AP5610 KVM Tiered Approach

[dcpersad_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/31/2011

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I'm designing a new layout and infrastructure architecture for my data center and was thinking of using a tiered approach for the KVM switches. My plan is to have a KVM switch installed in each rack. The servers in the rack will connect to the switch installed in that rack. One rack in the row would have the KVM console and an additional KVM switch installed. All of the other KVM switches across the racks would connect to this "master" switch which is connected to the KVM console for local use.

Now I am aware that APC recommends using the AP5602 as the second tier and then have them connect to the AP5610/AP5615, using the ACI port on the AP5602s. However, I was wondering if it was possible to use the AP5610 throughout and instead of using the ACI port(since there is none), use the KVM connector (PS2, USB, video) on the tiered AP5610 KVMs and then patch it to the "master".

I have done this previously with IBM KVMs and it worked with no problems.

Has anyone ever tried this with the models I quoted above?

Thanks

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 5/31/2011

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i just wanted to jump in as APC and say yes, we don't support this. you are supposed to have a master IP KVM or even AP5602, with any additional KVMs below it being AP5602.

[dcpersad_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/31/2011

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Thanks for the reply.

I'm trying to build in digital access redundancy into my KVM architecture.

Is there any other way of achieving this?

Thanks