Opengear CM8100 Console Server: High-Density, Secure Out-of-Band Management for Data Centers

The CM8100 Console Server from Opengear represents a new benchmark in data-center and enterprise-network management. Building on 18 years of Opengear product innovation, the CM8100 is engineered to streamline how IT teams access, monitor, and control the devices that keep critical infrastructure running. When downtime costs time, the CM8100 becomes a strategic asset — a centralized, secure, and scalable console manager that brings out-of-band access to life for administrators, even in challenging environments. From server rooms to multi-site campuses, this console server is designed to simplify remote hands while reducing mean time to repair and improving change control. It integrates hardware-grade security with flexible connectivity, enabling rapid diagnostics, firmware updates, and safe, authenticated access to network gear, servers, and other devices. This is not a single-purpose tool; it’s a gateway to improved resilience, safer operations, and smarter edge-to-core management for modern IT estates. With a focus on reliability and ease of deployment, the CM8100 is tailor-made for data centers and enterprise networks that demand secure, uninterrupted access to critical devices — regardless of where those devices live across your organization.

• High-density serial port architecture: The CM8100 supports up to 48 serial console ports, consolidating control for servers, network devices, and appliances in a single, manageable appliance. This density minimizes rack space, reduces cabling complexity, and lowers the overhead of managing multiple separate consoles across the data center.
• Enterprise-grade security with TPM 2.0: Security is a built-in design principle. The TPM 2.0 hardware security module protects authentication keys, ensures secure boot, and strengthens trusted access to critical devices, reducing risk from firmware tampering and unauthorized management sessions. This hardware-backed security foundation helps meet compliance requirements and reinforces governance across your IT stack.
• Robust out-of-band management for uptime: With out-of-band access, administrators can reach devices even when the primary network is down. This capability speeds incident response, supports firmware recovery, and helps maintain service levels during network disruptions or maintenance windows, keeping mission-critical services available when you need them most.
• Scalable, future-ready design: The CM8100 is built to grow with your data center. Its architecture supports expanding management needs, enabling integration with Opengear software for automated provisioning, smart monitoring, and seamless policy-based control across large fleets of devices. As your environment evolves, the CM8100 adapts to tighten control and reduce operational overhead.
• Independent monitoring and multi-site resilience: The CM8100 offers dedicated monitoring capabilities that provide visibility across sites, enabling proactive issue detection, consistent configurations, and resilient operations for distributed infrastructure deployments. This independent monitoring adds another layer of assurance for global or multi-site IT footprints.

Technical Details of Opengear CM8100 Console Server

• Port count: Up to 48 serial console ports for centralized access to servers, storage gear, routers, and other IT devices.
• Security: TPM 2.0 hardware security module to safeguard keys, boot integrity, and trusted access to the console manager.
• Management model: Out-of-band management with secure remote console access, enabling troubleshooting and configuration without reliance on the in-band network.
• Reliability: Designed for data-center-grade reliability with options for redundant networking and power paths to minimize single points of failure.
• Compatibility and software: Integrates with Opengear management software for automation, monitoring, and policy-driven control across multi-vendor environments.

how to install Opengear CM8100 Console Server

• Plan placement and mounting: Determine rack space, cable pathways, and ventilation. Use appropriate mounting rails or a secure enclosure to support the CM8100 in a data-center rack environment.
• Connect devices to serial ports: Map servers, network devices, and appliances to the 48 serial ports. Label cables clearly to ensure you can quickly identify devices during maintenance or recovery.
• Network and power connections: Connect redundant network interfaces according to your architecture and supply power from a reliable source. If available, configure power redundancy to minimize downtime during maintenance or power events.
• Initial access and authentication: Access the device via its console or management interface for initial setup. Create administrator accounts, define access controls, and enable secure login methods to protect management sessions.
• Firmware and security hardening: Install the latest firmware, apply recommended security settings, enable TPM protections, and configure SSH keys, SNMP communities, and logging to your central SIEM or logging system.
• Policy-based provisioning and monitoring: Establish baseline configurations and device profiles. Integrate with Opengear management software to enable automated provisioning, monitoring, and alerts across your device fleet.
• Test and validate: Validate remote access, console redirection, and failover behavior. Run a controlled test to ensure alerts trigger appropriately and that administrators can access devices through the CM8100 under normal and degraded network conditions.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Opengear CM8100 Console Server? The CM8100 is a high-density console manager for data centers and enterprise networks, delivering secure, out-of-band access to network gear, servers, and other devices to improve uptime and operational resilience.
• How many serial ports does it offer? It provides up to 48 serial console ports, consolidating management for a wide range of devices in a single appliance.
• What security features are included? The device includes a TPM 2.0 hardware security module to protect authentication, firmware integrity, and trusted access to critical infrastructure.
• Can it enable remote management if the primary network is down? Yes. Its out-of-band management capability allows administrators to reach devices remotely even during network outages, reducing downtime and accelerating remediation.
• Is CM8100 compatible with Opengear software? Yes. The CM8100 integrates with Opengear management tools for automation, monitoring, policy enforcement, and centralized control across distributed environments.