Server Zapping -- ATEN Altusen KN2108: KVMs connect multiple servers with one console. ATEN from Taiwan sent an IP-enabled switch to far located Poing. This device is to allow administrators a comfortable access to their systems.

Up to now the focus of the Taiwanese company ATEN lay on consumer products. Thus, the portfolio of the company includes a multitude of small KVM switches, video splitters and USB hubs. Since autumn 2006, ATEN places more focus on business products. The Taiwanese company sells KVM switches with 8 to 16 ports and IP support for data centers under its own label "ALTUSEN". We tested the 8-port version KN2108 in our "Real-World Labs" in Poing.

The 1U device aims at the installation in a 19" rack. As the switch is noticeably shorter than the regular rack it provides a detachable front panel with LEDs indicating the ports. The panel is linked to the main device with a cable. Thus, users can install the display for a good visibility at the rack front and move the actual switch to the back of the server rack. Instead of special KVM cables ATEN uses regular CAT5 wiring. For the connection of the respective devices the manufacturer offers different modules with VGA and PS/2 or VGA and USB connectors. In addition, a connector for VT-100 connections and a
special VGA/USB adapter for Sun systems is available. The KVM connects a local console via a VGA and two PS/2 ports.

In operation the Altusen allows three simultaneous connections. Parallel to the local console the switch links two IP connections to servers. The manufacturer specifies a maximum video resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels @ 60 Hz. A special serial interface connects the KN2108 with an optional ATEN power switch. Administrators who use such a device are able to physically power on/off the connected servers via the control panel of the KVM. The configuration of the switch is carried out via one of the consoles. The device operates a Web server with SSL encryption, mainly used for firmware updates and
administration of logs. Furthermore, the administrator can download a Java or a Windows application via the Web server.

These applications provide for the actual access of the KVM session. Both tools encrypt the communication between client and switch with the aid of SSL. Within the console the IT administrator accesses the switch setup. There he may define different users and access authorizations for the ports. The ATEN switch can also refer to user accounts of a Radius server.

Besides the console mode the Altusen device offers a monitoring function. It switches every two seconds to all connected servers and shows their display in small format on an overview display.
The initial installation and configuration of KN2108 functions without problems in the testing field. The configuration is logical, the menus are clearly arranged, and the device is very easy to handle. We meet first challenges in the IP consoles. For example, the Windows application uses a key remapping to occupy special key combinations - such as <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<Del> which the host server traps - with other keys. Via default the Altusen device replaces the <Alt> key by <F12>. During the test <Ctrl>-<F12>-<Del> initially does not lead to the desired rebooting. After upgrading the firmware of the device to version 1.0.085 the problem is solved.

The Java console does not have any problems with this. However, we have to mention that ATEN did not carry out a proper localization. Thus, the Java program treats the keyboard of the client with the US definition, whereas the Windows transmits the right keys. The port configurations provided by the switch allow administrators to adjust the country definitions, however, he may only choose between English, French and Japanese.

Both IP clients deliver a surprisingly sharp reproduction, also of graphical surfaces with high resolution and color depth. However, the server GUI within the local network works a little slow. In return, the performance does not degrade when the control takes place from a remote network that is connected via VPN and has a bandwidth of about 1 MBit/s. During the test both IP clients were not able to synchronize the mouse of the host server with the mouse of the controlled server. According to
ATEN Support this phenomenon occurs with servers which work with different mouse acceleration values.
Result: The hardware and handling of Altusen KN2108 was pleasing. The software, especially the Java IP client needs some touching up.

Altusen KN 2108
Manufacturer: ATEN
Characteristics: 8-Port IP KVM
Price: 2499 Euro plus CPU modules
PS/2 KVM adapter cable: 107.10 Euro
USB KVM adapter cable: 107.10 Euro
Sun Legacy KVM adapter cable: 107.10 Euro
Sun USB KVM adapter cable: 136.85 Euro
Serial KVM adapter cable: 428.40 Euro
(all prices including VAT)
Web: www.aten.com

Advantages:
+ Easy to handle and configurate
+ All IP protocols are SSL-encrypted