Managing servers remotely is a handy capability if you're separated physically or if the server is kept in a secure area where minimal traffic and physical activity is preferred. Here are some suggestions for admin cards that will help VARs and networking consultants keep a thumb on their customers' servers even if they can't put in the face time.
Remote admin cards
If you are responsible for managing your customer's servers from which you are physically separated, you should consider using a special card, usually in a PCI form factor, which gives you the equivalent of console access via the network. This can obviously be a good idea if you're a thousand miles away from the box, but it's also a good idea if your server is across the street in a secure raised-floor area, where you naturally want to minimize traffic and any physical activity. Either way, these cards let you do from your desk almost everything you can do from the server, including rebooting and working with the server's BIOS.
Learn more about remote administration cards, their uses and which brands to recommend to your customers.
About the author
Tom Lancaster, CCIE# 8829 CNX# 1105, is a consultant with 15 years of experience in the networking industry. He is co-author of several books on networking, most recently,CCSP: Secure PIX and Secure VPN Study Guide, published by Sybex.
