- Auto Ping Reboot capability
- IP Watchdog Timer Reboot capability
- Both in-band and out-of-band remote reboot switches
CPS designs and manufactures several different REBOOTING and/or AC POWER CONTROL products as well as unique supporting SOFTWARE. The product line is based on a modular concept that allows for basic everyday rebooting applications or you can mix and match the hardware components and software utilities to meet many unique rebooting application; far beyond the commonly available approaches.
BASE UNITS
It all begins with a BASE UNIT. These are the hardware components that connect directly to the target machines. One is required for each machine to be independently rebooted. In addition to the common practice of rebooting by recycling the AC POWER, some Base Units can PRESS the RESET BUTTON by connecting to the reset pins on the motherboard of a PC or push the POWER BUTTON on PCs with ATX style motherboards (see Resetting ATX Motherboard). Some can also open/close relays or interrupt a data connection that may also carry the power (PoE). The choice is made, by determining the type of RESET or Power Control that you wish to achieve.
Most of the Base Units also have some basic intelligence so they can be used for the basic economical stand-alone rebooting applications. Some provide an RS-232 interface for local control through a near-by PC and/or a phone line connection for remote out of band control (ARR, APB, IPC, IPN, RRU). Others, such as the Relay Box, RTO and the RJ Cable Assembly, always require an external Reboot Controller to tell them what to do.
REBOOT CONTROLLERS (x-RRC)
The Controllers are used not only to tell the Base Units what to do, but they also provide the type of remote access interface (phone-line or network). They allow direct user control of the Base Units and provide additional features such as:
- Direct ON/OFF/RESET control,
- Touch-Tone Phone-Line commands,
- Telephone Line Sharing,
- Programmability,
- Secure access,
- Network Interface, use any browser,
- Control screen.
If any of these are required, consider adding a controller.
Note that the Base Units with a serial interface (IPC, IPN and APB) allow your local PC to be used as a controller via its RS-232 port.
It can be remotely accessed over the network (see Serial Net software) or controlled by user written calls in addition to one of the AUTOMATIC SOFTWARE packages. See Software below.
To prorate the cost of the Controllers, consider the Addressable Base Units. Several of them can be connected to a single port of a compatible Controller and be selectively controlled. They connect to each other in a "daisy chain" fashion using standard RJ-11 phone cables.
SWITCHES
Some Remote Port Selection Switches that are listed under the Switch Category, can also accept power control commands for Base Units on the selected ports. These are TelCo based units that are primarily used to share phone lines by providing multiple phone ports at the remote end. The normal application is to switch to a specific port and turn a machine ON or OFF. Those switches that also support Base Units are also listed under this section.
SOFTWARE
CPS offers a number of FREE administrative and operational software products to control the Rebooting hardware. The operational software normally requires Base Units with RS-232 ports. If RS-232 ports are not available on the "Control PC", see the USB to Serial Cable adapter.
Some of the newer "Heartbeat" and "Auto Ping" software can run as an NT service at the remote locations independent of the WAN. They also have e-mail notification. See Software.
For a better idea as to how the Base Units and the Operational Software can be used together review the article Proactive Rebooting under Tech Tips. There are a number of diagrams.
Whatever your requirement, there is sure to be a product or combination to meet your need. Simply scroll through the following BASE UNITs, CONTROLLERs, SWITCHES and SOFTWARE products to find it, then click on it for further information. But, if you can't find it call 978-452-2299 and we'll find a way to do it.
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