Avocent ACS1 Supplementary Manual

Brand: Avocent

Model: ACS1

Type: Supplementary Manual

OVERVIEW

FastWeb is one of Italy's fastest growing Internet Service Providers (ISPs). It is part of

e.Biscom, which offers an alternative to traditional telephone networks in the main

metropolitan areas of Italy (Milan, Rome, Turin, Genoa, Venice, Padua, Bologna,

Naples and Bari) and in several surrounding cities. In providing its telecom-

munications networks and services, e.Biscom has two objectives – to offer customers

virtually unlimited bandwidth and to maximize the efficiency of its infrastructure

investment. Out-of-band management products by Avocent help FastWeb

accomplish the latter.

An integrated, out-of-band management system, with Cyclades

AlterPath Manager

E2000 appliance at its heart, allows FastWeb IT professionals to access, diagnose,

monitor and restore networked hardware, including routers, servers and other IT

equipment over an alternate (out-of-band) path that works even when normal

network connections are not available. The system eliminates the need for FastWeb

to individually monitor and attend to each piece of equipment. Not only does this

reduce operational costs, but it also frees operations staff from routine installation

and maintenance activities to focus on keeping the production network fully

operational.

CHALLENGE

To remotely access, monitor and restore data center assets quickly and efficiently for

decreased operational costs and reduced downtime

FastWeb, which has built its business by developing advanced technology (fiber

optics and xDSL networks), knows that data center management is increasingly

more complex in regards to the types and number of devices in use across multiple

remote locations. The IT equipment in FastWeb's nine data centers throughout Italy

must be installed, configured and maintained continually.

FastWeb uses traditional systems management software to monitor and manage its

IT infrastructure. But this application relies on the very network it is suppose to

monitor as the only means of communications. If a server or switch fails and

network connectivity is lost, communications between the managed device and the

management workstation are cut off. In the absence of an alternate way to access the

disconnected device, a site visit is necessary to diagnose the problem and restore

network connectivity. To close this window of vulnerability left open by existing

systems and to have the ability to access and address IT hardware and operating

systems incidents, FastWeb sought an out-of-band management solution. This

solution needed to meet FastWeb's immediate incident management needs, yet have

the flexibility to evolve as its network grows.

PROFILE

Company

FastWeb

Type of business

Internet Service Provider

Corporate headquarters

Milan, Italy

Web site

www.fastweb.it

Applications

Integrated IT infrastructure management

“We wanted products that could

meet our key requirements:

security, reliability, and flexibility

in configuration and with a

centralized management feature.

Furthermore, these products

had to be designed to fit into

our existing data center racks

and include comprehensive

support from the vendor’s

technical staff.”

Riccardo Montanaro

Director of IT Operations

FastWeb

CASE STUDY – Internet

FastWeb Deploys Out-of-Band Management Tools

to Remotely Manage its Data Centers

SOLUTION

Out-of-band management tools by Avocent

The AlterPath Manager appliance, combined with Cyclades ACS console servers, lets

FastWeb more easily access and monitor its 900+ UNIX and Linux servers along

with other IT equipment from a single appliance. In addition to incident resolution

capabilities, out-of-band management tools by Avocent provide FastWeb with

increased IT asset visibility, which includes the ability to constantly monitor devices

and alert staff to incidents.

IMPLEMENTATION

Out-of-band management tools by Avocent save FastWeb time and money

FastWeb purchased the AlterPath Manager E2000 appliance as a central point from which

IT professionals can log in to securely view, access and manage Cyclades ACS advanced

console servers. It is used in conjunction with existing systems management applications

as part of a comprehensive system that provides complete access to networked assets,

even when they are disconnected from the network.

The AlterPath Manager's data logging and event handling features provide remote

incident diagnosis and resolution while its change and configuration feature enables

automated updates to managed out-of-band management equipment, including Cyclades

ACS console servers. The AlterPath Manager's integrated authentication, authorization

and accounting (AAA) security policies, along with SSH/SSL encryption, restrict access to

authorized users while providing a single sign-on and complete audited session

capabilities.

"Console logging provides us with information that would otherwise be inaccessible," said

Riccardo Montanaro, Director of IT Operations, whose organization oversees the

management of 1,500 servers and the applications running on them. "This is especially

useful when dealing with hardware problems and system crashes. Having the

information at hand to analyze the problem and the ability to remotely access the

equipment replaces the need to travel to data centers, saving us time and money."

ABOUT AVOCENT

Avocent Corporation is the leading supplier of connectivity solutions for enterprise data

centers, service providers and financial institutions worldwide. Branded products include

switching, extension, intelligent platform management interface (IPMI), remote access

and video display solutions. Additional information is available at www.avocent.com.

RESULTS

• Centralized IT infrastructure management

• Reduced incidents through proactive

monitoring

• Labor and travel cost savings

“ FastWeb’s services must be

available 24/7. With out-of-band

management products by Avocent

we have added protection against

unplanned downtime and

more opportunities to reduce

data center and branch

office operational costs.”

Riccardo Montanaro

Director of IT Operations

FastWeb

Corporate Headquarters

4991 Corporate Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805

TEL 866.277.1924 FAX 256.430.4030

www.avocent.com

Avocent, the Avocent logo, The Power of Being There and Cyclades are

registered trademarks of Avocent Corporation or its affiliates. All other marks

are the property of their respective owners.

1006-FW-CS

Avocent ACS1 Supplementary Manual

Avocent ACS1 Supplementary Manual

Avocent ACS1 Supplementary Manual

Related papers

Other documents