Legacy Architecture
DECservers have been around since the mid 1980s and were the first product to convert serial data to Ethernet packets. During the last 25 years, DECservers have supported many of the world’s largest serial–to– Ethernet applications, and remain a mainstay within the industry to this day.
The DECserver will always be in demand where applications require MOP1 and LAT2 and within those environments system managers still use TSM3 to make daily production changes and to maintain their DECservers. The DECserver CLI4 is also used as a quick and flexible management tool.
Outside of MOP and LAT environments the demand for security protocols such as SSH5, and SSL6, began in the early 2000’s and is standard today. Crucial security features such as these far exceed the DECserver’s architectural limits and that has forced DECserver users to migrate to a new generation of product built for optimal security and management of serial-to-IP networks.
A Time for Change
Is there a need for greater security in your serial-to-Ethernet environment? No longer using LAT and MOP? Do you prefer an easy–to–use web–based management for your network equipment? Do you need a more featured serial–over–IP product now? Consider the Raritan Dominion SX Secure Console Servers.
Available in 4 to 48 port models, the Dominion SX provides local and remote access and control via SSH/Telnet and Web browser to manage users, serial servers and other IT devices. Scalable across hundreds of users and thousands of devices, Dominion SX models support single and dual feed AC and DC power, dual Ethernet LAN options and internal modem options.
Migration
All DECserver models from the DECserver 300 to the ConX4 support IP. That means that anyone using any of these models will be able to easily migrate to a Dominion SX. Some things that will need to be considered:
- Pin outs differ
- Adapters will need to change
- Cable length may need to change
- Confirm application support for TCP port range for Telnet or SSH
I’ll be posting future tech tips to cover these and other migration tips in detail.
Summary
The DECserver has been operating in some of the world’s harshest environments for over a decade without failure. This achievement is a testament to the quality of the product and as long as the demand exists, DECservers will be available. But for many, the need for greater security, ease of use and more flexible management have moved IT administrators to seek more featured serial-over-IP products.
- 1 MOP – Maintenance Operation Protocol
- A maintenance protocol specified in the DIGITAL Network Architecture (DNA) that is used to implement the Remote Console Facility and to perform downline loads, upline dumps, and loopback tests.
- 2 LAT – Local Area Transport
- Digital Equipment Corporation name for the Ethernet protocol used by the DECserver for terminal connections
- 3 TSM – Terminal Server Manager
- 4 CLI – Command Line Interface
- 5 SSH – Secure Shell Host
- A network protocol that allows data to be exchanged using a secure channel between two networked devices.
- 6 SSL – Secure Sockets Layer
- Protocol for managing the security of a message transmission on the Internet
Questions? Comments? Please leave your questions and comments below.