Server Interface Pod
Encyclopedia
A Server Interface Pod is a proprietary hardware
unit developed by Dell
and Avocent
. It sends keyboard, video, and mouse
signals over Category 5 cable
s, greatly decreasing the workload of managing normally bulky and expensive KVM cables.
One side of a SIP consists of either two PS/2
cables and a VGA cable or a single USB cable and a VGA cable, which are connected to a host. The other side consists of a female 8P8C (RJ-45) modular connector
which is connected to a KVM switch
via a straight-through Cat 5 cable.
A SIP can be interfaced via RJ45 cable directly to a KVM or through a "Dell Port Expansion Module" which connects eight SIPs to a single KVM port. This is useful for installing a single KVM into a multirack environment with minimal cabling.
Upon connection to the KVM the SIP will register itself, and the user can then allocate a name to the SIP, such as the server's name. This name is stored on the SIP, so if the KVM switch is replaced, reconfiguration of each SIP is not required.
Many of Dell's KVM switches are IP enabled, allowing users to remote control servers with a Linux
or Microsoft Windows
client.
Proprietary hardware
Proprietary hardware is computer hardware which is owned by the proprietor.Historically, most early computer hardware was designed as proprietary until the 1980s, when IBM PC changed this paradigm...
unit developed by Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
and Avocent
Avocent
Avocent, a business of Emerson Network Power, is an information technology products manufacturer headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. Avocent was formed in 2000 from the merger of the world’s two largest KVM switch manufacturers: Apex and Cybex Computer Products Corporation...
. It sends keyboard, video, and mouse
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...
signals over Category 5 cable
Category 5 cable
Category 5 cable is a twisted pair cable for carrying signals. This type of cable is used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet. It is also used to carry other signals such as telephony and video. The cable is commonly connected using punch down blocks and modular connectors...
s, greatly decreasing the workload of managing normally bulky and expensive KVM cables.
One side of a SIP consists of either two PS/2
PS/2 connector
The PS/2 connector is a 6-pin Mini-DIN connector used for connecting some keyboards and mice to a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it was introduced in 1987...
cables and a VGA cable or a single USB cable and a VGA cable, which are connected to a host. The other side consists of a female 8P8C (RJ-45) modular connector
Modular connector
Modular connector is the name given to a family of electrical connectors originally used in telephone wiring and now used for many other purposes. Many applications that originally used a bulkier, more expensive connector have now migrated to modular connectors...
which is connected to 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...
via a straight-through Cat 5 cable.
A SIP can be interfaced via RJ45 cable directly to a KVM or through a "Dell Port Expansion Module" which connects eight SIPs to a single KVM port. This is useful for installing a single KVM into a multirack environment with minimal cabling.
Upon connection to the KVM the SIP will register itself, and the user can then allocate a name to the SIP, such as the server's name. This name is stored on the SIP, so if the KVM switch is replaced, reconfiguration of each SIP is not required.
Many of Dell's KVM switches are IP enabled, allowing users to remote control servers with a Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
or Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
client.