Managing Wireless Internet & Wi-Fi Access Points
Remote Power Management for Wi-Fi
Managing Wireless Internet & Wi-Fi Access Points and Restoring Downed Equipment
Wireless NetworkingIntroduction
The wireless revolution is on. Wireless networking access points, hot spots, routers, line-of-sight equipment and related devices used to create wireless local- or personal-area networks are abundant in today’s business and consumer networks. The seamless streams of data communications that pass through these networks are reshaping the boundaries of technology. Just like their “wired” predecessors, however, no data passes through these wireless streams when even just one device on the network locks-up.
The Problem
The major obstacle to managing (remote) wireless equipment, of course, occurs when software or hardware locks-up or crashes. Rectifying non-operational wireless equipment is compounded by the obvious distance between devices and network managers, the abundance of such devices and the existence of firewalls or other precautions designed to keep outsiders out of the an internal LAN/WAN.
The Solution
Sentry Power Managers supply wireless providers with a secure out-of-band solution to review, reboot and restore wireless equipment to operational status. The out-of-band solution eliminates the obstacle of the wireless provider requiring a network connection or without going through a private firewall or VPN. With the secure modem, the wireless provider can dial into the Sentry and connect to the wireless equipment without requiring access to the LAN/WAN.
The wireless provider first dials into Sentry’s secure modem, which requires password authorization on the first attempt, preventing outsiders from multiple attempts at access. The Sentry itself also requires appropriate user ID and password authentication to access its control functions or console port pass-though functions. (The Sentry also supports multiple users with network administrator privileges, guest-access privileges, and username/password-per-port combinations.) Upon successfully accessing the Sentry, the remote user can then issue group or individual reboot commands to the supported equipment units. Additionally, the user can gain access to the remote device through the serial connection to a console port.
Benefits
The secure out-of-band Sentry solution allows the wireless provider to remotely resolve non-operational wireless equipment without requiring an on-site visit, thereby reducing costs associated with field service calls, eliminating SLA penalties and improving customer service.
The secure out-of-band Sentry solution assures the customer with wireless equipment that devices maintain maximum uptime without requiring security breaches through its firewall, manual intervention from its staff or interruptions form outside personnel at their site to restore non-operation wireless equipment.
Applications
One example of the remote management, involving the Sentry Commander PT40, describes how one wireless provider manages key remote wireless network equipment. In this example, the wireless provider has 1,000+ remote locations with a server and a router installed at each site. Installed alongside the server and the router is a Sentry Commander PT40 with an integrated secure modem. Both the server’s and router’s power feeds are connected to the Sentry’s power outlet receptacles, and a RS-232 serial cable connects the Sentry’s console Pass-Thru ports to the console ports on both the server and router.
In the event that any one of the more than 1,000 servers encounters a software failure, operating system malfunction or hardware error, the wireless provider can remotely issue a reboot command for the server through the console port connection to the server’s service processor. By monitoring the service processor, the wireless provider can watch the boot messages and detect if the “soft” boot-up process fails or does not resolve the error. If necessary, the wireless provider can then issue a power cycle reboot command to the failed server via the Sentry’s Remote Power Management functionality.
Additionally, if the router loses “carrier” from a high-speed communications line, the device must be rebooted to restore carrier. Using both the power management function and the Pass-Thru console port functionality of the PT40, the wireless providers performs the reboot, monitors the software and makes certain carrier to the communications line is restored -- without the need to dispatch technical personnel or install a terminal server in a remote location.
In a second application solution involving the Sentry Power Managers, a Sentry Commander PT45 is used. Many network devices have two power supplies and require independent power feeds from different circuits to ensure redundant power. Example #2 is similar to Example #1, but it also adds the feature of redundant power feeds through the use of the Sentry In-line Power Modules (IPMs).
The IPMs are similar to the (internal) Power Modules integrated in the Sentry Commander PT40’s enclosure in that they allow a remote user to cycle the power to a remote equipment unit to reboot the device and return it to an operational state. Unlike the internal Power Modules, the IPMs require a unique power feed – independent from the Sentry enclosure and, therefore, a separate, redundant power feed for an individual equipment unit. The Sentry Commander PT45 and the IPMs are connected via signal wires. A remote user establishes a communication session with the Sentry and controls the IPM as if it were one of the Sentry’s internal Power Modules.
About the Sentry’s Pass-Thru Console Port Access
The Pass-Thru Port Access integrates secure, in-band and/or out-of-band serial connections to the console ports of up to 4 inter-networking devices for remote problem determination. The serial console is the only universal out-of-band management media for all the equipment in the data center. Access servers for remote monitoring and communications for applications such as BIOS configuration, boot-prompt level access or remote configuration. Or, connect to the configuration port (console or auxiliary port) on network equipment such as routers, switches, hubs and access servers.
About the Field-Replaceable Global Secure Modem
The Commander PT40 & PT45 feature an optional field-replaceable global secure modem that supports 56Kbps operation, Call-Back Security, and remote configuration. It is approved for use in 48 countries. Additionally, the internal modem option and Pass-Thru Port Access can eliminate multiple modems and dial-up lines and the need for an expensive terminal server.
Secure Out-of-Band Sentry Configurations
|
Sentry Item #
|
Internal Secure Modem
(Option C+)
|
No. of Power Input Feeds
|
No. of Power Outlet Receptacles
|
Redundant Power Feeds
|
No. of Console Ports
|
|
Commander PT40-H404
Option C+
|
Y
|
1
|
4
|
No
|
4
|
|
Commander PT45-H404
Option C+
|
Y
|
4
|
4
|
Yes
|
4
|
|
Commander PT45-H808
Option C+
|
Y
|
8
|
8
|
Yes
|
8
|
|
CommanderPTt45-H016
Option C+
|
Y
|
16
|
16
|
Yes
|
N/A
|
About Server Technology
Server Technology, Inc., designs and manufactures intelligent power distribution products for enterprise data centers, service providers and branch office locations. Founded in 1984, Server Technology is recognized as a leader in innovative Remote Power Management solutions. The company’s line of Sentry™ power products eliminates unnecessary trips to remote locations and minimizes the impact of locked-up internetworking equipment on business critical networks, combining intelligent power distribution, remote management and power measurement. Server Technology is located in Reno, Nevada and can be reached at (800) 835-1515, or on the Web at www.servertech.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution images are available for publication. Please email Calvin Nicholson at calvin.nicholson-at-servertech.com for more information.
Calvin Nicholson, Marketing Manager
calvin.nicholson@servertech.com
Server Technology Inc.
www.servertech.com
1-800-835-1515