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Remote Management In-Reach: Page 4 of 4

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Security on the Side

Console servers are about as sexy as breakfast cereal. But there is more to these tools than freeing up the admin's hands by eliminating the laptop or remote console. A console server simplifies and enhances your data center security.

You get centralized access control and management of your core network devices, plus a single point of entry into your mission-critical infrastructure, which means fewer opportunities for security breaches. Why open multiple holes in your firewall to enable a CLI access to routers and switches when you can open only one and access all devices via a single server? In turn, you limit the need to forward rules necessary to provide access to myriad devices within your organization.

The right console server also lets you architect a secure infrastructure down to port or device level, with access attempts strictly monitored. Then there is the added attraction of having all access authority audit reports in one location. It is safe and easy to provision access via a console server and, as a security boon, deprovisioning is just as simple.