With many companies doing more with less, IT administrators’ workloads are increasing. It’s often not practical to have someone at every branch or site within a company just to baby-sit a server or two. And with gas prices reaching new heights, it’s not very economical to drive to every site either. With remote power control, administrators can reboot servers from anywhere, even at home in their pajamas at 3:00 a.m.
Simply put, remote power control is the ability to reset or reboot PC, LAN/WAN, telecom, and other computer equipment without being at the equipment’s location.
For system administrators, the ability to perform a power cycle or remote reboot is a way to avoid major communications problems. When equipment locks up and no longer responds to normal communication commands, it’s usually up to the system manager to reset or reboot it. After the power cycles on and off, normal communications resume. How many times is there going to be a technically trained person at the site who can perform maintenance and reset the equipment? Not very often. Even if it is a manned station, there is a risk that the wrong equipment could be rebooted. To save traveling time and minimize downtime, remote power control enables the system manger to take care of things at the office without having to travel. Think of it as your own “easy button.”
Who needs remote power control? Everyone! Especially those of you in an organization with a network that reaches remote sites. This can include branch offices, unmanned information kiosks, alarm and control systems, and even HVAC systems for climate control. Other applications include unmanned remote monitoring stations, satellite control equipment at communications towers, cellular towers, and radio equipment.
If you don’t have remote sites, remote power control is a must for your serves, switches, routers, and other network equipment plus the climate control equipment at your main data center. Even though you may be managing local sites, when problems occur in the middle of the night, your bed can seem very comfy and headquarters can seem very far away.
With remote power control, power can be controlled remotely via RS-232 commands over modems on existing or special phone lines, over the TCP/IP network, or locally with terminal software. The ideal system uses out-of-band management, an alternate path over an ordinary dialup line that doesn’t interfere with network equipment.
An effective remote power control system incorporates the following:
- An existing phone line, such as a line being used for a fax, modem, or phone.
- Transparent operation. The system shouldn’t interfere with or be affected by normal calls.
- Security features. The system should prevent unauthorized access to network equipment.
- Flexibility. System managers should be able to dial in from anywhere and control multiple devices with one call.
- Have power control devices that meet UL
and FCC requirements.
Remote power control helps you keep an eye on your network equipment no matter if you’re in the office, across the country, or asleep at home. Call 1-877-877-2269, and we’ll help you get complete power control. Or, you can e-mail us at info@blackbox.com.