Designing the Hardware Configuration

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Because in-band management occurs through the standard network connection to a responding operating system, in-band management tools are typically software applications and tools. Out-of-band management, on the other hand, might require hardware components to access a non-responding server or to consolidate access to multiple servers. After you have determined which tasks you want to perform remotely and which tools and components to use, the next step is to determine how to configure the components, as Figure 5.4 illustrates.

Figure 5.4   Designing the Hardware Configuration

This section describes and illustrates ways to configure various out-of-band components. These configurations are only sample solutions. Depending on your hardware, you might require a different solution. For more detailed information about setting up out-of-band connections in an Emergency Management Services installation, see the Storage Technologies Collection of the Windows Server 2003 Technical Reference (or see the Storage Technologies Collection on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit).

Although you can use Emergency Management Services with only a serial port or modem to manage most Windows Server 2003 operating states, this minimal configuration is useful only if you are managing just one or two servers. If you are managing many servers, this minimal configuration might be of limited practical application.

When you combine Emergency Management Services with additional components, such as a terminal concentrator, an intelligent UPS or intelligent power switch integrated with terminal concentrator functionality, or a network-enabled service processor, you can use a single network connection from your management computer to manage multiple servers through their out-of-band ports. This configuration can be effective when you need to manage many servers in a single location.

The following configurations are described in order from least to most robust.