Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced

Console Server
Installer/User Guide
Technical Support Site
If you encounter any installation or operational issues with your product, check the pertinent section of
this manual to see if the issue can be resolved by following outlined procedures. Visit
https://www.VertivCo.com/en-us/support/ for additional assistance.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction 1
1.1 Features and Benefits 1
1.1.1 Access options 1
1.1.2 Web manager 1
1.1.3 IPv4 and IPv6 support 2
1.1.4 Flexible users and groups 2
1.1.5 Security 2
1.1.6 Authentication 2
1.1.7 VPN based on IPSec 3
1.1.8 Packet filtering 3
1.1.9 SNMP 3
1.1.10 Data logging, notifications, alarms and data buffering 3
1.1.11 Power management 3
1.1.12 Auto discovery 3
1.1.13 FIPS module 3
2 Installation 5
2.1 Getting Started 5
2.1.1 Supplied with the console server 5
2.1.2 Additional items needed 5
2.2 Rack Mounting 5
2.3 Connecting the Hardware 6
2.3.1 Connecting device consoles or modems to serial ports 8
2.4 Turning On the Console Server 9
2.4.1 AC power 10
2.4.2 DC power 10
2.5 Configuring a Console Server 11
2.5.1 Using Telnet or SSH 11
3 Accessing the Console Server via the Web Manager 13
3.1 Web Manager Overview for Administrators 13
3.2 Wizard Mode 14
3.3 Expert Mode 16
3.4 Access 16
3.5 System Tools 17
3.5.1 Upgrading firmware 17
3.5.2 Upgrading the bootcode 18
3.5.3 Configuration files 19
3.5.4 Configuration Integrity 19
3.6 System 20
3.6.1 Security 20
3.6.2 HTTPS Certificate 22

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 3.6.3 Bootp Configuration Retrieval 23
3.6.4 Date and Time 24
3.6.5 Help and Language 25
3.6.6 General 25
3.6.7 Boot Configuration 25
3.6.8 Information 26
3.6.9 Usage 26
3.7 Network 26
3.7.1 Settings 26
3.7.2 Link Layer Discovery Protocol 27
3.7.3 Network Failover 28
3.7.4 Devices 29
3.7.5 IPv4 and IPv6 static routes 30
3.7.6 Hosts 30
3.7.7 Firewall 30
3.7.8 IPSec (VPN) 32
3.8 SNMP Configuration 39
3.9 Ports 40
3.9.1 Serial ports 40
3.9.2 Multi-Session Menu 46
3.9.3 Auxiliary ports 46
3.9.4 CAS Profile 47
3.9.5 Dial-in Profile 51
3.9.6 Dial-out Profile 52
3.10 Pluggable Devices 53
3.10.1 Device configuration 54
3.11 Authentication 54
3.11.1 Appliance authentication 55
3.11.2 Authentication servers 55
3.12 Users Accounts and User Groups 56
3.12.1 Local accounts 57
3.12.2 User Groups 58
3.12.3 DSView software access rights 63
3.13 Event Notifications 63
3.13.1 Event List 64
3.13.2 Event Destinations 64
3.13.3 Trap Forward 65
3.13.4 Data Buffering 65
3.13.5 Appliance logging 65
3.13.6 Sensors 65
3.14 Power Management 66
3.14.1 PDUs 67

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 3.14.2 Login 68
3.14.3 Outlet Groups 68
3.14.4 Network PDUs 68
3.15 Active Sessions 69
3.16 Monitoring 69
3.17 Change Password 70
3.18 Web Manager Overview for Regular Users 70
4 Appendices 71
Appendix A: Technical Specifications 71
Appendix B: Zero-touch provisioning 72
Appendix C: Recovering a Console Server's Password 77
Appendix D: Port Information for Communication with the DSView Software 78
Appendix E: Accessing a Console Server with a DSView Software Installation via Dial-up 79
4.0.1 Installing DSView software with an OOB back door 79
4.0.2 Configuring dial-up for a console server 79
Appendix F: Internal Modem 81
4.0.3 AT+MS modulation selection 83
4.0.4 Set telephone extension option 85
4.0.5 AT S registers 85
4.0.6 Basic modem result codes 85
4.0.7 Digital line guard 86
4.0.8 Sleep mode operation 86
4.0.9 Disconnecting a call 86
4.0.10 Selecting country codes 87
4.0.11 Using caller ID 87

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Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide iv
 1 INTRODUCTION
The Avocent® ACS6000 advanced console server is a 1U appliance that serves as a single point for access
and administration of connected devices, such as target device consoles, modems and power devices.
Console servers support secure remote data center management and out-of-band management of IT
assets from any location worldwide.

NOTE: Unless noted, references to a console server refer to all models in the 60XX series.

Console servers provide secure local (console port) and remote (IP and dial-up) access. The console
servers run the Linux® operating system with a persistent file system in Flash memory, and can be
upgraded from either FTP or a DSView™ 4 management software server.

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all references to DSView software in this document refer to version 4 or
greater.

Multiple administrators can be logged into the console server at the same time and can use the web
manager, the Command Line Interface (CLI utility) or DSView software to access and configure the
console server.

One USB port supports modem (V.92), storage devices and USB hubs. Two fast Ethernet ports support
connections to more than one network or configuration of Ethernet bonding (failover) for redundancy
and greater reliability. For dial-in and secure dial-back with Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), optional internal
modems can be factory installed, or you can use external modems.

1.1 Features and Benefits

1.1.1 Access options
Secure access is available through the following local (analog console port) and remote (digital IP and
dial-up) options:

• LAN/WAN IP network connection.

• Dial-up to a factory-configured internal modem (optional), a modem connected either to a
serial port or the AUX port (which is only possible when an internal modem is not installed) or in
the USB port.
• Target device connection. An authorized user can make a Telnet, SSH v1, SSH v2 or Raw
connection to a target device. For Telnet or SSH to be used for target device connections, the
Telnet or SSH service must be configured in the Security Profile that is in effect.
• Console server console connection. An administrator can log in either from a local terminal or
from a computer with a terminal emulation program that is connected to the console port and
can use the CLI utility. The CLI utility prompt (--|- cli>) displays at login.

More than one administrator can log into the console server and have an active CLI or web manager
session. All sessions receive the following warning message when the configuration is changed by another
administrator or by the system: The appliance configuration has been altered from outside of your
session. Upon receipt of this message, each administrator needs to verify that changes made during the
session were saved.

1.1.2 Web manager

Users and administrators can perform most tasks through the web manager (accessed with HTTP or
HTTPS). The web manager runs in Microsoft® Internet Explorer®, Mozilla®Firefox®, and Google® Chrome®

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 on any supported computer that has network access to the console server. The list of supported client
browsers and their versions are available in the release notes.

1.1.3 IPv4 and IPv6 support

The console server supports dual stack IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. The administrator can use the web
manager or CLI to configure support for IPv4 addresses only or for both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. The
following list describes the IPv6 support provided in the console server:

• DHCP
• Dial-in and dial-out sessions (PPP links)
• DSView software integration
• eth0 and eth1 Ethernet interfaces
• Firewall (IP tables)
• HTTP/HTTPs
• Linux kernel
• Remote authentication: Radius, Tacacs+ and LDAP servers
• SNMP
• SSH and Telnet access
• Syslog server

NOTE: Remote authentication NFS and IPSec are not supported with IPv6.

1.1.4 Flexible users and groups

An account can be defined for each user on the console server or on an authentication server. The admin
and root users have accounts by default, and either can add and configure other user accounts. Access
to ports can be optionally restricted based on authorizations an administrator can assign to custom user
groups. For more information, see Users Accounts and User Groups on page 56.

1.1.5 Security
Security profiles determine which network services are enabled on the console server. Administrators can
either allow all users to access enabled ports or allow the configuration of group authorizations to restrict
access. You can also select a security profile, which defines which services (FTP, ICMP, IPSec, SNMP and
Telnet) are enabled and SSH and HTTP/HTTPS access. The administrator can select either a
preconfigured security profile or create a custom profile. For more information, see Security on page 20.

1.1.6 Authentication
Authentication can be performed locally, with One Time Passwords (OTP), a remote LDAP, RADIUS,
TACACS+ authentication server or a DSView server. The console server also supports remote group
authorizations for the LDAP, RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication methods. Fallback mechanisms are
also available.

Any authentication method configured for the console server or the ports is used for authentication of
any user who attempts to log in through Telnet, SSH or the web manager. For more information, see
Authentication on page 54.

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 1.1.7 VPN based on IPSec
If IPSec is enabled in the selected security profile, an administrator can use the VPN feature to enable
secure connections. IPSec encryption creates a secure tunnel for dedicated communications between the
console server and other computers that have IPSec installed. ESP and AH authentication protocols, RSA
Public Keys and Shared Secret are supported. For more information, see IPSec (VPN) on page 32.

1.1.8 Packet filtering

An administrator can configure a console server to filter packets like a firewall. Packet filtering is
controlled by chains, which are named profiles with user-defined rules. The console server filter table
contains a number of built-in chains that can be modified but not deleted. An administrator can also
create and configure new chains.

1.1.9 SNMP
If SNMP is enabled in the selected security profile, an administrator can configure the Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP) agent on the console server to answer requests sent by an SNMP
management application.

The console server SNMP agent supports SNMP v1/v2 and v3, MIB-II and Enterprise MIB. For more
information, see SNMP Configuration on page 39.

NOTE: The text files with the Enterprise MIB (ACS6000-MIB.asn) and the TRAP MIB (ACS6000-
TRAP-MIB.asn) are available in the appliance under the /usr/local/mibs directory.

1.1.10 Data logging, notifications, alarms and data buffering

An administrator can set up data logging, notifications and alarms to alert administrators of problems with
email, SMS, SNMP trap or DSView software notifications. An administrator can also store buffered data
locally, remotely or with DSView management software. Messages about the console server and
connected servers or devices can also be sent to syslog servers.

1.1.11 Power management

The console server enables users who are authorized for power management to turn power on, turn power
off and reset devices plugged into a connected power distribution unit (PDU). The power devices can be
connected to any serial port or to the AUX/Modem port (if an internal modem is not installed). For more
information, see Power Management on page 66.

1.1.12 Auto discovery

An administrator can enable auto discovery to find the hostname of a target connected to a serial port.
Auto discovery’s default probe and answer strings have a broad range. An administrator can configure
site-specific probe and answer strings. Auto discovery can also be configured through the DSView
software.

1.1.13 FIPS module

The 140 series of Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) are U.S. government computer security
standards that specify requirements for cryptography modules.

The console server uses an embedded cryptographic module that is based on the FIPS 140-2 validated
cryptographic module(s) (certificate number 1747) running on a Linux PPC platform. For more
information, see FIPS module on page 21.

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 2 INSTALLATION
2.1 Getting Started
Before installing your ACS6000 console server, refer to the following list to ensure you have all items that
shipped with it , as well as other items necessary for proper installation.

2.1.1 Supplied with the console server

• Quick Installation Guide (QIG)
• Power Cord
• RJ-45 to RJ-45 straight-through CAT 5 cable
• RJ-45 to DB-9F cross adaptor
• DB-25 loop-back plug
• RJ-45 to DB-25M cross adaptor
• RJ-45 to DB-25F cross adaptor
• RJ-45 to DM-25M straight-through cable
• Mounting brackets, screws and cord retention clips
• Keyhole mounting kit
• Software License Agreement
• Safety Sheet
2.1.2 Additional items needed
If you are configuring the console server in a standalone configuration, you will also need the following
items:

• One or more RJ-45 to RJ-45 CAT 5 straight-through cables

• An RJ-45 to DB-9F straight-through adaptor
• A PC running a terminal emulation program

2.2 Rack Mounting

You can mount the console server in a rack or cabinet, or place it on a desktop or other flat surface. For
rack or cabinet mounting, two mounting brackets are supplied.
To rack mount a console server:
1. Install the brackets at the front or back edges of the console server with the screws provided
with the mounting kit.
2. Mount the console server in a secure position.

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 Figure 2.1 Bracket Connections for Front Mount Configuration

2.3 Connecting the Hardware

The following figure shows the connectors on the ACS6000 console server.

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 Figure 2.2 ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Configuration

Table 2.1 ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Configuration Descriptions

ITEM DESCRIPTION ITEM DESCRIPTION

ETH0/ETH1 ports. Two 10/100M/1G

Ethernet ports used for remote IP access.
1 USB connector. 5
The second port can be connected to a
second network or used for failover.

2 LEDs. See the following table for individual LED descriptions. 6 Serial ports.

AUX/Modem port. If an optional internal modem is ordered, this port is defined as a

V.92 modem at the factory; otherwise the port is factory-defined as RS-232 with
3 7 Power supplies (dual AC shown).
an RJ45 ACS console server pinout and can be used to connect either an external
modem or a power device.

CONSOLE port. Allows for local administration access to connected devices

4
through a terminal or a computer with a terminal emulator.

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 Table 2.2 LEDs on the Console Server Front
LABEL DESCRIPTION

• Blue Blinks - During unit boot

PWR/CPU • Solid Blue - During operation
• Off - Power is off
• Violet - Link at 10BaseT speed
• Yellow - Link at 100BaseT speed
ETH 0/ETH 1
• Green - Link at 1000BaseT speed
• Off - No link/cable disconnected/Ethernet fault
Dual LED: Yellow on top, green on bottom
• Yellow - DTR/DCD activity
AUX/MODEM
• Green - TXD and RXD activity
• Off - No activity
• Amber - Data buffering is enabled and/or a Telnet
[One LED for or SSH session is active on the port.
each serial port] • Green - Activity on the port.
• Off - No activity, connection or data buffering.

2.3.1 Connecting device consoles or modems to serial ports

Use CAT5 or greater cables and DB9 or DB25 console adaptors as needed to connect target device
consoles or modems to the serial ports on the console server.

The console server supports the Cisco® serial port pinout configuration, which is disabled by default. If a
Cisco cable is connected to a port, an administrator must enable the Cisco pinout for the port. An
administrator can select Expert - Ports - Serial Ports - (SetCAS or SetPower) - Physical to open the
Physical Settings screen, then check Enable Cisco RJ Pin-Out.

The following tables show serial port pinout information.

Table 2.3 ACS Console Server Serial Port Pinout

PIN NO. SIGNAL NAME INPUT/OUTPUT

1 RTS OUT
2 DTR OUT
3 TxD OUT
4 GND N/A
5 CTS IN
6 RxD IN
7 DCD/DSR IN
8 Not Used N/A

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 Table 2.4 Cisco Serial Port Pinout
PIN NO. SIGNAL NAME INPUT/OUTPUT

1 CTS IN
2 DCD/DSR IN
3 RxD IN
4 GND N/A
5 Not Used N/A
6 TxD OUT
7 DTR OUT
8 RTS OUT

To connect devices, modems and PDUs to serial ports:

Make sure the crossover cable used to connect a device has the same pinout type that is configured in
the software for the port (either Cyclades or Cisco).

1. Make sure the devices to be connected are turned off.

2. Use CAT 5 or greater crossover cables to connect the devices to the console server, using an
adaptor, if necessary.
3. To connect modems, use straight-through CAT 5 or greater cables, with an appropriate
connector or adaptor (USB, DB-9 or DB-25) for the modem.

NOTE: To comply with EMC requirements, use shielded cables for all port connections.

WARNING! Do not turn on the power on the connected devices until after the console server is
turned on.

To daisy chain PDUs to a console server:

This procedure assumes that you have one PDU connected to a serial port on a console server.

NOTE: Daisy chaining is not possible with SPC PDUs. ServerTech PDUs will allow only one level (Master
and Slave) of daisy chaining.

1. Connect one end of a UTP cable with RJ-45 connectors to the OUT port of the connected PDU.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the IN port of the chained PDU. Repeat both steps until
you have connected the desired number of PDUs.

NOTE: For performance reasons, Avocent recommends connecting no more than 128 outlets per serial
port.

2.4 Turning On the Console Server

The console server is supplied with single or dual AC or DC power supplies.

WARNING! Always execute the shutdown command through the web manager, CLI or DSView
software under the Overview/Tools node before turning the console server off, then on again.
This will ensure the reset doesn't occur while the file system in Flash is being accessed, and it
helps avoiding Flash memory corruptions.

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 2.4.1 AC power
To turn on a console server with AC power:
1. Make sure the console server is turned off.
2. Plug the power cable into the console server and into a power source.
3. Turn the console server on.
4. Turn on the power switches of the connected devices.

NOTE: By default, dual power supply units require both supplies to be plugged in; otherwise an audible
alarm will sound when the console server is turned on. This feature can be disabled from the web
manager.
To disable the dual power supply audible alarm: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click Events and Logs - Sensors.
2. Use the drop-down menu to Disable the Dual Power Supply Fault Audible Alarm.
2.4.2 DC power
DC power is connected to DC-powered console servers by way of three wires: Return (RTN), Ground
(GND) and -48 VDC.

WARNING! It is critical that the power source supports the DC power requirements of your
console server. Make sure that your power source is the correct type and that your DC power
cables are in good condition before proceeding. Failure to do so could result in personal injury
or damage to the equipment.

The following diagram shows the connector configuration for DC power.

Figure 2.3 DC Power Connection Terminal Block

Table 2.5 DC Power Connection Details

NUMBER DESCRIPTION NUMBER DESCRIPTION

1 Power switch 3 GND (Ground)

2 RTN (Return) 4 -48 VDC

To turn on a console server with DC power:

1. Make sure the console server is turned off.
2. Make sure DC power cables are not connected to a power source.
3. Remove the protective cover from the DC power block by sliding it to the left or right.
4. Loosen all three DC power connection terminal screws.

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 5. Connect your return lead to the RTN terminal, your ground lead to the GND terminal and your
-48 VDC lead to the -48 VDC terminal and tighten the screws.
6. Slide the protective cover back into place over the DC terminal block.
7. If your console server has dual-input DC terminals, repeat steps 3-6 for the second terminal.
8. Connect the DC power cables to the DC power source and turn on the DC power source.
9. Turn on the console server.
10. Turn on the power switches of the connected devices.

2.5 Configuring a Console Server

A console server may be configured at the appliance level through the command line interface accessed
through the CONSOLE or Ethernet port. All terminal commands are accessed through a terminal or PC
running terminal emulation software.

NOTE: To configure using DSView software, see the DSView Software Installer/User Guide. To
configure using the console server’s web manager, see Chapter 3. To configure using Telnet or SSH,
see the ACS6000 Command Reference Guide.
To connect a terminal to the console server:
1. Using a null modem cable, connect a terminal or a PC that is running terminal emulation
software (such as HyperTerminal®) to the CONSOLE port on the back panel of the console
server. An RJ-45 to DB9 (female) cross adaptor is provided.

The terminal settings are 9600 bits per second (bps), 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity and no flow
control.

2. Turn on the console server. When the console server completes initialization, the terminal will
display the login banner plus the login prompt.
2.5.1 Using Telnet or SSH
An authorized user can use a Telnet or SSH client to make a connection directly to the console of a device
if all of the following are true:

The Telnet or SSH:

• protocol is enabled in the selected security profile

• protocol is configured for the port
• client is available, and it is enabled on the computer from which the connection is made
To use Telnet to connect to a device through a serial port:
For this procedure, you need the username configured to access the serial port, the port name (for
example, 14-35-60-p-1), device name (for example, ttyS1), TCP port alias (for example, 7001) or IP port alias
(for example, 100.0.0.100) and the hostname of the console server or its IP address.

To use a Telnet client, enter the information in the dialog boxes of the client.

-or-

To use Telnet in a shell, enter the following command:

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 #telnet [hostname | IP address]
login: username:[portname | device name]
-or-
#telnet [hostname | IP address] TCP Port Alias
login: username
-or-
#telnet IP Port Alias
login: username

To close a Telnet session:

Enter the Telnet hotkey defined for the client. The default is Ctrl ] + q to quit, or enter the text session
hotkey for the CLI prompt and then enter quit.
To use SSH to connect to a device through a serial port:
For this procedure, you need the username configured to access the serial port, the port name (for
example, 14-35-60-p-1), TCP port alias (for example, 7001), device name (for example, ttyS1), and the
hostname of the console server, IP address or IP Port alias (for example, 100.0.0.100).

To use an SSH client, enter the information in the dialog boxes of the client.

-or-

To use SSH in a shell, enter the following command:

ssh -l username:port_name [hostname | IP_address]

-or-
ssh -l username:device_name [hostname | IP_address]
-or-
ssh -l username:TCP_Port_Alias [hostname | IP_address]
-or-
ssh -l username IP_Port_Alias

To close an SSH session:

At the beginning of a line, enter the hotkey defined for the SSH client followed by a period. The default is
~. Or, enter the text session hotkey for the CLI prompt and then enter quit.

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 3 ACCESSING THE CONSOLE SERVER VIA THE WEB
MANAGER
Once you’ve connected your ACS6000 console server to a network, you can access the console server
with its web manager. The web manager provides direct access to the console server via a graphical user
interface instead of a command-based interface.

NOTE: For instructions on accessing the console server via the CLI or DSView software see the
Cyclades ACS6000 Command Reference Guide or the DSView Software Installer/User Guide.

3.1 Web Manager Overview for Administrators

NOTE: For an overview of the web manager for regular users, see Web Manager Overview for Regular
Users on page 70.
To log into the web manager:
1. Open a web browser and enter the console server IP address in the address field.
2. Log in as either admin with the password avocent or as root with the password linux.

The following figure shows a typical web manager screen for an administrator.

Figure 3.1 Administrator Web Manager Screen

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 Table 3.1 Web Manager Screen Areas
NUMBER DESCRIPTION

Top option bar. The name of the applianceand of the logged

1 in user appear on the left side. Refresh, Print, Logout and
Help buttons appear on the right.
Tab bar. Displays whether the admin is in Expert or Wizard
2
mode.
Side navigation bar. Menu options for configuration, viewing
3 of system information and access to devices. The options
change based on user rights.
Content area. Contents change based on the options
4
selected in the side navigation bar.

3.2 Wizard Mode

The Wizard mode is designed to simplify the setup and configuration process by guiding an administrator
through the configuration steps. An administrator can configure all ports in the CAS Profile and set the
Security Profile, Network and Users Settings using the Wizard.

By default, the first time an administrator accesses the console server through the web manager, the
Wizard will be displayed. Subsequent log-ins will open in Expert mode, and once the console server has
been configured, Expert mode becomes the default mode. An administrator can toggle between Expert
and Wizard modes by clicking the tab bar on the web manager administrator screen.

The following image shows a typical screen when an administrator is in Wizard mode.

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 Figure 3.2 Wizard Screen

The following procedures describe how to configure the console server from the Wizard.
To configure security parameters and select a Security Profile:

1. Select the Security link in the content area.

2. Select the desired Security Profile. If using a Custom Security Profile, click the checkboxes and
enter values as needed to configure the services, SSH and HTTP and HTTPS options to
conform with your site security policy.
3. Under the Bootp Configuration Retrieval heading, uncheck the box(es) to disable Bootp
configuration retrieval and/or live configuration retrieval.
4. If you are not using DSView software to manage the appliance, uncheck the Allow Appliance to
be Managed by DSView box.
5. Click Next to configure the Network or click the Network, Ports or Users link to open the
appropriate screen.
To configure network parameters:

1. Select the Network link in the content area.

2. Enter the Hostname, Primary DNS and Domain in the appropriate fields.

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 3. Select the IPv4 or IPv6 method for the eth0 interface. If using Static, enter the Address, Mask
and Gateway in the appropriate fields.
4. Enable or disable IPv6 support.
5. Click Next to configure ports or click on the Security, Ports or Users link to open the
appropriate screen.
To configure Ports:

1. Select the Ports link in the content area.

2. Check the box(es) to enable all ports and/or to enable Cisco RJ45 Pin-Out to change the pin-
out when a Cisco cable is connected.
3. Use the appropriate drop-down menus to select the values for Speed, Parity, Data Bits, Stop
Bits, Flow Control, Protocol, Authentication Type and Data Buffering Status.
4. Select the Data Buffering Type. If using NFS, enter the NFS Server and NFS Path information in
the appropriate fields.
5. Click Next to configure users or click on the Network, Security or Users link to open the
appropriate screen.
To configure users and change the default user passwords:

WARNING! For security reasons, it is recommended you change the default password for both
root and admin users immediately.

1. Select the Users link in the content area.

2. Click a username (admin or root) and enter the new password in the Password and Confirm
Password fields.
3. -or-
4. Click Add to add a user. Enter the new username and password in the appropriate fields.
5. (Optional) To force the user to change the default password, select the User must change
password at next login checkbox.
6. Assign the user to one or more groups.
7. (Optional) Configure account expiration and password expiration.
8. Click Next.
9. Repeat steps 3-7 as needed to configure new user accounts and assign them to default
groups.

NOTE: By default, all configured users can access all enabled ports. Additional configuration is needed
if your site security policy requires you to restrict user access to ports.

10. Click Save, then click Finish.

3.3 Expert Mode

The following tabs are available in the side navigation bar of the web manager when an administrator is in
Expert mode.

3.4 Access
Click Access to view all the devices connected to the console server.

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 To view and connect to devices using the web manager:
1. Select Access in the side navigation bar. The content area displays the name of the console
server and a list of names or aliases for all installed and configured devices the user is
authorized to access.
2. Select Serial Viewer from the Action column. A Java® applet viewer appears. In a gray area at
the top of the viewer, the Connected to message shows the IP address of the console server
followed by the default port number or alias.
3. Log in if prompted.

The following table describes the available buttons in the Java applet.

Table 3.2 Java Applet Buttons for Connecting to

the Console Server

BUTTON
PURPOSE

SendBreak
To send a break to the terminal

Disconnect
To disconnect from the Java applet

Select the left icon to reconnect to the server or device; or

select the right icon to end the session and disconnect from
the Java applet

3.5 System Tools

Clicking System Tools displays system icons that can be used to perform the following tasks: 

• Reboot or shut down the console server.

• Upgrade or restore the console server's firmware.
• Upgrade the console server's bootcode.
• Restore the console server to its factory configuration.
• Save the current configuration.
• Generate an MD5 tag for configuration integrity.
• Generate or download a certificate.
• Download a PKCS12 file for IPSec.
• Open a terminal session with the console server.
3.5.1 Upgrading firmware
The console server supports the storage of two firmware images. As the firmware is upgraded, the oldest
image will be overwritten with the new firmware. The latest firmware can be downloaded from the Avocent
website and saved to an File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) or Session
Control Protocol (SCP) server. It can also be saved to the user's local machine.

To view the console server's current firmware version, from the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System-
Information.
To upgrade a console server's firmware: 
1. From http://www.vertivco.com, browse to the product updates section and find the firmware for
your console server.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 17

 2. Save the new firmware to an FTP, SFTP or SCP server or to your desktop.
3. From the sidebar of the console server's web manager, click System Tools, then click Upgrade
Firmware.
4. Download the file from the server you selected in step 2.
a. Click the radio button next to Remote Server, then use the drop-down menu to select the
protocol of the server where you saved the file.
b. In the appropriate field, enter the IP address for the server where the firmware is saved.
c. In the appropriate fields, enter the username and password for the server.
d. In the appropriate fields, enter the file directory where the firmware is saved and the
filename for the firmware.

-or-

Download the file from your desktop by selecting My Computer.

a. Type the filename for the new firmware or click Browse to open a window and browse to
the file.
5. Click Download. The console server will download the firmware from the specified site and will
display a message when the download is complete.
6. Click Install.
7. Once the new firmware is installed, reboot the console server.

NOTE: If the page after installation displays empty or blank values, there was not enough memory to
upgrade the firmware. Reboot the console server and upgrade the firmware again.

3.5.2 Upgrading the bootcode

NOTE: A loss of power during a bootcode upgrade could render the console server inoperable.
To upgrade a console server's bootcode:
1. From http://www.vertivco.com, browse to the product updates section and find the firmware for
your console server.
2. Save the new bootcode to an FTP, SFTP or SCP server or to your desktop.
3. From the sidebar of the console server's web manager, click System Tools, then click Upgrade
Bootcode.
4. Download the file from the server you selected in step 2.
a. Click the radio button next to Remote Server, then use the drop-down menu to select the
protocol of the server where you saved the file.
b. In the appropriate field, enter the IP address for the server where the firmware is saved.
c. In the appropriate fields, enter the username and password for the server.
d. In the appropriate fields, enter the file directory where the bootcode is saved and the
filename for the bootcode.

-or-

Download the file from your desktop by selecting My Computer.

a. Type the filename for the new bootcode or click Browse to open a window and browse to
the file.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 18

 5. Click Download. The console server will download the bootcode from the specified site and will
display a message when the download is complete.
6. Click Install.
7. Once the new bootcode is installed, reboot the console server.
3.5.3 Configuration files
An administrator can create a backup image of the console server's configuration. During creation, no
changes should be made to the configuration. Upon completion, the console server will reboot. The
backup configuration will reside inside the console server but must be downloaded before it can be used.
Configuration files can be saved as a compressed file, CLI script or XML file.
To save the current configuration file: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System Tools.
2. Click Save Configuration.
3. Use the drop-down menu to select the file format.
4. Upload the file to a remote server.
a. Click the radio button next to Remote Server, then use the drop-down menu to select the
protocol of the server where you saved the file.
b. Enter the IP address for the server where the flle is saved in the appropriate field.
c. Enter the username and password for the server in the appropriate fields.
d. Enter the file directory where the configuration file is saved and the filename in the
appropriate fields.

-or-

Save the file locally.

a. Click the radio button next to Local File, then enter the filename.

-or-

Save the file to your computer by clicking the radio button next to My Computer. The file will
be saved in your Downloads folder.

5. Click Save.
To restore a previous configuration: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System Tools.
2. Click Restore Configuration.
3.5.4 Configuration Integrity
In order to ensure configuration integrity, the console server permits an administrator to generate and
verify a digital signature (MD5) of the console server's configuration. The console server compares its MD5
checksum value against a known MD5 checksum value to verify its configuration and keep it protected
from corruption.

An administrator can specify a running configuration as trusted and instruct the console server to
generate an MD5 tag for the trusted configuration. An administrator can also verify the configuration by
comparing it to another known or trusted configuration. The console server will declare the configuration
to either be Unchanged or Modified after the verification is complete.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 19

 Configuration integrity works with and relies on the console server's saved and restored configuration
files. It's also dependent on the zero-touch provisioning feature.

NOTE: In order to use configuration integrity, you must save the configuration using the compressed
file option. The compressed file format captures more configuration data to ensure the accuracy of the
configuration integrity results. Saving the configuration in either the CLI script or XML file formats will
produce invalid configuration integrity results.

The console server generates an event notification each time an MD5 tag is generated. For more
information about events, see Event List on page 64.
To generate an MD5 tag: 
1. From the sidebar of the console server's web manager, click System Tools and then click
Configuration Integrity.
2. Click the Generate MD5 Tag for the Running Configuration radio button and click Execute.
To verify an MD5 tag: 
1. From the sidebar of the console server's web manager, click System Tools and then click
Configuration Integrity.
2. Click the Verify Running Configuration radio button.
3. Leave the MD5 field blank to verify the running configuration.

-or-

Enter an MD5 checksum string to verify a known configuration.

4. Click Execute.

3.6 System
Click System to display information about the console server and allow an administrator to configure the
console server’s system parameters. The following tabs are listed under System in the side navigation bar.

3.6.1 Security

Security Profile
A Security Profile determines which services are enabled on the console server.

During initial configuration, the console server administrator must configure security parameters to
conform with the site security policy. The following security features can be configured either in the web
manager, CLI or the DSView software:

• Configure the session idle time-out

• Enable or disable RPC
• Ability to configure serial port access for all users, or allow the configuration of group
authorizations to restrict access
• Select a Security Profile, which defines:
• Enabled services (FTP, ICMP, IPSec, SNMP and Telnet)
• SSH and HTTP/HTTPS access
• Enable or disable Bootp Configuration retrieval

The administrator can select either a preconfigured Security Profile or create a custom profile.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 20

 All the services and the SSH and HTTP/HTTPS configuration options that are enabled and disabled for
each Security Profile are shown in the Wizard - Security and the System - Security - Security Profile
pages.
To configure a Security Profile:
1. Select System - Security - Security Profile.
2. In the Idle Timeout field, enter the number of minutes before the console server times out open
sessions.

NOTE: This value applies to any user session to the appliance via HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, Telnet or
CONSOLE port. It will not overwrite the value configured for the user's authorization group. The new
idle time-out will be applied to new sessions only.

3. Under the Enabled Services section, enable or disable the RCP checkbox.
4. Under the Serial Devices heading, select whether port access is controlled by user group
authorization or configure port access settings to apply to all users.
5. Under Bootp Configuration retrieval, enable or disable the service.
6. Select the checkbox for Custom, Moderate, Open or Secure under the Security Profile heading.
7. Enable/disable SSH authentication via username/password.
8. Click Save.

DSView software security

You can also configure DSView software security settings. When the console server is managed by the
DSView software, the DSView server will supply the certificate to the console server. Under normal
conditions, the DSView software will manage the certificate to clear and replace it with a new certificate as
needed. If communication with the DSView software is lost, the DSView server will be unable to clear the
certificate and the console server cannot be used. Click the Clear DSView Certificate button to configure
the console server in Trust All mode.
To configure DSView software security settings:
1. Select System - Security - DSView.
2. Click the Allow appliance to be managed by DSView checkbox and click Save.

FIPS module
The console server uses an embedded cryptographic module that is based on the FIPS 140-2 validated
cryptographic module(s) (certificate number 1747) running on a Linux PPC platform.

If an administrator enables the FIPS module, the console server will use the FIPS Object Module to perform
encryption operations. The FIPS module is disabled by default.

When the FIPS module is enabled, the Monitoring - FIPS mode page will show what service (SSHv2,
HTTPS, SNMPv3 and ADSAP2) is in FIPS mode. All security functions and cryptographic algorithms used
by the service are performed in FIPS 140-2 Approved mode.
To enable the FIPS module: 
1. Select System - Security - FIPS 140.
2. Check the box to Enable the FIPS 140-2 Module and click Save.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 21

 The console server will automatically reboot. During the reboot, the console server will erase SSH keys,
update the configuration of HTTPD, SSHD, ADSAP2d and SNMPD files and test the integrity of the
FIPS Object Module. Once the reboot is complete, the console server will accept SSH and
HTTPS connections using only FIPS-approved ciphers.

When FIPS is enabled the following restrictions apply: 

For SSH sessions: 

Protocol version 1 will be disabled.

Triple-DES CBS and AES 128/192/256 are the only encryption ciphers that will be accepted.

HMAC-SHA1 and HMAC-SHA1-96 are the only message integrity algorithms that will be accepted.

Only RSA keys 1024 to 16384 bits will be accepted.

HTTPS sessions will accept only the SSL v 3.1(TLSv1) protocol to establish the SSL tunnel with
one of the following encryption ciphers: 

AES-256-SHA

AES-128-SHA

Triple DES SHA (DES-CBC3-SHA)

SNMP version 3 requests will be accepted when authentication is SHA and the encryption

cipher is AES.

3.6.2 HTTPS Certificate

You can generate a new self-signed certificate or download a signed certificate to the appliance from an
FTP server or from your desktop.
To generate a new self-signed certificate:
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System Tools.
2. Click Generate / Download Certificate.
3. To generate a new certificate, click the radio button next to Generate Self-Signed Certificate
and enter the desired information in the self-signed certificate fields: Country, State/Province,
City/Locality, Organization, Organization Unit, Common Name, Email Address and Netscape
Comment.

-or-

To download a signed certificate from an FTP server, click the radio button next to Remote
Server and enter all information about the FTP server: IP Address, Username, Password, File
Directory and File Name.

-or-

To download a certificate from your desktop, click the radio button next to Download
Certificate From My Computer, click Choose File, browse to where the file is saved and click
Open.

4. Click Generate/Download. The certificate's information will be displayed.

5. Click Apply. The message shows Applying the new certificate will terminate all HTTP/HTTPS
sessions. The restart of your browser is required. Are you sure you want to continue?

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 22

 6. Click OK to continue. The certificate will be saved and the browser will restart to use the new
certificate.

NOTE: All http/https sessions will close, and the user will need to re-establish the connection.

3.6.3 Bootp Configuration Retrieval

You can set your console server to be reconfigured during boot or at IP renewal.
To generate configuration to be retrieved:
1. Click System Tools - Save Configuration and save the configuration to either an FTP site or
locally.

-or-

Use the list_configuration command to get the CLI template scripts, edit the configuration of
the console server and save it as a text file.

-or-

Edit a file with CLI commands and save it.

2. Transfer the saved file to a DHCP server.

3. Configure the DHCP server to transfer the configuration file to the console server.
To reconfigure a console server with bootp: 
1. Click System - Security - Security Profile. Under the Bootp Configuration Retrieval heading,
ensure the box next to Enabled is checked.
2. Uncheck the box next to Enable Live Configuration. The saved configuration will be retrieved
and applied on the next reboot.

-or-

Ensure the box next to Enable Live Configuration is checked. The saved configuration will be
retrieved and applied on the next IP renewal.

NOTE: You must configure your DHCP server in order to transfer the configuration file to your console
server.

Local console access

An administrator can disable access to the console server from its console port. Disabling the console port
also prevents downgrading the console server firmware, although upgrading the firmware is still possible.

NOTE: Disabling the console port may make the console server inaccessible. It is recommended only
experienced administrators perform this operation for security reasons.
To disable the console port: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System - Security - Security Profile.
2. Under the Local Console Access heading, check the Disable Console Port box.
3. Click Save, then confirm you want to disable the console port.

NOTE: If the bootcode is not upgraded to version 2.0.3.0, the boot messages and access to the U-boot
prompt will still be enabled. For more information on upgrading the bootcode, see Upgrading the
bootcode on page 18.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 23

 Console port access recovery

An administrator can re-enable console access by unchecking the Disable Console Port box. However, if
the console port is disabled and network access is lost, preventing opening a web UI or CLI session, access
to the console port can still be recovered.

After four partial reboots, a fifth reboot that is completed will reset the console server to its factory default
configuration with the console port enabled.

NOTE: Restoring to the factory default state will delete all user configuration.

NOTE: Fully rebooting the console server before the fifth reboot will reset the counter and the console
port will remain disabled.
To recover console port access: 
1. Turn the console server off.
2. Turn the console server back on. Wait five seconds, then turn it off again.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 three more times.
4. After four partial reboots, allow the console server to fully reboot the fifth time.

CAUTION: During the fifth reboot, the console server will clear its flash and restore factory
defaults. Turning the console server off during the fifth reboot may corrupt the flash and
render the console server inoperable.

3.6.4 Date and Time

The console server provides two options for setting the date and time. It can retrieve the date and time
from a network time protocol (NTP) server, or you can set the date and time manually so that the console
server’s internal clock is used to provide time and date information.

NOTE: The Current Time displayed in the Date & Time screen shows only the time when the screen was
opened. It does not continue to update in real time.
To set the time and date using NTP:
1. Click System - Date And Time.
2. Select Enable network time protocol.
3. Enter the NTP server site of your choice and click Save.
To set the time and date manually:
1. Click System - Date And Time.
2. Select Set manually.
3. Using the drop-down menus, select the required date and time and click Save.
To set the time zone using a predefined time zone:
1. Click System - Date And Time - Time Zone.
2. Select Predefined.
3. Select the required time zone from the drop-down menu and click Save.
To define custom time zone settings:
1. Click System- Date And Time - Time Zone.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 24

 2. Select Define Time Zone.
3. Enter the Time Zone Name and Standard Time Acronym of your choice.
4. Enter the GMT Offset.
5. Select Enable daylight savings time if needed.
6. Select or enter the required values for daylight savings time settings and click Save.
3.6.5 Help and Language
Click System - Help And Language and use the drop-down menu to select the console server’s language.
Enter the full URL of the online help, ending in /index.html, on the local web server in the Online Help URL
field. Click Save.

Online help
When the online help feature is configured for your console server, clicking the Help button from any form
on the web manager opens a new window and redirects its content to the configured path for the online
help product documentation.

NOTE: Using the online help feature from the Avocent/Cyclades server is not always possible due to
firewall configurations, nor is it recommended. It is generally advisable for you to use the online help
system provided with the product or download the online help .zip file and run it from a local server.

The system administrator can download the online help from Avocent. For more information on
downloading the online help, contact Technical Support.

Once the online help file is obtained (in zip format), the files must be extracted and put in to a user-
selected directory under the web server’s root directory. The web server must be publicly accessible.

NOTE: The default URL for online help is http://global.avocent.com/us/olh/acs6000/v_

3.1.0/en/index.html.

3.6.6 General
An administrator can configure a login banner to display when a user begins a SSHv2, Telnet, Console or
web manager session.
To create a login banner: 
1. Click System - General in the side navigation bar.
2. Check the box to enable the login banner.
3. Enter the text you want displayed upon login in the Login Banner field and click Save.
3.6.7 Boot Configuration
Boot configuration defines the location from which the console server loads the operating system. The
console server can boot from its internal firmware or from the network. By default, the console server boots
from Flash memory. Clicking System- Boot Configuration will display the Boot Configuration screen.

If you need to boot from the network, make sure the following prerequisites are met:

• A TFTP or BootP server must be available on the network

• An upgraded console server boot image file must be downloaded from Avocent and made
available on the TFTP or BootP server
• The console server must be configured with a fixed IP address
• The boot filename and the IP address of the TFTP or BootP server is known

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 25

 To configure boot configuration:
1. Click System - Boot Configuration.
2. Under Boot Mode, select From Flash, and select Image 1 or Image 2.

-or-

Select From Network and enter the following information:

• Appliance IP Address: Enter the fixed IP address or a DHCP assigned IP address to the
console server.
• TFTP Server IP: Enter the IP address of the TFTP boot server.
• Filename: Enter the filename of the boot firmware.
3. Using the drop-down menu, select whether the Watchdog Timer is enabled. If the Watchdog
Timer is enabled, the console server reboots if the software crashes.
4. Using the drop-down menu, select one of the following speeds for both Ethernet 0 Mode and
Ethernet 1 Mode: 100BT full, 100BT half, 10BT full, 10BT half or Auto.
5. Using the drop-down menu, select the console port speed and click Save.

NOTE: Ethernet Mode will be affected after saving. The rest of the configuration will be applied after
rebooting.

3.6.8 Information
Click System - Information to view the console server’s identity, versions, power and CPU information.

3.6.9 Usage
Click System - Usage to view memory and Flash usage.

3.7 Network
Click Network to view and configure the Hostname, DNS, IPv6, Bonding, IPv4 and IPv6 static routes, Hosts,
Firewall, IPSec (VPN) and SNMP network options.

3.7.1 Settings
Click Network - Settings to make changes to the configured network settings.

From this page, an administrator can configure the console server's hostname and DNS settings, which
includes the primary and secondary DNS, domain and search addresses. An administrator can also enable
IPv6 and configure it to get the DNS and/or domain from DHCPv6. Once the eth0 and eth1 ports are
configured and enabled, an administrator can enable bonding to configure two networks, one for each
interface (eth0 and eth1) with its own default gateway.

DHCP
DHCP is set as the default method for eth0 while Static is the default method for eth1. If a DHCP server is
not present when the console server is first booted up, it will configure a default static IP address of
192.168.161.10.

The DCHP client on the console server was modified to enable it to automatically obtain an IP address
from a DHCP server, whenever the DHCP server becomes available.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 26

 This DHCP enhancement permits configuration of the console server without the presence of a
DHCP server or the need for console access. Also, when a DHCP server is present, you can determine the
IP address assigned by the DHCP server to eth0 by using the default static IP address of eth1, without
console access.

Routing type
The console server supports multiple routing tables for flexible policy routing. Multiple routing tables can
not be enabled at the same time network failover is enabled.
To enable multiple routing tables: 
1. Click Network - Settings.
2. Under Routing Type, click the Enable IPv4 Multiple Routing Tables radio button.
3.7.2 Link Layer Discovery Protocol
The Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) is a neighbor discovery protocol that enables network devices
to advertise information about themselves to other devices on the network.

The Avocent® implements LLDP and utilizes it to transmit its configuration information to neighboring
devices. This will enable customers to identify and correct any misconfiguration and discrepancies
associated with the console server.

Configuration information is transmitted using LLDP Data Units (LLDPDUs). Each LLDPDU is a sequence
of type-length-value (TLV) structures.

Operating modes
The LLDP agent operates in one of three modes:

• Transmit-only mode: The agent can only transmit the information about the capabilities and
the current status of the local system.
• Receive-only mode: The agent can only receive information about the capabilities and the
current status of the remote systems.
• Transmit and Receive mode: The agent can transmit the local system capabilities and status
information and receive the remote system's capabilities and status information.

The console server implements an LLDP agent that operates in Transmit-only mode. When enabled, the
LLDP agent only transmits the configuration information of the console server to its neighboring devices.
It does not receive and process LLDP packets from other devices.

Through the LLDP agent, the console server can transmit the configuration information listed in the
following table.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 27

 Table 3.3 LLDP Configuration Information

TYPE DESCRIPTION

Mandatory TLVs

Chassis The Chassis ID TLV identifies the console server containing the transmitting LLDP agent. The MAC address of the device is used as a
Identifier Chassis ID.

Port The Port ID identifies the console server port from which the LLDP packets are sent. The MAC address of the device is used as a Port
Identifier ID.

Time-to- The Time-to-Live (TTL) value is the length of time the receiving device should keep the information acquired through LLDP in its MIB.
Live The console server sets the TTL default value to 120 seconds (two minutes). This value is not configurable.

Optional TLVs

System The system name corresponds to the name defined with the Command Line Interface (CLI) command host name. By default, the
Name system name is automatically advertised when LLDP is enabled. This value is not configurable.

System The system description includes information about the underlying Kernel, host name, kernel distribution version and the date of the
Description firmware build.

System
The system capabilities TLV identifies the primary functions of the device and indicates whether these primary functions are enabled.
Capabilities

Port The port description provides information about the port from which the LLDP packets were sent on the console server. The console
Description server uses the port type interface and the interface number (eth0, eth1).

Management
The management IP address TLV lists the IP address of the console server port from which the LLDP packets were sent.
IP Address

LLDP configuration
All LLDP parameters (TLVs) are set to their default values/settings on the console server. An
administrator has the ability to modify only the LLDP admin state, which can be accomplished through
the CLI or the Web User Interface (web UI) of the console server. This admin state indicates if the LLDP
agent is enabled or disabled. When enabled, the LLDP agent on the console server is ready for
transmission of LLDPDUs. No other configuration parameters can be modified.
To enable LLDP from the web UI: 
1. From the Wizard tab, click Network.

-or-

From the Expert tab, click Network-Settings.

2. Check the Enable LLDP box and click Save.

To enable LLDP from the CLI: 
1. Open a CLI session.
2. Enter the following commands: 

--:--/cli-> cd network/settings/
--:--settings cli-> set enable_lldp=yes (to enable, or "no" to disable)
--:--settings cli-> commit

3.7.3 Network Failover

To ensure a console server can be relied upon to provide access to critical devices during a network
outage, it should be configured for network failover. Failover can occur when a primary interface goes
down or when a certain IP/gateway becomes inaccessible. Failover can be enabled using a secondary

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 28

 network or PPP (dialout) connection. If dialout is configured, ppp0 will be available as a secondary
interface but can not be used as the primary interface.

Using DSView software with a console server will ensure the console server can always be accessible when
in a failover situation, because the console server will "phone home" and update its IP address within the
DSView software.

From the Network-Settings page, an administrator can configure a secondary network interface to be
used for failover. The primary interface sets the system default gateway while the secondary interface is
used when the primary interface is not available. The eth0 or eth1 interface can be used as the primary or
secondary interface. An administrator can also select one of four triggers that enable the failover: 

• Primary Interface Down

• Unreachable Primary Default Gateway
• Unreachable DSView
• Unreachable IP Address

If the IPSec tunnel has been configured (see IPSec (VPN) on page 32), an administrator can configure the
IPSec tunnel to be established over the secondary interface when it is up.
To enable Network Failover: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click Network-Settings.
2. Under the Network Failover heading, click the box to enable Network Failover.
3. Use the drop-down menus to select the primary and secondary interfaces as well as the
VPN connection name.
4. Click the radio button next to the trigger you want to use to initiate the failover.
5. Click Save.
3.7.4 Devices
An administrator can select, enable and configure the IP addresses assigned to the network interfaces
and view the MAC address.
To configure a network device:
1. Select Network - Devices. The Devices screen appears with a list of network interfaces and
their status (enabled or disabled).
2. Click the name of the network device to configure.
3. Check the box if you want to set the network device as the primary interface. By default, eth0 is
set as the primary interface.
4. Select the status (either Enabled or Disabled) from the drop-down menu.
5. Select one of the following IPv4 method options:
• Select DHCP to have the IPv4 IP address set by the DHCP server.
• Select Static to enter the IPv4 IP address, subnet mask and gateway address manually.
• Select IPv4 address unconfigured to disable IPv4.
6. Select one of the following IPv6 method options:
• Select Stateless if the link is restricted to the local IP address.
• Select DHCPv6 to have the IPv6 IP address set by the DHCP server.
• Select Static to enter the IPv6 IP address and prefix length manually.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 29

 • Select IPv6 address unconfigured to disable IPv6.
7. Select the Ethernet Mode for the built-in interface (eth0 and eth1).

NOTE: The MAC Address for the device will be displayed after this option.

3.7.5 IPv4 and IPv6 static routes

To add static routes:
1. Select Network - IPv4 Static Routes or IPv6 Static Routes. Any existing static routes are listed
with their Destination IP/Mask, Gateway, Interface and Metric values shown.
2. Click Add.
3. Select Default to configure the default route.

-or-

Select Host IP Or Network to enter custom settings for Destination IP/Mask.

Enter the required Destination IP/Mask Bits with the syntax <destination IP>/<CIDR> in the
Destination IP/Mask Bits field.

4. Enter the IP address of the gateway in the Gateway field.

5. Enter the interface name (eth0, eth1 or pppx) in the Interface field when the route is by
interface.
6. Enter the number of hops to the destination in the Metric field, then click Save
3.7.6 Hosts
An administrator can configure a table of host names, IP addresses and host aliases for the local network.
To add a host:
1. Select Network - Hosts.
2. Click Add to add a new host.
3. Enter the IP address, hostname and alias of the host you want to add, then click Save.
To edit a host:
1. Select Network - Hosts.
2. Click on the IP address of the hostname you want to edit.
3. Enter a new hostname and alias, if applicable, then click Save.
3.7.7 Firewall
Administrators can configure the console server to act as a firewall. By default, three built-in chains
accept all INPUT, FORWARD and OUTPUT packets. Select the Add, Delete or Change Policy buttons to
add a user chain, delete user-added chains and to change the built-in chains policy. Default chains can
have their policy changed (Change Policy) to accept or drop, but cannot be deleted. Clicking on the
Chain Name allows you to configure rules for chains.

Firewall configuration is available by clicking on Network - Firewall. Separate but identical configuration
screens are available from either the IPv4 Filter Table or IPv6 Filter Table menu options.

Only the policy can be edited for a default chain; default chain policy options are ACCEPT and DROP.

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 When a chain is added, only a named entry for the chain is created. One or more rules must be configured
for a chain after it is added.

Configuring the firewall

For each rule, an action (either ACCEPT, DROP, RETURN, LOG or REJECT ) must be selected from the
Target pull-down menu. The selected action is performed on an IP packet that matches all the criteria
specified in the rule.

If LOG is selected from the Target pull-down menu, the administrator can configure a Log Level, a Log
Prefix and whether the TCP sequence, TCP options and IP options are logged in the Log Options Section.

If REJECT is selected from the Target pull-down menu, the administrator can select an option from the
Reject with pull-down menu; the packet is dropped and a reply packet of the selected type is sent.

Protocol options
Different fields are activated for each option in the Protocol pull-down menu.

If Numeric is selected from the Protocol menu, enter a Protocol Number in the text field.

If TCP is selected from the Protocol menu, a TCP Options Section is activated for entering source and
destination ports and TCP flags.

If UDP is selected from the Protocol menu, the UDP section is activated for entering source and
destination ports.

Table 3.4 Firewall Configuration - TCP and UDP Options Fields

FIELD/MENU
DEFINITION
OPTION

Source Port - or -
A single IP address or a range of IP addresses.
Destination Port
[TCP only] SYN (synchronize), ACK (acknowledge), FIN (finish), RST (reset), URG (urgent) and PSH (push). The conditions
TCP Flags
in the pull-down menu for each flag are: Any, Set or Unset.

If ICMP is selected from the Protocol menu, the ICMP Type pull-down menu is activated.

If an administrator enters the Ethernet interface (eth0 or eth1) in the input or output interface fields and
selects an option (2nd and further packets, All packets and fragments or Unfragmented packets and 1st
packets) from the Fragments pull-down menu, the target action is performed on packets from or to the
specified interface if they meet the criteria in the selected Fragments menu option.
To add a chain:
1. Select Network - Firewall.
2. Select either IPv4 Filter Table or IPv6 Filter Table as needed.
3. Click Add.
4. Enter the name of the chain to be added.
5. Click Save.

NOTE: Spaces are not allowed in the chain name.

6. Add one or more rules to complete the chain configuration.

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 To change the policy for a default chain:
NOTE: User-defined chains cannot be edited. To rename a user-added chain, delete it and create a new
one.

1. Select Network - Firewall.

2. Select either IPv4 Filter Table or IPv6 Filter Table as needed.
3. Select the checkbox next to the name of the chain you want to change (FORWARD, INPUT,
OUTPUT).
4. Click Change Policy and select Accept or Drop from the drop-down menu.
5. Click Save.
To add a rule:
1. Select Network - Firewall.
2. Select either IPv4 Filter Table or IPv6 Filter Table as needed.
3. From the chain list, click the name of the chain you want to add a rule to.
4. Click Add and configure the rule as needed, then click Save.
To edit a rule:
1. Select Network - Firewall.
2. Select either IPv4 Filter Table or IPv6 Filter Table as needed.
3. From the chain list, click the name of the chain with the rule you want to edit.
4. Select the rule you want to edit and click Edit.
5. Modify the rule as needed and click Save.
3.7.8 IPSec (VPN)
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) enables a secure communication between the console server and a
remote network by utilizing a gateway and creating a secured connection between the console server
and the gateway. The IPSec protocol is used to construct the secure tunnel and provides encryption and
authentication services at the IP level of the protocol stack.

NOTE: IPSec (VPN) is not supported with IPv6.

When Network - IPSec(VPN) is selected, the IPSec (VPN) screen is displayed.

You can add a new VPN connection by clicking Add, edit an existing connection by clicking on the
connection or delete a connection by clicking Delete.

NOTE: To run IPSec (VPN), you must enable IPSec under the custom Security Profile.

The remote gateway is referred to as the remote or right host and the console server is referred to as the
local or left host.

A fully qualified domain name may be indicated in the ID fields for both the local (left) host and the remote
(right) host where the IPSec negotiation takes place, but is not required. The ID field can be any name or
left blank.

The following table describes the fields and options on the IPSec(VPN) - Add screen. The information
must match exactly on both ends for local and remote.

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 Table 3.5 Field and Menu Options for Configuring IPSec (VPN)
FIELD NAME DEFINITION

Connection
Any descriptive name you wish to use to identify this connection.
Name
The Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol version used to set up the security association. If you are using an RSA key, the version
IKE Version
should be IKEv2. If you are using a pre-shared secret, the version should be IKEv1. The default is IKEv2.
Boot Action The boot action configured for the host, either Ignore or Start.
Aggressive Select Yes or No to enable or disable aggressive mode. If you are using IKEv2, aggressive mode must be disabled. The default is No.
Enter the required address or text for each of the four fields for both Remote Side and Local Side:
ID: This is the hostname that a local system and a remote system use for IPSec negotiation and authentication. It can be a fully
Remote (Right) qualified domain name preceded by @. For example: @hostname.xyz.com. It can also be any string or left blank.
Side - and - IP Address: The IP address of the host.
Local (Left) Side Virtual IP: For the left side, enter the virtual IP address. If you are using dial-up mode, enter %config. The default is left blank.
SubNet: The netmask of the subnetwork where the host resides. Use CIDR notation. The IP number followed by a slash and the
number of ‘one’ bits in the binary notation of the netmask. For example, 192.168.0.0/24 indicates an IP address where the first 24
bits are used as the network address. This is the same as 255.255.255.0.
IPSec (VPN)
Authentication method used, either RSA Key or Secret.
Authentication
RSA Key (If RSA For IPSec(VPN) authentication, you need to generate a public key for the console server and find out the key used on the remote
Key is selected) gateway. Then upload the key from the Systems page.
Pre-Shared
Secret (If Secret Pre-shared password between left and right users. Enter the key, XAuth username and XAuth password.
is selected)

IPSec tunnels
Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) has been enhanced on the Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console
Server. With a console server located on a separate network behind a router, it establishes an IPSec tunnel
using a x.509 certificate to a Fortinet® firewall.

Creating a Certificate of Authority

To configure the Fortinet® Fortigate firewall, you need to create an internal Certificate of Authority
(CA) server that generates RSA certificates the console server uses for authentication.

For information on creating a CA on a Ubuntu® server, see Creating a CA.

For information on configuring other types of firewalls, see the documentation for your firewall.

PKCS12 files

The x.509 certificate chain and its corresponding private key are stored in a PKCS12 file that can be
downloaded to the console server. Multiple certificates may be stored in a PKCS12 file.
To download a PKCS12 file: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System Tools.
2. In the content area, click IPSec(PKCS12) Files.
3. Click the Remote Server radio button and enter the protocol, IP address, username, password,
file directory and filename of the server where the file is stored.

-or-

Click the My Computer radio button, browse to where the file is served on your local machine
and click Choose File.

4. Click Download. The file will be checked to verify it is a PKCS12 formatted file.

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 To view or delete PKCS12 file certificates: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click Network - IPSec(PKCS12).
2. Check the box next to the certificate you want to view or delete.
3. Click Display Certificate to view the selected certificate.

-or-

Click Delete to delete the selected certificate.

Creating a tunnel on the server

To create a tunnel on the server: 

1. From the System tab of the Fortigate web UI, click Certificates and import the CA certificate
and the SERVER certificate that was generated from the easy-rsa server.
2. From the User & Device tab, click PKI and create a new user named user1 with a CA named CA_
Cert_1. Then create a user group named user_group1 and put user1 in that group.
3. From the VPN tab, click IPSec - Tunnels and create a new custom VPN tunnel with the
following configuration, then click OK.

NOTE: The following table displays parameter examples for a dial-up tunnel configuration. Actual
parameters will depend on your network environment.

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 Table 3.6 VPN Tunnel Configuration Parameters

PARAMETER VALUE

Network

Remote Gateway Dialup User

Interface wan1

Mode Config Enabled

IP Version IPv4

Client Address Range 10.77.20.100-10.77.20.110

Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0

Use System DNS Enabled

Enable IPv4 Split Tunnel Enabled

Accessible Networks local_lan

NAT Traversal Enabled

Keepalive Frequency 300

Dead Peer Detection Enabled

Authentication

Method Signature

Certificate Name server

IKE Version 2

Peer Options Accept Types Peer Certificate Group

Peer Certificate Group user_group1

Phase 1 Proposal

Encryption AES256

Authentication SHA512

Diffie-Hellman Group 14

Key Lifetime (Seconds) 86400

Local ID C=<country> S=<state> L=<city> O=<organization>

Edit Phase 2

Name <name>

Comments <comments>

Local Address Subnet 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0

Remote Address Subnet 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0

Phase 2 Proposal

Encyption AES256

Authentication SHA512

Enable Replay Detection Enabled

Enable Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) Enabled

Diffie-Hillman Group 14

Local Port All Enabled

Remote Port All Enabled

Protocol All Enabled

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 PARAMETER VALUE

Autokey Keep Alive Enabled

Key Lifetime Seconds

Seconds 43200

4. From the Policy & Objects tab, click Objects - Addresses to create a VPN range with the
following settings, then click OK.
Table 3.7 VPN Range Configuration

PARAMETER VALUE

Name ipsec_vpn_range

Type IP Range

Subnet / IP Range 10.77.20.100 - 10.77.20.110

Interface Any

Show in Address List Enabled

Comments The IP address given to VPN clients that are connecting.

5. From the Policy & Objects tab, click Objects - Addresses to create a Local LAN range with the
following settings, then click OK.
Table 3.8 Local LAN Range Configuration

PARAMETER VALUE

Name local_lan

Type IP / Netmask

Subnet / IP Range 192.168.1.0 / 255.255.255.0

Interface internal

Show in Address List Enabled

Comments Local Lan - inside network

6. From the Policy & Objects tab, click Policy - IPv4 to create Firewall Policy 1 with the following
settings, then click OK.

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 Table 3.9 Firewall Policy 1 Configuration

PARAMETER VALUE

Incoming Interface forti2acs

Source Address ipsec_vpn_range

Outgoing Interface internal

Destination Address local_lan

Schedule always

Service ALL

Action ACCEPT

Firewall / Network Options

NAT ON

Use Outgoing Interface Address Enabled

Security Profiles

Antivirus, Web Filter, Application Control, SSL Inspection All OFF

Traffic Shaping

Shared Shaper, Reverse Shaper, Per-IP Shaper All OFF

Logging Options

Log Allowed Traffic ON

Security Events Enabled

Comments <Comments>

Enable this policy Enabled

7. From the Policy & Objects tab, click Policy - IPv4 to create Firewall Policy 2 with the following
settings, then click OK.

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 Table 3.10 Firewall Policy 2 Configuration

PARAMETER VALUE

Incoming Interface internal

Source Address local_lan

Outgoing Interface forti2acs

Destination Address ipsec_vpn_range

Schedule always

Service ALL

Action ACCEPT

Firewall / Network Options

NAT ON

Use Outgoing Interface Address Enabled

Security Profiles

Antivirus, Web Filter, Application Control, SSL Inspection All OFF

Traffic Shaping

Shared Shaper, Reverse Shaper, Per-IP Shaper All OFF

Logging Options

Log Allowed Traffic ON

Security Events Enabled

Comments <Comments>

Enable this policy Enabled

8. From the Policy & Objects tab, click Policy - IPv4 to create Firewall Policy 3 with the following
settings, then click OK.
Table 3.11 Firewall Policy 3 Configuration

PARAMETER VALUE

Incoming Interface any

Source Address all

Outgoing Interface any

Destination Address all

Action DENY

Logging Options

Log Violation Traffic OFF

Creating a tunnel on the console server

To create a tunnel on the console server: 

1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click Network - IPSec(VPN), then click Add.
2. Enter a name for the connection.
3. Use the drop-down menus to select IKEv2 for the IKE version, Start or Ignore for the Boot
Action and Yes or No for Aggressive.
4. For the Remote (Right) Side, enter the following parameters: 
a. Enter the ID or leave the field blank.

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 b. Enter the IP address of the remote VPN in the IP Address field.
c. Enter the subnet the console server will use to connect through in the SubNet field.
5. For the Local (Left) Side, enter the following parameters: 
a. Enter the ID or leave the field blank.
b. Enter the IP address of the primary interface in the IP Address field.
6. Click the RSA Key radio button and click Choose File to browse to the PKCS12 file.
7. Select the PKCS12 file and click Save.

Certificate fallback

Clicking Enable Failover under the IPSec(VPN) Authentication heading enables the console server to fall
back to the previously configured certificate if the new certificate fails to establish the tunnel. If the tunnel
is established with the new certificate, the fallback operation is canceled.

Fallback only applies to RSA configured tunnels. Both the previous and the new PKCS12 files must be
present on the console server.
To enable IPSec on the console server: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System - Security - Security Profile.
2. Click the Custom radio button under Security Profile.
3. Check the Enable IPSec box, then click Save.

Verification

Verification tests can be performed to ensure the IPSec configuration was successful.
To verify the IPSec status: 
From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click Monitoring - IPSec Tunnel Status. A list of IPSec tunnels and their
status display in the content area.

3.8 SNMP Configuration

An administrator can configure SNMP, which is needed if notifications are to be sent to an SNMP
management application.

NOTE: The Avocent ACS6000 Enterprise MIB text file is available in the appliance at:
/usr/local/mibs/ACS6000-MIB.asn. The Avocent ACS6000 Enterprise TRAP MIB text file is available
in the appliance at: /usr/local/mibs/ACS6000-TRAP-MIB.asn. Both files are also available at
www.avocent.com.
To configure SNMP:
1. Click Network - SNMP.
2. Click the System button.
a. Enter the SysContact information (email address of the console server’s administrator, for
example, [email protected]).
b. Enter the SysLocation information (physical location of the console server, for example,
Cyclades_ACS6000), then click Save to go back to the SNMP screen.
3. Click Add to add a new community or v3 user.

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 4. Enter the community name for SNMP v1/v2 or the user name for SNMP v3 in the Name field
and enter the OID.
5. Select the desired permission from the pull-down menu. Choices are Read and Write or Read
Only.
6. If the required SNMP version is v1 or v2, click the Version v1, v2 button, then enter the source
(valid entry is the subnet address).

-or-

If the required SNMP version is v1 or v2 using an IPv6 network, click the Version v1,v2 for IPv6
network button, then enter the source (valid entry is the subnet address).

-or-

If the required SNMP version is v3, click the Version v3 button, then select the Authentication
Type (MD5 or SHA), enter the authentication passphrase or password, select the Encryption
Method (DES or AES), enter the privacy passphrase and select the Minimum Authentication
Level (NoAuthNoPriv, AuthNoPriv, AuthPriv).

7. Click Save.

NOTE: For SNMP v1/v2c, the console server will allow an administrator to configure the same
community name with different sources (filters) to have access to specific object identifiers (OIDs).

3.9 Ports
An administrator can enable and configure serial ports, auxiliary ports, the CAS Profile and the Dial-in
Profile from the Ports tab in the side navigation bar. On the auxiliary ports screen, you can enable the
auxiliary port and configure it based on the type of connected device.

The console server's serial ports may work in several different roles, depending on the profile configured
for a port.

3.9.1 Serial ports

On the Serial Ports table, you can specify the connection profile (CAS, Dial-In, Power, Dial-Out or Socket
Client) based on the type of connected device and you can clone the port, reset to factory defaults and
enable/disable ports.
To enable or disable one or more serial ports:
1. Select Ports - Serial Ports.
2. Click the checkbox for each port you want to enable or disable.
3. Click the Enabled or Disabled button.
To configure or edit one or more serial ports with the CAS Profile:
1. Select Ports - Serial Ports.
2. Click the checkbox for each port you want to configure.
3. Click the Set CAS button.
a. To change the default pinout when a Cisco cable is connected to the selected port(s),
select the Enable Cisco from the RJ-45 pinout checkbox.
b. Use the drop-down menus to enable or disable the port and set the speed, parity, data
bits, stop bits and flow control.
4. Click Next or click the CAS link.

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 a. Enter the port name (when only one port was selected) or the port name prefix (when
more than one port were selected). The port name will be <port name prefix>-p-<port
number>.
b. Check the box to enable auto discovery. In this case, the port name will be used when
auto discovery fails to discover the server name.
c. Check the box to enable speed auto detection.

NOTE: Auto speed detection requires additional configuration in the CAS Profile-Auto Discovery
Settings screen.

d. Use the appropriate drop-down menus to set the protocol and authentication type.
e. Enter the text session hotkey and power session hotkey in the appropriate fields.
f. Enter the TCP port alias for each protocol type (Telnet, SSH and Raw Mode) in the
appropriate field.
g. Enter the IPv4 or IPv6 alias and its interface in the appropriate field.
h. To allow a session only if DCD is on and to enable auto answer, check the appropriate
boxes.
i. Use the drop-down menu to select the DTR mode and enter the DTR off interval.
j. Use the drop-down menus to enable or disable line feed suppression and NULL after CR
suppression.
k. Enter the transmission interval, break sequence and break interval in the appropriate
fields.
l. Use the drop-down menu to enable or disable the Multi-Session Menu. For more
information, see Multi-Session Menu on page 46.
m. Use the drop-down menus to enable or disable log in/out multisession notification and
informational message notification.
5. Click Next or click the Data Buffering link and use the drop-down menus to enable and
configure data buffering.
6. Click Next or click the Alerts link.
a. Click Enable Alerts to enable detection of alerts.
b. Click Add to add an alert string. In the Alerts String field, enter the string. In the Script
field, enter the shell script that will run when the match happens. Click Next to return to
the Alerts screen.

NOTE: The console server allows an administrator to associate one shell script to the alert string. When
there is a match with the alert string, the console server will call the script passing the port number and
the line where the match occurs as arguments.

c. Check the box next to an existing alert and click Delete to delete the string.
d. Click Delete Any to delete all strings whether selected or not.

NOTE: Clicking Delete Any will delete all alert strings. Selecting all the alert strings and clicking Delete is
not the same functon as it will not delete alert strings not shown in the table.

7. Click Next or click the Power link.

a. Click Add to add a new outlet. Click Selected PDU and select a PDU from the list of
detected PDUs. Enter the outlet(s) in the Outlets field, and click Next.
b. Check the box next to an existing merged outlet and click Delete to delete it.

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 NOTE: Power is only available when a single serial port is selected.

8. Click Save.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 42

 Table 3.12 CAS Profile Parameters
PARAMETER
DESCRIPTION

Physical
Enable Cisco
Defines the serial port pinout. Default: Disabled.
RJ-45 Pin-Out
Status Defines the status of the serial port as either enabled or disabled. Default: Disabled.
Speed Defines the speed as 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 or 230400. Default: 9600.
Parity Defines the parity as either Even, Odd or None. Default: None.
Data Bits Defines the data bits as either 5, 6, 7 or 8. Default: 8.
Stop Bits Defines the stop bits as either 1 or 2. Default: 1.
Flow Control Defines the flow control as none, hardware, software, RxON software or TxON software. Default: None.
CAS
Port Name Name associated with the serial port (as an alias). Default: <appliance mac address>-p-<port number>.
Enable Auto
The target name will be discovered and will be associated with this serial port. If it fails, the Port Name will be used. Default: Disabled.
Discovery
Enable Speed Tries to discover the speed of the serial port. This feature requires additional configuration under the CAS Profile / Auto Discovery /
Auto Detection Settings page. Default: Disabled.
The protocol that will be used by authorized users to access the serial port/target. The console server accepts three protocols for
connection to the target: Telnet for telnet connection, SSH for secure connection and Raw Mode for raw socket connection. An
Protocol
administrator can configure the port to accept one, two or all three types. NOTE: Raw protocol requires the configuration of the Raw
Mode Port Alias. Default value: Telnet/SSH.
Authentication
Authentication type that will be used to authenticate the user during target session. Default: Local.
Type
Text Session Hotkey to suspend the target session and go to the CLI prompt. Not available for Raw. Default: Ctrl-Z.
Hot Key Note: The default escape character for ts_menu is Ctrl-X.
Hotkey to suspend the target session and display Power Management Menu to control the outlets merged to the target. Not available
Power Session
for Raw. Default: Ctrl-P.
Hot Key
NOTE: The default escape character for ts_menu is Ctrl-X.
Telnet Port Alias: TCP port to connect directly to a serial port using Telnet protocol for the connection. SSH Port Alias: TCP port to
TCP Port Alias connect directly to a serial port using SSH protocol for the connection/ Raw Mode Port Alias: TCP port to connect directly to a serial
port using raw socket for the connection.
Port IPv4/IPv6
IPv4/IPv6 address used to connect directly to a serial port. Default: not configured (empty).
Alias
Port IPv4/IPv6
Interface (eth0/eth1) associated with the IPv4/IPv6 alias. Default: eth0.
Alias Interface
Allow Session
Only if DCD is When the DCD is OFF, the appliance will deny access for this serial port. Default: Disabled (allow access if DCD is OFF).
On
Enable Auto When the input data matches one input string configured in Auto Answer, the output string will be transmitted to the serial port.
Answer Default: Disabled.
DTR Mode can be set to the following: Always On. Normal - the DTR status will depend on the existence of a CAS session. Off
DTR Mode
Interval - when the a CAS session is closed, the DTR will stay down during this interval. Default: Normal.
DTR Off
Interval in seconds used by DTR Mode Off Interval in milliseconds. Default: 100.
Interval
Line Feed
Enables the suppression of the LF character after the CR character. Default: Disabled.
Suppression
Null After CR
Enables the suppression of the NULL character after the CR character. Default: Disabled.
Suppression
Transmission
The interval the port waits to send data to a remote client in milliseconds. Default: 20.
Interval
Break An administrator can configure the control key as the break sequence, entering ^ before the letter. Not available for Raw. Default:
Sequence ~break.
Break Interval Interval for the break signal in milliseconds. Not available for Raw. Default: 500.
Log In/Out Multi
Session Enables the notification to multi-session users when a new user logs in or a user logs out. Not available for Raw. Default: Disabled.
Notification
Informational
Message Displays an information message when a target session is opened. Not available for Raw. Default: Enabled.
Notification

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 PARAMETER
DESCRIPTION

Data Buffering
Status Enables or disables data buffering. Default: Disabled.
Displays the type of data buffering: Local - stores the data buffering file in the local file system. NFS - stores the data buffering file in
Type
the NFS server. Syslog - sends the data to the syslog server. DSView - sends the data to the DSView software. Default: Local.
Time Stamp When enabled, adds the time stamp to the data buffering line for a Local or NFS database. Default: Disabled.
Log-in/out
Includes special notification for logins and logouts in data buffering. Default: Disabled.
Message
Serial Session
Enabled - stores data at all times. Disabled - stores data when a CAS session is not opened. Default: Enabled.
Logging
Alerts
Status A special event notification will be generated when input data matches one of the alert strings. Default: Disabled.
Alert Strings Strings used to generate event notifications. Default: Empty.
Name of shell script that will be called when there is match of the alert string in the line. The script will be called with two arguments:
Scripts
the port number and the line where the match happened.

To configure the Dial-in Profile for a serial port with a connected modem:
1. Select Ports - Serial Ports.
2. Click the checkbox for a serial port with a connected modem.
3. Click the Set Dial button and use the drop-down menus to configure the dial-in settings.
4. Configure the PPP parameters (address, authentication and so on) and click Save.
Table 3.13 Dial-in Parameters
PARAMETER
DESCRIPTION

Status Enables or disables the port. Default: Disabled.

Speed The speed that will be used by mgetty to configure the serial device. Default: 38400 bps.
Init Chat Chat for modem initialization. Default: "" \d\d\d+++\d\d\dATZ OK.
Configures the local and the remote IP address for the the PPP link. If Accept Configuration from Remote Peer is selected, the
PPP Address
remote peer should send both IP addresses (local and remote) during negotiation. Default: No Address.
Local IPv4/IPv6
Configures the local IPv4/IPv6 address for this PPP connection.
Address
Remote
IPv4/IPv6 Configures the remote IPv4/IPv6 address for this PPP connection.
Address
Uses the radio button to select: none, PAP, CHAP or EAP.
None - no authentication.
• PAP - use PAP protocol and the authentication type configured in the PPP authentication type (it is configured in the Authentication
PPP / Unit Authentication page).
Authentication • CHAP - use CHAP protocol. The configuration of the CHAP secrets should be done while editing the file /etc/ppp/chap-secrets.
Protocol • EAP - use EAP protocol. Available authentications: CHAP, SRP-SHA1 and TLS. The configuration of the secrets for CHAP should
be done while editing the file /etc/ppp/chap-secrets. The configuration of the secrets for SRP-SHA1 should be done while editing the
file /etc/ppp/srp-secrets.
Default: None.
Configure the CHAP-interval, CHAP-max-challenge and CHAP-restart. Default values:
• CHAP Interval = 0.
CHAP
• CHAP Max Challenge = 10.
• CHAP Restart = 3.
PPP Idle
Number of seconds being idle before PPP times out. Default: 0 (no time-out).
Timeout

To configure or to edit one or more serial ports with a connected PDU:

1. Select Ports - Serial Ports.
2. Click the checkbox for one or more serial ports with a connected PDU.
3. Click the Set Power button and use the drop-down menus to configure the physical settings.

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 4. Click Next or click the Power link.
a. Use the drop-down menu to select the PDU type.
b. Check the box to enable speed auto detection.
c. Configure the polling rate.
d. For Avocent/Cyclades PDUs, enter the power cycle interval and then use the drop-down
menus to enable or disable Syslog, Buzzer and SW Overcurrent Protection.
5. Click Save.
Table 3.14 Power Parameters
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION

Physical
Enable Cisco RJ-45 Pin-Out Defines the serial port pinout. Default: Disabled.
Status Defines the status of the serial port as either enabled or disabled. Default: Disabled.
Speed Defines the speed as 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 or 115200. Default: 9600.
Parity Defines the parity as either Even, Odd or None. Default: None.
Data Bits Defines the data bits as either 5, 6, 7 or 8. Default: 8.
Stop Bits Defines the stop bits as either 1 or 2. Default: 1.
Flow Control Defines the flow control as none, hardware, software, RxON software or TxON sofware. Default: None.
Power
Defines the type or vendor of the PDU connected to the serial port.
• Auto - the vendor will be detected.
• Avocent-Cyclades - Avocent-Cyclades PM PDU family.
PDU Type
• SPC - SPC power control device family.
• Server Tech - Server Tech family.
Default: Auto.
Enable Speed Auto Detection When enabled, detects the speed of the port. Default: Disabled.
Pooling Rate The interval in seconds to update information from the PDU. Default: 20.
For Avocent/Cyclades PDUs
Power Cycle Interval The interval in seconds between Off and On actions for the power cycle command. Default: 15.
Syslog When enabled, the PDU will send syslog messages to the appliance. Default: Enabled.
Buzzer Enables or disables the PDU’s buzzer. Default: Enabled.
SW Overcurrent Protection When enabled, the software’s overcurrent protection is on. Default: Disabled.

To copy/clone the configuration of one port to other ports:

1. Select Ports - Serial Ports.
2. Click the checkbox for the serial port you want to clone.
3. Click the Clone button.
4. Enter the serial port(s) to be configured in the Copy Configuration To field and click Save.

NOTE: If the selected port is configured as a CAS Profile, the following parameters will not be copied:
Port Name, TCP Port Alias, IPv4 Port Alias, IPv6 Port Alias and Power (merged outlets).
To reset one or more serial ports to their factory configuration:
1. Select Ports - Serial Ports.
2. Click the checkbox for one or more serial ports you want to reset to their factory configuration,
then click the Reset To Factory button.

NOTE: Serial ports are set to the CAS Profile and disabled in the factory configuration.

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 3.9.2 Multi-Session Menu
An administrator can enable or disable the Multi-Session Menu. When enabled, users can access the
menu from the web manager, CLI or the DSView software, and multiple users can connect simultaneously
to a serial port. To connect to a port or start a shared session, the user must have permission to access the
port. If more than one session to a serial port is being established, the console server displays the Multi-
Session Menu. If the session being established is the first with the serial port, a normal session with the
target opens. A first-session user can still access the Multi-Session Menu by typing the text hot key (Ctrl-
Z by default).
To enable the Multi-Session Menu: 
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click Ports-Serial Ports.
2. Click the port for which you want to enable the Multi-Session Menu.
3. Click the CAS heading and near the bottom of the CAS Settings, use the drop-down menu to
Enable Show Multi-Session Menu.
4. Click Save.

The Multi-Session Menu includes options that are dependent on the access rights of the user. If a user
does not have rights to an option, that option is not displayed. For example, Options 0, 2 and 5 from the
following table are displayed for a user who only has permission to open read-only sessions.

Table 3.15 Multi-Session Menu Options

NUMBER OPTION DESCRIPTION

0 Quit Closes the client session.

1 Initiate a regular session Opens a read/write session.

2 Initiate a sniff session Opens a read-only session.

3 Send messages to another user Sends a message to all users who are sharing the serial port.

4 Kill session(s) Displays all sessions and asks to close one or more shared sessions.

5 List shared session(s) Lists all other shared sessions.

6 Show Databuffering Shows the content of the target data buffering file.

7 Clean Databuffering Resets the content of the target data buffering file.

3.9.3 Auxiliary ports

On the Auxiliary Ports screen, you can enable the auxiliary port and configure it based on the type of
connected device.
To configure or edit auxiliary port with connected PDU:
1. Select Ports - Auxiliary Ports.
2. Click the Set Power button and use the drop-down menus to configure the physical settings.
3. Click Next or click the Power link.
a. Use the drop-down menu to select the PDU type.
b. Check the box to enable speed auto detection.
c. Configure the polling rate.
d. For Avocent/Cyclades PDUs, enter the power cycle interval and then use the drop-down
menus to enable or disable Syslog, Buzzer and SW Overcurrent Protection.
4. Click Save.

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 To configure or edit auxiliary port with a connected or internal modem:
1. Select Ports - Auxiliary Ports.
2. Click the Set Dial-In or Set Dial-Out button and use the drop-down menus to configure the
Dial-in settings.
3. Configure the PPP parameters (address, authentication, and so on).
4. Click Save.
3.9.4 CAS Profile
The CAS (Console Access Server) Profile provides remote access to serial RS-323 console ports on your
devices. Using a CAS Profile, you can configure authentication, port configuration (speed, flow control,
etc.), port aliasing, target auto discovery, data buffering type, port alerts, power integration and so on.

An administrator can configure the CAS Profile by clicking Ports-CAS Profile.

Auto discovery
The auto discovery feature will discover the target name of the server connected to the serial port. This
name will be used as the alias of the serial port.

When auto discovery is active for a certain serial device, upon target connection (DCD ON event), the
appliance will send probe strings and start analyzing target device answers using regular expressions.
There will be predefined probe and match strings as well as customer-defined ones.

For each probe string sent, all regular expressions defined by the match strings will be tested. After the
last cycle, the sequence restarts. This procedure will run for a certain period (given by the auto discovery
time-out parameter) or until the target is successfully detected. If auto discovery fails, the target name will
be reset to the configured target name or to the corresponding unique default target name.

NOTE: The configured target name will be used only after the auto discovery process fails.

NOTE: The auto discovery process starts when there is variation in the DCD signal from OFF to ON
(disconnect/connect the target's cable, turn off/on the target) and when the configuration of the
serial port goes from disabled to enabled and there is a target connected in the port.

The probe strings will be used to stimulate the server (such as “\n”: a single newline).

The match strings are regular expressions where “%H” is a placeholder for the target name you want to
detect, such as:

“ \\(.*\\)(%H)\\(.*\\)” or just “xxx%Hyyy”.

The first one will extract target name from things such as:

nanana(myTarget): à results: myTarget

jhdsgjhas(tg2)kjafja à results: tg2

And the second one from things such as:

hsagdfjhagfxxxTARGETyyyyyy à resulting: TARGET

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 To configure the strings for probe/match used by auto discovery:
Perform this procedure to change the default settings or the probe or match strings used in auto
discovery.

1. Select Ports - CAS Profile - Auto Discovery. The Settings, Probe Strings and Match Strings
options appear in the side navigation bar.
2. To change the default auto discovery time-out or probe time-out, perform the following steps.
a. Select Settings.
b. Enter a new value in the Auto Discovery Timeout and Probe Timeout fields.
c. Select a speed from the Default Speed on Auto Discovery Failure drop-down menu and
Probe Speed List.
d. Click Save.
3. To add a new probe or match string or delete an existing string, perform the following steps.
a. Select Probe Strings or Match Strings.
b. To add a string, click Add, enter a new string in the New Probe String or New Match
String field and click Save.
c. To delete a string, select the checkbox for the string and click Delete.
4. Click Save.
To configure the input/output strings used by auto answer:
1. Select Ports - CAS Profile - Auto Answer.
2. To add an auto answer input and output string, click Add. Enter a new string in the Input
String or Output String fields and click Save.

-or-

To delete an auto input and output string, select the checkbox next to the string you want to
delete. Click Delete, then click Save.

Pool of Ports
An administrator can create a pool of serial ports where each serial port in the pool shares a pool name,
Telnet Port Alias, SSH Port Alias, Raw Mode Port Alias, IPv4 Alias and IPv6 Alias. The first available port in
the pool is used as the serial port for connection.

NOTE: The multiple session access right does not have any effect when using a pool of CAS ports.
When all ports in the pool are taken, the connection to the pool is denied.

NOTE: All ports in the pool must share the same CAS protocol. The protocol is validated during the
connection to the serial port. If the protocol does not match, the connection will be denied.
To configure a pool of CAS ports:
1. Click Ports - Pool of Ports.
2. To create a pool, click the Add button.

- or -

To edit an existing pool, click the name of the pool you want to edit.

- or -

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 To delete a pool, check the box next to the pool you want to delete and click the Delete button.

3. Enter the parameters for the pool in the appropriate fields.

4. In the left side of the Pool Members field, select the ports to be added to the pool and click Add.

- or -

In the right side of the Pool Members field, select the ports to be removed from the pool and
click Remove.

5. Click Save.

NOTE: A serial port can only belong to one pool at a time, but a user can create an empty pool and add
ports to it later.

Table 3.16 Pool of CAS Ports Parameters

PARAMETER DESCRIPTION

The name of the pool. The pool name is mandatory and should follow hostname guidelines, not exceed 64 characters and start
Pool Name
with a letter.
The Port Alias where the pool responds for each protocol.
l Telnet Port Alias for telnet protocol. It is optional.
Port Alias l SSH Port Alias for ssh protocol. It is optional.
l Raw Mode Port Alias for raw mode protocol.
l It is mandatory when Raw Mode is configured as protocol for the ports.
Pool IPv4 Alias The IPv4 address used by the pool. This parameter is optional.
Pool IPv4 Alias
The interface used by the IPv4 Alias. Default: eth0.
Interface
Pool IPv6 Alias The IPv6 address used by the pool. This parameter is optional.
Pool IPv6 Alias
The interface used by the IPv6 Alias. Default: eth0.
Interface

RESTful API
The console server supports a programmable RESTful API interface that provides access to resources
and functionality of the console server with the ability to support full GET and POST operations on
devices.

NOTE: URL options must be configured using either HTTP or HTTPS with the RESTful API menu.
To configure the RESTful API: 
1. Click Ports - CAS Profile - RESTful Settings.
2. Enter the Action Name, URL, POST Data, Username and Password in the appropriate fields and
use the drop-down menu to select GET or POST as the HTTP Method for each RESTful option.
Click Save when finished.

When configuring actions, the following context variables can be used.

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 Table 3.17 Context Variables Descriptions

CONTEXT VARIABLE DESCRIPTION

$PORT Identifies the serial port (1-48) when the menu is invoked.

$PORTNAME The name of the port.

$IPPORTALIAS The IPv4 alias of the port.

$TCPPORTALIAS The TCP (Telnet port) alias of the port.

$ACSHOSTNAME The host name of the console server.

$ACSIPADDR The IP address of the console server.

Figure 3.3 RESTful API Configuration Example

Figure 3.4

NOTE: HTTP POSTs can sometimes use the HTTP request body to send appropriate information to
servers, usually coded as XML or JSON.
To enable the RESTful API: 
1. If port access applies to all users, from the side navigation bar of the Expert tab, click System -
Security - Security Profile, then under Serial Devices, click the RESTful Menu checkbox and
click Save.

-or-

If port access is controlled by authorization assigned to users groups, from the side navigation
bar of the Expert tab, click Users - Authorization - Groups.

a. Click the group for which you want to enable the RESTful API.
b. From the side navigation bar, click Access Rights - Serial.
c. Click the port for which you want to enable the RESTful menu. Under Target Access
Rights, click the RESTful Menu box.
2. From the side navigation bar of the Expert tab, click Ports - Serial Ports.
3. Click the port for which you want to enable the RESTful menu and then click the CAS heading
at the top of the window.
4. In the RESTful Hot Key field, enter the hotkey you want to use to initiate the RESTful API and
click Save.

NOTE: The hotkey is not set by default.

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 Using the RESTful API interface

After opening a serial session, press the hot key to open the RESTful API interface for the current session.
Enter the number of the RESTful API request you want to perform. By default, Exit and Help are the first
two requests in the menu. You can configure up to eight additional requests from the web UI of the
console server.

The following is an example of the RESTful menu from a serial session.

Figure 3.5 RESTful API Example

---------------------------------------
RESTful Management Utility
----------------------------------------
1 - Exit
2 - Help
3 - Turn On Outlet
4 - Turn Off Outlet
5 - Twist
6 - Twist On
7-
8-
9-
10 -
Please choose an option: 

3.9.5 Dial-in Profile

An administrator can configure secure dial-in settings such as OTP login, PPP connections, PPP/PAP
authentication, callback and OTP users for PPP connections.

NOTE: If pluggable devices are being used for dial-out, dial-in should be disabled.
To configure secure dial-in settings for ports with the Dial-in Profile:
1. Select Ports - Dial-In Profile - Settings.
2. To enable logging in to the console server through the modem and select a condition for which
logging in is allowed, perform the following steps.
a. To allow callback connections only, select Callback.
b. To allow any connection, select Enable.
3. To enable OTP authentication, select Enable from the OTP Login Authentication menu.
4. To enable and select a condition for PPP connections, perform the following steps.
a. To allow PPP callback connections only, select Callback.
b. To allow any connection, select Enable.
5. When the PAP authentication protocol is configured for the port, select the authentication
type from the PPP/PAP Authentication menu.
6. Click Save.
To configure callback users and phone numbers for ports with the Dial-in Profile:
1. Select Ports - Dial-In Profile - Secure Dial-In - Callback Users.

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 2. Click Add.
3. Enter the name and phone number used to perform the callback in the appropriate fields and
click Save.
To configure PPP OTP users for ports with the Dial-in Profile:
1. Select Ports - Dial-In Profile - Secure Dial-In - PPP OTP Users.
2. Click Add.
3. Enter the username and passphrase in the appropriate fields and click Save.

NOTE: This PPP OPT user will establish PPP connection after being successfully authenticated.
To configure EAP-TLS as PPP authentication for ports with the Dial-in Profile:
1. Select Ports - Serial Ports.

-or-

Select Ports - Auxiliary Ports.

2. Check the box next to the port where the modem is connected and click Set Dial-In.

NOTE: If using an auxiliary port, the modem can be internal.

3. Configure the PPP Address settings. For example, set the PPP Address to Local Configuration
using 10.0.0.1 as the Local IPv4 Address and 10.0.0.2 as the Remote IPv4 Address.
4. For PPP Authenticaion, select the button next to By Appliance, and then select the button
next to EAP for the protocol. Click Save.
5. Select Ports - Dial-In Profile - Settings.
6. Use the drop-down menu to enable the PPP Connection and click Save.
7. Copy the certificates and keys to the /etc/ppp/cert file. They must be named server.crt (the
ACS6000 console server certificate), ca.crt (the Certificate Authority’s certificate) and
server.key (the ACS6000 console server asymmetric key).
3.9.6 Dial-out Profile
To configure the Dial-out Profile for a serial port with a connected modem: 
1. Select Ports – Serial Ports.
2. Click the checkbox for a serial port with a connected modem.
3. Click the Set Dial-out button.
4. Use the drop-down to enable/disable the port.
5. Configure the phone number to dial on-demand in the field Phone No.
6. Use the drop-down to configure the modem speed.
7. Configure the initial chat with modem in the Init Chat field.
8. Configure the PPP parameters (address, authentication and so on) and click Save.

NOTE: The Dial-out profile will work only to establish PPP link on-demand. The administrator must
configure static route to have packages routed to the PPP interface.

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 Table 3.18 Dial-out Parameters

PARAMETER DESCRIPTION

Status Enables or disables the port. Default: Disabled.

Phone No. The phone number to dial to.

The speed that will be used to configure the serial device and
Speed
communicate with the connected modem.

Init Chat Chat for modem initialization.

Configures the local IPv4/IPv6 address for this PPP connection. If empty,

Local IPv4/IPv6 Address
PPP will accept the address from the remote peer.

Configures the remote IPv4/IPv6 address for this PPP connection. If

Remote IPv4/IPv6 Address
empty, PPP will accept the address from the remote peer.

PPP Authentication Protocol

Number of seconds being idle before PPP times out. Default: 0 (no time-
PPP Idle Timeout
out).

CHAP

To configure the Socket Client Profile for a serial port with a connected device: 
1. Select Ports - Serial Ports.
2. Click the checkbox for a serial port with a connected device.
3. Click Set Socket Client and use the drop-down menus to configure the physical settings.
4. Configure the Socket Client Settings (remote server address, TCP port and event trigger) and
click Save.
Table 3.19 Socket Client Parameters

PARAMETER DESCRIPTION

Enable Cisco RJ-45 Pin-Out Defines the serial port pinout.

Defines the status of the serial port as either enabled or disabled.

Status
Default: Disabled.

Defines the speed as 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600,
Speed
115200 or 230400. Default: 9600.

Parity Defines the parity as Even, Odd or None. Default: None.

Data Bits Defines the data bits as 5, 6, 7 or 8. Default: 8.

Stop Bits Defines the stop bits as 1 or 2. Default: 1.

Defines the flow control as none, hardware, software, RxON software or

Flow Control
TxON software. Default: None.

Remote Server IPv4 or IPv6 address of the remote server.

Remote TCP Port TCP port to be used to establish a connection with a remote server.

Configure the event that will trigger the establishment of the

Establish Connection
connection: DCD Regards or Always.

3.10 Pluggable Devices

The console server supports a variety of pluggable devices connected to its USB ports.

NOTE: When a pluggable device is not in the current list of supported pluggable devices, the console
server may attempt to configure the device with standard settings, allowing it to work normally. Also,
when a pluggable device is not listed in the internal database, the Device Info column may show no text
at all or show different text based on the type of card. One example is Unknown device f024 (rev 01).

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 To install and detect a pluggable device:
1. From the side navigation bar, select Pluggable Devices.
2. Click Enable Pluggable Device Detection to detect connected pluggable devices.
3. Connect a device to a USB port on the console server.
4. The Pluggable Devices table displays all detected pluggable devices.

NOTE: To disable pluggable device detection, click Disable Pluggable Device Detection.
To eject or delete a pluggable device:
1. From the side navigation bar, select Pluggable Devices.
2. Select the checkbox next to the pluggable device you want to eject, rename or delete.
3. Click Eject, Rename or Delete as desired. If renaming a device, enter the new name in Rename
field. Click Save.

NOTE: Always eject a pluggable device from the web manager. Any other method may cause a kernel
panic.

3.10.1 Device configuration

Storage devices are automatically mounted and configured once detected by the console server.
Ethernet cards and modems must be configured.

NOTE: Configuration of wireless devices takes effect only after the device is ejected and re-inserted.
To configure a pluggable device: 
1. From the side navigation bar, click Pluggable Devices.
2. For a network device, click its name to configure its network parameters.
3. -or-
4. For a modem (V.92), click the box next to its name and then click either Set Dial-In or Set Dial-
Out to configure its dial-in or dial-out parameters.

3.11 Authentication
Authentication can be performed locally, with OTP, or on a remote LDAP, Radius or TACACS+
authentication server. If the console server is managed by a DSView server, DSView authentication is also
supported. The console server also supports remote group authorizations for the LDAP, Radius and
TACACS+ authentication methods.

Fallback mechanisms of the following types are available:

Local authentication can be tried first, followed by remote, if the local authentication fails (Local/Remote_
Method).

-or-

Remote authentication may be tried first, followed by local (Remote_Method/Local).

-or-

Local authentication may be tried only if a remote authentication server is down (Remote_Method_Down_
Local).

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 An administrator can configure authentication using the CLI utility and the web manager. The default
authentication method for the console server and the serial ports is Local. Any authentication method
that is configured for the console server or the ports is used for authentication of any user who attempts
to log in through Telnet, SSH or the web manager.

3.11.1 Appliance authentication

The console server authenticates for the console server and the ports, either in groups or individually.

NOTE: It is advised when using group authorization that you use the same authentication for both the
console server and all serial ports, or use Single Sign-on Authentication to facilitate group
authorization.

When Single Sign-on Authentication is disabled, the console server uses the individual configuration
based in the destination of the access: the console server itself or each serial port. Users must use their
password each time they access an individual port. If enabled, Single Sign-on Authentication will use the
authentication server you choose from the pull-down menu for all access and no further authentication
will be needed.

NOTE: Selecting unconfigured from the pull-down menu will allow the ports to continue to use
individual authentication servers, and will require your password the first time you access any port.
After that, the port will not require password authentication if Single Sign-on Authentication is
enabled.
To set authentication for the console server:
1. Click Authentication - Appliance Authentication.
2. Select the desired authentication server from the Authentication Type drop-down menu.
3. Select Enable fallback to Local type for root user in appliance console port when the remote
authentication fails and an administrator wants to access the appliance via console port as the
root user.
4. Select Enable single sign-on to enable single sign-on authentication, and select the desired
authentication server from the Authentication Type drop-down menu.
5. Click Save.
3.11.2 Authentication servers
When using an authentication server, you must configure its IP address and in most cases other
parameters before it can be used. The following authentication servers require configuration: RADIUS,
TACACS+, LDAP(S)|AD and DSView servers.
To configure a RADIUS authentication server:
1. Select Authentication - Authentication Servers - RADIUS.
2. Enter the IP addresses of the First Authentication Server and First Accounting Server.
3. If used, enter the IP addresses for the Second Authentication Server and Second Accounting
Server.
4. Enter your secret word or passphrase in the Secret field (applies to both first and second
authentication and accounting servers), then re-enter the secret word or passphrase in the
Confirm Secret field.
5. Enter the desired number of seconds for server time-out in the Timeout field.
6. Enter the desired number of retries in the Retries field.

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 7. If you select the Enable Service-Type attribute to specify the authorization group checkbox,
enter the authorization group name for each of the following Service Types: Login, Framed,
Callback Login, Callback Framed, Outbound and Administrative.
8. Click Save.
To configure a TACACS+ authentication server:
1. Select Authentication - Authentication Servers - TACACS+.
2. Enter the IP addresses for the First Authentication Server and First Accounting Server.
3. If used, enter the IP addresses of the Second Authentication Server and Second Accounting
Server.
4. Select the desired service (PPP or raccess) from the Service drop-down menu.
5. Enter your secret word or passphrase in the Secret field (applies to both first and second
authentication and accounting servers), then re-enter the secret word or passphrase in the
Confirm Secret field.
6. Enter the desired number of seconds for server time-out in the Timeout field.
7. Enter the desired number of retries in the Retries field.
8. If you select the Enable User-Level attribute to specify the authorization group checkbox,
enter the authorization group name for up to 15 User-Levels.
9. Click Save.
To configure an LDAP(S)|AD authentication server:
1. Select Authentication - Authentication Servers - LDAP(S)|AD.
2. Enter the IP address of the server.
3. Enter the Base.
4. At the Secure drop-down menu, select Off, On or Start_TLS.
5. Enter the Database User Name.
6. Enter your Database Password, then re-type the database password in the Confirm Password
field.
7. Enter your desired Login Attributes.
8. Click Save.

To configure a DSView authentication server:

1. Select Authentication - Authentication Servers - DSView.
2. Enter IP Address 1 - 4 for the DSView servers in the relevant fields.
3. Click Save.

3.12 Users Accounts and User Groups

Access to ports and other privileges can be managed, based on authorizations that an administrator can
assign to custom user groups.

Groups can also be authorized to manage power while connected to devices. The console server has two
default users (admin and root) and four pre-defined user groups: admin, appliance-admin, shell-login-
profile and user.

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 A user account must be defined for each user on the console server or on an authentication server. The
admin and root users have accounts by default, and either administrator can add and configure other
user accounts. Each local user account is assigned to one or more of the user groups.

CAUTION: Change the default passwords for root and admin before you put the console server
into operation.

By default, all users have access to all ports on the console server. In order to authorize access via user
groups, an administrator must enable port access to be controlled by authorizations assigned to user
groups.
To enable port access to be controlled by authorizations assigned to user groups: 
1. From the expert tab of the side navigation bar, click System - Security - Security Profile.
2. Under the Serial Devices heading, click the button next to Controlled by authorizations
assigned to user groups, then click Save.
3.12.1 Local accounts
The admin and root are equivalent users but named differently to address users familiar with either
Avocent equipment or the Cyclades families of console servers. Regular users can be granted permissions
by administrators at any time. The console server has two local user accounts by factory default.

• admin: Performs the initial network configuration. The factory default password for admin is
avocent. The admin user is a member of the admin group and can configure the console server
and ports as well as user and group authorizations.
• root: Has the same permissions as the admin user. The factory default password for root is linux.
The root user is a member of the admin and shell-login-profile groups. When a root user logs in
via the CONSOLE port, SSH or telnet, the session is pre-defined by the login profile to go
directly to shell. The login profile can be customized so that it does not go directly to shell.
To add new users:
1. Click Users - Local Accounts - User Names. The User Names screen is displayed with a list of all
users.
2. Click Add. The Local User Information screen is displayed.
3. Enter the new username and enter a password, then confirm the password.
4. Select or deselect User must change password at the next login checkbox.
5. To add the user to an available user group, select the user group name in the box on the left
and click Add (user is the default group). You can remove a user group from the box at right by
selecting it and clicking Remove.
6. Enter the desired parameters for Password Expiration.
• Min Days: Enter the minimum number of days allowed between password changes.
Password changes attempted sooner will be rejected. If not specified, -1 is the default
which disables the restriction.
• Max Days: Enter the maximum number of days a password is valid. After this period, a
password change will be forced. If not specified, -1 is the default which disables the
restriction.

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 • Warning Days: Enter the number of days that a warning is issued to the user prior to
expiration. Entering 0 will cause the warning to be issued on the expiration day. A
negative value or no value means that no warning will be issued.
7. Enter the desired Account Expiration date (YYYY-MM-DD).
8. Click Save.
To configure password rules:
1. Click Users - Local Accounts - Password Rules.
2. If password complexity is desired (recommended), make sure Check Password Complexity is
selected.
3. If password complexity is enabled, enter the desired values for password complexity.
4. Enter the desired values for Default Expiration.
5. Click Save.
3.12.2 User Groups
User groups are given access and authorizations either by default or as assigned by an administrator.
Administrators can alter the permissions and access rights of users belonging to the appliance-admin or
user groups or create additional groups with custom permissions and access rights. Administrators can
add, delete or modify permissions and access rights for users from any group at any time.

If an administrator configures the console server to restrict user access to ports, the administrator can
assign users to groups that are authorized for port access. The administrator can also authorize groups
for power management and data buffer management.

This document and the software refer to users whose accounts are configured on remote authentication
servers as remote users. Remote users do not need local accounts.

Radius, TACACS+ and LDAP authentication services allow group configuration. If a remote user is
configured as a member of a remote group, the authentication server provides the group name to the
console server when it authenticates the user. A local group by the same name must also be configured
on the console server. If an authentication server authenticates a remote user but does not return a
group, then the remote user is, by default, assigned to the user group.

admin group
Members of the admin group have full administrative privileges that cannot be changed. They have the
same access and configuration authorizations as the default admin user. Administrators can configure
ports, add users and manage power devices connected to the console server.

To view admin Appliance Access Rights:

1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups. The Group Names screen is displayed, showing the three
default user groups along with any groups that have been created.
2. Click on admin under the Group Name heading. The content area will display the Members
screen listing all members belonging to the admin group (default members are admin and root
users).

NOTE: When any Group Name is selected, both the content area and side navigation bar change. The
side navigation bar will display specific menu options for Members and Access Rights (which include
Serial, Power and Appliance rights).

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 3. In the side navigation bar, click Access Rights - Serial or Access Rights - Power to access the
screens displaying the fixed access rights and permissions for members of the admin group
pertaining to serial ports and power management.

NOTE: The Serial and Power screens are read-only and cannot be changed.

4. In the side navigation bar, click on Access Rights - Appliance. The Appliance Access Rights
screen appears and lists all access rights available to a member belonging to the admin group.
All appliance access rights are shown enabled (checked). Available appliance access rights are:
• View Appliance Information
• Disconnect Sessions
• Reboot Appliance
• Appliance Flash Upgrade and Reboot Appliance
• Configure Appliance Settings
• Configure User Accounts
• Backup/Restore Configuration
• Shell Access
• Transfer Files

NOTE: The Appliance Access Rights screen for the admin and appliance-admin user groups is read-
only and cannot be changed. Unchecking any box and clicking Save will result in an error message. The
console server will maintain all rights selected.

appliance-admin group
Appliance-admin user group members have access to the serial ports and power management options,
unless that access is restricted by the security profile. Members of the group also share all of the
appliance access rights as admin except for Configure User Accounts and Shell Access, which are
permanently disabled for this group.

user group
User group members have access to target devices, unless that access is restricted by an administrator.
When a security profile restricts port access globally, an administrator may grant port access to members
of the user group. User group members have no access rights for the console server.

Administrators can add appliance access rights and permissions. Administrators can also add users to
custom user groups to add permissions and access rights as needed. By default, all selections on the
Appliance Access Rights screen will be disabled.

NOTE: The Appliance Access Rights screen for the user group can be changed at any time by an
administrator. This will change the access rights for all members of the console server’s user group.

shell-login-profile
Members of the shell-login-profile group have access to the shell after logging in. By default, the root user
belongs to this group. This is not a protected group and can be deleted.

Managing user groups

Administrators and members of the admin group can create custom user groups that contain any users.

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 To create a custom user group:
1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups. The Groups screen is displayed and contains a list of the
three default user groups and any additional custom user groups that have been created.
2. Click Add in the content area.
3. Enter the name of the new user group you are creating.
4. Click Save.
To add members to a user group:
1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups.
2. Click the user group name.
3. Click Add. The Members Assignment screen is displayed showing a list of available users in the
left box and an empty box on the right.
4. Move users from the Available Users box on the left to the box on the right by double-clicking
on the username, or by selecting the name and clicking the Add button. You can remove any
names from the box on the right by double-clicking on the name or by selecting the name and
clicking the Remove button.
5. If you want to add remote users to the new user group (these must be valid names in your
remote authentication server), add them in the New Remote Users field.
6. Click Save.
To remove members from a user group:
1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups.
2. Click the user group name.
3. Check the box(es) of the member(s) you want to remove. Click Delete to delete the selected
members.
To configure a session idle time-out and/or login profile for a group:
1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups.
2. Click on the name of the group whose session idle time-out and/or login profile you want to set.
In the side navigation bar, click Login Profile.
3. Select the radio button to use either the global settings for the Session Timeout or to use
custom settings for the user group. If using custom settings, enter the custom session timeout
(in seconds) in the field.
4. Check the Enable Log-In Profile box.
5. Click ts_menu to use the ts_menu application when a member of the selected user group opens
a session in the console server. Enter the ts-menu options in the Options field.

-or-

Click CLI to use CLI when opening a session. Enter the CLI command in the CLI cmd field and
check the box if you want to exit after executing the command.

6. Click Save.

NOTE: If the user belongs to multiple groups, the login profile used will be the first enabled login profile
based on alphabetical order of the group.

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 Table 3.20 ts_menu Options
COMMAND DESCRIPTION

-p Displays TCP port

-i Displays local IPv4 assigned to the serial port
-i6 Displays local IPv6 assigned to the serial port
-u <name> Username to be used in the target session
-e <[^]char> Escape character used to close the target session. Default value: Ctrl-X
-l Sorted lists ports and exit
-ro Read-Only mode
<portname> Connect directly to a serial port
-t Idle time-out in seconds to choose the target

To add access to serial ports for a user group:

1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups.
2. Click the new user group name.
3. In the side navigation bar, click Access Rights.
4. In the content area, click Add.
5. Move serial target devices from the Available Target box on the left to the box on the right by
double-clicking on the serial target name, or by selecting the target and clicking the Add
button. You can remove any targets from the box on the right by double-clicking on the target
or by selecting the target and clicking the Remove button.
6. Select the desired access rights.
7. Click Save. The Serial screen will appear and show the serial target devices you have
authorized for use by the user group with configured permission(s).
8. Edit the access rights by selecting the checkbox next to one or more of the target names in
the list as needed and click Edit. The Target Access Rights screen is displayed with the access
rights. Select the desired access rights and click Save.
To assign PDU access for a user group:
NOTE: Assigning PDU access to a user group gives them full access to all power management
functions for that PDU. If you want the user group to have access to outlets only, use the procedure
To assign outlet access for a new custom user group below.

1. Click on Users - Authorization - Groups.

2. Click on the user group name.
3. In the side navigation bar, click Access Rights - Power.
4. In the content area, click Add. The PDU Assignment screen appears with the list of available
PDUs in the left box.
5. Move PDU devices from the Available PDU box on the left to the box on the right by double-
clicking on the PDU name, or by selecting the PDU and clicking the Add button. You can
remove any PDUs from the box on the right by double-clicking on the PDU name or by
selecting the PDU and clicking the Remove button.
6. You can specify a custom PDU ID in the field at bottom and assign it a custom PDU ID.

NOTE: The custom PDU ID is for assigning user group authorization to manage PDUs that have not yet
been connected to the console server.

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 7. Click Save.
To assign outlet access for a new custom user group:
NOTE: Assigning outlet access to user groups allows group members to turn outlets on or off, and
enable locking and power cycle capabilities on compatible PDUs.

1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups.

2. Click on the new user group name.
3. In the side navigation bar, click Access Rights - Power - Outlets.
4. Click Add. The Add Outlet screen is displayed.
5. For connected PDUs, click the Select PDU button to activate the Connected PDUs and Outlets
fields.
6. Select Connected PDU from the pull-down menu.
7. Enter the outlets assigned to the user group.

NOTE: Outlets can be specified individually, (for example 1,3,6,8) or as a range (for example 1-4) or a
combination of both, (for example 1-4,6,8 which assigns access to outlets 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8).

8. If a custom PDU ID has been created for future use, and you want to pre-assign outlets, click
the Custom button to enter the custom PDU ID name and specify the outlets.
9. Click Save.
To assign appliance access rights for custom user groups:
1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups.
2. Click the new user group name.
3. In the side navigation bar, click Access Rights - Appliance.
4. Select the desired appliance access rights and click Save.
To configure a group in a TACACS+ authentication server:
1. On the server, add raccess service to the user configuration.
2. Define which group(s) the user belongs to in the raccess service following this syntax:

group_name = <Group1>[,<Group2,...,GroupN>];

For example:

In the console server, configure a new authorization group TACACS_1 , and configure the access rights for
this group. In the TACACS+ server, configure the user regina with the following attribute: raccess =
group_name=TACACS_1;

Then, configure the user special with the following attribute: raccess = group_name=admin;

During the authentication phase, the console server will receive the attribute raccess from the TACACS+
server. The user regina belongs to the authorization group TACACS_1 and the user special belongs to the
authorization group admin.
To configure a group in a RADIUS authentication server:
Define which group(s) the user belongs to in the attribute FRAMED_FILTER_ID with the following syntax:

[:group_name=]<acs6000_group1>[,<acs6000_group2>];

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 NOTE: The group names should be separated by a comma and end with a semi-colon.

NOTE: The ACS6000 console server accepts multiple FRAMED_FILTER_ID attributes.

For example:

In the console server, configure new authorization groups RADIUS_1 and RADIUS_2, and configure the
access rights for these groups. In the Radius server, configure the user regina with the following attribute:

FramedFilterID = group_name=RADIUS_1,RADIUS_2;

-or-

FramedFilterID = RADIUS_1,RADIUS_2;

-or-

FramedFilterID = RADIUS_1;
FramedFilterID += RADIUS_2;

Then, configure the user special with the following attribute:

FramedFilterID = group_name=admin;

During the authentication phase, the console server will receive the attribute FramedFilterID from the
RADIUS server. The user regina belongs to authorization group RADIUS_1 and RADIUS_2. and the user
special belongs to authorization group admin.
To configure group an LDAP authentication server:
On the LDAP server, edit the info attribute for the user and add the following syntax.

info: group_name=<Group1>[,<Group2>,...,<GroupN>];

3.12.3 DSView software access rights

An administrator can configure how the DSView software's viewer session rights will be mapped to the
console server's access rights when a user accesses a target via the DSView software's serial viewer.
To configure the map of DSView software access rights to console server access rights:
1. Click Users – Authorization – DSView Access Rights.
2. Select the desired access rights and click Save.

3.13 Event Notifications

The console server will generate notifications for a variety of events. You can configure the console server
to direct or store those event notifications to various destinations for immediate use or for analysis later.

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 3.13.1 Event List
The Event List screen lists console server events, each of which can be configured for SNMP Traps,
Syslog, DSView software, Email and SMS.
To configure Events:
1. Click Events and Logs - Events.
2. Locate the events for which you want notification sent and select the checkbox(es) next to the
event number(s).
3. Click Edit.
4. If you want an event notification sent for any configured event destination type, click its
associated Send checkbox.
5. Click Save. The Events page appears with an X in the column below the destination type if the
Send box was checked on the Events Settings screen.
3.13.2 Event Destinations
The console server will generate notifications for a variety of events. You can configure the console server
to direct or store event notifications to various destinations for immediate use or for analysis later.
To configure Event Destinations:
1. Click on Event and Logs - Event Destinations.
2. Under the Syslog heading, use the drop-down menu to select the Facility.

Select Remote Server - IPv4 to enable syslog messages to be sent to one or more remote IPv4
syslog servers, and enter the IPv4 Address or Hostname and the UPD port for each remote
syslog server.

-or-

Select Remote Server - IPv6 to enable syslog messages to be sent to one or more remote IPv6
syslog servers, and enter the IPv6 Address or Hostname and the UPD port for each remote
syslog server.

3. Select Appliance Console to send messages to the console server’s console.

4. Select Root Session to send syslog messages to all sessions where you are logged in as root
user.
5. Under the SNMP Trap heading, enter the name of the community defined in one or more of the
SNMP trap servers in the Community field then enter the IP addresses of up to five servers in
the server fields.
6. Under the SMS heading, enter the SMS Server, Port and Pager Number information in the
appropriate fields.
7. Under the Email heading, enter the Server, Port and Destination Email information in the
appropriate fields.
8. Under the DSView heading, enter the IP address of the DSView server where event
notifications will be sent in the DSView server field. Enter the syslog server port number for the
DSView server, the SSH information and the buffer warning information in the appropiate
fields.
9. Click Save.

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 3.13.3 Trap Forward
The console server will receive SNMP traps and forward them to a remote SNMP trap server.
To add a SNMP trap server to forward traps: 
1. Click Events and Logs – Trap Forward.
2. Click Add.
3. Enter the IP address of the remote server and the UDP port.
4. Enter the OID to filter traps to send to this server (optional).
To edit SNMP trap server configuration:
1. Click Events and Logs – Trap Forward.
2. Click the index of the server to be edited.
3. Update the UDP port and/or the OID and click Save.
3.13.4 Data Buffering
To configure Data Buffering:
1. Select Events and Logs - Data Buffering.
2. Enter the segment size in kilobytes and spare segments in the Local Data Buffering Settings
section.
3. In the NFS Data Buffering Settings section, enter the following information: NFS Server, NFS
Path, Segment Size (Kbytes) and Spare Segments.

NOTE: RPC service must be enabled in the Security Profile screen before configuring NFS Data
Buffering Settings. NFS does not support IPv6.

4. To segment data buffering files every day based in hour, enter the time in the Close Log Files
and Open New Ones at Time (HH:MM) field. This will be valid for local and NFS data buffering.
5. To configure data buffer storage on a syslog server in the Syslog Data Buffering Settings
section; select a facility number from the drop-down menu: Log Local 0, Log Local 1, Log Local
2, Log Local 3, Log Local 4 or Log Local 5.
6. Click Save.
3.13.5 Appliance logging
To configure appliance logging:
1. Click Enable appliance session data logging.
a. Select the destination for appliance session data logs from the pull-down menu. Choices
are Local, NFS, Syslog and DSView.
b. Enable or disable timestamping the appliance session data logs.
2. Click Enable appliance session data logging alerts.
3. Enter the desired alert strings (up to ten) in the fields provided.
4. Click Save.
3.13.6 Sensors
The console server has sensors that monitor the internal temperature. You can specify an operating
range for the console server that fits its environment.

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 CAUTION: Do not use values that exceed the maximum and minimum temperatures.
Appendices on page 71.

To configure the temperature sensors:

1. Click Events and Logs - Sensors.
2. In the Maximum Temperature field, enter the temperature in degrees Celsius that, if exceeded,
will generate an event notification.
3. In the Maximum Temperature Threshold field, enter the temperature threshold in degrees
Celsius below the maximum temperature.

NOTE: The Maximum Temperature Threshold field will define a region around the maximum
temperature. When the temperature exceeds the Maximum Temperature plus Threshold, an event
notification will be generated. When the temperature falls below the Maximum Temperature minus
Threshold, an even notification that the console server has returned to normal operating temperature
will be generated. This is also true for setting the minimum temperature threshold.

4. In the Minimum Temperature field, enter the temperature in degrees Celsius that, if the
console server’s temperature falls below, will generate an event notification.
5. In the Minimum Temperature Threshold field, enter the temperature threshold in degrees
Celsius above the minimum temperature.
6. Click Save.

3.14 Power Management

Connected power devices can be used for remote power management. The console server enables users
who are authorized for power management to turn power on, turn power off and reset devices that are
plugged into a connected PDU.

The following types of power devices can be connected to any serial port or to the AUX/Modem port (if an
internal modem is not installed):

• Vertiv™ MPH2 rack Power Distribution Units (PDUs) as well as MPX and MPH rack PDUs with
RPC2 cards installed.
• Cyclades PM Intelligent Power Distribution Units (IPDUs) - With Cyclades PM IPDUs, up to 128
outlets can be daisy-chained and managed from a single serial port.
• Avocent SPC power control devices.
• Server Technology Sentry™ family of Switched Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs), Smart
Cabinet Power Distribution Units (Smart CDUs) and switched CDU Expansion Module (CW/CX)
power devices. One additional level of power devices can be daisy-chained with ServerTech
Expansion modules.
• Server Technology Sentry Power Tower XL™ (PTXL) and Power Tower Expansion Module
(PTXM) power devices.

NOTE: The term PDU refers to any of these types of power devices.

The console server automatically recognizes and supports Liebert RPC2 cards, Cyclades PM PDUs or
Avocent SPC devices when the corresponding serial port is configured for power management.

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 3.14.1 PDUs
To manage a PDU:
1. Select Power Management - PDUs.
2. Select the checkbox next to the PDU you want to manage.
3. Click On, Off, Cycle, Reboot PDU, Reset HW Overcurrent Protection or Factory Defaults if
desired. A confirmation appears. Click OK.

NOTE: The power controls (On, Off and Cycle) will be applied to all outlets of the PDU.

4. To change the PDU ID, click Rename and enter the name in the New PDU ID field.
5. Click Save.
To upgrade firmware:
1. Select the checkbox next to the PDU you want to upgrade and click the Upgrade Firmware
button.
2. Fill all fields with correct information and click Download to download the firmware to the
console server.
3. When the download finishes, the Install PM Firmware screen appears. If the version information
is correct, click Upgrade Now to start the upgrade of the firmware in the PDU.
4. When the upgrade finishes, the Finish Upgrade screen appears with the result of the upgrade
action. Click Finish.

NOTE: You can upgrade the firmware for multiple PDUs at the same time for Avocent PM PDUs only.
To view a PDU’s information and manage outlets:
1. Select Power Management - PDUs.
2. Click the name of the PDU you want to view or manage.
3. The Outlet Table with power controls window appears and the side navigation bar displays a
list of options.
4. To manage outlets of PDU:
a. Check the box(es) of the outlet number(s) you want to manage.
b. Click On, Off, Cycle, Lock or Unlock to perform that function for the selected outlet(s).
5. Click Information in the side navigation bar to view a PDU’s information.
6. Click Overview in the side navigation bar to view data monitoring information.
7. Click Current, Voltage, Power Consumption, Energy Consumption or Environment in the side
navigation bar to view a table with appropriate information. Click Reset Values to clear Max,
Min and Average values.
To configure a PDU:
1. Click Settings to expand the side navigation bar.
2. Click Outlets.
3. Click on an outlet number to change its settings. Click Save, then click Close.

-or-

Check two or more boxes next to the outlets for which you want to change settings. Click Edit
to change the settings for the outlets you selected. Click Save.

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 4. Click PDU to view and configure PDU settings. Click Save when finished.
5. Click Phases or Banks.
a. Click on the name of a phase or bank to change its settings, or click one or more boxes
next to the phase(s) or bank(s) you want to change.
b. Click Save to save the settings and click Close to return to the Phase screen.

NOTE: The PDU model defines available parameters in the Settings window.

3.14.2 Login
An administrator can change the login password for a supported PDU type. This password is used by the
console server to communicate with the PDU. (Only one password is supported for all PDUs of the same
type.)
To change a PDU password:
1. Select Power Management - Login.
2. To change the password for an Avocent or Cyclades PDU, an Avocent SPC power control
device or a Server Tech PDU, enter the password in the appropriately labeled section.
3. Click Save.
3.14.3 Outlet Groups
By selecting the Outlet Groups tab, you can view status, outlet and power consumption for outlet groups,
as well as configure them. You can also turn on, turn off or cycle selected outlet groups.
To manage outlet groups:

1. Select Power Management - Outlet Groups.

2. Check the box next to the name of the Outlet Group you want to manage.
3. Click the On, Off or Cycle radio button, if desired.

-or-

4. Click Add to add an outlet group. The Add Group screen appears. Enter the name in the Group
Name field.
5. Click Save.
To view and change outlet group information:
1. Select Power Management - Outlet Groups.
2. Click the name of the outlet group you want to view or manage.
3. To add outlets, click Add to add a new outlet to the group. Fill the fields and click Save to
return to the Outlet Group Details table.
4. To delete outlets, check one or more boxes next to the outlet(s) you want to remove from the
group. Click Delete, then click Close when finished.
3.14.4 Network PDUs
Power devices connected to the network with SNMP (read/write) enabled can be used for remote power
management. The console server enables authorized users to turn power on and turn power off in devices
that are plugged into the network PDU.

The following type of power devices are support via network connection:

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 • Vertiv™ MPH2 rack Power Distribution Units (PDUs) as well as MPX and MPH rack PDUs with
RPC2 cards installed.
• Server Technology Sentry™ family of Switched Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) and
switched CDU Expansion Module (CW/CX) power devices.

NOTE: SNMP needs to be enabled and have one community with write permission enabled in the PDU.

By selecting the Network PDUs node, an administrator can add new Network PDUs or edit configuration of
current ones.

The following functionalities are supported for Network PDUs:Power Control (turn on, turn off and
cycle/reboot) outlets, rename the PDU and rename the outlets
To add a network PDU
1. Select Power Management – Network PDUs.
2. Click Add.
3. Enter the IP address of the network PDU.
4. Select the PDU type: Net-ServerTech or Net-MPH/MPX.
5. Enter the interval to poll the PDU for the status of the outlets.
6. Enter the community name that has write permission in the PDU.

NOTE: The support for network PDUs is restricted to power operations (turn on, turn off, cycle
outlets), rename PDU and rename outlets.

3.15 Active Sessions

The console server allows multiple users to log in and run sessions simultaneously. The Active Sessions
feature allows you to view all active sessions and kill any unwanted sessions. Click Active Sessions to view
all open sessions on the console server.

NOTE: If you start another session with the console server while viewing this screen, it will not be
visible until you click Refresh at the top of the web manager window.
To kill an active session:
1. Click Active Sessions. The Active Sessions screen appears and lists all open sessions to the
console server by the user’s workstation IP.
2. Select the checkbox next to the session you want to kill, then click the Kill button. After a few
seconds, the Active Session screen will redisplay the open sessions, minus the one you killed.

3.16 Monitoring
When you click Monitoring, a variety of network and console port information is available for viewing. The
screens are only for viewing and have no interactivity with the user. The following table shows the types of
information available.

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 Table 3.21 Monitoring Screens
SCREEN
DEFINITION
NAME

Network - Shows Ethernet ports, Device Name, Status (enabled/disabled), IPv4 Address, IPv4 Mask and IPv6 Address (not available on all
Devices models).
Network - IPv4
Shows Destination, Gateway, Genmask, Flags, Metric, Ref, Use and lface.
Routing Table
Network - IPv6
Shows Destination, NextHop, Flags, Metric, Ref, Use and lface.
Routing Table
Shows Device Name, Profile, Settings, Signals, TX Bytes, RX Bytes, Frame Error, Parity Error, Break and Overrun. The Reset
Serial Ports
Counter button allows administrators to reset the statistic counters for selected ports.
Fips Mode Shows Service Name and Mode Indication.

3.17 Change Password

An administrator or user can change their own password from this screen.
To change your own password:
1. Select Change Password.
2. Enter the old password and new password in the appropriate fields.
3. Confirm the new password, then click Save.

3.18 Web Manager Overview for Regular Users

Table 3.22 Web Manager Options for Regular Users
MENU OPTION DESCRIPTION

Displays all the devices the user can access. Click on Serial Viewer in a device’s Action column to launch a terminal session
Access
with that device.
Power Management Click PDUs to turn on, turn off, cycle, reboot, reset the HW overcurrent protection, returnt to factory defaults or rename PDUs
PDUs Outlet Groups connected to the console server. Click Outlet Groups to manage groups of outlets on connected PDUs.
Change Password Change your own password.

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 4 APPENDICES
Appendix A: Technical Specifications
Table A.1 Technical Specifications for the ACS6000 Console Server Hardware
CATEGORY VALUE

General Information
CPU PPC440EPx @ 533 MHz (PowerPC with Security Acceleration Engine)
Memory 256 MB DDR-2 / 128 MB NAND Flash (embedded ICs on motherboard)
2 Ethernet 10/100/1000BT on RJ-45 1 RS232 Console on RJ-45 1 AUX RS232 on RJ-45 or internal MODEM V.92 on RJ-45 (RJ11
Interfaces
compatible) RS232 Serial Ports on RJ-45 1 USB 2.0 Host on Type A connector
Power Information
Power Supply Internal 100-240 VAC, 50/60 HzOptional Dual entry, redundant power supplies-48 VDC option available
Nominal voltage 120 VAC: Typical 0.17 A, 20 W Maximum 0.25 A, 30 W
Power
Nominal voltage 230 VAC: Typical 0.1 A, 23 W Maximum 0.15 A, 35 W
Consumption
Nominal voltage -48 VDC (20% tolerance) Typical 0.5 A
Ambient Atmospheric Condition Ratings
Operating
32 oF to 122 oF (0o C to 50o C)
Temperature
Storage
-4 oF to 158 oF (-20o C to 70o C)
Temperature
Humidity 20% to 80% relative humidity (non-condensing) across the operating temperature range
Dimensions
Height x Width
1.715 x 17.250 x 9.50 in (4.3561 x 43.815 x 24.13 cm)
x Depth
Weight 6-7 pounds (2.722- 3.175 kg) depending on the model

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 71

 Appendix B: Zero-touch provisioning
The zero-touch provisioning feature is an extension of the console server's BootP configuration retrieval
and is a method for deploying many console servers into an environment. You will need a valid
DHCP server and TFTP server to use zero-touch provisioning. You can configure your DHCP servers to
instruct newly introduced console servers to download a template configuration and upgrade/downgrade
firmware.

NOTE: Zero-touch provisioning is not supported for console servers running firmware versions prior
to 3.1.x.

Setting up the DHCP/TFTP/configuration files should take only a few minutes and will potentially save
hours of configuration time for console servers subsequently added to your network. After the
provisioning step is completed, console servers can be accessed individually for any post-provision
configuration desired (for example, assigning a static IP and a hostname).

With zero-touch provisioning, console servers can be automatically configured and upgraded after they
are booted and initialized. This helps facilitate the introduction and installation of the console server into
the existing network.

An administrator can view a log of zero-touch configurations by clicking Monitoring-Zero-touch Log from
the sidebar of the Expert tab.

B.1 Zero-touch provisioning configuration file

In order to utilize the zero-touch provisioning feature, an administrator must first save a console server's
configuration file on a remote server. The configuration file will be referenced by the setup file that will be
created for zero-touch provisioning. For information on creating and saving a configuration file, see
Configuration files on page 19.

NOTE: Parameters in the configuration file will apply to all console servers receiving the file. If you do
not want a parameter to apply to all console servers, for example a host name, make sure you comment
it out by entering a pound sign (#) in front of the parameter.

B.2 Setup file

Once the configuration file has been saved on a remote server and the DHCP server has been configured,
an administrator needs to create a setup file. The setup file is used by the console server to identify
configuration parameters and important provisioning information, such as the firmware image filename,
configuration filename and the IP address for the remote server where the configuration file has been
saved. Once the setup file has been created, it needs to be stored on a TFTP server. The IP address of the
TFTP server will be sent in the DHCP offer message.

NOTE: It is recommended you store the setup file in the root folder if you're storing it on a TFTP server.

The following is an example of the setup file.

ONE_TIME_CONFIG=YES
FIRMWARE_VERSION=1.0.1
FIRMWARE_FILENAME=/var/tftp/acs6000/acs6000_1.0.1.bin
FIRMWARE_SERVER_IP=192.168.100.2
FIRMWARE_SERVER_USERNAME=<the required username>
FIRMWARE_SERVER_PASSWORD=<the required password>
FIRMWARE_SERVER_PROTOCOL=SFTP

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 72

 CONFIG_FILENAME=/tftp/config-xml
CONFIG_SERVER_IP=192.168.100.2
CONFIG_SERVER_USERNAME=<the required username>
CONFIG_SERVER_PASSWORD=<the required password>
CONFIG_SERVER_PROTOCOL=SFTP

Table A.2 Setup File Descriptions

PARAMETER DESCRIPTION

ONE_TIME_ When the parameter is set to Yes, the configuration file is retrieved by the console server on the initial boot; it is not sent on
CONFIG subsequent boots. When set to No, the configuration file is retrieved by the console server each time it is booted.

FIRMWARE_
The version of the firmware to be sent to the appliance.
VERSION

FIRMWARE_
The path and file name of the firmware.
FILENAME

FIRMWARE_
The IP address or hostname of the server hosting the firmware.
SERVER_IP

FIRMWARE_
SERVER_
USERNAME
If the firmware is hosted on a secure server, the credentials to access the server.
FIRMWARE_
SERVER_
PASSWORD

FIRMWARE_
SERVER_ The protocol of the server used to host the firmware. Supported protocols include tftp, ftp, stfp, scp and wget.
PROTOCOL

CONFIG_
The path and file name of the of the configuration file.
FILENAME

CONFIG_
The IP address or hostname of the server hosting the configuration file.
SERVER_IP

CONFIG_
SERVER_
USERNAME
If the configuration file is hosted on a secure server, the credentials to access the server. In most cases, the credentials will be
CONFIG_ required. The username is plain text, however the password must be encrypted.
SERVER_
PASSWORD

CONFIG_
SERVER_ The protocol of the server used to host the configuration file. Supported protocols include ftp, stfp, scp and wget.
PROTOCOL

Password encryption
An encrypted hash of a password should be created for the FIRMWARE_SERVER_PASSWORD or
CONFIG_SERVER_PASSWORD parameters. The hash needs to be generated from a Linux environment
running openSSL. Enter the following commands at a Linux command prompt or on a console server's
shell, as shown. Then enter the resulting hash password into the setup file for the defined server type.

echo ACS6000KEYAVOCENT> mykey

echo ACS6000KEYAVOCENT > mykey
echo "MyPassword" | openssl enc -base64 -salt -aes-256-cbc -pass file:./mykey

NOTE: In the preceding example, replace "MyPassword" with a valid password.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 73

 B.3 Copying the setup file to a server
After creating the setup file, it must be copied to a TFTP server. The following example shows what to
enter in your system to copy the files to your server and then verify that the console server can download
the file.

Copying the Setup File to a TFTP server: 

Example: tftpd-hpa
Default TFTP root directory /var/lib/tftpboot
~$ sudo cp zerotouch.setup /var/lib/tftpboot

Copying the Setup file to an HTTP server: 

Example: nginx (web server)

The default root directory is set via "/etc/nginx/sites-available/default".
For this example, the root directory is located at "/usr/share/nginx/html".
~$ sudo cp zerotouch.setup /usr/share/nginx/html
[root@ACS6048-1234567890 ~]# tftp -gr zerotouch.setup 10.207.24.18
[root@ACS6048-1234567890 ~]# ls
zerotouch.setup

B.4 Obtaining the setup file

After obtaining the IP addresses for both the console server and the TFTP server where you uploaded the
setup file, the zero-touch provisioning process will attempt to download the setup file. Once the console
server downloads the setup file, it will use the information contained in the file to obtain the image and/or
process the configuration of the console server.

B.5 DHCP server configuration

During the boot process, the console server may issue a request, if needed, for an IP address assignment.
During this process, the DHCP server will query the DNS server to get the location of the TFTP or HTTP
server where the setup file resides. An administrator can, if desired, create an entry on the DHCP server
that uniquely identifies a specific console server or range of console servers. This entry filters which
console servers are provisioned.

An administrator needs to configure two options. Option 66 defines the hostname or IP address of the
TFTP server where the setup file resides. Option 67 defines the name of the setup file (for example
acszero.cfg).
To configure Options 66 and 67: 
1. Using the Windows Server Manager or DHCP tools snap-in Microsoft Management Console
(MMC), open your DHCP server console.
2. In the left panel of the DHCP server window, click IPv4.
3. Right-click on Server Options and click Configure Options to configure a global scope.

-or-

Right-click on Scope Options and click Configure Options to configure a single scope.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 74

 4. Click on Option 066 to enter the location of the server that will host the setup file.
5. Enter the host name for the TFTP server.
6. Click on Option 067 to enter the name of the setup file.

An administrator can use two additional DHCP options to filter zero-touch provisioning for select console
servers. Option 60 defines the vendor class, Avocent_ACS[[[Undefined variable Variables.16 - Model
Number]]]<serial number of the console server>. Option 61 defines the MAC address of the console server.
To create Options 60 and 61 (optional): 
1. Using the Windows Server Manager or DHCP tools snap-in MMC, open your DHCP server
console.
2. In the left panel of the DHCP window, click IPv4.
3. From the tab bar, click Action, then click Set Predefined Options from the pull-down menu.
4. Under the Options Class, select DHCP Standard Options, then click Add.
5. Enter a name for the option in the Name field, select String from the Data type drop-down
menu, enter 060 in the Code field and enter a description for the option. Click OK.
6. Repeat step 5, entering 061 in the Code field.

DNS server
If the DNS scope option is not already defined on your DHCP server, and if the Option 66 entry is a
hostname instead of an IP address, you can configure the DNS server.
To configure the DNS server: 
1. Using the Windows Server Manager or DHCP tools snap-in MMC, open your DHCP server
console.
2. In the left panel of the DHCP window, click IPv4.
3. Right-click on Server Options and click Configure Options.
4. Click Option 006 to define the DNS servers.
5. Enter the IP address in the appropriate field and click Add.

NOTE: If you enter the server name, the DNS server will resolve it.

Reservations
You can reserve IP addresses for each console server to be updated. A reservation is an IP address that
will be always be issued to a specified console server when it renews its DHCP lease.
To reserve an IP address: 
1. Using the Windows® Server Manager or DHCP tools snap-in Microsoft® Management Console
(MMC), open your DHCP server console.
2. In the left panel of the DHCP window, click IPv4.
3. Right-click Reservations, then click New Reservation.
4. Enter a name for the reservation, the IP address to be assigned to the console server, the
MAC address for the console server and a description in the appropriate fields.

NOTE: The console server's MAC address can be found on the bottom of console server.

5. Under Supported types, use the radio button to select either Both or DHCP only.
6. Click Add. The reserved IP address will be displayed in the Reserve table.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 75

 The following is an example of a Linux DHCP server configuration.

Example: ISC DHCP Server for Linux

Edit /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf ...
host acs6048 {
hardware ethernet 00:e0:86:12:34:56;
fixed-address 10.207.24.134;
filename "zerotouch.setup";
next-server 10.207.24.18;

B.6 Enabling zero-touch provisioning

An administrator can enable zero-touch provisioning from either the web UI or the CLI. Once zero-touch
provisioning is enabled, you must clear the zero-touch provisioning log.
To enable zero-touch provisioning from the web UI: 
1. From the sidebar of the web UI, click System - Security - Security Profile.
2. Under the Bootp Configuration Retrieval heading, check the boxes to enable Bootp and enable
Live Configuration Retrieval.
3. Use the drop-down to select eth0 as the Bootp Interface.
4. Click Save.
5. From the sidebar of the web UI, click Monitoring - Zero-touch Log then click Clear Log.
To enable zero-touch provisioning from the CLI: 
1. Log in to the console server as the root user.
2. Type cd system/security/security_profile/ to navigate to the security profile level.
3. Type set bootp_enabled=yes. and press enter.
4. Type set bootp_interface=eth0. and press enter.
5. Type set enable_live_configuration_retrieval_(any_time_dhcp_renews)=yes and press enter.
6. Type commit to save the configuration.
7. Type cd /monitoring/zero-touch_log/ to navigate to the zero-touch log level.
8. Type clear_log. Type Yes when prompted if you want to clear the zero-touch provisioning log.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 76

 Appendix C: Recovering a Console Server's Password
To recover the console server's root password:
1. Connect directly to the console server’s CONSOLE port.
2. Turn the console server off, then on again.
3. Press the Spacebar to access the uboot prompt.
4. Type hw_boot single and press Enter.
5. The console server will boot into single-user mode. Type passwd and press Enter.
6. Enter the new password and confirm.
7. Type reboot and let the console server boot normally.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 77

 Appendix D: Port Information for Communication with the DSView Software
The following ports on an ACS6000 advanced console server can accept connections from the DSView
management software:

• TCP port 3502 (https)

• TCP port 3871 (adsap2)
• UDP port 3211 (aidp)
• TCP port 22 (sshd)

The following ports in the DSView software can accept connections from the ACS6000 advanced console
server:

• TCP port 4122 (default: SSH server)

• TCP port 4514 (default: data logging or Syslog server)

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 78

 Appendix E: Accessing a Console Server with a DSView Software Installation via
Dial-up
When a DSView software user establishes a serial session, the following events occur:

• The user selects a serial port to access.

• A viewer is downloaded from the DSView server to the user's workstation.
• The DSView software passes information to the viewer, such as an authorization key, the
IP address and serial port of the console server.
• The viewer then accesses the serial port of the console server through an SSH session by
passing the authorization key obtained from the DSView server.
• The serial session begins.

To ensure constant connectivity, a DSView server can be configured with an out of band (OOB) “back
door” that will allow it to call a console server via modem in the event of a network or Internet failure.

4.0.1 Installing DSView software with an OOB back door

The DSView server must be running on hardware that has a connected modem, and the console server
must have a built-in modem or access to a modem via USB or serial port.

For this installation, the DSView server must be the central point of reception of both the packets leaving
the downloaded viewer and the console server. To ensure this, Proxy mode must be configured within the
DSView software. The viewer will then point to the DSView server (not the console server) to establish the
SSH connection. The DSView server would then route the packets by changing both the source and
destination IP addresses and act as a middle point of communication.

Under normal operating conditions, packets received from the Video Viewer would route through the
DSView server via Ethernet. In an error state, the DSView server would detect that the normal path to the
console server was interrupted and would dial out to the console server, pass authentication and establish
a PPP connection. Packets that would normally pass via Ethernet would instead be routed via PPP.

Because of the speed differences between Ethernet and dial-up, performance would be notably slower,
but still present. Multiuser connections would further degrade performance and are not recommended.
For this reason, dial-up backup is recommended as an emergency backup feature only.

4.0.2 Configuring dial-up for a console server

To configure dial-up to a console server within the DSView software:
1. In a Units view window containing appliances, select the ACS6000 console server you want to
configure. For dial-in with callback, you must first select DSView Server - Properties - DSView
Modem Sessions under the System tab and enter the the phone number assigned to the
DSView server in the Analog Phone Number field.
2. Select DSView Settings - Dial-up, and click Enable Dial-up.
3. Select Modem Type - Analog.
4. Enter the phone number for the console server you want to use.
5. Enter the PPP User and select the PPP Auth Protocol in the appropriate fields.
6. For dial-in with callback, enable the dial-back checkbox.
7. Select DSView Settings - Dial-up - PPP Password, then enter and confirm the password needed
to access the ACS6000 console server.
8. Select DSView Settings - Dial-up - IP Addresses.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 79

 9. Click Generate Automatically to set the IP address automatically, or enter the PPP Local IP
address and Appliance IP address manually.
10. Select DSView Settings - Dial-up and click Save.
11. To configure a console server to receive the dial-up connection within the DSView software:
12. In a Units view window containing appliances, select the ACS6000 console server you want to
configure.
13. For a modem attached to a serial port, select Ports - Serial Ports, then select the port that
contains the attached modem. Click Set Dial-In.

-or-

For a modem attached to an auxiliary port, select Ports - Auxiliary Ports, then select the port.
Click Set Dial-In.

-or-

For an internal modem, select Ports - Auxiliary Ports and select the modem.

-or-

For a pluggable device modem, select Pluggable Devices, select the modem and click Save.

14. Select DSView Settings - Dial-up and click Push Configuration.

NOTE: The following step is only required if CHAP was selected in the PPP Auth Protocol field in the
DSView software Settings Dial-up window.

15. Log in to the CLI of the console server and access the Linux shell. Edit the /etc/ppp/chap-
secrets and add a line in the format, where the first column should have the PPP user and the
third column should have the PPP password as is shown in the following example:

pppuser * "ppppassword" *

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 80

 Appendix F: Internal Modem
Some models of the ACS6000 console server come equipped with an internal modem. This modem is used
to originate and answer phone calls and establish communication with other modems to transmit data.

Controlling the modem’s functions is done by using the “AT” commands. These commands are used to
instruct the modem to perform functions such as dialing or answering calls and are normally
automatically issued by communication software. However, for some applications, custom software may
have to be written due to the absence of a normal operating system.

The modem will automatically accept and process AT commands at most standard DTE (Data Terminal
Equipment) speeds and parity settings. For each command issued, the modem will respond with a result
code to inform you of the modem’s status. The format of a basic AT command and result code is as follows:

AT<Command><CR>

OK

AT = Attention.

<Command> = any valid command

<CR> = Carriage Return or Enter key

OK = Result Code

Table A.3 Sample Command String

COMMAND DESCRIPTION

ATDT7678900<CR> Instructs the modem to dial the number 7678900 and attempt to connect to the remote device.
ATS0=2<CR> Enables auto answer option. When the modem detects a ring, it will attempt to answer after two rings.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 81

 Table A.4 Basic AT Commands
COMMAND DESCRIPTION

ATA/ Repeat the previous command.

ATA Answer.
ATB0 CCITT operation at 300 or 1200 bps.
ATB1 Bell operation at 300 or 1200 bps (default).
ATD Dial.
ATD0-9 Dial the DTMF digits 0 to 9.
ATDA-D Dial the DTMF digits A, B, C and D.
ATDP Select pulse dialing; effects current and subsequent dialing.
ATDT Select tone dialing; effects current and subsequent dialing.
ATD! Flash: go on-hook by time defined by S29.
Wait for dial tone detection before dialing a number. If no dial tone is detected within the time specified by S7, the modem aborts the
ATDW
rest of the sequence, goes on-hook and generates an error message.
ATD@ Wait for five seconds of silence before proceeding with next dialing string and then complete handshake sequence.
Pause. The modem pauses for a time specified by S8 before dialing the number. Most often used when dialing an outside line through a
ATD,
PBX.
ATD; Return to the command mode after processing the command.
ATE0 Disables the command echo.
ATE1 Enables the command echo (default).
ATH0 Hang up.
ATH1 Forces the modem off-hook.
ATI0 Reports product code.
ATI2 Reports OK (for software compatibility).
ATI3 Reports the firmware version of the modem. Example: CX810801-V90.
ATL0 Sets the speaker volume off.
ATL1 Sets the speaker volume low (default).
ATL2 Sets the speaker volume medium.
ATL3 Sets the speaker volume high.
ATM0 Speaker is always off.
ATM1 Speaker is on during call establishment but goes off when carrier is detected (default).
ATM2 Speaker is always on.
ATM3 Speaker if off during dialing and when receiving carrier but on during answering.
ATQ0 Enables result codes to the DTE (default).
ATQ1 Disables result codes to the DTE.
ATSr Establishes S-register “r” as the default register.
ATSr=n Sets S-register “r” to the value “n.”
ATSr? Reports the value of S-register “r.”
ATV0 Enables short-form result codes.
ATV1 Enables long-form result codes.
Upon connection, the modem reports only the DTE speed (for example, CONNECT 9600). Subsequent responses are disabled
ATW0
(default).
Upon connection, the modem reports the modulation type, line speed, the error correction protocol and the DTE speed. Subsequent
ATW1
responses are disabled.
ATW2 Upon connection, the modem reports DCE speed (for example, CONNECT 2400). Subsequent responses are disabled.
ATX0 Ignores dial and busy tone. Sends CONNECT message when a connection is established by blind dialing.
Disables monitoring of busy tones. Sends only OK, CONNECT, RING, NO CARRIER and ERROR messages. If busy tone detection is
ATX1 enforced and busy tone is detected, NO CARRIER will be reported instead of BUSY. If dial tone detection is enforced or selected and
dial tone is not detected, NO CARRIER will be reported instead of NO DIALTONE.
Disables monitoring of busy tones. Sends only OK, CONNECT, RING, NO CARRIER, ERROR, NO DIALTONE and CONNECT XXXX. If
ATX2 busy tone detection is enforced and busy tone is detected, NO CARRIER, will be reported instead of BUSY. If dial tone detection is

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 82

 COMMAND DESCRIPTION

enforced or selected and dial tone is not detected, NO CARRIER will be reported instead of NO DIALTONE.
Enables monitoring of busy tones. Sends only OK, CONNECT, RING, NO CARRIER, ERROR, NO DIALTONE and CONNECT or
ATX3
CARRIER XXXX. If dial tone detection is enforced and dial tone is not detected, NO CARRIER will be reported.
ATX4 Enables monitoring of busy tones. Sends all messages (default).
ATZ0 Soft reset.
AT&C0 DCD remains on at all times.
AT&C1 DCD follows the state of the carrier (default).
AT&D0 Ignores DTR.
AT&D1 Enters the escape mode when ON-to-OFF transition is detected on DTR.
AT&D2 Hangs up, assumes command state and disables auto answer upon detecting ON-to-OFF transition of DTR (default).
AT&D3 ON-to-OFF transition causes the modem to perform a soft reset. It is the same as if an ATZ command is issued.
AT&F Restores factory configuration.
AT&G0 Disables guard tone (default).
AT&G1 Enables 550-Hz guard tone.
AT&G2 Enables 1800-Hz guard tone.
AT&K0 Disables flow control.
AT&K3 Enables RTS/CTS flow control (default for data modes).
AT&K4 Enables XON/XOFF flow control.
AT&K5 Supports transparent XON/XOFF flow control.
AT&P0 39/61 make/break ratio at 10 pulses per second (default).
AT&P1 33/67 make/break ratio at 10 pulses per second.
AT&P2 39/61 make/break ratio at 20 pulses per second.
AT&P3 33/67 make/break ratio at 20 pulses per second.
AT&Q0 Selects direct asynchronous operation.
AT&Q5 Modem will try an error-corrected link.
AT&Q6 Selects asynchronous operation in normal mode (allows speed buffering and flow control but no error correction).
Displays modem’s current configuration. When this command is entered, the modem will display its current command and register
AT&V
settings.
AT%C0 Disables data compression.
AT%C1 Enables MNP 5 data compression.
AT%C2 Enables V.42 bis data compression (sets S46 bit 1).
AT%C3 Enables V.42 bis and MNP 5 data compression (default).
AT%E0 Disables line quality monitor and auto-retrain.
AT%E1 Enables line quality monitor and auto-retrain.
AT%E2 Enables line quality monitor and fallback/fall-forward (default).
AT%L Line signal level. Returns a value that indicates the received signal level. Example, 009 = -9dBM.
Line signal quality. Reports line signal quality (DAA-dependent). Returns higher order byte of the EQM value. Based on EQM value,
AT%Q
retrain or fallback/fall-forward may be iniated if enabled with AT%E1 or AT%E2 commands.
AT+MS Select/force modulation.

4.0.3 AT+MS modulation selection

This extended-format compound parameter controls the manner of operation of the modulation
capabilities in the modem. It accepts six sub-parameters:

+MS=<carrier>, <automode>, <min_tx_rate>, <max_tx_rate>, <min_rx_rate), <max_rx_rate><CR>.

To read the current settings, enter AT+MS?<CR>

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 83

 Table A.5 +MS Command Supported Rates
MODULATION CARRIER DESCRIPTION

Bell 103 B103 300

Bell 212 B212 1200
V.21 V21 300
V.22 V22 1200
V.22 bis V22 2400 or 1200
V.23 V23C 1200rx/75tx or 75rx/1200tx
V.32 V32 9600 or 4800
V.32 bis V32B 14400, 12000, 9600, 7200 or 4800
V.34 V34 33600, 31200, 28800, 26400, 19200, 16800, 14400, 12000, 9600, 7200, 4800 or 2400
56000, 54667, 53333, 52000, 50667, 49333, 48000, 46667, 45333, 42667, 41333,, 40000, 38667, 37333, 36000,
V.90 V90
34667, 33333, 32000, 30667, 29333, 28000
K56flex K56 56000, 54000, 52000, 50000, 48000, 46000, 44000, 42000, 40000, 38000, 36000, 34000, 32000
56000, 54667, 53333, 52000, 50667, 49333, 48000, 46667, 45333, 42667, 41333,, 40000, 38667, 37333, 36000,
V92 downstream V92
34667, 33333, 32000, 30667, 29333, 28000
48000, 46667, 45333, 42667, 41333,, 40000, 38667, 37333, 36000, 34667, 33333, 32000, 30667, 29333, 28000,
V92 upstream V92
26667, 25333, 24000

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 84

 4.0.4 Set telephone extension option
This command enables/disables “line-in-use” and “extension pickup” options.

Table B.1 Set Telephone Extension Options

-STE=N VALUE EXTENSION PICKUP LINE-IN-USE

0 (default) Disabled Disabled

1 Disabled Enabled
2 Enabled Disabled
3 Enabled Enabled

If the line is in use and the modem receives an ATDT command to dial out, the modem will not go off hook
and will display the “LINE-IN-USE” result code. If the modem is off hook and the extension is picked up, the
modem will drop the connection and display the “OFF-HOOK INTRUSION” result code.

4.0.5 AT S registers
The S registers use the following format: ATSr=n<CR> where the “r” is the S register number and “n” is the
parameter to set it to. To read the current contents of an S register, issue an ATSr?<CR> command where
“r” is the register in question. The modem will then display the value of the S register.

Table B.2 AT S Registers

REGISTER RANGE UNITS DEFAULT DESCRIPTION

S0 0-255 Rings 0 Ring to answer on. ATS0=1<CR> means answer call on first ring detected.
S1 0-255 Rings 0 Number of rings counted.
S2 0-127 ASCII 43 Escape code character.
S3 0-127 ASCII 13 Command terminator<CR>.
S4 0-127 ASCII 10 Line feed character.
S5 0-127 ASCII 8 Backspace character.
S6 2-255 Seconds 2 Wait time for dial-tone detection.
S7 1-255 Seconds 50 Wait time for carrier.
S8 0-255 Seconds 2 Pause time for coma in dial string.
S10 1-255 .1sec 14 Loss of carrier to hang up delay.
S11 50-255 .01sec 85 DTMF tone duration.
S12 0-127 1/50 sec 50 Escape code guard time.
S24 0-255 1sec 0 Sleep mode inactivity timer.
S29 0-255 10mS 70 Hook flash dial modifier time.
S30 0-255 10Sec 0 Inactivity disconnect timer.
S95 0 Result code control.

4.0.6 Basic modem result codes

There are basic codes the modem will issue in response to processing an AT command. Result codes may
be displayed either in word (V1) or numeric (V0) format by using the Vn command. The Qn command
controls if result codes are issued (Q0) or not issued (Q1). The Xn, Wn commands and register S95
determines which result code format the modem will display to indicate the type of connection
established. There are more than 300 codes. The most commonly used are listed in the table below.

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 Table B.3 Basic Result Code Listing
NUMERIC VERBOSE DESCRIPTION

0 OK The modem has received and acknowledged the command.

1 CONNECT Connection made at 300bps or extended result codes are off (X0).
2 RING An incoming ring signal has been detected.
3 NO CARRIER This result code reflects either an intended disconnect or a failure to complete a connection.
4 ERROR An invalid command was issued to the modem.
5 CONNECT 1200 Indicates a 1200bps line or DTE connection.
6 NO DIALTONE
7 BUSY The modem has detected a busy tone.
8 NO ANSWER After S7 time has elapsed, the remote server never answered.
10 CONNECT 2400 Line speed or DTE connection at 2400bps.
12 CONNECT 9600 Line speed or DTE connection at 9600bps.
15 CONNECT 14400 Line speed or DTE connection at 14400bps.
16 CONNECT 19200 Line speed or DTE connection at 19200bps.
17 CONNECT 38400 Line speed or DTE connection at 38400bps.
18 CONNECT 57600 Line speed or DTE connection at 57600bps.

4.0.7 Digital line guard

The modem has an optional Digital Line Guard Circuit that automatically detects an over current
situation on the Tip and Ring pins. When the modem goes off hook, it will immediately check the current
on the Tip and Ring pins. If the current exceeds 150 mA, the modem will display the “DIGITAL LINE
DETECTED” result code and then go back on hook. The modem will continue to display this result code
until normal current is detected on the Tip and Ring pins during an off hook condition. The DLG feature
will protect the modem in case it is accidentally connected to a Digital Telephone Line.

4.0.8 Sleep mode operation

The modem can be set to enter the low power sleep mode by setting ATS24=n. In this case, “n” is time, in
seconds, that the modem will operate in normal mode with no detected telephone line or DTE line activity
before entering low power sleep mode. The timer is reset upon any DTE or telephone line activity. If S24 is
set to zero, the modem will never enter the low power sleep mode.

4.0.9 Disconnecting a call

There are several ways to disconnect a call. Below are the choices.

Resetting the modem’s power or toggling the Reset Line (Pin #12) will disconnect and put the modem
back into the OFF line state.

An ON to OFF transition of the DTR signal (Pin #4) will also disconnect the modem. If you use this method,
check to make sure that the DTR command is set to &D2 or &D3 and not forced (&D0).

The remote device can also cause the modem to disconnect. If the remote modem disconnects your
modem will automatically sense the loss of the carrier signal and return to the OFF line state.

The ATH or ATZ commands can also be used to disconnect a call. In order to issue a command to the
modem when it is On Line, the modem must be placed into the On Line Command State. This is
accomplished by issuing a special escape sequence. The default value of this three digit escape sequence
is the “+” character (see S2 to change). The “+++” is protected by a one-second delay before and after it is
sent (see S12 to change the time) When the modem detects the escape sequence, the OK result Result

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 code will be displayed and the modem is in the On Line Command State. The ATH or ATZ command can
now be issued to disconnect the call.

4.0.10 Selecting country codes

Setting the modem’s country code is done by with the +GCI command. To change to one of the 30
available countries, issue the AT+GCI=n command where “n” is one of the two digit country codes. This
command must be issued each the modem is turned on. It will not automatically store or save this setting.
It should be part of the Initialization string.

Example: AT+GCI=00<CR> Meaning: Change country code to Japan.

OK Meaning: The modem has accepted the command and is

now configured to operate in Japan

AT+GCI?<CR> Meaning: Display current country code

+GCI:00 Meaning: (Japan is the current country selected).

OK

To view which countries are available in the modems firmware, enter AT+GCI=?<CR>.

The modem will display all of the possible two digit country codes available.

Table B.4 Country Codes List

COUNTRY CODE COUNTRY CODE COUNTRY CODE

Australia 09 Hong Kong 50 Poland 8A

Austria 0A India 53 Portugal 8B
Belgium 0F Ireland 57 South Africa 9F
Brazil 16 Italy 59 Singapore 9C
China 26 Japan 00 Spain A0
Denmark 31 Korea 61 Sweden A5
Finland 3C Mexico 73 Switzerland A6
France 3D Netherlands 7B Taiwan Fe
Germany 42 Norway 82 TBR21 FD
United States B5 United Kingdom B4

4.0.11 Using caller ID

The modem can be used to display certain information about incoming telephone calls. The modem can
inform you of the date, time, telephone number and name associated with incoming calls. When the CID
option is enabled, information will be displayed between the first and second incoming “RING.” In order for
this feature to work properly, the telephone line connected to the modem must subscribe to caller ID
service offered by the local telephone company. A sample of the displayed information is shown below:

RING

DATE = 0513

TIME = 1346

NMBR = 408 767 8900

NAME = RADICOM RESEARCH

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 RING

The CID information can either be presented formatted as shown previously or unformatted. The +VCID
and +VRID commands control the modem CID option.

Table B.5 Caller ID Information

COMMAND PARAMETER DESCRIPTION

+VCID? NA Display current +VCID setting (0-2)

+VCID= 0 Disable caller ID reporting (default).
+VCID= 1 Enable caller ID with formatted presentation to the DTE.
+VCID+ 2 Enable caller ID with unformatted presentation to the DTE.
+VRID= 0 Displays the formatted caller ID of the last received call.
+VRID+ 1 Displays the unformatted caller ID of the last received call.

Vertiv | Avocent® ACS6000 Advanced Console Server Installer/User Guide 88

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