Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 1.1 Features and Benefits
- 1.1.1 Access options
- 1.1.2 Web user interface (web UI)
- 1.1.3 IPv4 and IPv6 support
- 1.1.4 Flexible users and groups
- 1.1.5 Security
- 1.1.6 Authentication
- 1.1.7 VPN based on IPSec with NAT traversal
- 1.1.8 Packet filtering
- 1.1.9 SNMP
- 1.1.10 Data logging, notifications, alarms and data buffering
- 1.1.11 Power management
- 1.1.12 Auto discovery
- 1.1.13 FIPS module
- 1.2 Configuration Examples
- 1.1 Features and Benefits
- 2 Getting Started
- 3 Accessing the Console System via the Web UI
- Appendices
- Appendix A: Technical Specifications
- Appendix B: Zero-touch provisioning
- Appendix C: Bootp Configuration Retrieval
- Appendix D: Recovering a Console System Password
- Appendix E: Port Information for Communication with the DSView Software
- Appendix F: Accessing a Console System with a DSView Software Installation via Dial-up
- Appendix G: Internal Modem
- Appendix H: Regulatory Information Concerning the Analog Modem Installed in This Product
Vertiv 4PORT ACS800 SERIAL CONSOLE W User Manual
Displayed below is the user manual for 4PORT ACS800 SERIAL CONSOLE W by Vertiv which is a product in the Console Servers category. This manual has pages.
Related Manuals
Avocent® ACS800/8000
Advanced Console System
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. For additional assistance,
visit https://www.VertivCo.com/en-us/support/
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Features and Benefits 1
1.1.1 Access options 1
1.1.2 Web user interface (web UI) 2
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 with NAT traversal 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
1.2 Configuration Examples 4
1.2.1 Serial port LEDstatus 6
2 Getting Started 9
2.1 Installation 9
2.2 Turning On the Console System 9
2.2.1 AC power 9
2.2.2 DC power 9
2.3 Configuring a Console System 10
2.3.1 Using Telnet or SSH 11
3 Accessing the Console System via the Web UI 13
3.1 Wizard Mode 13
3.2 Web User Interface Overview for Administrators 16
3.3 Expert Mode 16
3.3.1 Access 16
3.3.2 System Tools 17
3.3.3 System 20
3.3.4 Network 25
3.3.5 SNMP configuration 33
3.3.6 Ports 34
3.3.7 Pluggable devices 46
3.3.8 Authentication 47
3.3.9 Users accounts and user groups 49
3.3.10 Event notifications 57
3.3.11 Power management 59
3.3.12 Sensors 63
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | i
3.3.13 Active sessions 65
3.3.14 Monitoring 65
3.3.15 Change password 66
3.4 Web UIOverview for Regular Users 66
Appendices 67
Appendix A: Technical Specifications 67
Appendix B: Zero-touch provisioning 69
Appendix C: Bootp Configuration Retrieval 74
Appendix D: Recovering a Console System Password 75
Appendix E: Port Information for Communication with the DSView Software 76
Appendix F: Accessing a Console System with a DSView Software Installation via Dial-up 77
Appendix G: Internal Modem 79
Appendix H: Regulatory Information Concerning the Analog Modem Installed in This Product 86
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | ii
1 INTRODUCTION
The Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System is a 1U appliance that serves as a single point for
access and administration of connected devices, such as serial consoles, modems and power devices. The
console system supports secure remote data center management and out-of-band management of IT
assets from any location worldwide.
NOTE: Unless noted, references to a console system refer to all models in the 800/8000 series.
The console system provides secure local (console port) and remote (IP and dial-up) access. The console
system runs the Linux®operating system with a persistent file system in Flash memory that can be
upgraded with a local file on a computer connected to the console system.
Multiple administrators can be logged into the console system at the same time and can use the web user
interface (web UI), the Command Line Interface (CLI utility) or DSView™4 management software to access
and configure the console system.
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all references to DSView software in this document refer to version 4 or
greater.
Depending on the model, the console system has either four or eight USB ports to support modems,
storage devices, network adapters, USB hubs and USB console devices. Some models have an SDcard slot
to support an additional storage device.
Two network 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), an optional internal modem can be
factory installed or you can use an external modem connected to either a serial or USBport.
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) or a modem connected to one of the
serial or USBports.
•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 system 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 system and have an active CLI or web UI 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 1
1.1.2 Web user interface (web UI)
Users and administrators can perform most tasks through the web user interface (web UI), which can be
accessed with HTTP or HTTPS. The web UI runs in Microsoft®Internet Explorer®, Microsoft® Edge®,
Mozilla®Firefox®, Google® Chrome® and Apple®Safari®on any supported computer that has network
access to the console system. The list of supported client browsers and their versions are available in the
release notes.
1.1.3 IPv4 and IPv6 support
The console system supports dual stack IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. The administrator can use the web UI 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 system:
•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: IPSec is not supported with IPv6.
1.1.4 Flexible users and groups
An account can be defined for each user on the console system 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 or individual users. For more information, see Users accounts and user groups on
page 49.
1.1.5 Security
Security profiles determine which network services are enabled on the console system. Administrators
can either allow all users to access enabled ports or allow the configuration of group and user
authorizations to restrict access. You can also select a security profile, which defines which services (FTP,
ICMP, IPSec 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 21.
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 system also supports remote group
authorizations for the LDAP, RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication methods. Fallback mechanisms are
also available.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 2
Any authentication method configured for the console system or the ports is used for authentication of
any user who attempts to log in through Telnet, SSH or the web UI. For more information, see
Authentication on page 47.
1.1.7 VPN based on IPSec with NAT traversal
If IPSec is enabled in the selected security profile, an administrator can use the VPN feature to enable
secure connections. For more information, see IPSec(VPN) on page 29.
1.1.8 Packet filtering
An administrator can configure a console system to filter packets like a firewall. Packet filtering is
controlled by chains, which are named profiles with user-defined rules. The console system 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 system to answer requests sent by an SNMP
management application.
The console system SNMP agent supports SNMP v1/v2 and v3, MIB-II and Enterprise MIB. For more
information, see SNMP configuration on page 33.
NOTE: The text files with the Enterprise MIB (ACS8000-MIB.asn) and the TRAP MIB (ACS8000-
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 system and
connected servers or devices can also be sent to syslog servers.
1.1.11 Power management
The console system 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. Authorized users can also monitor and control a connected
uninterruptible power supply (UPS)device. For more information, see Power management on page 59.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 3
The console system uses an embedded cryptographic module that is based on the FIPS 140-2 validated
cryptographic module (certificate number 1747) running on a Linux ARM platform.For more information,
see FIPS module on page 22.
1.2 Configuration Examples
The following graphic and table illustrate a typical Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System
configuration.
Figure 1.1 Typical ACS8000 Advanced Console System Configuration
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
1 Power supply (dual power supply shown).
2 Sensor ports for one-wire environmental, smoke, leak, pressure or dry contact sensors.
3 USBports for supported USBdevices.
4 SDcard slot.
5 Connect a phone line to the Modem port for the internal modem.
6Serial ports. Using CAT 5e or CAT6 cables and DB9 or DB25 console adaptors, connect the appropriate serial and power devices to the
serial ports on the console system.
Table 1.1 Typical ACS8000 Advanced Console System Configuration Descriptions
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 4
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
7 Console port and two USBports on the rear of the console system for additional USBdevices.
8
LAN ports. The ports on the left are for copper interface connections. The ports on the right are for fiber interface connections. You may
connect to either or both network ports for redundancy, however only one LAN1 and one LAN2 port may be used at the same time. If
both LAN1 or LAN2 ports are connected, the fiber connection has priority.
The following graphic and table illustrate the multi-protocol ports and LEDs.
Figure 1.2 Avocent® ACS8000 Multi-Protocol Ports and LEDs
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
1 Multi-protocol ports. These two ports can accept RS422 and RS485 pin-outs in addition to Cyclades and Cisco pin-outs.
2LEDs. The STATUSLEDis green when the console system is fully booted up and initialized. The P1 and P2 LEDs indicate an active
power supply. P1 is green when Power Supply 1 is on. P2 is green when Power Supply 2 is on.
Table 1.2 Multi-Protocol Ports and LED Descriptions
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 5
Figure 1.3 Typical ACS800 Advanced Console System Configuration
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
1LEDs. The STATUSLEDis green when the console system is fully booted up and initialized. The Power LEDis green when power is
being supplied to the console system.
2 Connect a phone line to the Modem port for the internal modem.
3 Sensor ports for one-wire environmental, smoke, leak, pressure or dry contact sensors.
4 USBports for supported USBdevices.
5Serial ports. Using CAT 5e or CAT6 cables and DB9 or DB25 console adaptors, connect the appropriate serial and power devices to the
serial ports on the console system. All of the serial ports are multi-protocol and user selectable with RS485, RS422 and RS232 pinouts.
6 Copper LAN ports. You may connect to either or both network ports for redundancy.
7 Console port.
8 Power supply.
Table 1.3 Typical ACS800 Advanced Console System Descriptions
1.2.1 Serial port LEDstatus
Each serial port has two LEDs that illuminate either green or yellow. Green LEDs indicate the status for
physical connection with a serial port, remote connectivity (when applicable)and data transfer. Yellow
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 6
LEDs indicate whether a serial port is being monitored along with the alert level (emergency, alert or
none)of a monitored target. The following table describes the meaning of each LEDstatus.
STATE DESCRIPTION FOR GREEN LEDS DESCRIPTION FOR YELLOW LEDS
Off (not illuminated) No physical connection No data buffering
On (solid green or yellow) Device is physically connected to the serial port Data buffering is enabled for the serial port
Slow blink Telnet, SSHor Raw session is active Alert is active
Fast blink TXor RX data activity Emergency
Table 1.4 LED Status Descriptions
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 7
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 8
This page intentionally left blank.
2 GETTING STARTED
2.1 Installation
For information on installing your console system, see the ACS800 or ACS8000 Quick Installation Guide
that shipped with your product.
2.2 Turning On the Console System
Depending on the model, the console system is supplied with single or dual AC or DC power supplies.
WARNING! Always execute the shutdown command through the web UI, CLI or DSView
software under the Overview/Tools node before turning the console system 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.
2.2.1 AC power
To turn on a console system with AC power:
1. Make sure the console system is turned off.
2. Plug the power cable into the console system and into a power source.
3. Turn the console system on.
4. Turn on the power switches of the connected devices.
2.2.2 DC power
DC power is connected to a DC-powered console system by way of three wires: Return (RTN), Ground
(GND) and -48 VDC. For redundancy, there are two sets of wires that can be connected to two separate
power sources.
WARNING! It is critical that the power source supports the DC power requirements of your
console system. 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.
NOTE: DC Power is only available on the ACS8000 console system.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 9
Figure 2.1 DC Power Connection Terminal Block
NUMBER DESCRIPTION NUMBER DESCRIPTION
1 Power switch, one for each power source 4 RTN(Return)
2 Connections for the first power source 5 GND (Ground)
3 Connections for the second power source 6 -48 VDC
Table 2.1 DC Power Connection Details
To turn on a console system with DC power:
1. Make sure the console system 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.
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 system 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 system.
10. Turn on the power switches of the connected devices.
2.3 Configuring a Console System
A console system 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 the console system using DSView software, see the Avocent® DSView 4.5
Management Software Installer/User Guide. To configure the console system using the web UI, see
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 10
Web User Interface Overview for Administrators on page 16. To configure the console system using
Telnet or SSH, see the Avocent® ACS 800/8000 Advanced Console System Command Reference
Guide.
To connect a terminal to the console system:
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
system. 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 system. When the console system completes initialization, the terminal will
display the login banner plus the login prompt.
2.3.1 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
•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 system 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:
#telnet [hostname | IP address]
login:username:[portname |device name | TCP Port Alias]
-or-
#telnet [hostname |IP address] TCPPort Alias
login:username
-or-
#telnet IPPort 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 exit.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 11
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 system, 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 exit.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 12
3 ACCESSING THE CONSOLE SYSTEM VIA THE WEB UI
Once you’ve connected your Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System to a network, you can
access the console system with its web user interface (web UI). The web UI provides direct access to the
console system via a graphical user interface instead of a command-based interface.
NOTE: For a new console system using factory defaults, LAN1 attempts to obtain an IPaddress using
DHCP, and LAN2 has a static IPaddress of 192.168.161.10. Use LAN2 for initial configuration or use the
Console port to discover the IPv4 DHCP-assigned address for LAN1.
NOTE: For instructions on accessing the console system via the CLI or DSView software, see the
Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Command Reference Guide or the Avocent®
DSView 4.5 Management Software Installer/User Guide.
3.1 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 system through the web UI, the Wizard
displays. Subsequent log-ins open in Expert mode, and once the console system 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 UI administrator screen.
The following image shows a typical screen when an administrator is in Wizard mode.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 13
Figure 3.1 Wizard Screen
The following procedures describe how to configure the console system 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. Pluggable devices, which include devices connected to SDcard slot and USBports, are
disabled by default. To enable them, check the Enable Pluggable Device Detection box.
Storage devices (SDcard and USBstorage)are enabled by default when Pluggable Device
Detection is enabled. To disable this subset of pluggable devices, clear the Enable SDCard and
USBStorage Devices box.
4. Under the Bootp Configuration Retrieval heading, uncheck the box(es)to disable Bootp
configuration retrieval and/or live configuration retrieval.
5. If you are not using DSView software to manage the appliance, uncheck the Allow Appliance to
be Managed by DSView box.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 14
6. 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.
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 LLDP(Link Layer Discovery Protocol).
5. Enable or disable IPv6 support.
6. 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 to enable all ports.
3. Use the appropriate drop-down menus to select the values for the RJ45 Pin-Out, Speed, Parity,
Data Bits, Stop Bits, Flow Control, Protocol, Authentication Type and Data Buffering Status and
Data Buffering Time Stamp.
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.
-or-
3. Click Add to add a user. Enter the new username and password in the appropriate fields.
4. (Optional) To force the user to change the default password, select the User must change
password at next login checkbox.
5. Assign the user to one or more groups.
6. (Optional) Configure account expiration and password expiration.
7. Click Next.
8. 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.
9. Click Save, then click Finish.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 15
3.2 Web User Interface Overview for Administrators
NOTE: For an overview of the web user interface (UI)for regular users, see Web UIOverview for
Regular Users on page 66.
To log into the web UI:
1. Open a web browser and enter the console system 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 UI screen for an administrator.
Figure 3.2 Administrator Web UI Screen
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
1
Top option bar. The name of the appliance and of the logged
in user appear on the left side. Refresh, Print, Logout and
Help buttons appear on the right.
2Tab bar. Displays whether the admin is in Expert or Wizard
mode.
3
Side navigation bar. Menu options for configuration, viewing
of system information and access to devices. The options
change based on user rights.
4Content area. Contents change based on the options
selected in the side navigation bar.
Table 3.1 Web UI Screen Areas
3.3 Expert Mode
The following tabs are available in the side navigation bar of the web UI when an administrator is in Expert
mode.
3.3.1 Access
Click Access to view all the devices connected to the console system.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 16
To view and connect to devices using the web UI:
1. Select Access in the side navigation bar. The content area displays the name of the console
system 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 to open a connection to the selected serial port.
-or-
Select Appliance Viewer from the Action column to open a connection to the console system.
3. The Java®applet viewer appears. If you are not automatically logged in, log in when prompted.
NOTE: Java 1.8.0.91 or later is recommended. You must have the 32-bit version installed in order to run
the serial viewer.
The following table describes the available buttons in the Java applet.
BUTTON PURPOSE
SendBreak To send a break to the terminal
Disconnect To disconnect from the Java applet
Table 3.2 Java Applet Buttons for Connecting to the Console System
NOTE: Using the serial or appliance viewers may require disabling the client browser's popup blocker.
NOTE: When the viewer is run, the browser may ask for permission to run the Mindterm application.
Granting this permission is required for the viewer applet to run.
3.3.2 System Tools
Click System Tools to display icons which can be clicked to reboot or shut down the console system,
upgrade the console system’s firmware, save or restore its configuration or open a terminal session with
the console system.
Upgrading firmware
The console system supports the storage of two firmware images. As the firmware is upgraded, the image
not currently running will be overwritten with the new firmware. The latest firmware can be downloaded
from the Vertiv website and accessed by the console system using a File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Secure
File Transfer Protocol(SFTP)or Secure Copy Protocol (SCP)server. Firmware can also be downloaded via
a web browser from the user's local machine.
To view the console system's current firmware version, from the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System-
Information.
NOTE: If upgrading firmware from a Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 browser, ensure the browser's
compatibility mode is enabled.
To upgrade a console system's firmware:
1. From http://www.VertivCo.com, browse to the product updates section and find the firmware
for your console system.
2. Save the new firmware to a server accessible via FTP,SFTPor SCP, or to your desktop.
3. From the sidebar of the console system's web UI, click System Tools, then click Upgrade
Firmware.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 17
4. Download the file from theserver 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. Enter the IPaddress for the server where the firmware 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 firmware is saved and the filename for the firmware in
the appropriate fields.
-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 system 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 system.
Configuration files
An administrator can create a backup image of the console system's configuration. During creation, no
changes should be made to the configuration. The backup configuration file may be uploaded to a remote
server, stored on a console system local file or saved to the web user's computer. Configuration files can be
saved as a compressed file, CLIscript or XMLfile.
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 Remote Server radio button, then use the drop-down menu to select the
protocol of the server where you want to save the file.
b. Enter the IPaddress for the server where the file will be 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 will be saved and the filename in the
appropriate fields.
-or-
Save the file locally by clicking the Local File radio button, then enter the filename.
NOTE: The filename can include the full path to where the file will be saved. Specifying the full path
permits the file to be saved to a USBstorage device that is mounted, for example /media/sda1/filename.
If the full path is not specified, the file is written to /mnt/hdUser/backup/<filename>.
-or-
Save the file to your computer by clicking the My Computer radio button. The file will be saved
in your Downloads folder.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 18
5. Click Save.
To restore a previous configuration:
1. From the sidebar of the Expert tab, click System Tools.
2. Click Restore Configuration.
3. Restore the file from a remote server.
a. Click the Remote Server radio button, then use the drop-down menu to select the
protocol of the server where the configuration file is saved.
b. Enter the IP address of the server where the file is saved in the appropriate field.
c. Enter the username and password for the server in the appropriate fields.
d. Enter the path and filename for the configuration file.
-or-
Restore from a local file by clicking the Local radio button and entering the filename.
-or-
Restore the file from your computer by clicking the My Computer radio button, then browse to
where the file is saved on your computer and click Open.
4. Click Restore.
Configuration integrity
In order to ensure configuration integrity, the console system permits an administrator to generate and
verify a digital signature (MD5)of the console system's configuration. The console system 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 system 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 system will declare the configuration
to either be Unchanged or Modified after the verification is complete.
Configuration integrity works with and relies on the console system'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 CLIscript or XML file formats will
produce invalid configuration integrity results.
The console system generates an event notification each time an MD5 tag is generated. For more
information about events, see Event list on page 57.
To generate an MD5 tag:
1. From the sidebar of the console system's web UI, click System Tools and then click
Configuration Integrity.
2. Click the Generate MD5 tag for the Running Configuration radio button and click Execute.
3. The generated MD5 tag displays on the screen as a 32-character hexadecimal value and is also
saved on the console system as the value to compare against later. An administrator can cut
and paste this string to use on other systems.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 19
To verify an MD5 tag:
1. From the sidebar of the console system's web UI, 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.
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,SFTPor SCPserver, click the radio button next
to Remote Server and enter all information about the server: IPAddress, 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 or Browse to 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?
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.
3.3.3 System
Click System to display information about the console system and allow an administrator to configure the
console system’s system parameters. The following tabs are listed under System in the side navigation
bar.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 20
Security
Security Profile
ASecurity Profile determines which services are enabled on the console system.
During initial configuration, the console system administrator must configure security parameters to
conform with the site security policy. The following security features can be configured either in the web
UI, CLI or the DSView software:
•Configure the session idle time-out
•Enable or disable RPC
•Enable or disable pluggable device detection and storage devices
•Ability to configure serial port access for all users, or allow the configuration of group and user-
specific 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, Bootp interface and enable or disable
Live Configuration Retrieval
The administrator can select either a preconfigured Security Profile or create a custom profile.
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 seconds before the console system 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 RPC checkbox.
4. Under the Pluggable Devices section, enable or disable pluggable device detection for
USBand SDdevices. If enabled, the SDcard and USBstorage can be disabled to restrict the
type of pluggable devices for security reasons.
NOTE: Disabling Pluggable Device Detection or changing the Storage Device setting will only be
effective after a reboot.
5. Under the Serial Devices heading, select whether port access is controlled by user and group
authorization or whether port access settings to apply to all users.
6. Under Bootp Configuration retrieval, enable or disable the service.
7. Enable/disable SSH authentication via username/password.
8. Select the checkbox for Custom,Moderate,Open or Secure under the Security Profile heading.
9. Click Save.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 21
FIPS module
The console server uses an embedded cryptographic module that is based on the FIPS 140-2 validated
cryptographic module (certificate number 1747) running on a Linux ARM platform.
If an administrator enables the FIPS module, the console system 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 - FIPS140.
2. Check the box to Enable the FIPS140-2 Module and click Save.
The console system will automatically reboot. During the reboot, the console system will erase SSHkeys,
update the configuration of HTTPD, SSHD, ADSAP2d and SNMPD files and test the integrity of the
FIPSObject Module. Once the reboot is complete, the console system will accept SSH and
HTTPSconnections 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 RSAkeys 1024 to 16384 bits will be accepted.
HTTPSsessions will accept only the SSL v 3.1(TLSv1) protocol to establish the SSLtunnel with one of the
following encryption ciphers:
•AES-256-SHA
•AES-128-SHA
•Triple DESSHA (DES-CBC3-SHA)
SNMPversion 3 requests will be accepted when authentication is SHAand the encryption cipher is AES.
DSView software security
You can also configure DSView software security settings. When the console system is managed by the
DSView software, the DSView server will supply the certificate to the console system. 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 system cannot be used. Click the Clear DSView Certificate button to configure
the console system 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 22
Date and Time
The console system 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
system’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.
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.
Help and Language
Click System - Help And Language and use the drop-down menu to select the console system’s language.
NOTE: Language applies to SSH, Telnet and Console Port sessions to the console system. Browser
language is determined by the browser.
Online help
When the online help feature is configured for your console system, clicking the Help button from any
form on the web UI opens a new window and redirects its content to the configured path for the online
help product documentation.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 23
NOTE: Using the online help feature from the Avocent 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 Vertiv. 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 into a user-
selected directory under the web server’s root directory. The web server must be publicly accessible.
General
An administrator can configure a login banner to display when a user begins a SSHv2, Telnet, Console or
web UI 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.
Boot Configuration
Boot Configuration defines the location from which the console system loads the operating system. The
console system can boot from its internal firmware or from the network. By default, the console system
boots from internal firmware in Flash memory. Clicking System- Boot Configuration displays the Boot
Configuration screen.
If you need to boot from the network, make sure the following prerequisites are met:
•A TFTPserver must be available on the network
•A firmware file must be downloaded from Avocent and made available on the TFTP server
•The boot filename and the IP address of the TFTP server is known
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 system.
•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 system reboots if the software crashes.
4. Using the drop-down menu, select the console port speed and click Save.
Information
Click System - Information to view the console system’s identity, versions, power and CPU information.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 24
Usage
Click System - Usage to view memory and Flash usage.
3.3.4 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.
Settings
Click Network - Settings to make changes to the configured network settings.
From this page, an administrator can configure the console system's hostname and DNSsettings, 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.
For a fault tolerant network configuration, the Bonding option may be selected to combine eth0 and eth1
into a single high-availability network interface using the active-backup bonding mode. Interface eth0 is
the normal active interface with eth1 as the backup; if the carrier signal is lost on eth0, eth1 becomes the
active interface. The eth0 MAC address is always used in bonding mode, no matter which interface is
active.
NOTE: After enabling or disabling bonding, you must reboot the console system for the change to take
effect.
Routing type
The console system supports multiple routing tables for flexible policy routing. Multiple routing tables can
not be enabled at the same time network failover or bonding is enabled.
To enable multiple routing tables:
1. Click Network - Settings.
2. Under Multiple Routing , click the Enable IPv4 Multiple Routing Tables radio button.
Network failover
To ensure a console system 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
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 system will ensure the console system can always be accessible
when in a failover situation, because the console system 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. An administrator can also select one of four triggersthat
enable the failover:
•Primary Interface Down
•Unreachable Primary Default Gateway
•Unreachable DSView
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 25
•Unreachable IP Address
If the IPSec tunnel has been configured (see IPSec(VPN) on page 29), 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 Routing heading, click the radio button to Enable Network Failover.
3. Use the drop-down menus to select the primary and secondary interfaces as well as the
VPNconnection name.
4. Click the radio button next to the trigger you want to use to initiate the failover.
5. Click Save.
Devices
An administrator can select, enable and configure the IP addresses assigned to the network interfaces
and view the MAC address. Besides the two standard Ethernet interfaces, the list of network interfaces
includes an entry for any USBEthernet device that may be installed.
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.
•Select IPv6 address unconfigured to disable IPv6.
NOTE: The MAC Address for the device will be displayed after this option.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 26
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
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.
Firewall
Administrators can configure the console system 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.
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,LOG, REJECT or RETURN) 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 and a Log
Prefix.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 27
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.
FIELD/MENU
OPTION DEFINITION
Source Port - or -
Destination Port A single IP address or a range of IP addresses.
TCP Flags [TCP only] SYN (synchronize), ACK (acknowledge), FIN (finish), RST (reset), URG (urgent) and PSH (push). The conditions
in the pull-down menu for each flag are: Any, Set or Unset.
Table 3.3 Firewall Configuration - TCP and UDP Options Fields
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.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 28
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.
IPSec(VPN)
Virtual Private Network (VPN) enables a secure communication between the console system and a
remote network by utilizing a gateway and creating a secure connection between the console system 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.
With a console system located on a separate network behind a router, it establishes an IPSec tunnel using
a x.509 certificate to a firewall. Certificates and keys are distributed to the firewall and the console system
by a Certificate Authority (CA).
NOTE: The console system supports one certificate for all tunnels. Multiple certificates are not
supported. IPv6 tunnels are not supported.
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 system is referred to as the
local or left host.
Creating a Certificate of Authority
To configure the Fortinet® Fortigate firewall, you need to create an internal Certificate of Authority
(CA)server that generates RSAcertificates the console system uses for authentication.
For information on creating a CA on an Ubuntu® server, see Creating a CA.
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 CAcertificate
and the SERVERcertificate 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 CAnamed 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.
PARAMETER VALUE
Network
Remote Gateway Dial-up User
Interface wan1
Mode Config Enabled
IPVersion IPv4
Table 3.4 VPN Tunnel Configuration Parameters
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 29
PARAMETER VALUE
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
NATTraversal 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 AES128
Authentication SHA1
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 AES128
Authentication SHA1
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
Autokey Keep Alive Enabled
Key Lifetime Seconds
Seconds 43200
4. From the Policy &Objects tab, click Objects - Addresses to create a VPNrange with the
following settings, then click OK.
PARAMETER VALUE
Name ipsec_vpn_range
Table 3.5 VPNRange Configuration
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 30
PARAMETER VALUE
Type IPRange
Subnet / IPRange 10.77.20.100 - 10.77.20.110
Interface Any
Show in Address List Enabled
Comments The IPaddress given to VPNclients that are connecting
5. From the Policy &Objects tab, click Objects - Addresses to create a Local LANrange with the
following settings, then click OK.
PARAMETER VALUE
Name local_lan
Type IP / Netmask
Subnet / IPRange 192.168.1.0 / 255.255.255.0
Interface internal
Show in Address List Enabled
Comments Local Lan - inside network
Table 3.6 LocalLANRange Configuration
6. From the Policy &Objects tab, click Policy - IPv4 to create Firewall Policy 1 with the following
settings, then click OK.
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, SSLInspection All OFF
Traffic Shaping
Shared Shaper, Reverse Shaper, Per-IPShaper All OFF
Logging Options
Log Allowed Traffic ON
Security Events Enabled
Comments <Comments>
Enable this policy Enabled
Table 3.7 Firewall Policy 1 Configuration
7. From the Policy &Objects tab, click Policy - IPv4 to create Firewall Policy 2 with the following
settings, then click OK.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 31
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, SSLInspection All OFF
Traffic Shaping
Shared Shaper, Reverse Shaper, Per-IPShaper All OFF
Logging Options
Log Allowed Traffic ON
Security Events Enabled
Comments <Comments>
Enable this policy Enabled
Table 3.8 Firewall Policy 2 Configuration
8. From the Policy &Objects tab, click Policy - IPv4 to create Firewall Policy 3 with the following
settings, then click OK.
PARAMETER VALUE
Incoming Interface any
Source Address all
Outgoing Interface any
Destination Address all
Action DENY
Logging Options
Log Violation Traffic OFF
Table 3.9 Firewall Policy 3 Configuration
Creating a tunnel on the console system
To create a tunnel on the console system:
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 IKEversion and either Start,Add or Ignore for
the Boot Action.
4. For the Remote (Right)Side, enter the following parameters:
a. Leave the IDfield blank.
b. Enter the IPaddress of the remote VPN in the IPAddress field.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 32
c. Enter the subnet the console system will use to connect through in the SubNet field.
5. For the Local (Left)Side, enter the following parameters:
a. Leave the IDfield blank.
b. Enter the IPaddress of the primary interface in the IPAddress field.
6. Click the RSAKey radio button and click Choose File to browse to the PKCS12 file.
7. Select the PKCS12 file and click Open, then click Download PKCS12 file.
8. Click Finish when the download is complete.
To enable IPSec on the console system:
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 and test communication:
1. Log in to the console system as root.
2. Check the status of the IPSec by entering the command ipsec status at the Shell prompt. Note
the VPN DHCPIPaddress.
3. Test the communication from the console system to the remote subnet's target client.
4. Test the communciation from the remote subnet's target client to the VPN DHCP IPaddress of
the console system.
3.3.5 SNMP configuration
An administrator can configure SNMP, which is needed if notifications are to be sent to an SNMP
management application.
NOTE: The Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Enterprise MIB text file is available in
the appliance at: /usr/local/mibs/ACS8000-MIB.asn. The Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console
System Enterprise TRAP MIB text file is available in the appliance at: /usr/local/mibs/ACS8000-TRAP-
MIB.asn. Both files are also available at www.VertivCo.com.
To configure SNMP:
1. Click Network - SNMP.
2. Click the System button.
a. Enter the SysContact information (email address of the console system’s administrator,
for example, acs8000_admin@vertivco.com).
b. Enter the SysLocation information (physical location of the console system, for example,
Avocent_ACS8000), then click Save to go back to the SNMP screen.
3. Click Add to add a new community or v3 user.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 33
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 system will allow an administrator to configure the same
community name with different sources (filters) to have access to specific object identifiers (OIDs).
3.3.6 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 and
configure the internal modem.
The console system's serial ports may work in several different roles, depending on the profile configured
for a port.
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,
enable/disable ports or open a serial session.
The table displays the port number, device ID, status, name, profile, signals and settings. The Settings
column contains the pin-out being used for the port with the following abbreviations:
•CYC - Cyclades
•CIS - Cisco
•422 - RS422
•485 - RS485
NOTE: The pin-out may not display if no device is connected to the port.
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 Enable or Disable 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 34
3. Click the Set CAS button. Use the drop-down menus to enable or disable the port and set the
RJ-45 pin-out, speed, parity, data bits, stop bits and flow control.
NOTE: Selecting AUTO for the RJ-45 pin-out enables automatic detection for either Cyclades or Cisco
pin-outs for RS-232 devices.
4. Click Next or click the CAS link.
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, power session and RESTful hotkeys 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 39.
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. Check the Emergency
box to cause the serial port LEDto quickly blink amber whenever this alert occurs. Anon-
emergency alert slowly blinks. Click Next to return to the Alerts screen.
NOTE: The console system allows an administrator to associate one shell script to the alert string.
When there is a match with the alert string, the console system 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 35
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.
NOTE: Power is only available when a single serial port is selected.
8. Click Save.
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Physical
Status Defines the status of the serial port as either enabled or disabled. Default: Disabled.
RJ-45 Pin-Out Defines the serial port pin-out as Auto, Cyclades or Cisco. Ports 1 and 2 also support RS-422 and RS-485 pin-outs. Default: Auto.
Speed Defines the speed as 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
Discovery 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.
Enable Speed
Auto Detection
Tries to discover the speed of the serial port. This feature requires additional configuration under the CAS Profile / Auto Discovery /
Settings page. Default: Disabled.
Protocol
The protocol that will be used by authorized users to access the serial port/target. The console system accepts three protocols for
connection to the target: Telnet for telnet connection, SSH for secure connection and Raw Mode for raw socket connection. An
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: SSH.
Authentication
Type Authentication type that will be used to authenticate the user during target session. Default: Local.
Text Session
Hot Key
Hotkey to suspend the target session and go to the CLI prompt. Not available for Raw. Default: Ctrl-Z.
Note:The default escape character for ts_menu is Ctrl-X.
Power Session
Hot Key
Hotkey to suspend the target session and display Power Management Menu to control the outlets merged to the target. Not available
for Raw. Default: Ctrl-P.
NOTE:The default escape character for ts_menu is Ctrl-X.
RESTful Hot
Key
Hotkey to suspend the target session and display the RESTful menu, which is used to perform user-defined RESTful actions.
Default:not configured (blank).
TCP Port Alias
Telnet Port Alias: TCP port to connect directly to a serial port using Telnet protocol for the connection.
SSH Port Alias: TCP port to 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
Alias IPv4/IPv6 address used to connect directly to a serial port. Default: not configured (blank).
Port IPv4/IPv6
Alias Interface Interface (ETH0/ETH1) associated with the IPv4/IPv6 alias. Default: ETH0.
Allow Session
Only if DCD is
On
When the DCD is OFF, the appliance will deny access for this serial port. Default: Disabled (allow access if DCD is OFF).
Enable Auto
Answer
When the input data matches one input string configured in Auto Answer, the output string will be transmitted to the serial port.
Default: Disabled.
DTR Mode DTR Mode can be set to the following: Always On. Normal - the DTR status will depend on the existence of a CAS session. Off
Interval - when the a CAS session is closed, the DTR will stay down during this interval. Default: Normal.
DTR Off
Interval Interval in seconds used by DTR Mode Off Interval in milliseconds. Default: 100.
Line Feed Enables the suppression of the LF character after the CR character. Default: Disabled.
Table 3.10 CAS Profile Parameters
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 36
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Suppression
Null After CR
Suppression Enables the suppression of the NULL character after the CR character. Default: Disabled.
Transmission
Interval The interval the port waits to send data to a remote client in milliseconds. Default: 20.
Break
Sequence
An administrator can configure the control key as the break sequence, entering ^ before the letter. Not available for Raw. Default:
~break.
Break Interval Interval for the break signal in milliseconds. Not available for Raw. Default: 500.
Show Multi-
Session Menu Enables the multi-session menu when connecting to a port that is already being accessed by another user. Default:Disabled.
Log In/Out Multi
Session
Notification
Enables the notification to multi-session users when a new user logs in or a user logs out. Not available for Raw. Default: Disabled.
Informational
Message
Notification
Displays an information message when a target session is opened. Not available for Raw. Default: Enabled.
Data Buffering
Status Enables or disables data buffering. Default: Disabled.
Type Displays the type of data buffering: Local - stores the data buffering file in the local file system. NFS - stores the data buffering file in
the NFS server. Syslog - sends the data to the syslog server. DSView - sends the data to the DSView software. Default: Local.
Local Type When the type is set to local, specifies where on the local system the data buffering files are stored. Options are the built-in memory
(mmcblk0)or connected USBstorage and SDcard storage locations. Default:mmcblk0.
Time Stamp When enabled, adds the time stamp to the data buffering line for a Local or NFS database. Default: Disabled.
Log-in/out
Message Includes special notification for logins and logouts in data buffering. Default: Disabled.
Serial Session
Logging Enabled - stores data at all times. Disabled - stores data when a CAS session is not opened. Default: Enabled.
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.
Scripts 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:
the port number and the line where the match happened.
Emergency Marking an alert as an Emergency causes the serial port's LEDto quickly blink amber when this alert occurs rather than slowly
blinking for a non-emergency.
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-In 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.
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.
PPP Address Configures the local and the remote IP address for the the PPP link. If Accept Configuration from Remote Peer is selected, the remote
peer should send both IP addresses (local and remote) during negotiation. Default: No Address.
Local IPv4/IPv6
Address Configures the local IPv4/IPv6 address for this PPP connection.
Remote
IPv4/IPv6
Address
Configures the remote IPv4/IPv6 address for this PPP connection.
PPP Uses the radio button to select: none, PAP, CHAP or EAP.
Table 3.11 Dial-in Parameters
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 37
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Authentication
Protocol
None - no authentication.
• PAP - use PAP protocol and the authentication type configured in the PPP authentication type (it is configured in the Authentication
/ Unit Authentication page).
• CHAP - use CHAP protocol. The configuration of the CHAP secrets should be done while editing the file /etc/ppp/chap-secrets.
• 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.
NOTE: EAPauthentication is only available with Windows XPoperating systems.
Default: None.
CHAP
Configure the CHAP-interval, CHAP-max-challenge and CHAP-restart. Default values:
• CHAP Interval = 0.
• CHAP Max Challenge = 10.
• CHAP Restart = 3.
PPP Idle
Timeout Number of seconds being idle before PPP times out. Default: 0 (no time-out).
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.
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.
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Physical
RJ-45 Pin-Out Defines the serial port pinout as Auto, Cyclades or Cisco. Default: Auto.
Status Defines the status of the serial port as either enabled or disabled. Default: Disabled.
Speed Defines the speed as 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.
Power
UPSType Defines the type or vendor of the UPSconnected to the serial port. Default:Liebert GXT4.
PDU Type
Defines the type or vendor of the PDU connected to the serial port. Default: Auto.
•Auto - the vendor is detected.
•Avocent-Cyclades - Avocent-Cyclades PM PDUfamily.
•SPC - SPCpower control device family.
•Server tech - Server Tech family.
•Raritan - Raritan PXG2 PDUfamily.
•APC - APC rPDU2 family.
•Eaton ePDU G3 PDUs.
Enable Speed Auto Detection When enabled, detects the speed of the port. Default: Disabled.
Polling Rate The interval in seconds to update information from the PDU. Default: 20.
Table 3.12 Power Parameters
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 38
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
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.
Multi-Session Menu
An administrator can enable or disable the Multi-Session Menu. When enabled, users can access the
menu from the web UI, CLIor 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 system displays the Multi-
Session Menu. If the session being established is the first with the serial port, a normal session with the
target opens. Afirst-session user can still access the Multi-Session Menu by typing the text hotkey (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 CASheading and near the bottom of the CASSettings, 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.
NUMBER OPTION DESCRIPTION
0 Quit Closes the client session.
1 Initiate a regular session Opens a read/write session.
Table 3.13 Multi-Session Menu Options
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 39
NUMBER OPTION DESCRIPTION
2 Initiate a sniff session Opens a read-only session.
3 Sendmessages 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.
Auxiliary ports
From the Auxiliary Ports screen, if the port name displays ttyM1, then the internal modem is present and
can be enabled and configured. If there are no entries in the Auxiliary Port table, then the internal modem
is not present and this port cannot be used.
To configure or edit an auxiliary port with an 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.
CAS Profile
The CAS(Console Access Server)profile provides remote access to serial RS-232 console ports on your
devices. Using a CASprofile, you can configure authentication, port configuration (such as speed and flow
control), port aliasing, target auto discovery, data buffering type, port alerts, power integration and so on.
An administrator can configure the CASprofile by clicking Ports-CASProfile.
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 “\r”: a single carriage return).
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 40
The match strings are regular expressions where “%H” is a placeholder for the target name you want to
detect, such as %H .*ogin:
or xxx%Hyyy
The first one will extract target name from things such as: MyServer Login: and will result in a target name
of MyServer.
And the second one from things such as: Server xxxTARGETyyy and will result in a target name of
TARGET.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 41
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 -
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.
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Pool Name The name of the pool. The pool name is mandatory and should follow hostname guidelines, not exceed
64 characters and start with a letter.
Port Alias
The Port Alias where the pool responds for each protocol.
lTelnet Port Alias for telnet protocol. It is optional.
lSSH Port Alias for ssh protocol. It is optional.
lRaw Mode Port Alias for raw mode protocol.
lIt 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
Interface The interface used by the IPv4 Alias. Default: Eth0.
Pool IPv6 Alias The IPv6 address used by the pool. This parameter is optional.
Pool IPv6 Alias
Interface The interface used by the IPv6 Alias. Default: Eth0.
Table 3.14 Pool of CAS Ports Parameters
RESTful API
The console system supports a programmable RESTful client interface. After configuration of RESTful
URLs, the console system performs, from within a serial session, menu-selected GET and POST operations
to pre-programmed HTTP/HTTPS URLs for server resources on the network.
NOTE: URLoptions must be configured using either HTTP or HTTPSwith the RESTful APImenu.
To configure the RESTful API:
1. Click Ports - CAS Profile - RESTful Settings.
2. Enter the Action Name, URL, POSTData, Username and Password in the appropriate fields and
use the drop-down menu to select GET or POSTas the HTTPMethod for each RESTful option.
Click Save when finished.
When configuring actions, the following context variables can be used.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 42
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 system.
$ACSIPADDR The IPaddress of the console system.
Table 3.15 Context Variables Descriptions
Figure 3.3 RESTful API Configuration Example
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 CASheading
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 43
Using the RESTful API interface
After opening a serial session, press the hot key to open the RESTful APIinterface 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 UIof the
console system.
The following is an example of the RESTful menu from a serial session.
Figure 3.4 RESTful APIExample
Figure 3.5
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 system 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.
2. Click Add.
3. Enter the name and phone number used to perform the callback in the appropriate fields and
click Save.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 44
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 OTP 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 - Auxiliary Ports.
2. Check the box next to the port where the modem is connected and click Set Dial-In.
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
ACS 800/8000 certificate), ca.crt (the Certificate Authority’s certificate) and server.key (the
ACS 800/8000 asymmetric key).
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.
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
Status Enables or disables the port. Default:Disabled.
Phone No. The phone number to dial to.
Speed The speed that will be used to configure the serial device and communicate with the connected modem.
Init Chat Chat for modem initialization.
Local IPv4/IPv6 Address Configures the local IPv4/IPv6 address for this PPPconnection. If empty, PPPwill accept the address from the remote
peer.
Remote IPv4/IPv6
Address
Configures the remote IPv4/IPv6 address for this PPPconnection. If empty, PPPwill accept the address from the remote
peer.
PPPAuthentication
Protocol
Table 3.16 Dial-out Parameters
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 45
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
PPP Idle Timeout Number of seconds being idle before PPPtimes out. Default:0 (no time-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.
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
RJ-45 Pin-Out Defines the serial port pinout.
Status Defines the status of the serial port as either enabled or disabled. Default:Disabled.
Speed Defines the speed as 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 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.
Flow Control Defines the flow control as none, hardware, software, RxON software or TxON software. Default: None.
Remote Server IPv4 or IPv6 address of the remote server.
Remote TCPPort TCPport to be used to establish a connection with a remote server.
Establish Connection Configure the event that will trigger the establishment of the connection:DCDRegards or Always.
Table 3.17 Socket Client Parameters
3.3.7 Pluggable devices
The console system supports a variety of pluggable devices connected to its USBports. It also supports a
single SDcard in the SDcard slot.
NOTE: When a pluggable device is not in the current list of supported pluggable devices, the console
system 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).
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, unless it has
already been enabled from the System - Security page.
3. Connect a device to a USBport or insert an SDcard into the SDcard slot on the console
system.
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 or delete.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 46
3. Click Eject or Delete as desired.Click Save.
NOTE: Always eject a pluggable device from the web UI before physically removing the device.
Device configuration
Storage devices are automatically mounted and configured once detected by the console system unless
storage device support is disabled. Ethernet cards, modems and USBconsole devices 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.
-or-
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.
-or-
For a USB console device, click the box next to its name and then click Set Console to add it to
the system as another port. Then go to the Ports - Serial Ports page to configure and enable
the added port.
3.3.8 Authentication
Authentication can be performed locally, with OTP, or on a remote, LDAP, Radius or TACACS+
authentication server. If the console system is managed by a DSView server, DSView authentication is also
supported. The console system 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).
An administrator can configure authentication using the CLI utility and the web UI. The default
authentication method for the console system and the serial ports is Local. Any authentication method
that is configured for the console system or the ports is used for authentication of any user who attempts
to log in through Telnet, SSH or the web UI.
Appliance authentication
The console system authenticates for the console system and the ports, either in groups or individually.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 47
NOTE: It is advised when using group authorization that you use the same authentication for both the
console system and all serial ports, or use Single Sign-on Authentication to facilitate group
authorization.
When Single Sign-on Authentication is disabled, the console system uses the individual configuration
based in the destination of the access: the console system 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 system:
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.
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.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 48
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.
3.3.9 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 and individual user accounts.
Groups and users can also be authorized to manage power while connected to devices. The console
system has two default users (admin and root) and four pre-defined user groups: admin, appliance-admin,
shell-login-profile and user.
A user account must be defined for each user on the console system 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
system into operation.
By default, all users have access to all ports on the console system. In order to authorize access via user
groups, an administrator must enable port access to be controlled by authorizations assigned to user
groups.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 49
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 Controlled by Access Rights assigned to User Groups
and specific users button, then click Save.
Local accounts
The console system 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
system and ports as well as user and group authorizations.
•root: Has the same administrative permissions as the admin user but also has unlimited
privileges from the shell. 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 view user appliance access rights:
1. Click Users - Local Accounts - User Names. The list of usernames displays in the content area.
2. Click a username under the User Name heading. The content area displays the user
information for the selected user.
NOTE: When any username is selected, both the content area and side navigation bar change. The side
navigation bar displays specific menu options for Members and Access Rights (which include Serial,
Power and Appliance rights).
3. From the side navigation bar, click Access Rights - Serial or Access Rights - Power to access
the screens displaying the fixed access rights and permissions for the selected user.
NOTE: The Serial and Power screens are read-only and cannot be changed.
4. From the side navigation bar, click Access Rights - Appliance. The Appliance Access Rights
screen appears and lists all access rights available to the user. 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
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 50
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. To disable the restriction on the
number of days allowed between password changes, leave this field empty.
•Max Days: Enter the maximum number of days a password is valid. After this period, a
password change will be forced. To disable the restriction for the maximum number of
days a password is valid, leave this field empty.
•Warning Days: Enter the number of days that a warning is issued to the user prior to
expiration. Entering 0will cause the warning to be issued on the expiration day. To
disable the warning, leave this field empty.
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.
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 system 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 system when it authenticates the user. A local group by the same name must also be configured
on the console system. 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 51
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 system.
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).
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 system 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 52
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 system.
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 system’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.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 53
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 system. 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.
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
Table 3.18 ts_menu Options
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).
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 54
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 system.
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 UPSaccess for a user group:
1. Click Users - Authorization - Groups.
2. Click the user group name.
3. From the side navigation bar, click Access Rights - Power - UPS.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 55
4. From the content area, click Add. The UPSassignment screen appears with the list of available
UPSdevices in the left box.
5. Move UPSdevices from the Available UPSbox on the left to the box on the right by double-
clicking the UPSname, or by selecting the UPS and clicking Add. You can remove any
UPSdevices from the box on the right by double-clicking the UPSname, or by selecting the
UPSand clicking Remove.
6. You can specify a custom UPSID in the field at the bottom of the page and assign it a custom
UPSID.
NOTE: The custom UPSIDis for assigning user group authorization to manage UPSdevices that have
not yet been connected to the console system.
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 system, 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 system 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=]<acs800/8000_group1>[,<acs800/8000_group2>];
NOTE: The group names should be separated by a comma and end with a semi-colon.
NOTE: The ACS 800/8000 accepts multiple FRAMED_FILTER_ID attributes.
For example:
In the console system, 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:
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 56
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 system 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 on 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>];
DSView software access rights
An administrator can configure how the DSView software's viewer session rights will be mapped to the
console system'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 system access rights:
1. Click Users – Authorization – DSView Access Rights.
2. Select the desired access rights and click Save.
3.3.10 Event notifications
The console system will generate notifications for a variety of events. You can configure the console
system to direct or store those event notifications to various destinations for immediate use or for analysis
later.
Event list
The Event List screen lists console system 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 57
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.
Event destinations
The console system will generate notifications for a variety of events. You can configure the console
system 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 UPDport 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 UDPport for each remote
syslog server.
3. Select Appliance Console to send messages to the console system’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.
Trap forward
The console system 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 58
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.
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.
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.
Appliance logging
To configure appliance logging:
1. Click Enable appliance session data logging.
2. Select the destination for appliance session data logs from the pull-down menu. Choices are
Local,NFS,Syslog and DSView.
a. If using local as the destination, use the drop-down menu to select the local
destination.Destination mmcblk0 is the built-in flash storage. SDcard (if present and
enabled)is mmcblk1. USBdevices (if present and enabled)are sda1,sda2 and so on.
NOTE: When the local destination is mmcblk0, the logging directory on the appliance is
/mnt/hdUser/db. When the local destination is mmcblk1 or a USB device the logging directory is the
top (root) directory of that device.
3. Enable or disable timestamping the appliance session data logs.
4. Click Enable appliance session data logging alerts.
5. Enter the desired alert strings (up to ten) in the fields provided.
6. Click Save.
3.3.11 Power management
Connected power devices can be used for remote power management. The console system enables users
who are authorized for power management to turn power on, turn power off and reset devices that are
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 59
plugged into a connected PDU. Authorized users can also monitor and control a connected Liebert GXT4
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device.
The following types of PDUs can be connected to any serial port.
•Avocent Power Management Power Distribution Unit (PM PDU).
•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.
•Eaton™ ePDUG3 PDUs. Up to eight ePDUs can be chained together and managed from a single
serial port.
•Raritan™ PXG2 PDUs.
•APCrPDU2 PDUs.
NOTE: The term PDU refers to any of these types of power devices.
The console system automatically recognizes and supports Liebert RPC2 cards, Avocent PM PDUs,
Cyclades PM PDUs, Raritan PDUs, Eaton ePDUs, APC PDUs and Avocent SPC devices when the
corresponding serial port is configured for power management.
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 system.
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 60
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.
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.
UPS
To manage a UPS:
1. Select Power Management - UPS.
2. Select the checkbox next to the UPS you want to manage.
3. Click Turn Output Off,Turn Output On, or Cycle Output if desired. An option appears to insert
the desired delay time before the operation is performed. Click the button to perform the
operation.
4. To change the UPS ID, click Rename and enter the name in the New UPS ID field.
5. Click Save.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 61
To view a UPS device's information:
1. Select Power Management - UPS.
2. Click the name of the UPS you want to view or manage.
3. Click the options in the side navigation bar to view UPS information.
To configure a UPS:
1. Click Settings to expand the side navigation bar.
2. Click on the options in the side navigation bar to configure the UPS.
Login
An administrator can change the login password for a supported PDU type. This password is used by the
console system 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. Enter the new password for each type of PDUyou want to change.
3. Click Save.
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.
Network PDUs
Power devices connected to the network with SNMP (read/write) enabled can be used for remote power
management. The console system enables authorized users to turn power on and turn power off in
devices that are plugged into the network PDU.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 62
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.
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.
Network UPS
Liebert GXT4 UPS devices with installed Liebert Intellislot Unity Cards, connected to the network with
SNMP (read/write) enabled, may be monitored and controlled. The console system enables authorized
users to monitor battery information, system input and output information, and to control output
receptacles.
NOTE: SNMP needs to be enabled and have one community with write permission enabled in the UPS.
By selecting the Network UPS node, an administrator can add new network UPS devices or edit the
configuration of current ones.
3.3.12 Sensors
The console system has sensors that monitor the internal temperature. You can specify an operating
range for the console system that fits its environment. There are two internal temperature sensors that
can generate event notifications:the CPU temperature sensor and the Board temperature sensor.
CAUTION: Do not use values that exceed the maximum and minimum temperatures.
Appendices on page 67.
To configure the temperature sensors:
1. Click Sensors - Appliance - Internal to open the Internal page displaying both the CPU and
Board temperature sensors.
2. In the Maximum Temperature field for either the CPU or Board temperature sensor, enter the
temperature in degrees Celsius that, if exceeded, will generate an event notification.
3. In the Maximum Temperature Threshold field for either the CPU or Board temperature sensor,
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 system has returned to normal operating temperature
will be generated. This is also true for setting the minimum temperature threshold.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 63
4. In the Minimum Temperature field, enter the temperature in degrees Celsius that, if the
console system’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.
1-Wire external sensors
An external 1-wire sensor can be connected to the SENSORport on the front of the console system with a
CAT5 cable.
To configure a 1-wire sensor:
From the side navigation bar, click Sensors - Appliance - 1-Wire. Detected sensors display in a table with
the sensor type and present value information.
NOTE: If a connected sensor does not display, click Update List to refresh the page.
NOTE: Sensor configuration options are dependent on the sensor type. Sensors have common
configuration settings for Name and Location.
Contact sensors (SN-2D/SN-3C)
This sensor type can generate an event notification when one of their inputs change state. An input can
be Disabled,Alarm when open or Alarm when closed.
External temperature
This sensor type can generate an event notification when the temperature crosses a user-defined
threshold. The measurement unit can be configured as Celsius or Fahrenheit. The thresholds for Low
Warning, Low Critical, High Warning or High Critical must be set to allow event generation. Additionally,
the alarm state must be set to Enabled to generate an alert.
External humidity
This sensor type can generate an event notification when the humidity crosses a user-defined threshold.
The thresholds for Low Warning, Low Critical, High Warning, or High Critical must be set to allow event
generation. Additionally, the alarm state must be set to Enabled to generate an alert.
Differential pressure (SN-DP)
This sensor type can generate an event notification when the differential pressure crosses a user-defined
threshold. The thresholds for Low Warning, Low Critical, High Warning, or High Critical must be set to
allow event generation. Additionally, the alarm state must be set to Enabled to generate an alert.
Leak sensor (SN-L)
This sensor type can generate two types of alarms:a leak alarm, which occurs when a leak is detected; and
a cable fail alarm, which occurs when a cabling connection problem is detected. One configuration
parameter is the Filter Time (seconds). This is the time, in seconds, the leak must persist before an event is
generated.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 64
Digital In sensors
An external Digital In sensor can be connected to the DIGITAL IN port on the front of the console system
witha CAT5 cable.
To configure a Digital In sensor:
1. From the side navigation bar, click Sensors - Appliance - Digital In. Detected digital inputs
display in a table.
2. Click the number associated with the position of the sensor to open the settings page.
3. Enter the name and location of the sensor and use the drop-down menu to select the sensor
type.
4. A Digital In sensor can be configured to generate an event by configuring the Alarm
parameter. Use the drop-down menu to select Alarm when open,Alarm when closed or to
disable the alarm.
Digital Out sensors
The ACS800 Advanced Console System supports two digital outputs. The digital outputs are remote-
controlled relay ports that can be used to open or close an electric circuit.
NOTE: Digital outputs are not supported on the ACS8000 Advanced Console System.
To configure a Digital Out sensor:
1. From the side navigation bar, click Digital Out.
2. Click the number associated with the position of the sensor to open the settings page.
3. If desired, enter a name for the sensor.
4. Use the drop-down menu turn ONor OFFan electric circuit, then click Save.
3.3.13 Active sessions
The console system 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 system.
NOTE: If you start another session with the console system while viewing this screen, it will not be
visible until you click Refresh at the top of the web UI window.
To kill an active session:
1. Click Active Sessions. The Active Sessions screen appears and lists all open sessions to the
console system 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.
3.3.14 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 65
SCREEN
NAME DEFINITION
Network -
Devices Shows Ethernet ports and USBnetwork adaptor, Status (enabled/disabled), IPv4 Address, IPv4 Mask and IPv6 Address.
Network - IPv4
Routing Table Shows Destination, Gateway, Genmask, Flags, Metric, Ref, Use and lface (interface).
Network - IPv6
Routing Table Shows Destination, NextHop, Flags, Metric, Ref, Use and lface (interface).
Serial Ports Shows Device Name, Profile, Settings, Signals, TX Bytes, RX Bytes, Frame Error, Parity Error, Break and Overrun. The Reset
Counters button allows administrators to reset the statistic counters for selected ports.
FIPS Mode Shows Service Name and Mode Indication.
Zero-touch Log Shows the Zero-touch Provisioning log file and allows an administrator to clear it.
Table 3.19 Monitoring Screens
3.3.15 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.
3.4 Web UIOverview for Regular Users
MENU OPTION DESCRIPTION
Access Displays all the devices the user can access. Click on Serial Viewer in a device’s Action column to launch a terminal session with
that device.
Power
Management
PDUs Outlet
Groups
Click PDUs to turn on, turn off, cycle, reboot, reset the HW overcurrent protection, return to factory defaults or rename PDUs
connected to the console system. Click Outlet Groups to manage groups of outlets on connected PDUs. Click UPSto monitor and
control connected UPSdevices.
Change Password Change your own password.
Table 3.20 Web UI Options for Regular Users
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 66
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Technical Specifications
CATEGORY VALUE
General Information
CPU Dual Core ARM Cortex-A9 @ 766MHz
Memory 1GB DDR3L / 16GB eMMC FLASH
Interfaces
• Two dual media 1000Base-TX Copper/1Gbps SFP Fiber ports
• 48 serial ports with autosensing and switching support of Avocent and Cisco pinouts
• Two of the serial ports support RS232/422/485 multi-protocol with autosensing and switching support of Avocent and Cisco
pinouts in RS232 mode
• One serial console port
• Eight USB 2.0 host ports
• One SD card slot
• V.92/56K analog MODEM port
• 1-Wire interface for external sensors
• Single RJ45 connector with four digital-in ports for external contact closure sensors
Power Information
Power Supply Internal 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Optional Dual entry, redundant power supplies-48 VDC option available
Power Consumption Nominal voltage 120 VAC: Typical 0.17A, 20W, Maximum 0.25A, 30W
Nominal voltage 230 VAC: Typical 0.1 A, 23 W, Maximum 0.15A, 35W
Nominal voltage -48 VDC (20% tolerance) Typical 0.5 A
AmbientAtmospheric Condition Ratings
Operating
Temperature
32 °F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C) (DC powered units)
14°F to 158°F (-10° C to 70°C) (AC powered units)
Storage
Temperature -4°F to 158°F (-20°C to 70°C)
Humidity 20% to 80% relative humidity (non-condensing) across the operating temperature range
Dimensions
Height x Width x
Depth 1.7 x 17.1 x 9.5 in (4.318 x 43.434 x 24.13 cm)
Weight 6-7 pounds (2.722- 3.175 kg) depending on the model
Table A.1 Technical Specifications for the ACS8000 Advanced Console System Hardware
CATEGORY VALUE
General Information
CPU Dual Core ARM Cortex-A9 @ 766MHz
Memory 1GB DDR3L / 16GB eMMC FLASH
Interfaces
• Two dual media 1000Base-TX Copper ports
• Eight serial ports with autosensing and switching support of Avocent and Cisco pinouts
• All eight ports support RS232/422/485 multi-protocol with autosensing and switching support of Avocent and Cisco pinouts in
RS232 mode
• One serial console port
• Four USB 2.0 host ports
• V.92/56K analog MODEM port
• 1-Wire interface for external sensors
Table A.2 Technical Specifications for the ACS800 Advanced Console System Hardware
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 67
CATEGORY VALUE
• Single RJ45 connector with four digital-in or digital-out ports for external contact closure sensors
Power Information
Power Supply Internal 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption Nominal voltage 120 VAC: Typical 80.5mA/3.5W, Maximum 306mA/17W
Nominal voltage 240VAC:Typical 60mA/3.75W, Maximum 191mA/17W
AmbientAtmospheric Condition Ratings
Operating
Temperature -4°F to 158°F (-20°C to 70°C)
Storage
Temperature -4°F to 158°F (-20°C to 70°C)
Humidity 20% to 80% relative humidity (non-condensing) across the operating temperature range
Dimensions
Height x Width x
Depth 1.3 x 8.38 x 7.16 in ( 3.302 x 21.2852 x 18.1864 cm)
Weight 3.8 pounds (1.72365 kg)
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 68
Appendix B: Zero-touch provisioning
The zero-touch provisioning feature is an extension of the console system's BootP configuration retrieval
and is a method for deploying many console systems into an environment. You will need a valid
DHCPserver and TFTPserver to use zero-touch provisioning. You can configure your DHCP servers to
instruct newly introduced console systems to download a template configuration and
upgrade/downgrade firmware.
Setting up the DHCP/TFTP/configuration files should take only a few minutes and will potentially save
hours of configuration time for console systems subsequently added to your network. After the
provisioning step is completed, console systems can be accessed individually for any post-provision
configuration desired (for example, assigning a static IP and a hostname).
With zero-touch provisioning, console systems can be automatically configured and upgraded after they
are booted and initialized. This helps facilitate the introduction and installation of the console system 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 system'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 18.
NOTE: Parameters in the configuration file will apply to all console systems receiving the file. If you do
not want a parameter to apply to all console systems, 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 DHCPserver has been configured,
an administrator needs to create a setup file. The setup file is used by the console system to identify
configuration parameters and important provisioning information, such as the firmware image filename,
configuration filename and the IPaddress 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, FTPor SFTP server. The
IPaddress of the TFTP, FTPor SFTPserver will be sent in the DHCPoffer message.
NOTE: It is recommended you store the setup file in the root folder if you're storing it on a TFTPserver.
The following is an example of the setup file.
ONE_TIME_CONFIG=YES
FIRMWARE_VERSION=1.0.1
FIRMWARE_FILENAME=/var/tftp/acs8000/acs8000_1.0.1.bin
FIRMWARE_SERVER_IP=192.168.100.2
FIRMWARE_SERVER_USERNAME=username
FIRMWARE_SERVER_PASSWORD=password
FIRMWARE_SERVER_PROTOCOL=SFTP
CONFIG_FILENAME=/tftp/config-xml
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 69
CONFIG_SERVER_IP=192.168.100.2
CONFIG_SERVER_USERNAME=
CONFIG_SERVER_PASSWORD=
CONFIG_SERVER_PROTOCOL=SFTP
PARAMETER DESCRIPTION
ONE_TIME_
CONFIG
When the parameter is set to Yes, the configuration file is retrieved by the console system on the initial boot; it is not sent on
subsequent boots. When set to No, the configuration file is retrieved by the console system each time it is booted.
FIRMWARE_
VERSION The version of the firmware to be sent to the appliance.
FIRMWARE_
FILENAME The path and file name of the firmware.
FIRMWARE_
SERVER_IP The IPaddress or hostname of the server hosting the firmware.
FIRMWARE_
SERVER_
USERNAME If the firmware is hosted on a secure server, the credentials to access the server.
FIRMWARE_
SERVER_
PASSWORD
FIRMWARE_
SERVER_
PROTOCOL
The protocol of the server used to host the firmware. Supported protocols include tftp, ftp, stfp, scp and wget.
CONFIG_
FILENAME The path and file name of the of the configuration file.
CONFIG_
SERVER_IP The IPaddress or hostname of the server hosting the configuration file.
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
required. The username is plain text, however the password must be encrypted.
CONFIG_
SERVER_
PASSWORD
CONFIG_
SERVER_
PROTOCOL
The protocol of the server used to host the configuration file. Supported protocols include ftp, stfp, scp and wget.
Table B.1 Setup File Descriptions
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 system's
shell, as shown. Then enter the resulting hash password into the setup file for the defined server type.
echo ACS8000KEYAVOCENT > 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® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 70
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 system can download
the file.
Copying the Setup File to a TFTPserver:
Example: tftpd-hpa
Default TFTP root directory /var/lib/tftpboot
~$ sudo cp zerotouch.setup /var/lib/tftpboot
B.4 Obtaining the setup file
After obtaining the IPaddresses for both the console system and the TFTPor HTTP server where you
uploaded the setup file, the zero-touch provisioning process will attempt to download the setup file. Once
the console system 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 system.
B.5 DHCPserver configuration
During the boot process, the console system may issue a request, if needed, for an IPaddress assignment.
During this process, the DHCPserver will query the DNSserver to get the location of the TFTPor HTTP
server where the setup file resides. An administrator can, if desired, create an entry on the DHCPserver
that uniquely identifies a specific console system or range of console systems. This entry filters which
console systems are provisioned.
An administrator needs to configure two options. Option 66 defines the hostname or IP address of the
TFTPserver 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 DHCPtools snap-in Microsoft Management Console
(MMC), open your DHCPserver console.
2. In the left panel of the DHCPserver 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.
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 TFTPserver.
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
systems. Option 60 defines the vendor class, Avocent_ACS800/8000<serial number of the console
system>. Option 61 defines the MACaddress of the console system.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 71
To create Options 60 and 61 (optional):
1. Using the Windows Server Manager or DHCPtools snap-in MMC, open your DHCPserver
console.
2. In the left panel of the DHCPwindow, 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 DHCPStandard 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.
DNSserver
If the DNSscope option is not already defined on your DHCPserver, and if the Option 66 entry is a
hostname instead of an IP address, you can configure the DNSserver.
To configure the DNSserver:
1. Using the Windows Server Manager or DHCPtools snap-in MMC, open your DHCPserver
console.
2. In the left panel of the DHCPwindow, click IPv4.
3. Right-click on Server Options and click Configure Options.
4. Click Option 006 to define the DNSservers.
5. Enter the IPaddress in the appropriate field and click Add.
NOTE: If you enter the server name, the DNSserver will resolve it.
Reservations
You can reserve IPaddresses for each console system to be updated. Areservation is an IPaddress that
will be always be issued to a specified console system when it renews its DHCP lease.
To reserve an IPaddress:
1. Using the Windows® Server Manager or DHCPtools snap-in Microsoft® Management Console
(MMC), open your DHCPserver console.
2. In the left panel of the DHCPwindow, click IPv4.
3. Right-click Reservations, then click New Reservation.
4. Enter a name for the reservation, the IPaddress to be assigned to the console system, the
MACaddress for the console system and a description in the appropriate fields.
NOTE: The console system's MACaddress can be found on the bottom of console system.
5. Under Supported types, use the radio button to select either Both or DHCPonly.
6. Click Add. The reserved IPaddress will be displayed in the Reserve table.
The following is an example of DHCPserver configuration.
Example: ISC DHCP Server for Linux
Edit /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf ...
host acs8048 {
hardware ethernet 00:e0:86:12:34:56;
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 72
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 provisioningfrom either the web UIor 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 system 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® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 73
Appendix C: Bootp Configuration Retrieval
You can set your console system to be reconfigured during boot or at IPrenewal.
To generate configuration to be retrieved:
1. Click System Tools - Save Configuration and save the configuration to either an FTPsite or
locally.
-or-
Use the list_configuration command to get the CLItemplate scripts, edit the configuration of
the console system and save it as a text file.
-or-
Edit a file with CLI commands and save it.
2. Transfer the saved file to a DHCPserver.
3. Configure the DHCP server to transfer the configuration file to the console system.
To reconfigure a console system with bootp:
1. Click System - Security - Security Profile. Under the Bootp Configuration Retrieval heading,
ensure Enabled box is checked.
2. Uncheck the Enable Live Configuration box. The saved configuration is retrieved and applied
on the next reboot.
-or-
Ensure the Enable Live Configuration box is checked. The saved configuration is retrieved and
applied on the next IPrenewal.
NOTE: You must configure your DHCPserver in order to transfer the configuration file to your console
system.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 74
Appendix D: Recovering a Console System Password
To recover the console system's root password:
1. Connect directly to the console system’s CONSOLE port.
2. Turn the console system off, then on again.
3. Press the Spacebar to access the uboot prompt.
4. Type hw_boot single and press Enter.
5. The console system 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 system boot normally.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 75
Appendix E: Port Information for Communication with the DSView Software
The following ports on an Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System 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 console system:
•TCP port 4122 (default: SSH server)
•TCP port 4514 (default: data logging or Syslog server)
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 76
Appendix F: Accessing a Console System 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
IPaddress and serial port of the console system.
•The viewer then accesses the serial port of the console system 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 out of band (OOB) that will allow it to
call a console system via modem in the event of a network or Internet failure.
F.1 Installing DSView software out of band
The DSView server must be running on hardware that has a connected modem, and the console system
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 system. To ensure this, Proxy mode must be configured within the
DSView software. The viewer will then point to the DSView server (not the console system) 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 serial 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 system was interrupted and would dial out to the console system, 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.
Multiuser connections would further degrade performance and are not recommended. For this reason,
dial-up backup is recommended as an emergency backup feature only.
F.2 Configuring dial-up for a console system
To configure dial-up to a console system within the DSView software:
1. In a Units view window containing appliances, select the ACS 800/8000 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 system 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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 77
7. Select DSView Settings - Dial-up - PPP Password, then enter and confirm the password needed
to access the ACS 800/8000 console system.
8. Select DSView Settings - Dial-up - IP Addresses.
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 system to receive the dial-up connection within the DSView software:
12. In a Units view window containing appliances, select the ACS 800/8000 you want to configure.
13. For the internal modem, select Ports - Auxiliary Ports and select the modem.
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 system 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® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 78
Appendix G: Internal Modem
Some models of the console system 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
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.
Table G.1 Sample Command String
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.
ATDW 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 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.
ATD, Pause. The modem pauses for a time specified by S8 before dialing the number. Most often used when dialing an outside line through a
PBX.
ATD; Return to the command mode after processing the command.
ATE0 Disables the command echo.
Table G.2 Basic AT Commands
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 79
COMMAND DESCRIPTION
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.
ATW0 Upon connection, the modem reports only the DTE speed (for example, CONNECT 9600). Subsequent responses are disabled
(default).
ATW1 Upon connection, the modem reports the modulation type, line speed, the error correction protocol and the DTE speed. Subsequent
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.
ATX1
Disables monitoring of busy tones. Sends only OK, CONNECT, RING, NO CARRIER and ERROR messages. If busy tone detection is
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.
ATX2
Disables monitoring of busy tones. Sends only OK, CONNECT, RING, NO CARRIER, ERROR, NO DIALTONE and CONNECT XXXX. If
busy tone detection is 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.
ATX3 Enables monitoring of busy tones. Sends only OK, CONNECT, RING, NO CARRIER, ERROR, NO DIALTONE and CONNECT or
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 80
COMMAND DESCRIPTION
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).
AT&V Displays modem’s current configuration. When this command is entered, the modem will display its current command and register
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.
AT%Q Line signal quality. Reports line signal quality (DAA-dependent). Returns higher order byte of the EQM value. Based on EQM value,
retrain or fallback/fall-forward may be iniated if enabled with AT%E1 or AT%E2 commands.
AT+MS Select/force modulation.
G.1 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>
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
V.90 V90 56000, 54667, 53333, 52000, 50667, 49333, 48000, 46667, 45333, 42667, 41333,, 40000, 38667, 37333, 36000,
34667, 33333, 32000, 30667, 29333, 28000
K56flex K56 56000, 54000, 52000, 50000, 48000, 46000, 44000, 42000, 40000, 38000, 36000, 34000, 32000
V92 downstream V92 56000, 54667, 53333, 52000, 50667, 49333, 48000, 46667, 45333, 42667, 41333,, 40000, 38667, 37333, 36000,
34667, 33333, 32000, 30667, 29333, 28000
V92 upstream V92 48000, 46667, 45333, 42667, 41333,, 40000, 38667, 37333, 36000, 34667, 33333, 32000, 30667, 29333, 28000,
26667, 25333, 24000
Table G.3 +MS Command Supported Rates
G.2 Set telephone extension option
This command enables/disables “line-in-use” and “extension pickup” options.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 81
-STE=N VALUE EXTENSION PICKUP LINE-IN-USE
0 (default) Disabled Disabled
1 Disabled Enabled
2 Enabled Disabled
3 Enabled Enabled
Table G.4 Set Telephone Extension
Options
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.
G.3 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.
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.
Table G.5 AT S Registers
G.4 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.
NUMERIC VERBOSE DESCRIPTION
0 OK The modem has received and acknowledged the command.
Table G.6 Basic Result Code Listing
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 82
NUMERIC VERBOSE DESCRIPTION
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.
G.5 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.
G.6 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.
G.7 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
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.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 83
G.8 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.
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
Table G.7 Country Codes List
G.9 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
RING
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 84
The CID information can either be presented formatted as shown previously or unformatted. The +VCID
and +VRID commands control the modem CID option.
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.
Table G.8 Caller ID Information
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 85
Appendix H: Regulatory Information Concerning the Analog Modem Installed in
This Product
H.1 Analog Telecom Safety Warnings
Before servicing, disconnect this product from its power source and telephone network. Also:
•Never install telephone wiring during a lightning storm.
•Never install a telephone jack in wet locations unless the jack is specifically designed for wet
locations.
•Never touch uninsulated telephone wires or terminals unless the telephone line has been
disconnected at the network interface.
•Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines.
H.2 Avertissements de sécurité télécom analogique
Avant de l'entretien, débrancher ce produit de son réseau d'alimentation et de téléphone. également:
•Ne jamais installer du câblage téléphonique pendant un orage électrique.
•Ne jamais installer de prises téléphoniques à des endroits mouillés à moins que la prise ne soit
conçue pour de tels emplacements.
•Ne jamais toucher fils ou des bornes téléphoniques non isolés à moins que la ligne
téléphonique n'ait été déconnectée au niveau de l'interface réseau.
•Faire preuve de prudence au moment d'installer ou de modifier des lignes téléphoniques.
H.3 International Modem Restrictions
Some dialing and answering defaults and restrictions may vary for international modems. Changing
settings may cause a modem to become non-compliant with national regulatory requirements in specific
countries. Also note some software packages may have features or lack restrictions that may cause the
modem to become noncompliant.
U.S.A., 47 CFR Part 68 Telecom
1. This equipment complies with Part 68 of the 47 CFR rules and the requirements adopted by
the ACTA (Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments). Located on this equipment is a
label that contains, among other information, the registration number and Ringer Equivalence
Number (REN) for this equipment or a product identifier in the format:
For current products: US:AAAEQ##Txxxx.
For legacy products: AU7USA-xxxxx-xx-x.
If requested, this number must be provided to the telephone company.
2. A plug and jack used to connect this equipment to the premises wiring and telephone network
must comply with the applicable 47 CFR Part 68 rules and requirements adopted by the ACTA.
It’s designed to be connected to a compatible modular jack that is also compliant.
3. The Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) is used to determine the number of devices that may
be connected to a telephone line. Excessive RENs on a telephone line may result in the devices
not ringing in response to an incoming call. In most but not all areas, the sum of RENs should
not exceed five (5.0). To be certain of the number of devices that may be connected to a line,
as determined by the total RENs, contact the local telephone company. For products approved
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 86
after July 23, 2001, the REN for this product is part of the product identifier that has the format
US:AAAEQ##Txxxx. The digits represented by ## are the REN without a decimal point (e.g.,
03 is a REN of 0.3). For earlier products, the REN is separately shown on the label.
4. If this equipment causes harm to the telephone network, the telephone company will notify you
in advance that temporary discontinuance of service may be required. But if advance notice
isn't practical, the telephone company will notify the customer as soon as possible. Also, you will
be advised of your right to file a complaint with the FCC if you believe it is necessary.
5. The telephone company may make changes in its facilities, equipment, operations or
procedures that could affect the operation of the equipment. If this happens, the telephone
company will provide advance notice in order for you to make necessary modifications to
maintain uninterrupted service.
6. If trouble is experienced with this equipment, please contact Avocent Corporation at the
address shown below for details of how to have the repairs made. If the equipment is causing
harm to the telephone network, the telephone company may request that you disconnect the
equipment until the problem is resolved.
7. Manufacturing Information on telecommunications device (modem):
Manufacturer: Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Trade Name: Socket Modem SocketModem SocketModem
Model Number: MT5692SMI
Registration No: US:AU7MM01BMT5692SMI
Ringer Equivalence: 0.1B
Modular Jack (USOC): RJ11C or RJ11W or RJ45 (single line)
Avocent Business Unit
4991 Corporate Drive
Huntsville, AL 35805 USA
1-888-793-8763
H.4 Thailand Approval for MT5692SMI
This telecom device conforms to NTC1 requirements.
1NTC is the National Telecommunications Commission, Thailand’s telecommunications
regulator.
“เค ร ื ่ อ ง โ ท ร ค ม น า ค ม แ ล ะอ ุ ป ก ร ณ ์ น ี ้ ม ี ค ว า ม สอ ด ค ล ้ อ ง ต า ม ข ้ อ ก าห น ด ข อ ง ก ท ช .”
H.5 New Zealand Telecom Warning Notice
1. The grant of a Telepermit for any item of terminal equipment indicates only that Telecom has
accepted that the item complies with minimum conditions for connection to its network. It
indicates no endorsement of the product by Telecom, nor does it provide any sort of warranty.
Above all, it provides no assurance that any item will work correctly in all respects with another
item of Telepermitted equipment of a different make or model, nor does it imply that any
product is compatible with all of Telecom’s network services.
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 87
This equipment is not capable under all operating conditions of correct operating conditions of
correct operation at the higher speed which it is designated. 33.6 kbps and 56 kbps
connections are likely to be restricted to lower bit rates when connected to some PSTN
implementations. Telecom will accept no responsibility should difficulties arise in such
circumstances.
2. Immediately disconnect this equipment should it become physically damaged, and arrange for
its disposal or repair.
3. This modem shall not be used in any manner which could constitute a nuisance to other
Telecom customers.
4. This device is equipped with pulse dialing, while the Telecom standard is DTMF tone dialing.
There is no guarantee that Telecom lines will always continue to support pulse dialing.
Use of pulse dialing, when this equipment is connected to the same line as other equipment,
may give rise to 'bell tinkle' or noise and may also cause a false answer condition. Should such
problems occur, the user should NOT contact the Telecom Faults Service.
The preferred method of dialing is to use DTMF tones, as this is faster than pulse (decadic)
dialing and is readily available on almost all New Zealand telephone exchanges.
5. Warning Notice: No '111' or other calls can be made from this device during a mains power
failure.
6. This equipment may not provide for the effective hand-over of a call to another device
connected to the same line.
7. Some parameters required for compliance with Telecom’s Telepermit requirements are
dependent on the equipment (PC) associated with this device. The associated equipment shall
be set to operate within the following limits for compliance with Telecom’s Specifications:
For repeat calls to the same number:
•There shall be no more than 10 call attempts to the same number within any 30 minute period
for any single manual call initiation, and
•The equipment shall go on-hook for a period of not less than 30 seconds between the end of
one attempt and the beginning of the next attempt.
•For automatic calls to different numbers:
•The equipment shall be set to ensure that automatic calls to different numbers are spaced
such that there is no less than 5 seconds between the end of one call attempt and the
beginning of another.
8. For correct operation, total of the RN’s of all devices connected to a single line at any time
should not exceed 5.
H.6 Japan Requirements
The modem conforms to (JATE) Japan Approval Institute for Telecommunications Equipment:
MT5692SMI – JATE Approval A09-0123001
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 88
Vertiv | Avocent® ACS800/8000 Advanced Console System Installer/User Guide | 89
This page intentionally left blank.
VertivCo.com | Vertiv Headquarters, 1050 Dearborn Drive, Columbus, OH, 43085, USA
© 2017 Vertiv Co. All rights reserved. Vertiv and the Vertiv logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vertiv Co. All other names and logos referred to
are trade names, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. While every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy and
completeness herein, Vertiv Co. assumes no responsibility, and disclaims allliability, for damages resulting from use of this information or for any errors or
omissions. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
590-1536-501A