Console access at a remote switch, easiest way to achieve this?

[her209]

I want to be able to have console access to remote L3 switches that I manage so get to it OoB. Its also nice to see what messages the switch is outputting when its booting up or shutting down.

Have:
- A lot of remote switches at a lot of different telecom rooms
- Multiple pairs of fiber to each remote telecom room

Wants:
- Low power draw
- Less parts the better, i.e, just the device and the console cable would be the ideal solution
- Does not cost an arm and leg

Any suggestions?

 

[Railgun]

Small router as a terminal server. Pop in multiple asynchronous cards and away you go.

 

[azev]

Small router as a terminal server. Pop in multiple asynchronous cards and away you go.

the above works, or you can also get console server. Nice one has interfaces where u can easily view multiple switch/router boots at the same time.

 

[jumpncrash]

at work we use small atom systems with a serial port, seems to work fine, not sure on what your cost requirements are though

 

[Lithium381]

You can get a cyclades 16 port terminal server for less than 100 shipped on ebay. I've got 5 of those and they come in handy for remote work !!!!

ts-1000 for the 16 port version
ts-2000 for the 32 port version

 

[her209]

I don't need a lot of console ports in one remote TR. The most I'll need is two since any TR that requires more than two switches are stacked and managed as one anyways. I have a lot of TRs (think 30+).

It would be preferable if the device had a receiver port for an optical module such as an SFP port so a media converter isn't needed.

 

[drebo]

You could potentially use an external US Robotics modem and actually dial in to the AUX port.

Or a Cyclades, which can function as a terminal server and allow you to dial into it as well.