Using a Serial Switch to Send Commands to Multiple Devices
In most applications, a serial switch is mainly used to provide secure access to command and maintenance functions on remote network devices. Although serial switches do a very good job of providing secure remote access, they can also be used to perform other important tasks in a rack environment.
In addition to providing secure remote access, WTI serial switch products can also be used to broadcast commands to a series of connected network devices. Our RSM and TSM serial switch products allow a network administrator to establish multiple sessions with a number of connected network devices. This enables users to communicate with several devices via one, common interface and allows commands to be simultaneously sent to each connected device. For example, the RSM or TSM serial switch can be used to broadcast configuration commands to many connected devices simultaneously, allowing quick reconfiguration of each device that receives the command without the need to manually reconfigure each individual device.
Network Administrators and other users can employ the serial switch’s broadcast function to issue commands to several connected devices at once; saving time and ensuring that connected devices all receive the same, identical command.
The broadcast features extremely useful in any environment where commands are sent to multiple devices in order to rapidly change unit configuration or enable or disable connected network devices. The ability to broadcast commands provides many convenient functions; administrators can quickly shut off or reboot several connected switches using one broadcast command line … ping commands can be sent to make sure that all connected devices are ready … banks of units can be quickly taken out of service in order to conserve energy … the possibilities for the broadcast feature are almost endless.
A serial switch with broadcast capability saves time and money by allowing administrators to communicate with multiple network devices via a single command line, instead of having to log in to each individual device and re-issue the same command line over and over again until all units have been addressed. The broadcast function is just one example of the many convenient features found on WTI serial switches that simplify the process of managing and controlling remote network devices, and help network administrators to make certain that their data center or network installation is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Western Telematic, Inc. (WTI) designs and manufactures remote device management products for IT applications. WTI’s Serial Console Server products, Remote Reboot products, Switched PDU products and A/B Fallback products are engineered to allow you to securely manage and troubleshoot rack equipment in remote locations.
