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Partner Contribution • • 4 minute read

Partner POV | Building AI-ready resilient networks with serial consoles

In an era of AI-driven workloads and hybrid cloud systems, serial consoles emerge as vital tools for IT resilience. Offering secure remote access and streamlined management, they ensure uninterrupted connectivity and enhanced security, even during network outages.

In this article

  1. Why are serial consoles even more critical now?

Article written by Jonathan Heath, Director of Product Management, Vertiv. 

Today's IT environments need to support infrastructure spread across multiple sites, hybrid cloud systems, edge computing, and AI-driven workloads—all while keeping networks' uptime and security from constant cyber threats. The risks of failure are real. Managing these critical digital infrastructures can be overwhelming, particularly when faced with intricate configurations and the demand for 24/7 uptime.

To meet these challenges, IT teams need tools and strategies to facilitate continuity, even in the face of unexpected disruptions. One proven approach is leveraging serial consoles, which offer secure remote access, streamlined management, and enhanced network resilience.

Facing today's IT challenges

One of the most significant advancements in IT management is the concept of out-of-band (OOB) access, enabled by serial console technologies. OOB systems operate independently, unlike traditional in-band solutions that rely on the primary network. This independence assures operators that IT teams can access and control critical devices remotely, even if the main network goes down.

Here's how secure remote access enhances resilience:

  • Uninterrupted connectivity: Serial consoles provide a reliable gateway to essential equipment during network outages.
  • Streamlined incident response: IT teams can monitor and troubleshoot systems without onsite intervention, speeding up mean-time-to-repair (MTTR).
  • Enhanced security: These connections implement advanced encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized access.

Organizations empowered with this level of access experience reduced downtime and greater control over their operational infrastructure.

Figure 1. A serial console connects to any hardware or appliance with serial ports and more, and can reach each connected appliance or hardware even when the primary network is down.

 Why are serial consoles even more critical now?

Traditional IT management tools often fall short in addressing challenges brought on by sprawling systems: more devices spread across locations introduce inefficiencies and complexities— particularly during network outages—and access to critical systems is needed. The ebook, "Building a Resilient Network for AI Applications" dives into how serial console technologies can tackle common IT challenges, making them essential tools for modern decision-makers:

  1. Simplify IT management: Serial consoles address this by centralizing control, streamlining workflows, and enabling unified management of all connected systems. IT professionals can monitor, troubleshoot, and configure devices without being physically present. This dramatically reduces on-site visits, cuts travel time, and delivers substantial operational efficiency. Organizations operating in industries like healthcare, retail, or finance—where downtime has zero tolerance—can benefit significantly from this seamless approach to managing IT assets.
  2. Enable secure remote access: Serial consoles offer out-of-band (OOB) connectivity, allowing IT teams to bypass the primary network to access mission-critical equipment securely. This means troubleshooting and maintaining systems becomes possible under nearly any circumstances, whether during a network emergency or routine maintenance. Unlike traditional access solutions reliant on the operational network, serial consoles create an isolated pathway that maintains business continuity while mitigating security risks. This translates into greater confidence and control in turbulent situations.
  3. Boost network resilience: Integrating proactive management strategies powered by serial consoles means organizations can significantly enhance their network resilience. This technology improves MTTR metrics and minimizes downtime through rapid issue detection and resolution. For instance, a global retail chain that adopted serial consoles reduced troubleshooting time by 40%, accelerating its ability to respond to crises effectively.
  4. Preparing for tomorrow: AI workloads, hybrid cloud adoption, and edge computing are reshaping the IT landscape, and serial consoles are evolving alongside these demands. Offering compatibility and scalability for future-ready networks, serial consoles provide advanced automation features to facilitate tasks such as firmware updates, configuration management, and diagnostics to keep pace with growing operational complexities.
Figure 2. A comparison of the traditional incident response process (top) and the proactive response system through remote access (bottom)

As cybersecurity concerns continue to scale, these solutions can also equip organizations with advanced protections: encrypted remote sessions, MFA, and isolated management planes.

 Take action

No organization is immune to disruptions. However, what separates resilient networks from vulnerable ones is proactive preparation. Serial consoles are critical in boosting resilience by enabling quick recovery and resilient failover strategies, particularly in critical AI-ready infrastructures.   

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