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Perle Systems Technical Notes
The Emergency Management Services (EMS), available in Windows Server Operating Systems provides “headless” support for today enterprise servers. It enables management services without the need for a keyboard, mouse, local monitor, and video adapter. A server administrator interacts with EMS through a Special Administration Console (SAC) to perform management and recovery tasks, even when the system’s operational status is questionable.
In this scenario, a Windows server can be managed through the server’s console port using a text-based command-line interface. Microsoft recommends using a "terminal server" or "console server" to connect multiple servers to a single point of contact for remote management. The benefits include:
This “Out-of- Band” operation provides the best method for recovery of Windows Servers in remote locations today.
As stated by Microsoft some scenarios where access to SAC is the best way to recovery are;
Example for Setting Up a Windows Server Port for SAC
bootcfg /ems ON /port COM1 /baud 9600 /id 1
In this example we are specifying COM1 as the port to redirect console SAC traffic to. Please refer to Microsoft’s documentation for specific information on the SAC feature.
Simple SAC Web Interface
Using Microsoft’s EMS - SAC tool can be a daunting task for some Windows administrators who are more comfortable with a graphical interface.
Windows EMS – SAC’s text-based command line interface
Perle has addressed this issue on its IOLAN Terminal Servers by providing a simple browser-based graphical user interface tool that speeds up system recovery time specifically for Windows Servers administrators. All of the EMS/SAC functions are available to the user such as;
IOLAN Console / Terminal Servers
Perle offers a complete line of products that consolidate serial console access using strong security and data encryption and providing fault-tolerant models with dual Ethernet and dual power supplies for ultimate reliability. Serial and USB port densities up to 50 ports are available giving customers the ability to connect all of their Windows, Linux, Solaris and Unix servers, network and infrastructure equipment by using the same console management system.
Customers who want a single solution for all of their Windows and non-Windows network and telecom equipment can upgrade their Windows servers to take advantage of the EMS features. Using a Perle Console Server, they can reduce equipment and operating costs, minimize network downtime, and add secure remote access to all systems for remote console management.