Raritan's New Two-User KVM Solution Streamlines Server Management in Small and Mid-Size Server Rooms and Data Centers

- Unique dual-user Cat 5 KVM switch enables secure access to 'lights-out' server rooms -

SOMERSET, N.J., Sept. 4 -- Raritan today expanded its KVM product line to support businesses that are looking for a cost-effective way to simplify server maintenance in small and mid-size server rooms and data centers.

The new MasterConsole(R) CAT KVM switch, which supports two simultaneous and independent user sessions, gives administrators lots of flexibility on where and how they work on servers. IT administrators are able to access and troubleshoot target servers from two workstations, without having to run back and forth from server rack to rack. One of the workstations can be placed outside the server room -- up to 100 feet away from the switch.

"The MasterConsole CAT offers flexible and efficient server management at a great price," said Christian Paetz, Director-Product Management at Raritan. "The second console could be located in an IT administrator's office up to 100 feet away from the MasterConsole CAT. It also could be used for lights-out operations -- whereby authorized administrators could access target servers and remediate problems without having to enter the server room."

Two independent users can control up to eight or 16 servers, depending on the model. MasterConsole CAT switches can be cascaded to support up to 256 connections. The MasterConsole CAT delivers BIOS-level control -- even if the target server's operating system is not responding -- and enhanced security through a direct KVM network. Easy-to-install and inexpensive Cat 5e cable -- instead of proprietary KVM or coax cabling -- is used to carry a server's KVM signaling from the MasterConsole CAT switch to the User Stations.

According to Paetz, the MasterConsole CAT 8-port (MCCAT28) and 16-port (MCCAT216) models are the perfect solutions for affordable, centralized management of multi-platform servers. Another benefit of centralized management is the elimination of extra keyboards, monitors and mice -- which helps reduce room clutter and saves in rack space and power consumption.

Gallatin Steel, which produces 1.6 million tons of hot-band coils annually in its 24/7 facility in Kentucky -- selected MasterConsole CAT to help streamline its operations and reduce clutter in its production-floor computer room. Servers support all the processes involved in the hot-rolling mill production -- from the point when scrap metals are melted to when the molten mixture is poured and cast into slabs of steel.

"We have eight computers sitting in front of an operator -- and we had eight keyboards and mice," said Brian Shafer, Process Manager-Hot Rolling Process Control at Gallatin Steel. "With the MasterConsole CAT, I was able to replace all those mice and keyboards with one keyboard and one mouse, which frees up valuable physical space and helps us save time. We don't lose valuable time looking for the right mouse and keyboard set. No more 'Which mouse is this again?' All of our computers can be located and accessed easily using the MasterConsole CAT console."

MasterConsole CAT Pricing

The two-user MCCAT28 model supports up to eight servers and has a suggested list price of $895. MCCAT216, which supports up to 16 servers and two users, is priced at $995. The MasterConsole CAT User Station (MCCAT-UST), which provides access to the second user, has a suggested list price of $249. KVM switch and user station bundles are also available.

Raritan also offers one-user MasterConsole CAT switches and KVM-over-IP switches for small and mid-size businesses. More information on MasterConsole CAT can be found at http://www.raritan.com/products/analog-kvm/masterconsole-cat/.

About Raritan (Raritan.com)

Raritan is a leading provider of secure IT infrastructure management solutions that provide IT directors, managers and administrators the control they need to optimize data center productivity, enhance branch office operations and increase overall power management efficiency. In more than 50,000 locations around the world, our integrated secure in-band and out-of-band server access, control and power management products help companies better monitor and manage server access, utilization and energy consumption. Raritan's OEM division provides advanced embedded hardware and firmware for server and client management including KVM-over-IP, IPMI, intelligent power management and other industry standards-based management applications. Based in Somerset, N.J., Raritan has 38 offices worldwide, serving 76 countries. For more information, please visit Raritan.com.

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