User manual

APPENDIX D: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 69
Appendix D: Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTION: ANSWER:
What is IP-Reach? IP-Reach is the easiest, fastest, most reliable way to remotely access and manage
multiple servers connected to a Raritan KVM Switch - no matter where you are or
where your servers are located.
How does IP-Reach
work?
IP-Reach connects to the keyboard, video, and mouse ports of a server or KVM
switch. Using Raritan’s powerful frame-grabber and compression technology, it
captures, digitizes, and compresses the video signal before transmitting to a remote
PC.
What level of control does
a IP-Reach remote user
have over attached Target
Servers?
The remote user has direct access and total control of target servers for maintenance,
administration, and troubleshooting, from running GUI applications to BIOS-level
troubleshooting, and even rebooting.
Remote Access Software
has been available for a
long time. What makes
IP-Reach different?
With IP-Reach, the IP-Reach software runs only on the IP-Reach unit itself, not on
each individual Target Server. Traditional Remote Access Software solutions
require software to be loaded and running on each Target Server, which must offer a
supporting Operating System. This can create compatibility, performance, and
reliability issues on mission critical Target Servers.
What remote access
connection methods can
IP-Reach accommodate?
IP-Reach provides network administrators with a choice of remote access via
Internet, LAN/WAN, or dial-up modem. That means servers can be accessed both in
and out of band, so remote access to mission-critical target servers is always
available - even if the network is down.
What types of computers
can IP-Reach remotely
control?
IP-Reach works independently of a Target Server’s hardware, operating system, or
application software, accessing a Target Server’s main input/output devices -
keyboard, video, and mouse. Consequently, any hardware that supports standard PC
keyboard interfaces, standard PC mouse interfaces, and standard PC video (VGA)
can be used with IP-Reach.
Is special software
required for the Remote
PC?
Each IP-Reach ships with one copy of IP-Reach Control software (TRC). This
remote access software runs on any Remote PC with a Windows 98+ operating
systems and communicates over Internet, LAN/WAN, or dial-up modem with IP-
Reach software on the IP-Reach unit. With TRC installed, the Remote PC is like any
other user console in your KVM configuration, but it can be located anywhere -
around the corner, or around the world.
Which Raritan KVM
Switches will work with
IP-Reach?
Currently Raritan supports the use of IP-Reach with all Raritan KVM Switches that
feature an On-Screen Display: Paragon, MasterConsole MX
4
, and MasterConsole II.
Will other KVM switch
brands work with IP-
Reach?
Nothing complements IP-Reach better than a Raritan KVM Switch - especially
Paragon. In theory, however, IP-Reach can be used with any KVM switch that
features an On-Screen User Interface menu for access to switching functions.
Can I continue to access
my KVM configuration
locally?
Yes. IP-Reach features a special Direct Analog User port for direct access to the
KVM configuration. This pass through port provides an additional local access
point, which is especially important for single user switches or for providing critical
access to servers if the network is down.
Can IP-Reach be used
without a KVM switch?
Yes. IP-Reach can be used to directly access individual Computers, connecting to
the keyboard, video, and mouse ports of an independent Computer. However, its
convenience and value are leveraged through the use of a KVM switch.
Is IP-Reach easy to
install?
IP-Reach is very easy to install. Just connect it to a user port on an existing KVM
configuration and assign an IP address and/or telephone number for modem access.