IBM Rack-Based Local Console Switches, 17353LX, 17354LX, 17351GX User Manual

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IBM Rack-Based Local Console Switches

IBM System x at-a-glance guide

The family of IBM rack-based local console switches is designed to provide exceptional scalability and
flexibility in managing data center environments. They give server administrators the power to centrally
manage multiple servers from a single keyboard, mouse, and display. The CAT5-based switches work
across all major platforms, are rack-mountable, and provide access for up to two simultaneous local
users.

Figure 1. The IBM Rack Console Switches

Did You Know?

Each of these keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switches does more than just support the connection of eight
or 16 direct-attach systems. With either daisy-chaining or tiered console switches, you can manage up to
128 systems from a single desktop using the 1x8 switch, up to 256 with the 2x16 switch, and up to 512
target systems with three tiers of LCM2 switches.

The LCM2 also supports a virtual media solution where you can connect a USB storage device directly to
the LCM2 switch or leverage the integrated optical drive or USB pass-through on an attached 17" or 19"
console kit and simply map the device directly to any servers attached to the switch with a Virtual Media
Conversion Option (VCO). This solution eliminates the need to physically locate each system in the rack
when transferring data during deployment or patching multiple servers.

IBM Rack-Based Local Console Switches 1

Part number information

Table 1. Ordering part numbers and feature codes

Description Part number Feature code

IBM 1x8 Console Switch 17353LX Not applicable

IBM 2x16 Console Switch 17354LX Not applicable

IBM Local 2x8 Console Manager (LCM2) 17351GX Not applicable

IBM USB Conversion Option (UCO) 43V6147 1735HC1 fc 3756

IBM USB Conversion Option (UCO) 4-pack 39M2895 Not available

IBM Long KVM Conversion Option (KCO) 39M2897 1735HC1 fc 3754

IBM Virtual Media Conversion Option (VCO) 39M2894 1735HC1 fc 3758

The IBM 1x8 Console Switch includes the following items:



One 1x8 Console Switch



Mounting hardware for EIA space for rack sidewall compartment



One 1U filler panel



One C13/C14 rack power cable



Eight terminators for daisy-chaining configurations



Installation publications and warranty

The IBM 2x16 Console Switch includes the following items:



One 2x16 Console Switch



Mounting hardware for EIA space for rack sidewall compartment



One 1U filler panel



One C13/C14 rack power cable



16 terminators for daisy-chaining configurations



Installation publications and warranty

The IBM Local 2x8 Console Manager includes the following items:



One 2x8 Console Switch



Mounting hardware for EIA space for rack sidewall compartment



One 1U filler panel



One C13/C14 rack power cable



Eight terminators for daisy-chaining configurations



One 6 ft CAT-5 cable



Installation publications and warranty

Each of the Conversion Option parts listed in Table 1 ships with:



One Conversion Option



One CAT-5 cable



Installation publications and warranty

IBM Rack-Based Local Console Switches 2

Features

The KVM console switches enable you to share one workspace (keyboard, mouse, and display) across
many target systems. The target systems are connected to the console switch via CAT-5 cables and the
appropriate conversion option at the target end. Conversion options are available with either USB or PS/2
connectors. In addition, multiple target systems can be daisy-chained together using CAT-5 cables, and
then all connected to the console switch using the one cable, thereby eliminating a lot of cable clutter.

Table 2. Comparison of features

Feature IBM 1x8 Console

Switch

Number of local concurrent users 1 2 2

Local user connections - KVM VGA + PS/2 or USB VGA + PS/2 or USB VGA + PS/2 or USB

Local user connections - extra USB No No Yes (2)

Remote user connections Not available Not available Not available

Maximum number of target systems ­Direct (ARI ports)

Maximum number of target systems ­Daisy-chained

Maximum number of target systems ­Tiered configuration

Maximum video resolution 1280 x 1024 @ 75 Hz 1280 x 1024 @ 75 Hz 1280 x 1024 @ 75 Hz

Support for USB Conversion Option, UCO
(43V6147 and 39M2895)

Support for KVM (PS/2) Conversion
Option, KCO (39M2897)

Support for Virtual Media Conversion
Option, VCO (39M2894)

8 16 8

128 256 128

128 256 512 / 2048‡

Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes

Yes* Yes* Yes

IBM 2x16 Console
Switch

IBM 2x8 LCM2

Virtual media No No Yes

OSCAR user interface Yes Yes Yes

Password protection Yes Yes Yes

Serial port Yes Yes Yes

Ethernet port No No Yes†

Firmware upgrades to the console switch Via serial port Via serial port Via serial & Ethernet

Firmware upgrades to the COs Via OSCAR interface Via OSCAR interface Via OSCAR interface

Input power 100-240V, 50/60 Hz

12.5 W consumption,
40 W max

* The 1x8 and 2x16 console switches support the use of the Virtual Media Conversion Option (VCO) for connectivity,
but they do not support the use of remote virtual media. The use of the VCO with these console switches represents a
lower-cost alternative to the UCO if chaining is not required.
‡ 2048 target systems in a tiered configuration when front-ended with a Global Console Manager console switch.
† The Ethernet port of the LCM2 is for firmware updates only.

IBM Rack-Based Local Console Switches 3

100-240V, 50/60 Hz

12.5 W consumption,
40 W max

100-240V, 50/60 Hz

12.5 W consumption,
40 W max

Number of local concurrent users :

The 1x8 and LCM2 console switches enable a single local user to access any attached servers. The 2x16
console switch enables two simultaneous users to access attached servers. With the 2x16 console
switch, connections can be preemptive or cooperative. In preemptive mode, the connection between one
local user and a target device is disconnected, without warning, if the second local user selects the same
target device. In cooperative mode, the local user maintains the connection to a target device if another
user selects the same target device. The way the keyboard and mouse are shared is configurable via the
OSCAR interface.

Local user connections :

Local displays are connected to the console switch using VGA analog connections. Keyboard and mouse
can be either PS/2-style connections or USB. Two USB ports are provided for mouse and keyboard
connections. The LCM2 includes two additional USB ports for the attachment of devices such as optical
drives or memory keys. These devices can be made available on remote target systems provided Virtual
Media Conversion Options are used to connect to those target systems. Note, however, that the Virtual
Media Conversion Option does not support chaining of target systems.

Target systems:

Each console switch has 8 or 16 target system ports (known as analog rack interface or ARI ports). These
can be directly attached to systems with the appropriate USB or PS/2 conversion option connector on the
end. These connections use standard CAT-5 cables. You can increase the number of connected target
systems by two methods: chaining or a tiered arrangement of switches (more about these below). Both
methods mean that each of the 8 or 16 ports will have multiple systems connected to it. You can mix
connection methods.

Conversion Options:

These are cables-connector combinations that are connected between the CAT-5 cables from the
console switches to the target systems. Figure 2 shows the three conversion option cables available for
use with the console switches.

Shown on the left in Figure 2 are the KVM Conversion Option (KCO) with VGA and PS/2-style mouse and
keyboard connections, and the USB Conversion Option (UCO) with VGA and USB connections.

The Virtual Media Conversion Option shown on the right in Figure 2 supports the virtual media capability
of the LCM2; however, it does not support chaining. More about virtual media in the heading Virtual Media
later in this document.

IBM Rack-Based Local Console Switches 4