The Avocent MergePoint™ service processor (SP) managers support multiple industry management standards and bring simplicity to the data center by streamlining and consolidating the management of servers with SP technologies. This is achieved by leveraging SP technologies from Dell™, HP™, IBM™, Sun™, Fujitsu™ and the Intelligent Platform Management Interface™ (IPMI, versions 1.5 and 2.0).
The MergePoint appliances provide secure Serial over LAN (SoL) console access, power control and server hardware monitoring and support DirectCommand which enables transparent, secure access to the SP’s native interface, along with IPMI provisioning and SP auto discovery. When used in conjunction with DSView™ 3 centralized management software, the MergePoint appliance consolidates server access and control into one secure, out-of-band platform for simpler management of disparate and dispersed IT equipment in data centers and remote offices.
The appliances can be accessed directly from a feature-rich Web user interface or a standard command line interface that leverages the Systems Management Architecture for Server Hardware Command Line Protocol (SMASH CLP); Web Services for Management (WS-MAN ) that allows a common method for systems to remotely access devices and to exchange management information; and Common Information Model object manager (CIMOM) that uses an information model with standardized management information to abstract, organize and communicate details about the managed device consistently between systems. SMASH, WS-MAN and CIMOM are standards defined by the Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF). These provide a single command line interface to manage servers from multiple manufacturers, simplifying management and streamlining interoperability while providing scripting and automation capabilities.
The MergePoint appliances not only make it easier to leverage SP features but also enhance SP-added functionality. For example, the SoL feature complements the continuous data logging capabilities, resulting in additional security and auditing. The appliances allow enterprise-class authentication, authorization and auditing (AAA) security and encryption and extend this functionality to all servers.
Also, simultaneous power control of multiple servers boosts the already existing power control capabilities of SPs, including graceful shutdown support for IPMI. These features allow the user to completely unleash the power of SP technologies.
The MergePoint appliances also ease the deployment and management of these technologies. With easy-to-use IPMI provisioning capabilities and an auto-discovery mechanism for server management technologies within the network, the MergePoint appliances are ideal for enterprise data centers as well as for high performance computing (HPC) and other clustering environments.
Avocent MergePoint Service Processor Manager Application Diagram
MergePoint Service Processor Manager Features & Benefits
- Single Console for Multiple Service Processor Types – Consolidated server management regardless of the type of embedded management technologies in use
- IPMI Provisioning – Faster, easier IPMI deployment
- Embedded DHCP Server – Reduces cost of IP management on the system management network
- Service Processor Auto Discovery – Better use of already deployed server management capabilities
- Integration with DSView® 3 Management Software – Provides a single interface for management of the entire IT infrastructure
- Support for Industry Standard Communications – SMASH 2.0, WS-Man improves automation and integration with other management tools
- SoL, Power Control, Hardware Monitoring and Alerts – Complete, full-featured, remote server management from a single interface
- Event and Alert Management – Enables proactive response to server issues
- Group Execution of Commands – Control the server infrastructure as a whole
