Description
Opengear CM8100 Console Server
The CM8100 Console Server from Opengear stands at the forefront of data center resilience, delivering enterprise-grade out-of-band management with a scalable, secure, and highly reliable console solution. Built on Opengear’s 18 years of product leadership, the CM8100 is purpose-built for data centers and sprawling enterprise networks that demand instant, secure access to every device, even when the primary network is down. With up to 48 serial ports, this console manager consolidates control of multiple devices—from routers and switches to power controllers and servers—into a single, hardened management plane. It’s engineered to shorten mean time to repair (MTTR), reduce on-site visits, and improve overall network uptime through intelligent, remote management that keeps mission-critical equipment accessible under any circumstances.
- Up to 48 serial ports for scalable out-of-band management. The CM8100 is designed to connect a large fleet of network and IT devices, enabling centralized console access, rapid device recovery, and streamlined fault isolation across multi-site environments. This expansive port count reduces the need for multiple, separate consoles and simplifies administration for busy data centers and enterprise networks.
- Enterprise-grade security powered by a TPM 2.0 module. The device leverages a trusted platform module to strengthen authentication, data integrity, and secure communications. With TPM 2.0, organizations gain hardware-backed security that helps protect access credentials, firmware integrity, and sensitive management data from tampering or exposure, even in challenging environments.
- Independent monitoring to boost resilience and uptime. Beyond remote console access, the CM8100 continuously monitors device health and connectivity, providing proactive visibility and alarms. This autonomous monitoring capability helps operators detect issues early, trigger automated remediation workflows, and preserve service continuity across complex networks with minimal manual intervention.
- Robust remote management for data centers and enterprise networks. The CM8100 delivers reliable, out-of-band access to equipment, enabling administrators to perform configuration changes, console redirection, firmware updates, and diagnostics from any remote location. This capability is critical during outages, device failures, or maintenance windows when access through the primary network is unavailable, ensuring rapid problem resolution without现场现场现场。
- Seamless deployment and long-term scalability. Built to integrate with existing infrastructure, the CM8100 supports flexible networking, secure access policies, and scalable licensing to grow with your environment. Its durable hardware design and thoughtful provisioning workflow help IT teams accelerate deployments, reduce operational complexity, and future-proof their console management strategy as networks evolve.
Technical Details of Opengear CM8100 Console Server
- Serial ports: Up to 48, enabling centralized, out-of-band access to large fleets of devices.
- Security: TPM 2.0 module for enterprise-grade hardware-backed security and trusted access.
- Monitoring: Independent monitoring capabilities to detect faults, performance issues, and connectivity problems in real time.
- Scope: Designed for data centers and enterprise networks requiring reliable, always-available console access.
- Management: Out-of-band console management with secure remote access, facilitating quick problem isolation and remediation.
how to install Opengear CM8100
- Step 1 – Prepare the enclosure and placement: Choose a standard 19-inch rack location with adequate ventilation. Use the included rack-mount rails or brackets to secure the CM8100 in place, ensuring it has access to power and a management network. Plan cable routes to minimize bend radius and interference with airflow.
- Step 2 – Connect the management network and serial assets: Attach the device to your management LAN via the appropriate Ethernet port(s) and connect the serial devices you intend to manage to the CM8100’s 48 serial ports. Label ports to simplify future mappings and troubleshooting.
- Step 3 – Power up and access the initial console: Apply power and locate the initial management IP address through DHCP or your preferred static addressing method. Use a web browser or a supported management client to reach the CM8100’s web-based setup wizard and begin secure onboarding.
- Step 4 – Complete the initial configuration: Create administrator accounts with least-privilege roles, enable essential security settings (including the TPM 2.0 module configurations), and establish secure management protocols like SSH/TLS. Configure logging, SNMP traps, and Syslog destinations to fit your monitoring ecosystem.
- Step 5 – Define access policies and device templates: Build access policies for console users, designate authentication methods (local, LDAP, or RADIUS where available), and create device templates for common hardware. This enables consistent, repeatable configurations across multiple devices and sites.
- Step 6 – Integrate with monitoring and automation tools: Connect the CM8100 to your NMS or monitoring stack, enable alerting, and configure automated remediation workflows where appropriate. Validate that events and traps reach the intended systems, and set up dashboards for at-a-glance health checks.
- Step 7 – Test end-to-end accessibility: From a remote location, verify console access, remote power control (where configured), and the reliability of the out-of-band path. Run a controlled failover test to confirm that management remains available during a simulated network outage.
- Step 8 – Document and train: Document the standard operating procedures for day-to-day use and incident response. Provide operators with concise training on how to access consoles, interpret alarms, and execute common remediation tasks using the CM8100.
Frequently asked questions
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Q: What is the Opengear CM8100 Console Server?
A: It is a high-capacity console management appliance designed for data centers and enterprise networks, offering up to 48 serial ports for scalable out-of-band access and secure remote management. -
Q: How many serial ports does it support?
A: The CM8100 supports up to 48 serial ports, enabling centralized management of a large number of devices from a single platform. -
Q: What security features does the CM8100 include?
A: It includes an enterprise-grade TPM 2.0 module to strengthen authentication, data integrity, and secure communications for management access and device integrity. -
Q: What problems does it solve for data centers?
A: It provides reliable out-of-band access to network and IT equipment, allowing administrators to diagnose, configure, and recover devices even when the primary network is unavailable, thereby reducing downtime and on-site visits. -
Q: Is the CM8100 suitable for multi-site deployments?
A: Yes. Its scalable port count, centralized management, and integration capabilities are well-suited for multi-site data centers and enterprise networks requiring consistent, remote console access across locations.
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