Chapter 5: Firewall, Failover and Out of Band
92 Console Server & RIM Gateway User Manual
FIREWALL, FAILOVER & OoB ACCESS
The console server has a number of out-of-band access capabilities and transparent fail-over features, to ensure high
availability. So if there’s difficulty in accessing the console server through the main network path, all console server
models provide out-of-band (OoB) access and the Administrator can still access it (and its Managed Devices) from a
remote location.
 All console server models support serially attaching an external dial-up modem and configuring dial-in OoB
access. Some models with USB ports support attaching an external USB modem. Some models also come
standard with an internal modem. These modems can also be configured for dial-in OoB access
 All console server models with an internal or externally attached modem (and V3.4 firmware or later) can be
configured for out-dial to be permanently connected
 The advanced console server models can also be configured for transparent out-dial failover. So in the event of a
disruption in the principal management network, an external dial-up ppp connection is automatically established
 These advanced console server models can also be accessed out-of-band using an alternate broadband link and
also offer transparent broadband failover
 Models with an internal or external cellular modem can be configured for OoB cellular access or for cellular
transparent failover or can be configured as a cellular router
5.1 Dialup Modem Connection
To enable dial-in or dial-out you must first ensure there is a modem attached to the console server.
- All IM4200 models, ACM5508-2-M and ACM5003-M come with an internal modem which can provide for OoB
dial-in access. These models will display a Internal Modem Port tab under System -> Dial (as well as the Serial
DB9 Port tab)
- The other ACM5500 and ACM5000 models and IM4004-5 also support external USB modems. We recommend
the US Robotics 56K USB Modem (USR5637 or Opengear Part # OGUSR5637). The USB modem will be auto-
detected and an External USB Modem Port tab will come up under System -> Dial (in addition to the Serial DB9
Port tab). All console server models supports an external modem (any brand) attached via a serial cable to the
console/modem port for OoB dial-in access.
ï€ The CM4000 and SD4000 console servers need to have an external modem attached via a serial cable to their
DB9 port. This port is marked Local and is located on the back of the SD4002, CM4001 and CM4008 units, and
on the front of the CM4116/4148 units.
ï€ The serial ports on the ACM5500, ACM5000 and SD4001 are by default all configured as RJ serial Console
Server ports. However Port 1 can be configured to be the Local Console/Modem port
5.2 OoB Dial-In Access
Once a modem has been attached to the console server you can configure the console server for dial-in PPP access. The
console server will then await an incoming connection from a dial-in at remote site. Next the remote client dial-in software
needs to be configured to establish the connection between the Administrator’s client modem to the dial in modem on the
console server.
5.2.1 Configure Dial-In PPP
Enable PPP access on the internal or externally attached modem:
 Select the System: Dial menu option and the port to be configured (Serial DB9 Port or Internal Modem Port or
External USB Port)
 Select the Baud Rate and Flow Control that will communicate with the modem
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