Ports Menu and Forms : Virtual Ports

Virtual Ports
When Virtual Ports is selected, the following form appears.
Ports - Virtual Ports
The virtual ports form allows you to perform clustering of the console server units. The console server clustering is designed to allow a large number of serial ports (up to 1024) to be configured and virtually accessed through one IP address.
NOTE: Clustering only works for ports that are configured as CAS profile.
You can use one console server as the master to control other console servers as Slaves. The ports on the Slave unit(s) appear as if they are part of the master.
NOTE: Multiple IPDUs should only be connected and daisy-chained through the serial port of the master console server when you are configuring a cluster.
This section shows you how to define and configure the Slaves.When you click the Add or Edit button on the Ports - Virtual Ports form, the following dialog box appears.
Ports - Virtual Ports - New/Modify Port Dialog Box
The following table describes the fields available in the Virtual Ports New/Modify Port dialog box.
The first unallocated port number for the Slave. For example, if the master unit has 16 ports, ports 1-16 are allocated. The First Local Port Number is then 17.
The first TCP port number for the Slave. For example, if the master unit has 16 ports, the allocated TCP port numbers to the master are 7001-7016. The First Local TCP Port No. is then 7017. This is a virtual TCP port number.
Once you have configured the Slave console server and defined the cluster parameters, the Slave serial ports and the connected devices are accessible from the master console server under Applications - Connect - Serial pull-down menu.
To Cluster Console Servers or Modify Cluster Configuration:
Use this procedure if you wish to cluster console servers and add or modify ports.
NOTE: The console servers should be connected individually to an IP network. The units should not be cascaded.
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Go to Ports - Virtual Ports in Expert mode and click the Add button to add new Slave ports or click the Edit button to edit a Slave port. The New/Modify Port dialog box appears.
Ports - Virtual Ports - New/Modify Port Dialog Box
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To assign names to Slave ports in the cluster
Selecting the Port Names button on the New/Modify Port dialog box, displays the form shown in the following figure.
Ports - Virtual Ports - New/Modify - Port Names Dialog box
Use this form to assign a name or alias to the Slave ports in the cluster. Use a naming convention for effective management of the console server and the connected devices on your network.