Terminal Servers evolved over time into Console Servers.
Console servers and terminal servers both provide a number of serial ports which are then connected to the serial ports of other equipment. Functionally both console and terminal servers are the same. So what is the difference?
Terminal servers were originally designed to allow RS232 serial devices (such as "green screen" text terminals, modems and serial printers) to connect to networked resources like mainframes. With a terminal server the user connection is established going in to a serial port, and then out to the network port to the mainframe.
Terminal Server - Traditional Client to Mainframe Application
Terminal Servers have many Applications like Point of Sale and Serial Tunneling
Point of Sale - Connect Bar Code Scanners, Cash Registers, Card Readers
Serial Tunneling - Extend Serial Connections over the Network or Internet
Terminal Servers then evolved into Console Servers
Console Server - Remotely Access Serial Console Ports on Network Devices
Console servers were developed to meet the needs of system administrators in managing serial console connections. Originally these were simply reverse terminal servers using telnet sessions to gain access to serial console management ports on target servers and devices from a remote system. Additional security, data logging and event monitoring features were added to create the new serial console server class of product - quite distinct from its terminal server origins.
Evolution of Console Management
Opengear is blazing new trails on the path of console
server evolution with remote management of serial console ports, TCP/IP network console ports, UPS sytems, PDU's, and environmental monitoring. We are hands down the most advanced
console server available today. No other device offers the advanced features of server management, power management, device management and complete environmental and network monitoring with out-of-band capabilities like we do.
Click here to learn more about Console Server Solutions >>
Serial Console Management
Managing serial console ports is still key for the secure local and remote administration of Linux servers, Cisco routers and many modern appliances » More info
Network (IP) Console Management Modern operating systems generally have browser based or management console applications for system administration and configuration. These tools presume a TCP or UDP network connection to the system » More info
Service Processor Management
Newer generation servers provide management console access using SOL, IPMI, HTTPS and custom web applications to communicate with embedded BMCs and service processors (iLO, DRAC, RSA) » More info
Out of Band Management In-band management works over the production network when the CPU and operating system are all functioning. Out-of-band management still works when the infrastructure is not well.
» More info
