IBM C2T
Encyclopedia
C2T is an IBM
technology for KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) chaining.
C2T, built into some of the IBM's xSeries and Netfinity models, allows daisy-chaining
up to forty-two compatible server
s in a single rack. Servers are daisy-chained using a special purpose cable which is included with new servers. The final server in the stack is connected to a monitor/keyboard/mouse or a KVM switch
using a C2T breakout cable
, which provides PS/2 and VGA connectors. The breakout cable was once very expensive to purchase new. Knockoffs are now available for less than USD 30 online.
C2T works thanks to a chip in each server that emulates a KVM switch. To take control of a certain xSeries server in the rack, user needs to press Num Lock twice, "nn" (where "nn" is the number of the server) and then press Enter, or could also manually press the button on the front of the desired xSeries server. The theory behind C2T is to reduce clutter and save money as no KVM switch is required.
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
technology for KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) chaining.
C2T, built into some of the IBM's xSeries and Netfinity models, allows daisy-chaining
Daisy chain
Daisy chain may refer to a daisy garland created from daisy flowers, the original meaning and the one from which the following derive by analogy:*Daisy chain *Daisy chain *Daisy chain...
up to forty-two compatible server
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
s in a single rack. Servers are daisy-chained using a special purpose cable which is included with new servers. The final server in the stack is connected to a monitor/keyboard/mouse or a KVM switch
KVM switch
A KVM switch is a hardware device that allows a user to control multiple computers from a single keyboard, video monitor and mouse. Although multiple computers are connected to the KVM, typically a smaller number of computers can be controlled at any given time...
using a C2T breakout cable
Breakout cable
Breakout-style fiberoptic cable, often referred to as just "breakout cable", is basically several jacketed simplex fibers packaged individually inside one jacket. This differs from distribution style cable, in which several tight-buffered fibers are bundled together within the same jacket...
, which provides PS/2 and VGA connectors. The breakout cable was once very expensive to purchase new. Knockoffs are now available for less than USD 30 online.
C2T works thanks to a chip in each server that emulates a KVM switch. To take control of a certain xSeries server in the rack, user needs to press Num Lock twice, "nn" (where "nn" is the number of the server) and then press Enter, or could also manually press the button on the front of the desired xSeries server. The theory behind C2T is to reduce clutter and save money as no KVM switch is required.