HP 336045-B21 - Server Console Switch KVM - Cascading Console Switches; Cascading Console Switches Overview; Cascading Console Switches Matrix

Cascading console switches 25
Cascading console switches
Cascading console switches overview
The G2 console switches support two levels of cascading or tiering devices. You can cascade multiple
console switches to increase the number of devices available from a single access point.
When cascading console switches with Virtual Media, verify the following:
• Interface adapters are not be used to cascade console switches. If interface adapters are used to
cascade console switches, you do not have seamless integration, and you lose Virtual Media
support. Use interface adapters with Virtual Media capability if you require Virtual Media.
• All cascaded console switches and interface adapters must have the most current firmware. To
upgrade console switch firmware, see Upgrading the firmware (on page 72).
Cascading console switches matrix
General rules of cascading console switches include:
• You can either cascade a newer console switch over an older console switch, or cascade switches of
the same generation. An older console switch cannot be the primary console switch over a newer
secondary switch.
• IP console switches cannot be cascaded under other IP console switches.
• In order for a particular feature to function, such as Virtual Media, all console switches and interface
adapters in the cascade must support the feature.
NOTE: The Virtual Media speed on an interface adapter that also supports smart cards is
only Full-Speed (approximately 6x CD-ROM). To use Hi-Speed Virtual Media (approximately
12x CD-ROM), you must use a Virtual Media only interface adapter.
For configurations to work properly, you must have an interface adapter with Virtual Media connecting
each server to the console switch. For more information, see Using Virtual Media (on page 61).
HP Server Console Switches and Compaq Server Console Switches are not Virtual Media capable and
cannot be used as a primary console switch over any of the Virtual Media capable console switches.
The following table shows several two-level cascade configurations.
Primary console switch Secondary console switch Supported features*
HP IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual
Media
HP Server Console Switch G2 with
Virtual Media
Virtual Media
Smart Card
HP IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual
Media
HP Server Console Switch with Virtual
Media
Virtual Media
HP IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual
Media
HP Server Console Switch G2 KVM
HP IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual
Media
HP Server Console Switch KVM