Opengear CM8100 Console Server — 48-Port Out-of-Band Management for Data Centers

The CM8100 Console Server from Opengear stands at the forefront of enterprise-grade out-of-band management. Built on over a decade of Opengear innovation, this compact yet powerful console manager is designed to simplify, secure, and accelerate maintenance for data centers and large networks. With a focus on resilience, visibility, and automation, the CM8100 gives network teams reliable remote access to gear, even when the primary network path is down. It is ideal for facilities that require rapid incident response, consistent compliance, and uninterrupted uptime across critical devices.

• Up to 48 serial ports in a single, compact chassis, enabling centralized control of diverse infrastructure such as switches, routers, servers, and storage arrays from a single console server. This breadth reduces the need for multiple devices and simplifies cabling, inventory, and management.
• Enterprise-grade security with TPM 2.0 module integrates advanced hardware-based trust into remote access, code signing, and secure boot, protecting the management plane from tampering and ensuring trusted firmware and configurations.
• Independent monitoring and health intelligence that continues to operate and report even when the data plane is disrupted. Proactive alerts, event logging, and integrated diagnostics help teams detect issues early and orchestrate rapid remediation.
• Out-of-band and secure remote access enables administrators to reach devices via alternative paths (WAN, cellular, VPN) using encrypted channels, robust authentication, and auditable access trails—minimizing downtime and blast radius during outages.
• Designed for data centers and distributed enterprise networks with rack-mountable form factor, scalable management software, and compatibility with existing Opengear infrastructure, delivering a cohesive foundation for automation, remediation workflows, and policy-based management.

Technical Details of Opengear CM8100 Console Server

• Serial ports: up to 48
• Security: TPM 2.0 module for trusted execution and secure boot
• Management: out-of-band access with secure remote console, virtual console, and policy-driven automation
• Monitoring: independent health checks and fault isolation to support proactive incident response
• Designed for data centers and enterprise networks, with rack-ready chassis and enterprise-grade reliability

how to install Opengear CM8100 Console Server

• Rack-mount the CM8100 into an available 19-inch rack using standard mounting rails. Ensure adequate ventilation and unobstructed airflow around the chassis.
• Connect power and attach network interfaces to your management network as well as any out-of-band paths you plan to use (for example, secondary networks or cellular failover options).
• Power up the unit and access the initial management interface via the console or a management port. Complete the on-device setup wizard to configure basic network settings, admin credentials, and time synchronization.
• Configure out-of-band access policies, authentication methods, and role-based access controls. Enable TPM-related security features and verify firmware integrity through signed images.
• Register the CM8100 with your Opengear management ecosystem or NMS, set up automated alerts, and add devices to the centralized inventory for unified monitoring and remediation workflows.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Opengear CM8100 best suited for? It is designed for data centers and distributed enterprise networks that require reliable, secure, and scalable out-of-band management for a large number of serial-connected devices.
• How does TPM 2.0 enhance security? TPM 2.0 provides hardware-based trust for boot processes, secure key storage, and integrity verification of firmware and configurations, helping prevent unauthorized changes to the management plane.
• Can CM8100 operate if the primary network is unavailable? Yes. Its out-of-band capabilities allow administrators to access devices via alternate paths, ensuring continued maintenance and remediation even during network outages.
• Is installation complex, and what support is available? The CM8100 is designed for rack-mount deployments with clear initial setup steps. Opengear offers documentation, firmware updates, and professional services to assist with deployment, integration, and ongoing management.