Opengear CM8100 Console Server

The Opengear CM8100 Console Server is the latest generation of Opengear’s trusted out-of-band management platform, engineered for data centers and large enterprise networks. Built on nearly two decades of Opengear product leadership, the CM8100 delivers reliable, scalable, and secure remote access to your IT infrastructure. With up to 48 serial ports, enterprise-grade security powered by a TPM 2.0 module, and independent monitoring capabilities, this console manager provides resilient, secure control over servers, network devices, and critical appliances from anywhere. It blends robust physical security with intelligent remote management, delivering faster incident response, reduced on-site visits, and improved uptime for mission-critical environments.

• Up to 48 serial ports give you centralized, scalable access to servers, network devices, and KVM endpoints, dramatically reducing the need to physically visit data centers for console access and maintenance.
• Enterprise-grade security with a dedicated TPM 2.0 module establishes a hardware-based root of trust, enabling secure boot, attestation, and tamper-resistant operations for sensitive management tasks.
• Independent monitoring ensures continuous visibility into device health and environmental conditions, enabling proactive alerting and faster remediation across remote sites.
• Out-of-band management with secure remote access, combined with resilient connectivity options, supports rapid incident response, diagnostics, and remediation—even during network outages.
• Designed for data-center readiness, the CM8100 comes in a rack-mountable 1U form factor with scalable management capabilities, enabling seamless integration into existing Opengear ecosystems and DCIM workflows.

Technical Details of Opengear CM8100 Console Server

• Serial ports: Up to 48 console ports (RS-232/RS-422/RS-485) to connect a broad range of servers, network devices, and KVM appliances.
• Security: TPM 2.0 module provides hardware-based security for secure boot, attestation, and trusted management operations.
• Management: Out-of-band management capabilities for remote console access, device control, and centralized administration.
• Monitoring: Independent monitoring enables health checks and alerts independent of primary networks, enhancing uptime and visibility across remote sites.
• Connectivity: Robust management network interfaces with secure access (SSH/TLS) and standard logging support for centralized monitoring.
• Form factor: 1U rack-mountable appliance designed for data-center deployment and easy integration into existing racks and power distribution units.
• Power and redundancy: Supports power configurations suitable for high-availability environments, with considerations for redundant power options in compatible data-center setups.
• Compliance and integration: Supports standard DCIM workflows, SNMP, Syslog, and secure remote administration for compatibility with enterprise IT governance.

How to install Opengear CM8100 Console Server

Install the CM8100 in a standard 19-inch rack in a temperature-controlled data-center or network room. Begin by confirming power and network availability, then secure the unit to the rack with rails or mounting kit. Connect the management Ethernet interface to your out-of-band network segment, ensuring access to your central IT monitoring tools. Attach the 48 serial cables to the appropriate devices—servers, switches, KVM extenders, and console-enabled appliances—labeling cables for future reference. Power up the unit and access the initial management console through the default management IP address or via a console connection if required.

Configure the device for secure operation: enable and enroll the TPM 2.0 module, set strong administrator credentials, and establish role-based access controls aligned with your security policies. Next, configure network settings for the CM8100’s management interface, opting for static IP assignment or DHCP according to your network design. Implement secure access practices, including SSH for remote management and TLS for web-based interfaces, and enable logging to your SIEM or Syslog collector.

Assign and organize serial ports within the CM8100’s management dashboard, labeling each port to reflect its connected device, site, and purpose. Create device groups or profiles to streamline repetitive tasks such as firmware updates, configuration backups, and health checks. Enable independent monitoring for critical devices and set up alert thresholds to notify the operations team of faults, outages, or abnormal conditions. Test the failover and remote access paths by simulating a network outage and confirming console reachability and management continuity through the out-of-band path.

Integrate the CM8100 with your existing DCIM, ITSM, and monitoring tools. Validate that SNMP traps, Syslog events, and device health metrics are flowing into your centralized monitoring platform. Perform a thorough validation suite that includes connection diagnostics for each port, security checks, and a backup and restore routine for configurations. Finally, document the deployment, including IP addresses, port mappings, user roles, and maintenance windows, to ensure smooth operations for your IT staff and contractors.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Opengear CM8100 Console Server used for?
  The CM8100 serves as a centralized out-of-band console manager for data centers and large enterprise networks. It provides secure remote access to servers, network devices, and KVM endpoints, enabling administrators to diagnose and remediate issues without on-site visits.
• How many serial ports does the CM8100 support?
  The CM8100 supports up to 48 serial ports, allowing extensive reach to a broad set of devices from a single management interface.
• What security features does it offer?
  It includes a TPM 2.0 module for hardware-based security, secure boot, attestation, and a robust access control framework to protect management actions.
• Can the CM8100 operate during network outages?
  Yes. Its out-of-band management capabilities and independent monitoring enable remote access and health checks even when the primary network path is down.
• How do I integrate the CM8100 with my existing systems?
  The device supports standard protocols and interfaces (SSH, TLS, SNMP, Syslog) and can be integrated with DCIM, ITSM, and SIEM tools for centralized monitoring and automation.
• What is required to install the CM8100?
  You will need a rack space for mounting, a power source (with redundancy options if available in your data center), and a management network segment to reach the CM8100 for initial configuration and ongoing administration.