New Dominions for improved IT productivity

Raritan has launched an improved version of its integrated remote management appliance that provides direct access through secure out-of-band connectivity to IT equipment typically found in the equipment rooms of branch offices and other remote locations.

The new Dominion KSX management appliance offers expanded remote control capabilities, including power management control and file transfers, along with stronger security, improved usability and what the supplier says is the industry’s highest video resolution (1600 X 1200 pixels).

To access and perform maintenance on virtually any piece of IT equipment such as servers, switches, routers and PBXs, the Dominion KSX II offers in a single appliance key remote management and control technologies, including KVM- (keyboard/video/mouse) and serial-over-IP.

By providing full BIOS-level and keyboard/mouse control, as well as power cycling control, of remote equipment from a corporation’s main office or from wherever IT experts are located, Raritan says that companies can increase productivity and uptime at remote offices.

“The KSX II is an optimal choice for remote office or SMB IT management,” suggested Christian Paetz, Director of Product Management at Raritan. “There are millions of branch office locations that have little or no IT support on premises. The KSX II eliminates the need to visit remote locations when a server or network problem arises, resulting in savings in travel time, travel, expenses and lost productivity due to equipment downtime and IT staff time away from the office. Return on investment is quick when you consider that a branch can be set up with a KSX II for under $2,200.”

Raritan says that the next-generation KSX II is unique in that it includes integrated virtual media and remote power control support on all models. With virtual media, IT administrators can transfer data to remote servers using their own local storage media (CD/DVD/USB drive/hard drive) through a KVM-over-IP connection. Such features will likely see use in installing software, upgrades and bug fixes. When used with Raritan’s intelligent power strips (Dominion PX), the KSX II can monitor power status, as well as cycle power to any attached IT equipment, from anywhere.

Other features include: 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption of keyboard, video and mouse data; strong password support; failed login lockout support; and built-in authentication capabilities; integration with third-party AAA servers, and SNMP and Syslog event; Absolute Mouse Synchronization; real-time, graphical views of IT equipment connected to the KSX II at a branch.

For a consistent user experience, the new browser-based user interface is used for both remote KVM management and for at-the-rack server management, said to be an industry first.