Models And Features; Ibm Conversion Options And Console Switch Cables; Figure 1.1: Options For Connecting Servers That Have Ps2-Based Kvm Ports; Table 1.1: Rack Console Switch Models, Ports, Users, Maximum Tiered And Daisy-Chained Servers - IBM 17353LX - 1x8 Console Switch Installation And User Manual

2 IBM Rack Console Switch Installation and User's Guide

Models and Features

An IBM 1 x 8 Rack Console Switch supports access by a single local user. An IBM 2 x 16 Rack
Console Switch supports simultaneous access by two local users. The following table summarizes
the features provided by the two types of switches.

Table 1.1: Rack console switch models, ports, users, maximum tiered and daisy-chained servers

Model ARI Ports Local Users
1 x 8 8
2 x 16 16

IBM Conversion Options and Console Switch Cables

COs are first connected to the servers and then are connected to ARI ports on the rack console
switch by means of separate CAT 5 cables. Firmware on the COs may also be upgraded.
Each console switch cable has a built-in 3 meter (10 foot) CAT 5 cable for connecting a server to an
ARI port. Firmware on the console switch cables is not upgradable.
The KVM (KCO) and USB (UCO) conversion options each have two ARI jacks on the back. For
daisy-chaining, one ARI jack can be connected to an ARI port on the rack console switch, and the
other jack can be connected either to another CO of the same type (KCO or UCO) or to a terminator
plug. Up to 16 KCO or UCO conversion options can be connected to a single rack console switch
port to daisy-chain up to 16 servers per port.
Either a PS/2 console switch cable or a KCO can be used to connect a server that has PS/2-based
KVM ports.

Figure 1.1: Options for connecting servers that have PS2-based KVM ports

Maximum Servers Connected to Tiered Switches or Daisy-chained
1 (A) 128
2 (A and B) 256
PS/2 console switch cable
KCO