, routers, and servers, to Async Server's serial ports, and connecting one of Async Server's serial ports to a modem, you will be able to access your devices' console management utility by using Async Server's dial-in capability. All of Async Server's console management functions will be accessible over a private PPP connection, giving the system administrator the ability to fix serious network problems, and get the network connection up and running in good time.