Raritan KX II User Manual

Dominion KX II - FAQ
© 2010 Raritan Inc. Page 1 of 20 V1098 R2 January 2010
Dominion
®
KX II
Question Answer
General Questions
What is Dominion KX II?
Dominion KX II is a second generation digital KVM (keyboard, video,
mouse) switch that enables one, two, four or eight IT administrators to
access and control 8, 16, 32 or 64 servers over the network with BIOS-
level functionality. Dominion KX II is completely hardware- and OS-
independent; users can troubleshoot and reconfigure servers even
when servers are down.
At the rack, Dominion KX II provides the same functionality,
convenience, space and cost savings as traditional analog KVM
switches. However, Dominion KX II also integrates the industry’s highest
performing KVM-over-IP technology, allowing multiple administrators to
access server KVM consoles from any networked workstation.
How does Dominion KX II
differ from remote control
software?
When using Dominion KX II remotely, the interface, at first glance, may
seem similar to remote control software such as pcAnywhere
TM
,
Windows
®
Terminal Services/Remote Desktop, VNC, etc. However,
because Dominion KX II is not a software but a hardware solution, it’s
much more powerful:
 Hardware- and OS-independent – Dominion KX II can be used
to manage servers running many popular OSs, including Intel
®
,
Sun
TM
, PowerPC running Windows, Linux
®
, Solaris
TM
, etc.
 State-independent/Agentless – Dominion KX II does not require
the managed server OS to be up and running, nor does it
require any special software to be installed on the managed
server.
 Out-of-band – Even if the managed server’s own network
connection is unavailable, it can still be managed through
Dominion KX II.
 BIOS-level access – Even if the server is hung at boot up,
requires booting to safe mode, or requires system BIOS
parameters to be altered, Dominion KX II still works flawlessly to
enable these configurations to be made.

Raritan KX II Specifications

General

Brand	Raritan
Model	KX II
Category	Switch
Language	English

Summary

General Questions

What is Dominion KX II?

Defines Dominion KX II as a second-generation digital KVM switch enabling IT administrators to access and control servers.

Dominion KX II vs. Remote Control Software

Explains Dominion KX II's hardware-based, OS-independent advantages over software solutions.

Remote Access Capabilities

Universal Virtual Media Features

Bandwidth Optimization and Tuning

Methods to Reduce Bandwidth

Suggests adjusting connection speed, color depth, backgrounds, screen savers, and resolution.

Network Configuration and Connectivity

Dual Gigabit Ethernet Ports for Failover

Explains dual gigabit ports provide redundant failover, requiring administrator enablement.

Troubleshooting Network Connectivity

Common Connection Problems and Solutions

Server Independence and Self-Sufficiency

Dependency on External Servers

Asserts Dominion KX II is completely independent, designed to function even if servers fail.

Blade Server Integration

Server Connectivity and Emulation

Keyboard/Mouse Emulation Technology (KME)

Explains KME technology prevents lock-ups via virtual keyboard/mouse dongles.

Server Agent Requirements

Local Port Access and Management

Local Port Authentication and Security

Dual Power Supply Reliability

Automatic Power Failover

Confirms all models have dual AC inputs and automatic failover power supplies.

Power Management and PDU Control

Remote Power Control Capabilities

Comprehensive Security Features

FIPS 140-2 Certified Cryptographic Module

Confirms FIPS 140-2 validation for the embedded cryptographic module used for KVM session traffic.

Encryption Standards and Video Data Encryption

Uses AES encryption for SSL and data streams, including video, keyboard, and mouse data.

External Authentication Integration

Smart Card and CAC Authentication

Smart Card and CAC Support

Configuration Management and Logging

Backup and Restore Configuration

Auditing and Event Logging