topic Secure Web Console in Operating System - Linux

Secure Web Console

John Peace — Thu, 20 Dec 2001 14:01:00 GMT

I have a L3000 server on the way. It has no monitor or keyboard coming with it. My company is looking at a possiblity of buying about 10 "L" class servers to deploy at different sites and want to save money by not buying monitors. I have just started reading about SWC and I don't see where I will be able to do a few things without a monitor or keyboard at the server. Will I be able to interrupt the boot up sequence? How will I be able to go to single user mode? What about maintenance mode?
Are these things possible with SWC?

Re: Secure Web Console

Vikas_2 — Thu, 20 Dec 2001 19:27:48 GMT

Yes, U can do everything possible on the physical console with SWC. SWC simulates the console in web browser windows for you. U can interrupt the boot process, go to single user etc. without any problems.

Thanks
Vikas

Re: Secure Web Console

Mark Fenton — Thu, 20 Dec 2001 22:57:17 GMT

Not only can you do everything from the secure web console you could from the regular attached console, but you can also share the view of what you're doing with remote administrators --eg. have someone virtually stand over your shoulder to help/offer advice, etc. Very cool.

Re: Secure Web Console

Kodjo Agbenu — Thu, 20 Dec 2001 23:21:20 GMT

Hello,

Secure web console is a good solution for remote administration, however depending on the version of your navigator and/or java, there are some issues.

From my point of view, the best way to manage servers remotely is LAN console. It is a 10 MBit/s ethernet card that comes with all L-class or N-class servers (or higher). At the first install, you have to assign an address using either a bootp server or the "arp" command. Then, you can always access the console via telnet, even when the server is not yet booted (Boot admin and ISL).

When you telnet a running server, you normally get a login. Just type "CTRL-B" and you are connected to GSP.

I personnally would recommand LAN console instead of web.

Warning : I don't know what security features can be used with LAN console. There is a user/password authentication, but as far as I know, it is a very light security.

If you wanted it to be secure, I would suggest you putting all web consoles in a dedicated subnet, and use a router with proper packet filtering rules (firewall) to protect that sublan against hackers inside your company.

Good luck.

Kodjo

P.S. This forum is normally dedicated to Linux.

2nd P.S. Don't forget to rate this answer (from 1 to 10).

Re: Secure Web Console

Jairo Campana — Fri, 21 Dec 2001 14:32:50 GMT

the best way is with secure Web console and you can administers as if you were in cosole mode interrupt the boot up sequence o mode single user you can all from web secure console :
you need:
web cosole in the servers
address ip of webconsole in the red private (example: connect in the vlan of switch )
an browser: example: http://170.31.195.44
username:
password:

other option is conecct in rack the server an switch console with a only monitor , all server connetc the switch console and one monitor in the switch console.

press print screen to do switch the server a other server.

sorry, by my writing