Virtualization Archives - ZPE Systems

Why Gen 3 Out-of-Band Is Your Strategic Weapon in 2025

Jordan Baker — Fri, 23 May 2025 17:44:31 +0000

I think it’s time to revisit the old school way of thinking about managing and securing IT infrastructure. The legacy use case for OOB is outdated. For the past decade, most IT teams have viewed out-of-band (OOB) as a last resort; an insurance policy for when something goes wrong. That mindset made sense when OOB technology was focused on connecting you to a switch or router.

Technology and the role of IT have changed so much in the last few years. There’s a lot more pressure on IT folks these days! But we get it, and that’s why ZPE’s OOB platform has changed to help you.

At a minimum, you have to ensure system endpoints are hardened against attacks, patch and update regularly, back up and restore critical systems, and be prepared to isolate compromised networks. In other words, you have to make sure those complicated hybrid environments don’t go off the rails and cost your company money. OOB for the “just-in-case” scenario doesn’t cut it anymore, and treating it that way is a huge missed opportunity.

Don’t Be Reactive. Be Resilient By Design.

Some OOB vendors claim they have the solution to get you through installation day, doomsday, and everyday ops. But if I’m candid, ZPE is the only vendor who can live up to this standard. We do what no one else can do! Our work with the world’s largest, most well-known hyperscale and tech companies proves our architecture and design principles.

This Gen 3 out-of-band (aka Isolated Management Infrastructure) is about staying in control no matter what gets thrown at you.

OOB Has A New Job Description

Out-of-band is evolving because of today’s radically different network demands:

Edge computing is pushing infrastructure into hard-to-reach (sometimes hostile) environments.
Remote and hybrid ops teams need 24/7 secure access without relying on fragile VPNs.
Ransomware and insider threats are rising, requiring an isolated recovery path that can’t be hijacked by attackers.
Patching delays leave systems vulnerable for weeks or months, and faulty updates can cause crashes that are difficult to recover from.
Automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) are no longer nice-to-haves – they’re essential for things like initial provisioning, config management, and everyday ops.

It’s a lot to add to the old “break/fix” job description. That’s why traditional OOB solutions fall short and we succeed. ZPE is designed to help teams enforce security policies, manage infrastructure proactively, drive automation, and do all the things that keep the bad stuff from happening in the first place. ZPE’s founders knew this evolution was coming, and that’s why they built Gen 3 out-of-band.

Gen 3 Out-of-Band Is Your Strategic Weapon

Unlike normal OOB setups that are bolted onto the production network, Gen 3 out-of-band is physically and logically separated via Isolated Management Infrastructure (IMI) approach. That separation is key – it gives teams persistent, secure access to infrastructure without touching the production network.

This means you stay in control no matter what.

Image: Gen 3 out-of-band management takes advantage of an approach called Isolated Management Infrastructure, a fully separate network that guarantees admin access when the main network is down.

Imagine your OOB system helping you:

Push golden configurations across 100 remote sites without relying on a VPN.
Automatically detect config drift and restore known-good states.
Trigger remediation workflows when a security policy is violated.
Run automation playbooks at remote locations using integrated tools like Ansible, Terraform, or GitOps pipelines.
Maintain operations when production links are compromised or hijacked.
Deploy the Gartner-recommended Secure Isolated Recovery Environment to stop an active cyberattack in hours (not weeks).

Gen 3 out-of-band is the dedicated management plane that enables all these things, which is a huge strategic advantage. Here are some real-world examples:

Vapor IO shrunk edge data center deployment times to one hour and achieved full lights-out operations. No more late-night wakeup calls or expensive on-site visits.
IAA refreshed their nationwide infrastructure while keeping 100% uptime and saving $17,500 per month in management costs.
Living Spaces quadrupled business while saving $300,000 per year. They actually shrunk their workload and didn’t need to add any headcount.

OOB is no longer just for the worst day. Gen 3 out-of-band gives you the architecture and platform to build resilience into your business strategy and minimize what the worst day could be.

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Why AI System Reliability Depends On Secure Remote Network Management

Jordan Baker — Wed, 07 May 2025 20:47:45 +0000

AI is quickly becoming core to business-critical ops. It’s making manufacturing safer and more efficient, optimizing retail inventory management, and improving healthcare patient outcomes. But there’s a big question for those operating AI infrastructure: How can you make sure your systems stay online even when things go wrong?

AI system reliability is critical because it’s not just about building or using AI – it’s about making sure it’s available through outages, cyberattacks, and any other disruptions. To achieve this, organizations need to support their AI systems with a robust underlying infrastructure that enables secure remote network management.

The High Cost of Unreliable AI

When AI systems go down, customers and business users immediately feel the impact. Whether it’s a failed inference service, a frozen GPU node, or a misconfigured update that crashes an edge device, downtime results in:

Missed business opportunities
Poor customer experiences
Safety and compliance risks
Unrecoverable data losses

So why can’t admins just remote-in to fix the problem? Because traditional network infrastructure setups use a shared management plane. This means that management access depends on the same network as production AI workloads. When your management tools rely on the production network, you lose access exactly when you need it most – during outages, misconfigurations, or cyber incidents. It’s like if you were free-falling and your reserve parachute relied on your main parachute.

Image: Traditional network infrastructures are built so that remote admin access depends at least partially on the production network. If a production device fails, admin access is cut off.

This is why hyperscalers developed a specific best practice that is now catching on with large enterprises, Fortune companies, and even government agencies. This best practice is called Isolated Management Infrastructure, or IMI.

What is Isolated Management Infrastructure?

Isolated Management Infrastructure (IMI) separates management access from the production network. It’s a physically and logically distinct environment used exclusively for managing your infrastructure – servers, network switches, storage devices, and more. Remember the parachute analogy? It’s just like that: the reserve chute is a completely separate system designed to save you when the main system is compromised.

Image: Isolated Management Infrastructure fully separates management access from the production network, which gives admins a dependable path to ensure AI system reliability.

This isolation provides a reliable pathway to access and control AI infrastructure, regardless of what’s happening in the production environment.

How IMI Enhances AI System Reliability:

Always-On Access to Infrastructure
Even if your production network is compromised or offline, IMI remains reachable for diagnostics, patching, or reboots.
Separation of Duties
Keeping management traffic separate limits the blast radius of failures or breaches, and helps you confidently apply or roll back config changes through a chain of command.
Rapid Problem Resolution
Admins can immediately act on alerts or failures without waiting for primary systems to recover, and instantly launch a Secure Isolated Recovery Environment (SIRE) to combat active cyberattacks.
Secure Automation
Admins are often reluctant to apply firmware/software updates or automation workflows out of fear that they’ll cause an outage. IMI gives them a safe environment to test these changes before rolling out to production, and also allows them to safely roll back using a golden image.

IMI vs. Out-of-Band: What’s the Difference?

While out-of-band (OOB) management is a component of many reliable infrastructures, it’s not sufficient on its own. OOB typically refers to a single device’s backup access path, like a serial console or IPMI port.

IMI is broader and architectural: it builds an entire parallel management ecosystem that’s secure, scalable, and independent from your AI workloads. Think of IMI as the full management backbone, not just a side street or second entrance, but a dedicated freeway. Check out this full breakdown comparing OOB vs IMI.

Use Case: Finance

Consider a financial services firm using AI for fraud detection. During a network misconfiguration incident, their LLMs stop receiving real-time data. Without IMI, engineers would be locked out of the systems they need to fix, similar to the CrowdStrike outage of 2024. But with IMI in place, they can restore routing in minutes, which helps them keep compliance systems online while avoiding regulatory fines, reputation damage, and other potential fallout.

Use Case: Manufacturing

Consider a manufacturing company using AI-driven computer vision on the factory floor to spot defects in real time. When a firmware update triggers a failure across several edge inference nodes, the primary network goes dark. Production stops, and on-site technicians no longer have access to the affected devices. With IMI, the IT team can remote-into the management plane, roll back the update, and bring the system back online within minutes, keeping downtime to a minimum while avoiding expensive delays in order fulfillment.

How To Architect for AI System Reliability

Achieving AI system reliability starts well before the first model is trained and even before GPU racks come online. It begins at the infrastructure layer. Here are important things to consider when architecting your IMI:

Build a dedicated management network that’s isolated from production.
Make sure to support functions such as Ethernet switching, serial switching, jumpbox/crash-cart, 5G, and automation.
Use zero-trust access controls and role-based permissions for administrative actions.
Design your IMI to scale across data centers, colocation sites, and edge locations.

Image: Architecting AI system reliability using IMI means deploying Ethernet switches, serial switches, WAN routers, 5G, and up to nine total functions. ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid eliminates the need for separate devices, as these edge routers can host all the functions necessary to deploy a complete IMI.

By treating management access as mission-critical, you ensure that AI system reliability is built-in rather than reactive.

Download the AI Best Practices Guide

AI-driven infrastructure is quickly becoming the industry standard. Organizations that integrate an Isolated Management Infrastructure will gain a competitive edge in AI system reliability, while ensuring resilience, security, and operational control.

To help you implement IMI, ZPE Systems has developed a comprehensive Best Practices Guide for Deploying Nvidia DGX and Other AI Pods. This guide outlines the technical success criteria and key steps required to build a secure, AI-operated network.

Download the guide and take the next step in AI-driven network resilience.

Download Guide

Get in Touch for a Demo of AI Infrastructure Best Practices

Our engineers are ready to walk you through the basics and give you a demo of these best practices. Click below to set up a demo.

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Cloud Repatriation: Why Companies Are Moving Back to On-Prem

Jordan Baker — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 19:20:23 +0000

The Shift from Cloud to On-Premises

Cloud computing has been the go-to solution for businesses seeking scalability, flexibility, and cost savings. But according to a 2024 IDC survey, 80% of IT decision-makers expect to repatriate some workloads from the cloud within the next 12 months. As businesses mature in their digital journeys, they’re realizing that the cloud isn’t always the most effective – or economical – solution for every application.

This trend, known as cloud repatriation, is gaining momentum.

Key Takeaways From This Article:

Cloud repatriation is a strategic move toward cost control, improved performance, and enhanced compliance.
Performance-sensitive and highly regulated workloads benefit most from on-prem or edge deployments.
Hybrid and multi-cloud strategies offer flexibility without sacrificing control.
ZPE Systems enables enterprises to build and manage cloud-like infrastructure outside the public cloud.

What is Cloud Repatriation?

Cloud repatriation refers to the process of moving data, applications, or workloads from public cloud services back to on-premises infrastructure or private data centers. Whether driven by cost, performance, or compliance concerns, cloud repatriation helps organizations regain control over their IT environments.

Why Are Companies Moving Back to On-Prem?

Here are the top six reasons why companies are moving away from the cloud and toward a strategy more suited for optimizing business operations.

1. Managing Unpredictable Cloud Costs

While cloud computing offers pay-as-you-go pricing, many businesses find that costs can spiral out of control. Factors such as unpredictable data transfer fees, underutilized resources, and long-term storage expenses contribute to higher-than-expected bills.

Key Cost Factors Leading to Cloud Repatriation:

High data egress and transfer fees
Underutilized cloud resources
Long-term costs that outweigh on-prem investments

By bringing workloads back in-house or pushed out to the edge, organizations can better control IT spending and optimize resource allocation.

2. Enhancing Security and Compliance

Security and compliance remain critical concerns for businesses, particularly in highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government.

Why cloud repatriation boosts security:

Data sovereignty and jurisdictional control
Minimized risk of third-party breaches
Greater control over configurations and policy enforcement

Repatriating sensitive workloads enables better compliance with laws like GDPR, CCPA, and other industry-specific regulations.

3. Boosting Performance and Reducing Latency

Some workloads – especially AI, real-time analytics, and IoT – require ultra-low latency and consistent performance that cloud environments can’t always deliver.

Performance benefits of repatriation:

Reduced latency for edge computing
Greater control over bandwidth and hardware
Predictable and optimized infrastructure performance

Moving compute closer to where data is created ensures faster decision-making and better user experiences.

4. Avoiding Vendor Lock-In

Public cloud platforms often use proprietary tools and APIs that make it difficult (and expensive) to migrate.

Repatriation helps businesses:

Escape restrictive vendor ecosystems
Avoid escalating costs due to over-dependence
Embrace open standards and multi-vendor flexibility

Bringing workloads back on-premises or adopting a multi-cloud or hybrid strategy allows businesses to diversify their IT infrastructure, reducing dependency on any one provider.

5. Meeting Data Sovereignty Requirements

Many organizations operate across multiple geographies, making data sovereignty a major consideration. Laws governing data storage and privacy can vary by region, leading to compliance risks for companies storing data in public cloud environments.

Cloud repatriation addresses this by:

Storing data in-region for legal compliance
Reducing exposure to cross-border data risks
Strengthening data governance practices

Repatriating workloads enables businesses to align with local regulations and maintain compliance more effectively.

6. Embracing a Hybrid or Multi-Cloud Strategy

Rather than choosing between cloud or on-prem, forward-thinking companies are designing hybrid and multi-cloud architectures that combine the best of both worlds.

Benefits of a Hybrid or Multi-Cloud Strategy:

Leverages the best of both public and private cloud environments
Optimizes workload placement based on cost, performance, and compliance
Enhances disaster recovery and business continuity

By strategically repatriating specific workloads while maintaining cloud-based services where they make sense, businesses achieve greater resilience and efficiency.

The Challenge: Retaining Cloud-Like Flexibility On-Prem

Many IT teams hesitate to repatriate due to fears of losing cloud-like convenience. Cloud platforms offer centralized management, on-demand scaling, and rapid provisioning that traditional infrastructure lacks – until now.

That’s where ZPE Systems comes in.

ZPE Systems Accelerates Cloud Repatriation

For over a decade, ZPE Systems has been behind the scenes, helping build the very cloud infrastructures enterprises rely on. Now, ZPE empowers businesses to reclaim that control with:

The Nodegrid Services Router platform: Bringing cloud-like orchestration and automation to on-prem and edge environments
ZPE Cloud: A unified management layer that simplifies remote operations, provisioning, and scaling

With ZPE, enterprises can repatriate cloud workloads while maintaining the agility and visibility they’ve come to expect from public cloud environments.

The Nodegrid platform combines powerful hardware with intelligent, centralized orchestration, serving as the backbone of hybrid infrastructures. Nodegrid devices are designed to handle a wide variety of functions, from secure out-of-band management and automation to networking, workload hosting, and even AI computer vision. ZPE Cloud serves as the cloud-based management and orchestration platform, which gives organizations full visibility and control over their repatriated environments..

Multi-functional infrastructure: Nodegrid devices consolidate networking, security, and workload hosting into a single, powerful platform capable of adapting to diverse enterprise needs.
Automation-ready: Supports custom scripts, APIs, and orchestration tools to automate provisioning, failover, and maintenance across remote sites.
Cloud-based management: ZPE Cloud provides centralized visibility and control, allowing teams to manage and orchestrate edge and on-prem systems with the ease of a public cloud.

Ready to Explore Cloud Repatriation?

Discover how your organization can take back control of its IT environment without sacrificing agility. Schedule a demo with ZPE Systems today and see how easy it is to build a modern, flexible, and secure on-prem or edge infrastructure.

Schedule Your Demo Now

Additional Resources

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Lantronix G520: Alternative Options

Jordan Baker — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 15:27:27 +0000

The G520 is a series of cellular gateways from Lantronix designed for industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), security, and transport use cases. While it provides redundant networking capabilities, it lacks critical resilience features such as out-of-band management (OOBM). This guide explains where the G520 falls short and why it matters before describing alternative options that deliver multi-functional IIoT capabilities and network resilience.

Why consider Lantronix G520 alternatives?

The Lantronix G520 is a cellular gateway that provides network connectivity, failover, and load balancing for IoT devices. However, it lacks serial console management capabilities, which means you need a separate device for remote management and OOBM. Out-of-band management is a crucial technology that separates the network control plane from the data plane to prevent breaches of management interfaces. OOBM also improves resilience by using a dedicated network (like cellular LTE) that gives remote teams a lifeline to recover from equipment failures, network outages, and breaches.

G520 gateways are managed with the Percepxion cloud platform, while cellular data plans and VPN security are managed separately with the cloud-based Connectivity Services software. These software solutions cannot be extended with third-party integrations, so teams must manage two separate Lantronix platforms and use separate software for monitoring, security, etc. Closed software also prevents teams from utilizing third-party automation and orchestration and creates a lot of management complexity, increasing the risk of human error and reducing operational efficiency.

G520 hardware also lacks extensibility due to an ARM architecture and tiny 256MB Flash storage. This essentially makes it a single-purpose device, with organizations needing to deploy additional appliances to run edge workloads, security applications, and other third-party software. There’s another IIoT gateway solution that combines edge networking capabilities with OOBM, the ability to run or integrate third-party applications, and a unified, extensible cloud management platform that extends automation and orchestration to all the devices in your deployment.

Nodegrid alternatives for the G520

Nodegrid is a line of vendor-neutral, edge networking solutions from ZPE Systems. The closest alternative to the Lantronix G520 is the Nodegrid Mini Services Router (or Mini SR).

Nodegrid Mini SR vs. Lantronix G520

	Nodegrid Mini SR	Lantronix G520
CPU	x86-64bit Intel Processor	600 MHz ARM-based CPU
Guest OS	1	0
Docker Apps	1-2	0
Storage	16GB SED	256MB Flash
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes
Cloud Management	ZPE Cloud	Lantronix Percepxion, Connectivity Services
Cellular	Dual-SIM	Dual-SIM
Serial	Via USB	No
Network	2 x 1Gb ETH	1 x 10/100 ETH

The Mini SR is a compact, fanless edge gateway small enough to be easily installed in any industrial environment. In addition to gateway, networking, and failover capabilities, the Mini SR provides OOBM for all connected devices, turning it into an IoT device management solution. Nodegrid’s OOBM completely isolates IoT management interfaces and ensures they’re remotely available 24/7 even during ISP outages and ransomware infections.

The Mini SR and all connected devices are managed with ZPE Cloud, an intuitive platform that’s easily extensible with third-party integrations for infrastructure automation, edge security, SCADA software, and much more. The best part is that ZPE Cloud is a unified solution that gives administrators a single-pane-of-glass management experience for convenience and efficiency.

The Mini SR and all other Nodegrid hardware solutions run on the vendor-neutral, Linux-based Nodegrid OS and come with robust Intel architectures. As a result, they can host Guest OS and even Docker containers for third-party applications, reducing the need for additional hardware appliances in cramped industrial environments. The Mini SR is an all-in-one solution that reduces edge expenses and complexity while improving resilience and operational efficiency.

Other Nodegrid alternatives for the Lantronix G520

Depending on your use case, you may have other reasons to consider G520 alternatives, such as the need for a complete serial console management solution, or the desire to run artificial intelligence (AI) workflows at the edge without deploying expensive single-purpose GPUs. Luckily, the Nodegrid line has solutions for every edge use case and pain point.

Comparing Nodegrid SRs

	Nodegrid Mini SR	Nodegrid Gate SR	Nodegrid Hive SR	Nodegrid Link SR	Nodegrid Bold SR	Nodegrid Net SR
Potential Use Cases	Edge IoT, IIoT, OT, and IoMD (Internet of Medical Devices) deployments	Branch service delivery and AI	Distributed branch and edge sites like manufacturing plants	Branch, IoT, and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) deployments	Branch and edge deployments like telecom, retail, and oil & gas	Large branches, edge data centers
CPU	x86-64bit Intel Processor	x86-64bit Intel Processor	x86-64bit Intel Processor	x86-64bit Intel Processor	x86-64bit Intel Processor	x86-64bit Intel Processor
Guest OS	1	1-3	1-2	1	1	1-6
Docker Apps	1-2	1-4	1-3	1-2	1-2	1-4
Storage	16GB SED	32GB – 128GB	16GB – 128GB	16GB – 128GB	32GB – 128GB	32GB – 128GB
Secondary Additional Storage	–	Up to 4TB	Up to 4TB	Up to 4TB	Up to 4TB	Up to 4TB
PoE+ Output	–	Yes	–	–	–	Yes
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
ZPE Cloud Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cellular (Dual-SIM)	1	1-2	1-2	1	1-2	1-4
Serial	Via USB	8	8	1	8	16-80
Network	2 x 1Gb ETH	2 x SFP+, 5 x Gb ETH, 4 x 1Gb ETH PoE+	2x GbE ETH, 2x 10 Gbps, 4x 10/100/1000/2.5 Gbps RJ-45	1 x Gb ETH 1 x SFP	5 x Gb ETH	2 1Gb ETH, 2 SFP+, Multiple Cards
GPIO	–	2 DIO, 1 OUT, 1 Relay	–	2 DIO, 2 OUT	–	–
Power	Single	Single or Redundant	Single	Single	Single	Single or Redundant
Data Sheet	Download	Download	Download	Download	Download	Download

Get a complete IIoT solution with Nodegrid

The Nodegrid Mini SR improves upon the Lantronix G520 by consolidating edge networking capabilities and offering a vendor-neutral platform to host and integrate all your third-party applications. Schedule a demo to see Nodegrid in action!

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Edge Computing Platforms: Insights from Gartner’s 2024 Market Guide

Jordan Baker — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:03:30 +0000

Edge computing allows organizations to process data close to where it’s generated, such as in retail stores, industrial sites, and smart cities, with the goal of improving operational efficiency and reducing latency. However, edge computing requires a platform that can support the necessary software, management, and networking infrastructure. Let’s explore the 2024 Gartner Market Guide for Edge Computing, which highlights the drivers of edge computing and offers guidance for organizations considering edge strategies.

What is an Edge Computing Platform (ECP)?

Edge computing moves data processing close to where it’s generated. For bank branches, manufacturing plants, hospitals, and others, edge computing delivers benefits like reduced latency, faster response times, and lower bandwidth costs. An Edge Computing Platform (ECP) provides the foundation of infrastructure, management, and cloud integration that enable edge computing. The goal of having an ECP is to allow many edge locations to be efficiently operated and scaled with minimal, if any, human touch or physical infrastructure changes.

Before we describe ECPs in detail, it’s important to first understand why edge computing is becoming increasingly critical to IT and what challenges arise as a result.

What’s Driving Edge Computing, and What Are the Challenges?

Here are the five drivers of edge computing described in Gartner’s report, along with the challenges that arise from each:

1. Edge Diversity

Every industry has its unique edge computing requirements. For example, manufacturing often needs low-latency processing to ensure real-time control over production, while retail might focus on real-time data insights to deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences.

Challenge: Edge computing solutions are usually deployed to address an immediate need, without taking into account the potential for future changes. This makes it difficult to adapt to diverse and evolving use cases.

2. Ongoing Digital Transformation

Gartner predicts that by 2029, 30% of enterprises will rely on edge computing. Digital transformation is catalyzing its adoption, while use cases will continue to evolve based on emerging technologies and business strategies.

Challenge: This rapid transformation means environments will continue to become more complex as edge computing evolves. This complexity makes it difficult to integrate, manage, and secure the various solutions required for edge computing.

3. Data Growth

The amount of data generated at the edge is increasing exponentially due to digitalization. Initially, this data was often underutilized (referred to as the “dark edge”), but businesses are now shifting towards a more connected and intelligent edge, where data is processed and acted upon in real time.

Challenge: Enormous volumes of data make it difficult to efficiently manage data flows and support real-time processing without overwhelming the network or infrastructure.

4. Business-Led Requirements

Automation, predictive maintenance, and hyper-personalized experiences are key business drivers pushing the adoption of edge solutions across industries.

Challenge: Meeting business requirements poses challenges in terms of ensuring scalability, interoperability, and adaptability.

5. Technology Focus

Emerging technologies such as AI/ML are increasingly deployed at the edge for low-latency processing, which is particularly useful in manufacturing, defense, and other sectors that require real-time analytics and autonomous systems.

Challenge: AI and ML make it difficult for organizations to determine how to strike a balance between computing power and infrastructure costs, without sacrificing security.

What Features Do Edge Computing Platforms Need to Have?

To address these challenges, here’s a brief look at three core features that ECPs need to have according to Gartner’s Market Guide:

Edge Software Infrastructure: Support for edge-native workloads and infrastructure, including containers and VMs. The platform must be secure by design.
Edge Management and Orchestration: Centralized management for the full software stack, including orchestration for app onboarding, fleet deployments, data storage, and regular updates/rollbacks.
Cloud Integration and Networking: Seamless connection between edge and cloud to ensure smooth data flow and scalability, with support for upstream and downstream networking.

Image: A simple diagram showing the computing and networking capabilities that can be delivered via Edge Management and Orchestration.

How ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid Platform Addresses Edge Computing Challenges

ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid is a Secure Service Delivery Platform that meets these needs. Nodegrid covers all three feature categories outlined in Gartner’s report, allowing organizations to host and manage edge computing via one platform. Not only is Nodegrid the industry’s most secure management infrastructure, but it also features a vendor-neutral OS, hypervisor, and multi-core Intel CPU to support necessary containers, VMs, and workloads at the edge. Nodegrid follows isolated management best practices that enable end-to-end orchestration and safe updates/rollbacks of global device fleets. Nodegrid integrates with all major cloud providers, and also features a variety of uplink types, including 5G, Starlink, and fiber, to address use cases ranging from setting up out-of-band access, to architecting Passive Optical Networking.

Here’s how Nodegrid addresses the five edge computing challenges:

1. Edge Diversity: Adapting to Industry-Specific Needs

Nodegrid is built to handle diverse requirements, with a flexible architecture that supports containerized applications and virtual machines. This architecture enables organizations to tailor the platform to their edge computing needs, whether for handling automated workflows in a factory or data-driven customer experiences in retail.

2. Ongoing Digital Transformation: Supporting Continuous Growth

Nodegrid supports ongoing digital transformation by providing zero-touch orchestration and management, allowing for remote deployment and centralized control of edge devices. This enables teams to perform initial setup of all infrastructure and services required for their edge computing use cases. Nodegrid’s remote access and automation provide a secure platform for keeping infrastructure up-to-date and optimized without the need for on-site staff. This helps organizations move much of their focus away from operations (“keeping the lights on”), and instead gives them the agility to scale their edge infrastructure to meet their business goals.

3. Data Growth: Enabling Real-Time Data Processing

Nodegrid addresses the challenge of exponential data growth by providing local processing capabilities, enabling edge devices to analyze and act on data without relying on the cloud. This not only reduces latency but also enhances decision-making in time-sensitive environments. For instance, Nodegrid can handle the high volumes of data generated by sensors and machines in a manufacturing plant, providing instant feedback for closed-loop automation and improving operational efficiency.

4. Business-Led Requirements: Tailored Solutions for Industry Demands

Nodegrid’s hardware and software are designed to be adaptable, allowing businesses to scale across different industries and use cases. In manufacturing, Nodegrid supports automated workflows and predictive maintenance, ensuring equipment operates efficiently. In retail, it powers hyperpersonalization, enabling businesses to offer tailored customer experiences through edge-driven insights. The vendor-neutral Nodegrid OS integrates with existing and new infrastructure, and the Net SR is a modular appliance that allows for hot-swapping of serial, Ethernet, computing, storage, and other capabilities. Organizations using Nodegrid can adapt to evolving use cases without having to do any heavy lifting of their infrastructure.

5. Technology Focus: Supporting Advanced AI/ML Applications

Emerging technologies such as AI/ML require robust edge platforms that can handle complex workloads with low-latency processing. Nodegrid excels in environments where real-time analytics and autonomous systems are crucial, offering high-performance infrastructure designed to support these advanced use cases. Whether processing data for AI-driven decision-making in defense or enabling real-time analytics in industrial environments, Nodegrid provides the computing power and scalability needed for AI/ML models to operate efficiently at the edge.

Read Gartner’s Market Guide for Edge Computing Platforms

As businesses continue to deploy edge computing solutions to manage increasing data, reduce latency, and drive innovation, selecting the right platform becomes critical. The 2024 Gartner Market Guide for Edge Computing Platforms provides valuable insights into the trends and challenges of edge deployments, emphasizing the need for scalability, zero-touch management, and support for evolving workloads.

Click below to download the report.

Download Market Guide

Get a Demo of Nodegrid’s Secure Service Delivery

Our engineers are ready to walk you through the software infrastructure, edge management and orchestration, and cloud integration capabilities of Nodegrid. Use the form to set up a call and get a hands-on demo of this Secure Service Delivery Platform.

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Network Virtualization Platforms: Benefits & Best Practices

Jordan Baker — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 21:53:42 +0000

Network Virtualization Platforms: Benefits & Best Practices

Network virtualization decouples network functions, services, and workflows from the underlying hardware infrastructure and delivers them as software. In the same way that server virtualization makes data centers more scalable and cost-effective, network virtualization helps companies streamline network deployment and management while reducing hardware expenses.

This guide describes several types of network virtualization platforms before discussing the benefits of virtualization and the best practices for improving efficiency, scalability, and ROI.

What do network virtualization platforms do?

There are three forms of network virtualization that are achieved with different types of platforms. These include:

Type of Virtualization	Description	Examples of Platforms
Virtual Local Area Networking (VLAN)	Creates an abstraction layer over physical local networking infrastructure so the company can segment the network into multiple virtual networks without installing additional hardware.	SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager
Software-Defined Networking (SDN)	Decouples network routing and control functions from the actual data packets so that IT teams can deploy and orchestrate workflows across multiple devices and VLANs from one centralized platform.	Meraki Juniper
Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)	Separates network functions like routing, switching, and load balancing from the underlying hardware so teams can deploy them as virtual machines (VMs) and use fewer physical devices.	Red Hat OpenStack VMware vCloud NFV

Type of Virtualization

Description

Examples of Platforms

Virtual Local Area Networking (VLAN)

Creates an abstraction layer over physical local networking infrastructure so the company can segment the network into multiple virtual networks without installing additional hardware.

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager

ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager

Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

Decouples network routing and control functions from the actual data packets so that IT teams can deploy and orchestrate workflows across multiple devices and VLANs from one centralized platform.

Meraki

Juniper

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)

Separates network functions like routing, switching, and load balancing from the underlying hardware so teams can deploy them as virtual machines (VMs) and use fewer physical devices.

Red Hat OpenStack

VMware vCloud NFV

While network virtualization is primarily concerned with software, it still requires a physical network infrastructure to serve as the foundation for the abstraction layer (just like server virtualization still requires hardware in the data center or cloud to run hypervisor software). Additionally, the virtualization software itself needs storage or compute resources to run, either on a server/hypervisor or built-in to a networking device like a router or switch. Sometimes, this hardware is also referred to as a network virtualization platform.

The benefits of network virtualization

Virtualizing network services and workflows with VLANs, SDN, and NFVs can help companies:

Improve operational efficiency with automation. Network virtualization enables the use of scripts, playbooks, and software to automate workflows and configurations. Network automation boosts productivity so teams can get more work done with fewer resources.

Accelerate network deployments and scaling. Legacy deployments involve configuring and installing dedicated boxes for each function. Virtualized network functions and configurations can be deployed in minutes and infinitely copied to get new sites up and running in a fraction of the time.

Reduce network infrastructure costs. Decoupling network functions, services, and workflows from the underlying hardware means you can run multiple functions from once device, saving money and space.

Strengthen network security. Virtualization makes it easier to micro-segment the network and implement precise, targeted Zero-Trust security controls to protect sensitive and valuable assets.

Network virtualization platform best practices

Following these best practices when selecting and implementing network virtualization platforms can help companies achieve the benefits described above while reducing hassle.

Vendor neutrality

Ensuring that the virtualization software works with the underlying hardware is critical. The struggle is that many organizations use devices from multiple vendors, which makes interoperability a challenge. Rather than using different virtualization platforms for each vendor, or replacing perfectly good devices with ones that are all from the same vendor, it’s much easier and more cost-effective to use virtualization software that interoperates with any networking hardware. This type of software is called ‘vendor neutral.’

To improve efficiency even more, companies can use vendor-neutral networking hardware to host their virtualization software. Doing so eliminates the need for a dedicated server, allowing SDN software and virtualized network functions (VNFs) to run directly from a serial console or router that’s already in use. This significantly consolidates deployments, which saves money and reduces the amount of space needed This can be a lifesaver in branch offices, retail stores, manufacturing sites, and other locations with limited space.

Virtualizing the WAN

We’ve mostly discussed virtualization in a local networking context, but it can also be extended to the WAN (wide area network). For example, SD-WAN (software-defined wide area networking) streamlines and automates the management of WAN infrastructure and workflows. WAN gateway routing functions can also be virtualized as VNFs that are deployed and controlled independently of the physical WAN gateway, significantly accelerating new branch launches.

Unifying network orchestration

The best way to maximize network management efficiency is to consolidate the orchestration of all virtualization with a single, vendor-neutral platform. For example, the Nodegrid solution from ZPE Systems uses vendor-neutral hardware and software to give networking teams a single platform to host, deploy, monitor, and control all virtualized workflows and devices. Nodegrid streamlines network virtualization with:

An open, x86-64bit Linux-based architecture that can run other vendors’ software, VNFs, and even Docker containers to eliminate the need for dedicated virtualization appliances.
Multi-functional hardware devices that combine gateway routing, switching, out-of-band serial console management, and more to further consolidate network deployments.
Vendor-neutral orchestration software, available in on-premises or cloud form, that provides unified control over both physical and virtual infrastructure across all deployment sites for a convenient management experience.

Want to see vendor-neutral network orchestration in action?

Nodegrid unifies network virtualization platforms and workflows to boost productivity while reducing infrastructure costs. Schedule a free demo to experience the benefits of vendor-neutral network orchestration firsthand.

Schedule a Demo

The post Network Virtualization Platforms: Benefits & Best Practices appeared first on ZPE Systems.

PDU Remote Management

Jordan Baker — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 21:48:52 +0000

PDU Remote Management

PDUs (power distribution units) and busways are critical network infrastructure devices that control and optimize how power flows to equipment like servers, routers, firewalls, and switches. They’re difficult to manage remotely, so configuring and updating new devices or fixing problems typically requires tedious, on-site work. This difficulty is magnified in complex, distributed networks with hundreds of individual power devices that must be managed one at a time. What’s needed is a PDU remote management solution that unifies control over distributed devices. It should also streamline infrastructure management with an open architecture that supports third-party power software and automation.

The problem: PDU management is cumbersome for large, distributed networks

PDUs and busways are deployed across remote and distributed locations beyond the central data center, including edge computing sites, automated manufacturing plants, and colocations. They typically aren’t network-connected and do not come with up-to-date firmware at deployment time, requiring on-site technicians for maintenance. Upgrading and managing thousands of PDUs and busways requires hundreds of work hours from on-site IT teams who must manually connect to each unit.

The current solution: PDU remote management with jump boxes or serial consoles

Since most PDUs and busways can’t connect to the network, the only way to remotely manage them is to physically connect them via serial (a.k.a., RS-232) cable to a device that can be remotely accessed, such as an Intel NUC jump box or a serial console.

Unfortunately, jump boxes usually aren’t set up to manage more than one serial connection at a time, so they only solve the remote access problem without providing any centralized management of multiple PDUs or multiple sites. Jump boxes are often deployed without antivirus or other security software installed and with insecure, unpatched operating systems containing potential vulnerabilities, leaving branch networks exposed.

On the other hand, serial consoles can manage multiple serial devices at once and provide remote access, but they often don’t integrate with PDU/busway software and only support a few chosen vendors, which limits their control capabilities and may prevent remote firmware updates. They’re also usually single-purpose devices that take up valuable rack space in remote sites with limited real estate and don’t interoperate with third-party software for automation, monitoring, and security.

The Hive SR + ZPE Cloud: A next-gen PDU remote management solution

The Hive SR is an integrated branch services router from the Nodegrid family of vendor-neutral infrastructure management solutions offered by ZPE Systems. The Hive automatically discovers power devices and provides secure remote access, eliminating the need to manage PDUs and busways on-site. The ZPE Cloud management platform gives IT teams centralized control over power devices and other infrastructure at all distributed locations so they can update or roll-back firmware, configure and power-cycle equipment, and see monitoring alerts.

In addition to integrated branch networking capabilities like gateway routing, switching, firewall, Wi-Fi access point, 5G/4G cellular WAN failover, and centralized infrastructure control, the Hive SR and ZPE Cloud also deliver vendor-neutral out-of-band (OOB) management. ZPE’s Gen 3 OOB solution creates an isolated management network that doesn’t rely on production resources and, as such, remains remotely accessible during major outages, ransomware infections, and other adverse events. This gives IT teams a lifeline to perform remote recovery actions, including rolling-back PDU firmware updates, power-cycling hung devices, and rebuilding infected systems, without the time and expense of an on-site visit.

The Hive and ZPE Cloud have open architectures that can host or integrate other vendors’ software for PDU/busway management, NetOps automation, zero-trust and SASE security, and more. Administrators get a single, unified, cloud-based platform to orchestrate both automated and manual workflows for PDUs, busways, and any other Nodegrid-connected infrastructure at all distributed business sites. Plus, all ZPE solutions are frequently patched and protected by industry-leading security features to defend your critical branch infrastructure.

Download our Automated PDU Provisioning and Configuration solution guide to learn more about vendor-neutral PDU remote management with Nodegrid devices like the Hive SR.
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Download our Centralized IT Infrastructure Management and Orchestration solution guide to learn how ZPE Cloud can improve your operational efficiency and resilience.
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The post PDU Remote Management appeared first on ZPE Systems.

Comparing Console Server Hardware

Jordan Baker — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 17:03:31 +0000

Console servers – also known as serial consoles, console server switches, serial console servers, serial console routers, or terminal servers – are critical for data center infrastructure management. They give administrators a single point of control for devices like servers, switches, and power distribution units (PDUs) so they don’t need to log in to each piece of equipment individually. It also uses multiple network interfaces to provide out-of-band (OOB) management, which creates an isolated network dedicated to infrastructure orchestration and troubleshooting. This OOB network remains accessible during production network outages, offering remote teams a lifeline to recover systems without costly and time-consuming on-site visits.

Console server hardware can vary significantly across different vendors and use cases. This guide compares console server hardware from the three top vendors and examines four key categories: large data centers, mixed environments, break-fix deployments, and modular solutions.

Console server hardware for large data center deployments

Large and hyperscale data centers can include hundreds or even thousands of individual devices to manage. Teams typically use infrastructure automation, like infrastructure as code (IaC), because managing devices at such a large scale is impossible to do manually. The best console server hardware for high-density data centers will include plenty of managed serial ports, support hundreds of concurrent sessions, and provide support for infrastructure automation.

Click here to compare the hardware specs of the top providers, or read below for more information.

Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP)

The Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP) from ZPE Systems is the only console server providing up to 96 RS-232 serial ports in a 1U rack-mounted form factor. Its quad-core Intel processor and robust (as well as upgradable) internal storage and RAM options, as well as its Linux-based Nodegrid OS, support Guest OS and Docker containers for third-party applications. That means the NSCP can directly host infrastructure automation (like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef), security (like Palo Alto’s next-generation firewalls and Secure Access Service Edge), and much more. Plus, it can extend zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) to legacy and mixed-vendor devices that otherwise wouldn’t support automation.

The NSCP also comes packed with hardware security features including BIOS protection, UEFI Secure Boot, self-encrypted disk (SED), Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, and a multi-site VPN using IPSec, WireGuard, and OpenSSL protocols. Plus, it supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors to help remote teams control conditions in the data center or colocation facility.

Advantages:

Up to 96 managed serial ports in a 1U appliance
Intel x86 CPU and 4GB of RAM for 3rd-party Docker and VM apps
Extends ZTP and automation to legacy and mixed-vendor infrastructure
Robust on-board security features like BIOS protection and TPM 2.0
Supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors
Wi-Fi and 5G/4G LTE options available
Supports over 1,000 concurrent sessions

Disadvantages:

USB ports limited on 96-port model

Opengear CM8100

The Opengear CM8100 comes in two models: the 1G version includes up to 48 managed serial ports, while the 10G version supports up to 96 serial ports in a 2U form factor. Both models have a dual-core ARM Cortex processor and 2GB of RAM, allowing for some automation support with upgraded versions of the Lighthouse management software. They also come with an embedded firewall, IPSec and OpenVPN protocols for a single-site VPN, and TPM 2.0 security.

Advantages:

10G model comes with software-selectable serial ports
Supports OpenVPN and IPSec VPNs
Fast port speeds

Disadvantages:

Automation and ZTP require Lighthouse software upgrade
No cellular or Wi-Fi options
96-port model requires 2U of rack space

Perle IOLAN SCG (fixed)

The IOLAN SCG is Perle’s fixed-form-factor console server solution. It supports up to 48 managed serial ports and can extend ZTP to end devices. It comes with onboard security features including an embedded firewall, OpenVPN and IPSec VPN, and AES encryption. However, the IOLAN SCG’s underpowered single-core ARM processor, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of storage limit its automation capabilities, and it does not integrate with any third-party automation or orchestration solutions.

Advantages:

Supports ZTP for end devices
Comprehensive firewall functionality

Disadvantages

Very limited CPU, RAM, and flash storage
Does not support third-party automation

Comparison Table: Console Server Hardware for Large Data Centers

	Nodegrid NSCP	Opengear CM8100	Perle IOLAN SCG
Serial Ports	16 / 32 / 48 / 96x RS-232	16 / 32 / 48 / 96x RS-232	16 / 32 / 48x RS-232
Max Port Speed	230,400 bps	230,400 bps	230,000 bps
Network Interfaces	2x SFP+ 2x ETH 1x Wi-Fi (optional) 2x Dual SIM LTE (optional)	2x ETH	1x ETH
Additional Interfaces	1x RS-232 console 2x USB 3.0 Type A 1x HDMI Output	1x RS-232 console 2x USB 3.0	1x RS-232 console 1x Micro USB w/DB9 Adapter
Environmental Monitoring	Any USB sensors	–	–
CPU	Intel x86_64 Quad-Core	ARM Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz Dual-Core	ARM 32-bit 500MHz Single-Core
Storage	32GB SSD (upgrades available)	32GB eMMC	4GB Flash
RAM	4GB DDR4 (upgrades available)	2GB DDR4	1GB
Power	Single or Dual AC Dual DC	Dual AC Dual DC	Single AC
Form Factor	1U Rack Mounted	1U Rack Mounted (up to 48 ports) 2U Rack Mounted (96 ports)	1U Rack Mounted
Data Sheet	Download	CM8100 1G CM8100 10G	Download

Console server hardware for mixed environments

Data center deployments that include a mix of legacy and modern solutions from multiple vendors benefit from console server hardware that includes software-selectable serial ports. This feature allows administrators to manage devices with straight or rolled RS-232 pinouts from the same console server.

Click here to compare the hardware specs of the top providers, or read below for more information.

Nodegrid Serial Console S Series

The Nodegrid Serial Console S Series has up to 48 auto-sensing RS-232 serial ports and 14 high-speed managed USB ports, allowing for the control of up to 62 devices. Like the NSCP, the S Series has a quad-core Intel CPU and upgradeable storage and RAM, supporting third-party VMs and containers for automation, orchestration, security, and more. It also comes with the same robust security features to protect the management network.

Advantages:

Includes 14 high-speed managed USB ports
Intel x86 CPU and 4GBof RAM for 3rd-party Docker and VM apps
Supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors
Extends ZTP and automation to legacy and mixed-vendor infrastructure
Robust on-board security features like BIOS protection and TPM 2.0
Supports 250+ concurrent sessions

Disadvantages

Only offers 1Gbps and Ethernet connectivity for OOB

Opengear OM2200

The Opengear OM2200 comes with 16, 32, or 48 software-selectable RS-232 ports, or, with the OM2224-24E model, 24 RS-232 and 24 managed Ethernet ports. It also includes 8 managed USB ports and the option for a V.92 analog modem. It has impressive storage space and 8GB of DDR4 RAM for automated workflows, though, as with all Opengear solutions, the upgraded version of the Lighthouse management software is required for ZTP and NetOps automation support.

Advantages:

Optional managed Ethernet ports
Optional V.92 analog modem for OOB
64GB of storage and 8GB DDR4 RAM

Disadvantages:

Automation and ZTP require Lighthouse software upgrade
No cellular or Wi-Fi options

Comparison Table: Console Server Hardware for Mixed Environments

	Nodegrid S Series	Opengear OM2200
Serial Ports	16 / 32 / 48x Software Selectable RS-232 14x USB-A serial	16 / 32 / 48x Software Selectable RS-232 8x USB 2.0 serial (OM2224-24E) 24x Software Selectable RS-232 and 24x Managed Ethernet
Max Port Speed	230,400 bps (RS-232) 921,600 bps (USB)	230,400 bps
Network Interfaces	2x1Gbps or 2x ETH	2x SFP+ or 2x ETH 1x V.92 modem (select models)
Additional Interfaces	1x RS-232 console 1x USB 3.0 Type A 1x HDMI Output	1x RS-232 console 1x Micro USB 2x USB 3.0
Environmental Monitoring	Any USB sensors	–
CPU	Intel x86_64 Dual-Core	AMD GX-412TC 1.4 GHz Quad-Core
Storage	32GB SSD (upgrades available)	64GB SSD
RAM	4GB DDR4 (upgrades available)	8GB DDR3
Power	Single or Dual AC Dual DC	Dual AC Dual DC
Form Factor	1U Rack Mounted	1U Rack Mounted
Data Sheet	Download	Download

Console server hardware for break-fix deployments

A full-featured console server solution may be too complicated and expensive for certain use cases, especially for organizations just looking for “break-fix” OOB access to remotely troubleshoot and recover from issues. The best console server hardware for this type of deployment provides fast and reliable network access to managed devices without extra features that increase the price and complexity.

Click here to compare the hardware specs of the top providers, or read below for more information.

Nodegrid Serial Console Core Edition (NSCP-CE)

The Nodegrid Serial Console Core Edition (NSCP-CE) provides the same hardware and security features as the NSCP, as well as ZTP, but without the advanced automation capabilities. Its streamlined management and affordable price tag make it ideal for lean, budget-conscious IT departments. And, like all Nodegrid solutions, it comes with the most comprehensive hardware security features in the industry.

Advantages:

Up to 48 managed serial ports in a 1U appliance
Extends ZTP and automation to legacy and mixed-vendor infrastructure
Robust on-board security features like BIOS protection and TPM
Supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors
Analog modem and 5G/4G LTE options available
Supports over 100 concurrent sessions

Disadvantages

Supports automation only via ZPE Cloud

Opengear CM7100

The Opengear CM7100 is the previous generation of the CM8100 solution. Its serial and network interface options are the same, but it comes with a weaker, Armada 800 MHz CPU, and there are options for smaller storage and RAM configurations to reduce the price. As with all Opengear console servers, the CM7100 doesn’t support ZTP without paying for an upgraded Lighthouse license, however.

Advantages:

Can reduce storage and RAM to save money
Supports OpenVPN and IPSec VPNs
Fast port speeds

Disadvantages:

Automation and ZTP require Lighthouse software upgrade
No cellular or Wi-Fi options
96-port model requires 2U of rack space

Comparison Table: Console Server Hardware for Break-Fix Deployments

	Nodegrid NSCP-CE	Opengear CM7100
Serial Ports	16 / 32 / 48 / RS-232	16 / 32 / 48 / 96x RS-232
Max Port Speed	230,400 bps	230,400 bps
Network Interfaces	2x SFP ETH 1x Analog modem (optional) 2x 5G/4G LTE (optional)	2x ETH
Additional Interfaces	1x RS-232 console 2x USB 3.0 Type A	1x RS-232 console 2x USB 2.0
Environmental Monitoring	Any USB sensors	Smoke, water leak, vibration
CPU	Intel x86_64 Dual-Core	Armada 370 ARMv7 800 MHz
Storage	16GB Flash (upgrades available)	4-64GB storage
RAM	4GB DDR4 (upgrades available)	256MB-2GB DDR3
Power	Dual AC Dual DC	Single or Dual AC
Form Factor	1U Rack Mounted	1U Rack Mounted (up to 48 ports) 2U Rack Mounted (96 ports)
Data Sheet	Download	Download

Modular console server hardware for flexible deployments

Modular console servers allow organizations to create customized solutions tailored to their specific deployment and use case. They also support easy scaling by allowing teams to add more managed ports as the network grows, and provide the flexibility to swap-out certain capabilities and customize their hardware and software as the needs of the business change.

Click here to compare the hardware specs of the top providers, or read below for more information.

Nodegrid Net Services Router (NSR)

The Nodegrid Net Services Router (NSR) has up to five expansion bays that can support any combination of 16 RS-232 or 16 USB serial modules. In addition to managed ports, there are NSR modules for Ethernet (with or without PoE – Power over Ethernet) switch ports, Wi-Fi and dual-SIM cellular, additional SFP ports, extra storage, and compute.

The NSR comes with an eight-core Intel CPU and 8GB DDR4 RAM, offering the same vendor-neutral Guest OS/Docker support and onboard security features as the NSCP. It can also run virtualized network functions to consolidate an entire networking stack in a single device. This makes the NSR adaptable to nearly any deployment scenario, including hyperscale data centers, edge computing sites, and branch offices.

Advantages:

Up to 5 expansion bays provide support for up to 80 managed devices
8GB of DDR4 RAM
Robust on-board security features like BIOS protection and TPM 2.0
Supports a wide range of USB environmental monitoring sensors
Wi-Fi and 5G/4G LTE options available
Optional modules for various interfaces, extra storage, and compute

Disadvantages

No V.92 modem support

Perle IOLAN SCG L/W/M

The Perle IOLAN SCG modular series is customizable with cellular LTE, Wi-Fi, a V.92 analog modem, or any combination of the three. It also has three expansion bays that support any combination of 16-port RS-232 or 16-port USB modules. Otherwise, this version of the IOLAN SCG comes with the same security features and hardware limitations as the fixed form factor models.

Advantages:

Cellular, Wi-Fi, and analog modem options
Supports ZTP for end devices
Comprehensive firewall functionality

Disadvantages

Very limited CPU, RAM, and flash storage
Does not support third-party automation

Comparison Table: Modular Console Server Hardware

	Nodegrid NSR	Perle IOLAN SCG R/U
Serial Ports	16 / 32 / 48 / 64 / 80x RS-232 with up to 5 serial modules 16 / 32 / 48 / 64 / 80x USB with up to 5 serial modules	Up to 50x RS-232/422/485 Up to 50x USB
Max Port Speed	230,400 bps	230,000 bps
Network Interfaces	1x SFP+ 1x ETH with PoE in 1x Wi-Fi (optional) 1x Dual SIM LTE (optional)	2x SFP or 2x ETH
Additional Interfaces	1x RS-232 console 2x USB 2.0 Type A 2x GPIO 2x Digital Out 1x VGA Optional Modules (up to 5): 16x ETH 8x PoE+ 16x SFP 8x SFP+ 16x USB OCP Debug	1x RS-232 console 1x Micro USB w/DB9 adapter
Environmental Monitoring	Any USB sensors	–
CPU	Intel x86_64 Quad- or Eight-Core	ARM 32-bit 500MHz Single-Core
Storage	32GB SSD (upgrades available)	4GB Flash
RAM	8GB DDR4 (upgrades available	1GB
Power	Dual AC Dual DC	Dual AC Dual DC
Form Factor	1U Rack Mounted	1U Rack Mounted
Data Sheet	Download	Download

Get the best console server hardware for your deployment with Nodegrid

The vendor-neutral Nodegrid platform provides solutions for any use case, deployment size, and pain points. Schedule a free Nodegrid demo to learn more.

Want to see Nodegrid in action?

Watch a demo of the Nodegrid Gen 3 out-of-band management solution to see how it can improve scalability for your data center architecture.

Watch a demo

The post Comparing Console Server Hardware appeared first on ZPE Systems.

Data Center Scalability Tips & Best Practices

Jordan Baker — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 17:25:32 +0000

Data center scalability is the ability to increase or decrease workloads cost-effectively and without disrupting business operations. Scalable data centers make organizations agile, enabling them to support business growth, meet changing customer needs, and weather downturns without compromising quality. This blog describes various methods for achieving data center scalability before providing tips and best practices to make scalability easier and more cost-effective to implement.

How to achieve data center scalability

There are four primary ways to scale data center infrastructure, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.

4 Data center scaling methods

Method	Description	Pros and Cons
1. Adding more servers	Also known as scaling out or horizontal scaling, this involves adding more physical or virtual machines to the data center architecture.	Can support and distribute more workloads Eliminates hardware constraints Deployment and replication take time Requires more rack space Higher upfront and operational costs
2. Virtualization	Dividing physical hardware into multiple virtual machines (VMs) or virtual network functions (VNFs) to support more workloads per device.	Supports faster provisioning Uses resources more efficiently Reduces scaling costs Transition can be expensive and disruptive Not supported by all hardware and software
3. Upgrading existing hardware	Also known as scaling up or vertical scaling, this involves adding more processors, memory, or storage to upgrade the capabilities of existing systems.	Implementation is usually quick and non-disruptive More cost-effective than horizontal scaling Requires less power and rack space Scalability limited by server hardware constraints Increases reliance on legacy systems
4. Using cloud services	Moving some or all workloads to the cloud, where resources can be added or removed on-demand to meet scaling requirements.	Allows on-demand or automatic scaling Better support for new and emerging technologies Reduces data center costs Migration is often extremely disruptive Auto-scaling can lead to ballooning monthly bills May not support legacy software

It’s important for companies to analyze their requirements and carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method before choosing a path forward.

Best practices for data center scalability

The following tips can help organizations ensure their data center infrastructure is flexible enough to support scaling by any of the above methods.

Run workloads on vendor-neutral platforms

Vendor lock-in, or a lack of interoperability with third-party solutions, can severely limit data center scalability. Using vendor-neutral platforms ensures that teams can add, expand, or integrate data center resources and capabilities regardless of provider. These platforms make it easier to adopt new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) while ensuring compatibility with legacy systems.

Use infrastructure automation and AIOps

Infrastructure automation technologies help teams provision and deploy data center resources quickly so companies can scale up or out with greater efficiency. They also ensure administrators can effectively manage and secure data center infrastructure as it grows in size and complexity.

For example, zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) automatically configures new devices as soon as they connect to the network, allowing remote teams to deploy new data center resources without on-site visits. Automated configuration management solutions like Ansible and Chef ensure that virtualized system configurations stay consistent and up-to-date while preventing unauthorized changes. AIOps (artificial intelligence for IT operations) uses machine learning algorithms to detect threats and other problems, remediate simple issues, and provide root-cause analysis (RCA) and other post-incident forensics with greater accuracy than traditional automation.

Isolate the control plane with Gen 3 serial consoles

Serial consoles are devices that allow administrators to remotely manage data center infrastructure without needing to log in to each piece of equipment individually. They use out-of-band (OOB) management to separate the data plane (where production workflows occur) from the control plane (where management workflows occur). OOB serial console technology – especially the third-generation (or Gen 3) – aids data center scalability in several ways:

Gen 3 serial consoles are vendor-neutral and provide a single software platform for administrators to manage all data center devices, significantly reducing management complexity as infrastructure scales out.
Gen 3 OOB can extend automation capabilities like ZTP to mixed-vendor and legacy devices that wouldn’t otherwise support them.
OOB management moves resource-intensive infrastructure automation workflows off the data plane, improving the performance of production applications and workflows.
Serial consoles move the management interfaces for data center infrastructure to an isolated control plane, which prevents malware and cybercriminals from accessing them if the production network is breached. Isolated management infrastructure (IMI) is a security best practice for data center architectures of any size.

How Nodegrid simplifies data center scalability

Nodegrid is a Gen 3 out-of-band management solution that streamlines vertical and horizontal data center scalability.

The Nodegrid Serial Console Plus (NSCP) offers 96 managed ports in a 1RU rack-mounted form factor, reducing the number of OOB devices needed to control large-scale data center infrastructure. Its open, x86 Linux-based OS can run VMs, VNFs, and Docker containers so teams can run virtualized workloads without deploying additional hardware. Nodegrid can also run automation, AIOps, and security on the same platform to further reduce hardware overhead.

Nodegrid OOB is also available in a modular form factor. The Net Services Router (NSR) allows teams to add or swap modules for additional compute, storage, memory, or serial ports as the data center scales up or down.

Want to see Nodegrid in action?

Watch a demo of the Nodegrid Gen 3 out-of-band management solution to see how it can improve scalability for your data center architecture.

Watch a demo

The post Data Center Scalability Tips & Best Practices appeared first on ZPE Systems.

Edge Computing Use Cases in Banking

Jordan Baker — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:35:33 +0000

The banking and financial services industry deals with enormous, highly sensitive datasets collected from remote sites like branches, ATMs, and mobile applications. Efficiently leveraging this data while avoiding regulatory, security, and reliability issues is extremely challenging when the hardware and software resources used to analyze that data reside in the cloud or a centralized data center.

Edge computing decentralizes computing resources and distributes them at the network’s “edges,” where most banking operations take place. Running applications and leveraging data at the edge enables real-time analysis and insights, mitigates many security and compliance concerns, and ensures that systems remain operational even if Internet access is disrupted. This blog describes four edge computing use cases in banking, lists the benefits of edge computing for the financial services industry, and provides advice for ensuring the resilience, scalability, and efficiency of edge computing deployments.

4 Edge computing use cases in banking

1. AI-powered video surveillance

PCI DSS requires banks to monitor key locations with video surveillance, review and correlate surveillance data on a regular basis, and retain videos for at least 90 days. Constantly monitoring video surveillance feeds from bank branches and ATMs with maximum vigilance is nearly impossible for humans, but machines excel at it. Financial institutions are beginning to adopt artificial intelligence solutions that can analyze video feeds and detect suspicious activity with far greater vigilance and accuracy than human security personnel.

When these AI-powered surveillance solutions are deployed at the edge, they can analyze video feeds in real time, potentially catching a crime as it occurs. Edge computing also keeps surveillance data on-site, reducing bandwidth costs and network latency while mitigating the security and compliance risks involved with storing videos in the cloud.

2. Branch customer insights

Banks collect a lot of customer data from branches, web and mobile apps, and self-service ATMs. Feeding this data into AI/ML-powered data analytics software can provide insights into how to improve the customer experience and generate more revenue. By running analytics at the edge rather than from the cloud or centralized data center, banks can get these insights in real-time, allowing them to improve customer interactions while they’re happening.

For example, edge-AI/ML software can help banks provide fast, personalized investment advice on the spot by analyzing a customer’s financial history, risk preferences, and retirement goals and recommending the best options. It can also use video surveillance data to analyze traffic patterns in real-time and ensure tellers are in the right places during peak hours to reduce wait times.

3. On-site data processing

Because the financial services industry is so highly regulated, banks must follow strict security and privacy protocols to protect consumer data from malicious third parties. Transmitting sensitive financial data to the cloud or data center for processing increases the risk of interception and makes it more challenging to meet compliance requirements for data access logging and security controls.

Edge computing allows financial institutions to leverage more data on-site, within the network security perimeter. For example, loan applications contain a lot of sensitive and personally identifiable information (PII). Processing these applications on-site significantly reduces the risk of third-party interception and allows banks to maintain strict control over who accesses data and why, which is more difficult in cloud and colocation data center environments.

4. Enhanced AIOps capabilities

Financial institutions use AIOps (artificial intelligence for IT operations) to analyze monitoring data from IT devices, network infrastructure, and security solutions and get automated incident management, root-cause analysis (RCA), and simple issue remediation. Deploying AIOps at the edge provides real-time issue detection and response, significantly shortening the duration of outages and other technology disruptions. It also ensures continuous operation even if an ISP outage or network failure cuts a branch off from the cloud or data center, further helping to reduce disruptions and remote sites.

Additionally, AIOps and other artificial intelligence technology tend to use GPUs (graphics processing units), which are more expensive than CPUs (central processing units), especially in the cloud. Deploying AIOps on small, decentralized, multi-functional edge computing devices can help reduce costs without sacrificing functionality. For example, deploying an array of Nvidia A100 GPUs to handle AIOps workloads costs at least $10k per unit; comparable AWS GPU instances can cost between $2 and $3 per unit per hour. By comparison, a Nodegrid Gate SR costs under $5k and also includes remote serial console management, OOB, cellular failover, gateway routing, and much more.

The benefits of edge computing for banking

Edge computing can help the financial services industry:

Reduce losses, theft, and crime by leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze real-time video surveillance data.
Increase branch productivity and revenue with real-time insights from security systems, customer experience data, and network infrastructure.
Simplify regulatory compliance by keeping sensitive customer and financial data on-site within company-owned infrastructure.
Improve resilience with real-time AIOps capabilities like automated incident remediation that continues operating even if the site is cut off from the WAN or Internet
Reduce the operating costs of AI and machine learning applications by deploying them on small, multi-function edge computing devices.
Mitigate the risk of interception by leveraging financial and IT data on the local network and distributing the attack surface.

Edge computing best practices

Isolating the management interfaces used to control network infrastructure is the best practice for ensuring the security, resilience, and efficiency of edge computing deployments. CISA and PCI DSS 4.0 recommend implementing isolated management infrastructure (IMI) because it prevents compromised accounts, ransomware, and other threats from laterally moving from production resources to the control plane.

Using vendor-neutral platforms to host, connect, and secure edge applications and workloads is the best practice for ensuring the scalability and flexibility of financial edge architectures. Moving away from dedicated device stacks and taking a “platformization” approach allows financial institutions to easily deploy, update, and swap out applications and capabilities on demand. Vendor-neutral platforms help reduce hardware overhead costs to deploy new branches and allow banks to explore different edge software capabilities without costly hardware upgrades.

Additionally, using a centralized, cloud-based edge management and orchestration (EMO) platform is the best practice for ensuring remote teams have holistic oversight of the distributed edge computing architecture. This platform should be vendor-agnostic to ensure complete coverage over mixed and legacy architectures, and it should use out-of-band (OOB) management to provide continuous remote access to edge infrastructure even during a major service outage.

How Nodegrid streamlines edge computing for the banking industry

Nodegrid is a vendor-neutral edge networking platform that consolidates an entire edge tech stack into a single, cost-effective device. Nodegrid has a Linux-based OS that supports third-party VMs and Docker containers, allowing banks to run edge computing workloads, data analytics software, automation, security, and more.

The Nodegrid Gate SR is available with an Nvidia Jetson Nano card that’s optimized for artificial intelligence workloads. This allows banks to run AI surveillance software, ML-powered recommendation engines, and AIOps at the edge alongside networking and infrastructure workloads rather than purchasing expensive, dedicated GPU resources. Plus, Nodegrid’s Gen 3 OOB management ensures continuous remote access and IMI for improved branch resilience.

Get Nodegrid for your edge computing use cases in banking

Nodegrid’s flexible, vendor-neutral platform adapts to any use case and deployment environment. Watch a demo to see Nodegrid’s financial network solutions in action.

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