Summary: Replacement Serial Console server for use at OSUOSL, on prod & dev systems Personnel: - Robin H. Johnson <robbat2> (Infra project manager) This hardware is also used by any devs with access to *.dev.gentoo.org hardware systems hosted at OSUOSL, esp in kernel testing. Deadline: 2018/11/31 (2 weeks) Amount: Less than $5000. Project Description: Infra needs a replacement for the serial console servers housed at OSUOSL. They are used to connect to the hardware serial consoles of supporting equipment (network switchgear) and development systems [both embedded systems and servers without lights-out-management]. The past servers were OpenGear CM4008 units, donated by OpenGear in 2006 [1] and Jan 2010 [2]. Gentoo had more than 8 devices, split between two physical locations within the OSUOSL datacenter. Of the two units, console2 failed in early 2016, and was not replaced thanks to consolidation and OSUOSL staff being willing to connect via laptops when needed. The console1 is showing signs of failure (Infra/OSUOSL suport email thread, bug 670112) that hindered fixing guppy.ia64.dev.g.o. The CM4008 models reached end of life in 2016/07 [3], and are 4 generations old of OpenGear hardware old. - ACM5500-series (CM4008 immediate successor) is end of sales, and end of life in less than 2 years, on 2020/08/31. [3] - CM7100-series (ACM5500 successor), was released in 2014/Oct [4], and will probably have an EOL date announced soon. - OM2200-series (CM7100 successor) was announced 2018/July, and is starting to reach market now. OpenGear received entries on the Gentoo sponsors page and advertising rotation in return for donation; and the OpenGear development previous was previously based on Gentoo, and very early versions of their hardware shipped Gentoo internally. This proposal does not include a specific vendor product at this time, but seeks to identify requirements: MUST: - at least 16x RS232 serial ports (all 8 ports were in use) - Support external authentication, e.g. LDAP - Warranty at least 2 years MUST NOT: - have an EOL in the next 4 years - charge extra fees for software licensing/integration SHOULD: - be open-source software/hardware where possible - be able to reuse existing 16x RJ45-DB9 serial cables from old OpenGear console servers. - Have API-driven configuration MAY: - provide USB serial console support - provide network switch-ports for OOB network Supporting information: [1] https://sources.gentoo.org/cgi-bin/viewvc.cgi/gentoo/xml/htdocs/news/en/gwn/20070305-newsletter.xml?revision=1.14&view=markup See PR item in 2007/03/05 about being donated the previous year. This was before I was heavily involved in Infra. [2] https://sources.gentoo.org/cgi-bin/viewvc.cgi/gentoo/xml/htdocs/main/en/sponsors.xml?revision=1.67&view=markup [3] https://opengear.com/end-life-products [4] https://www.firmenpresse.de/pressrelease340371/opengear-launches-cm7100-console-server-enabling-radically-simple-out-of-band-console-management-for-next-generation-data-centers.html
Re Opengear: My previous contacts are no longer with the company; email bounces. I will attempt to reach them via other means. Their products are open-source (http://okvm.sourceforge.net/), and unless any other donation comes along, I propose we buy their units after reasonable price comparison. CM7116: $1300-$2000, possible EOL in 3-4 years IM7216: $2500-$3000, possible EOL in 3-4 years OM2216: no pricing available at this time, brand new product line.
LINX standardised on Opengear CM4116, which has been good to us. This was after Cyclades Alterpath which replaced Cisco devices. I can wholeheartedly support your choice of vendor here. Just as operational feedback I would go for a model with built-in 4G, so that you have a way back in if your management network is not reachable. It helps reduce reliance on data centre remote hands.
https://opengear.com/product-feature-comparison If we don't go with 4g then getting the CM7116-2-SAC1 or CM7116-2-DAC1 sounds right, not sure if we have two power drops or not. I don't think we need more than 4G of flash, but that'd be the other consideration. No details on OM2216 either
No response from Opengear; emailed again, 1 week deadline. Presently looking at these models: OM2216 ??? OM2224-24E ??? IM7216-2-24E-DAC-US $3300-$4100 [1][2] (the vendors have a huge range for this part) IM7216-2-DAC-US $2700 [1][3] CM7116-2-SAC-US $1500-$1800 [1][4] CM7116-2-DAC-US $1900 [1][4] [1] http://www.kernelsoftware.com/products/catalog/opengear.html [2] https://www.cdw.com/search/?key=opengear+im7216%7cIM7216%7c24E&ctlgfilter=&searchscope=all&sr=1&ln=2&SortBy=PriceAsc [3] https://www.cdw.com/product/Opengear-IM7216-2-DAC-console-server/3247659?pfm=srh [4] https://www.cdw.com/search/?key=opengear%20cm7116&searchscope=all&sr=1 No vendors seem to have pricing on the OM22 line at all.
Discounted pricing shared privately to trustees, including OM2216 pricing. OM2224-24E not yet available. I'd like to go with the OM2216, esp. since it's not much more than the IM7216.
Approvals on IRC: 10-23:24:49 <@alicef> robbat2: looks ok for me, if is needed 11-06:11:15 <@antarus> robbat2: yes for (redacted-pricing) 11-09:02:12 <@robbat2> prometheanfire: so you're good w/ OM2216? 11-09:02:47 <@prometheanfire> ya Further: robbat2 also approves
(In reply to Robin Johnson from comment #6) > Approvals on IRC: > > 10-23:24:49 <@alicef> robbat2: looks ok for me, if is needed > 11-06:11:15 <@antarus> robbat2: yes for (redacted-pricing) > 11-09:02:12 <@robbat2> prometheanfire: so you're good w/ OM2216? > 11-09:02:47 <@prometheanfire> ya > > Further: > robbat2 also approves I am good with the purchase.
(In reply to Robin Johnson from comment #6) > Approvals on IRC: > > 10-23:24:49 <@alicef> robbat2: looks ok for me, if is needed > 11-06:11:15 <@antarus> robbat2: yes for (redacted-pricing) > 11-09:02:12 <@robbat2> prometheanfire: so you're good w/ OM2216? > 11-09:02:47 <@prometheanfire> ya > > Further: > robbat2 also approves Just for non-irc audit trail; I approve this on Bugzilla also ;)
This is on order now, expected to arrive at OSL early next week.
