Lenovo GCM16, GCM32 Product Manual
GCM16 and GCM32 Global Console Managers
Product Guide
The Global 2X2X16 Console Manager (GCM16) and Global 4X2X32 Console Manager (GCM32) are the
next generation digital keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) console managers that provide KVM-over-IP and
serial console management technology in a single appliance. Either console lets you access and manage
all servers remotely, even to the system BIOS, using your existing IP infrastructure.
The GCM16 has 16 target ports and supports up to 2 local users and 2 remote users, and the GCM32 has
32 target ports and supports up to 2 local users and 4 remote users. Figure 1 shows these two models.
Figure 1. The Global Console Managers: GCM16 (top) and GCM32 (bottom)
Did you know?
The GCM16 and GCM32 Global Console Managers provide enhanced remote management, access, and
security capabilities with out-of-band access to servers, network equipment, and other devices with serial
configuration or console ports all from a single appliance. This unified approach improves staff efficiency
by reducing the time required to remotely diagnose, reconfigure, repair, or restore servers as well as
network devices and other hardware with serial configuration or management consoles, or both.
The serial capabilities of these appliances enable connecting and managing nearly any device with a serial
port directly from the console manager, including switches, routers, and PDUs. SSH and Telnet
connections are supported.
GCM16 and GCM32 Global Console Managers 1
Part number information
Ordering information is shown in Table 1. Note that when ordering with feature codes, use machine typemodel 1754HC1 for the GCM16 and 1754HC2 for the GCM32.
Table 1. Ordering part numbers and feature codes
Description Part number GCM16 feature code GCM32 feature code
Global Console Manager GCM16 1754D1X 1754HC1 fc 6694 Not applicable
Global Console Manager GCM32 1754D2X Not applicable 1754HC2 fc 6695
USB Conversion Option (UCO) (single) 43V6147 1754HC1 fc 3757 1754HC2 fc 3757
USB Conversion Option (UCO) 4-pack 39M2895 1754HC1 fc 3756 1754HC2 fc 3756
Long KVM Conversion Option (KCO) 4-pack 39M2897 1754HC1 fc 3754 1754HC2 fc 3754
Virtual Media Conversion Option Gen2 (VCO2) 46M5383 1754HC1 fc 5341 1754HC2 fc 5341
Serial Conversion Option (SCO) 46M5382 1754HC1 fc 5340 1754HC2 fc 5340
The GCM16 Global Console Manager includes the following items:
16-port console switch
Mounting hardware for EIA space for rack sidewall compartment
One 1U filler panel
Two C13/C14 rack power cables
RJ45-DB9F DCE adapter for use with Setup port
RJ45-DB9M DTE adapter for use with Modem port
16 terminators for daisy-chaining configurations
Installation publications and warranty
The GCM32 Global Console Manager includes the following items:
32-port console switch
Mounting hardware for EIA space for rack sidewall compartment
One 1U filler panel
Two C13/C14 rack power cables
RJ45-DB9F DCE adapter for use with Setup port
RJ45-DB9M DTE adapter for use with Modem port
32 terminators for daisy-chaining configurations
Installation publications and warranty
Each of the Conversion Option parts listed in Table 1 ships with:
One Conversion Option (4-packs have four)
One CAT-5 cable (four-packs have four)
Installation publications and warranty
The GCM digital 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. Connections to serial devices are also supported with serial conversion options.
With server densities continually increasing, cable bulk remains a major concern for network
administrators. The GCM16 and GCM32 switches significantly reduce KVM cable volume in the rack by
utilizing the innovative conversion option cables and single, industry-standard CAT-5 UTP cabling. This
allows a higher server density while providing greater airflow and cooling capacity. In addition, multiple
target systems can be daisy-chained together using CAT-5 cables, and then all connected to the console
switch using one cable, thereby eliminating a lot of cable clutter.
GCM16 and GCM32 Global Console Managers 2
Feature comparison
The GCM16 and GCM32 replace the GCM2 Global Console Manager. Table 2 compares the console
switches.
Table 2. Comparison of features
Feature GCM16 GCM32
Model 1754D1X 1754D2X
Number of local concurrent users 2 2
Number of remote concurrent users 2 4
Local user connections - KVM VGA + 2x USB VGA + 2x USB
Local user connections - total USB 4 (including 2 for K & M) 4 (including 2 for K & M)
Maximum number of target systems - Direct (ARI
ports)
16 32
Maximum number of target systems - Daisy-chained 256 512
Maximum number of target systems - Tiered
configuration
1024 (2 levels) 1024 (2 levels)
Maximum video resolution 1600 x 1200 standard
1680 x 1050 widescreen
1600 x 1200 standard
1680 x 1050 widescreen
User interface Web GUI (local and remote) Web GUI (local and remote)
Manage remotely with Virtual Console Software (VCS) Yes Yes
Manage remotely with Avocent DSView Yes* Yes*
Keep Alive feature in Conversion Options Yes Yes
IPV6 support Yes Yes
User Authentication via user database in console
switch
Yes Yes
User Authentication via remote LDAP server Yes Yes
AES encryption Yes Yes
Manage serial devices Yes Yes
Manage intelligent power devices Yes Yes
Smart Card or Common Access Card support Yes Yes
Support for USB Conversion Option, UCO (43V6147
and 39M2895)
Yes Yes
Support for KVM (PS/2) Conversion Option, KCO
(39M2897)
Yes Yes
Support for Virtual Media Conversion Option Gen2,
VCO2 (46M5383)
Yes Yes
Support for Serial Conversion Option, (SCO) 46M5382 Yes Yes
Virtual media Yes Yes
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) Yes (2)† Yes (2)†
Serial port Yes Yes
Modem port for out-of-band access Yes Yes
Firmware upgrades to the console switch Yes Yes
Firmware upgrades to the COs Yes Yes
GCM16 and GCM32 Global Console Managers 3
Input power 100-240V, 50/60 Hz
18 W power
100-240V, 50/60 Hz
24 W power
Redundant power supplies Yes Yes
Feature GCM16 GCM32
* Avocent DSView management software available directly from Avocent
† Ethernet ports are redundant for increased availability
Connections
Figure 2 shows the connections on the GCM32 Global Console Manager. The GCM16 Global Console
Manager has identical connections except it only has 16 ARI ports, whereas the GCM32 has 32 ARI ports.
Figure 2. Connections on the GCM32 Global Console Manager
Note: Figure 2 shows the rear of the unit. There are no connectors on the front of the unit.
Features
Details about the features of the GCM16 and GCM32 are as follows:
Number of local concurrent users:
The GCM16 and GCM32 console switches enable one or two local user to access any attached servers. If
the target device is currently in use, the user attempting to gain access will be given an opportunity to
force a connection to the device if their preemption level is equal to or higher than the current user’s level.
If the user attempting to gain access has a lower preemption level, the active user will be asked if they wish
to give up control to the new user (a timeout is also configurable).
GCM16 and GCM32 Global Console Managers 4
The GCM16 and GCM32 both support two independent local users as shown in Figure 3. One local user
attaches to the VGA and USB ports on the console switch as shown in Figure 2. The second local user
attaches to a tiered (slave) console switch (see "Tiered consoles" below for more information). These two
ports are independent of one another (that is, not pre-emptive or shared). This configuration allows you to
place a console in every rack, for local connectivity to those servers complete with local KVM access, plus
tier up to a master console that has local KVM access to all the servers attached to all attached console
switches.
Figure 3. Two local users in a tiered configuration
Local user connections:
Local displays are connected to the console switch using VGA analog connections. Keyboard and mouse
must be USB attached and two USB ports are provided for this purpose. Two additional USB ports are
provided 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:
The GCM16 has 16 target system ports (known as analog rack interface or ARI ports) and the GCM32 has
32 target system 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 16 or 32 ports will have multiple systems
connected to it. You can mix connection methods.
GCM16 and GCM32 Global Console Managers 5
Remote access via Ethernet or Modem:
Remote access to console switch and to the target systems is via a Web browser. The switch provides
agentless remote control and access. No special software or drivers are required on the attached servers
or client. Access is normally via a standard Ethernet network, requiring that the console switch be
connected to the network via one or both Ethernet ports. Connecting both ports provides redundancy.
Additionally, if a modem is connected to the modem port on the console switch and the modem is
connected to a telephone (PSTN) system, then you can dial the console switch via your modem and
establish an out-of-band connection to the console switch using the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) for
remote control. V.34, V.90, or V.92 connections are supported.
Conversion Options:
These are cable-connector combinations that are connected between the CAT-5 cables from the console
switches to the target systems. Figure 4 shows the five conversion option cables available for use with the
console switches. The part numbers are listed in Table 1.
The KVM Conversion Option (KCO) is suitable for target servers with VGA and PS/2-style mouse and
keyboard connections. The USB Conversion Option (UCO) is for systems with VGA and USB connections.
The Virtual Media Conversion Options (VCO and VCO2) supports the virtual media capability of the console
switches; however, they do not support chaining. We describe both virtual media and chaining later in this
document.
Figure 4. Available conversion options
The built-in memory of each connection option helps simplify configuration by assigning and retaining
unique server identification codes for each attached server. This integrated intelligence enhances security
and helps prevent unauthorized access to a server through cable manipulation. The connection option is
powered directly from the server, providing Keep Alive functionality even if the server is not powered on.
Supported video resolutions are listed in the following table.
GCM16 and GCM32 Global Console Managers 6
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