- AlterPath BladeManager Links IBM eServer BladeCenter Management to the Out-of-Band Infrastructure (OOBI) to Provide Consolidated Remote IT Administration Capabilities –
HANNOVER, GERMANY, CeBIT, 10 March 2005 – Cyclades Corporation, the leader in next-generation IT infrastructure management, today gave a European launch to the AlterPath™ BladeManager, the first out-of-band infrastructure appliance to provide IT administrators with secure, consolidated remote access to the IBM® eServer™ BladeCenter™ platform for blade computing. The AlterPath BladeManager is on display on the Cyclades stand at CeBIT (Hall 16, Stand F21).
The AlterPath BladeManager can connect multiple BladeCenter chassis to the AlterPath System of OOBI products, which provides alternative paths to reach and restore IT assets that are disconnected from the production network.
“Systems like IBM eServer BladeCenter offer tremendous promise for the enterprise and demonstrate the significant performance and management advantages that are possible with this emerging hardware platform,” said Daniel Dalarossa, Cyclades ceo. “Despite these benefits, many IT and network administrators may see blade systems adding another layer of complexity to the broad mix of new and legacy technologies they must manage. The AlterPath BladeManager simplifies remote blade management by enabling administrators to remotely access, monitor and manage BladeCenters from a single consolidated view.”
Blade servers compress server components, including processors, memory, and network connections, onto a single circuit board that slides into a chassis mounted in a data centre rack. This design offers tremendous potential for cost savings, since blade servers require less space and consume less power than traditional box-based servers.
The IBM eServer BladeCenter is the IBM platform for blade server computing and offers the additional advantage of managing fewer cables and providing a consolidated management interface via the integrated management module. The BladeCenter enables an administrator to manage a multi-blade configuration from a single interface.
By using the out-of-band connection, available on the BladeCenter™ management module, the AlterPath BladeManager provides concurrent serial console connectivity and enhanced security for both keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) and virtual media functionality. This secure framework also gives access to the BIOS and power control for each blade server.
“IBM has been in a leadership position in this marketplace by providing innovative products and enterprise management features that our customers need to integrate this architecture into their IT infrastructures,” said Juhi Jotwani, director, IBM eServer BladeCenter. “The AlterPath BladeManager extends the BladeCenter out-of-band capabilities for customers that want to interact directly with their hardware via the management module and it does not disrupt or require a different management network for customers who use IBM Director.”
Like all Cyclades AlterPath OOBI products, the AlterPath BladeManager supports all major security protocols and integrates with enterprise security architectures, eliminating the need for separate security for the OOBI. This reduces complexity, eliminates an additional point of vulnerability and ensures that only authorised personnel have access to hardware functionality through the existing security system.
“As blade servers are deployed in the enterprise, they must integrate and be managed centrally to consolidate resources and deliver their true cost savings potential,” said Dennis Drogseth, vice president, Enterprise Management Associates. “To be effective, the management architecture should include an out-of-band infrastructure solution to complement management tools from within the production network.”
About the Out-of-Band Infrastructure (OOBI)
The Out-of-Band Infrastructure (OOBI) provides secure alternate paths into the production infrastructure so that disconnected assets can be reconnected and subsequently returned to normal operation. This infrastructure includes serial console servers, KVM analogue and KVM over IP switches, and IPDUs, all controlled by an OOBI manager like Cyclades AlterPath Manager.
About Cyclades
Cyclades, the leader in next-generation IT infrastructure management, offers a comprehensive system of products that reduce IT operational costs and risks, while increasing the productivity of IT assets and personnel. Cyclades AlterPath System provides secure alternate paths into the production IT infrastructure, enabling administrators to remotely access, diagnose and restore disconnected assets to normal operation. Designed to seamlessly integrate and deploy into the enterprise, Cyclades AlterPath solutions include console servers, KVM and KVM over IP, power control, IPMI Management, and a manager to control the entire out-of-band infrastructure. More than 8,000 organisations, including 85 per cent of the FORTUNE 100, depend on Cyclades products. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Fremont, California. Cyclades is a global company with 16 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at
www.cyclades.com.
Cyclades Gives First Remote Blade Manager Appliance its European Debut at CeBIT 2005
