Linux offers the most robust solution
Linux itself is subjected to the rigors of truly open testing by the myriad of Linux developers and users around the world. This worldwide community can detect and respond to bugs, interoperability defects and security vulnerabilities more quickly and efficiently than would be possible in a closed proprietary environment. However, many vendors enwrap the open source software embedded in their appliances with intertwined layers of proprietary utilities, and applications software. And in so doing unnecessarily reduce both the security and the robustness of their offerings. These proprietary closed layers have not been subjected to the rigors of open testing by many eyes.
By wrapping Linux inside, they also deny their customers and users the flexibility and extensibility that can come with open source software and Linux. With only limited access to the source code, and no hardware reference designs, the customers can only reconfigure and customize their appliances to the extent the vendor wishes, limiting flexibility and reducing interoperability. Appliances can even be modified by the vendor so they can only interoperate with other appliances from the same vendor! So the end user effectively is delivered a proprietary closed solution, while the vendor gets to draw benefit from the open source software community.
Another advantage that comes from using truly open source software is that such software often foreshadows new industry standards. For example organizations such as VPNC use open source VPN software implementations as the test bed for all other vendors’ products. Again some of this benefit can be lost if the vendor has developed their open source solutions in too enclosed a manner.
An open approach
Opengear's mission is to develop and deliver truly open source Serial Console and Network Console management technologies and solutions. In addition the company is also committed to delivering open source hardware designs that will support this open source software. And to ensure the Serial Console and Network Console management software works seamlessly with other popular open source system management software. This end Opengear is a member of the Open Management Consortium.
Today's console and KVM management industry has been described as the archetypal proprietary fortress (a small open source core wrapped tightly with proprietary hardware, proprietary software interface and proprietary management software). However the okvm project is positioned to open this up, so developers are able at minimum cost to add serial console, network console and KVM management features to their own servers, and to freely develop their own console management solutions. Opengear will also provide support to enable new entrants to easily enter these markets. This truly open source environment should start to build interoperability - in an industry where, to date, not even the simplest cable is common between vendors!
Opengear's business goal is to leverage Linux and open source software so we extend the Serial Console and Network Console management frontier beyond the enterprise data center. Traditionally these tools have been confined to server farms and other high-density server arrays. By delivering an open source based solutions, we reduce costs to our customers, so they can now manage remotely distributed servers in a myriad of less dense replicated site circumstances that previously were cost-prohibited. These technologies now can be applied to campuses, retail outlets, schools, branch offices and a myriad of new replicated sites such as restaurant chains, drug stores, and supermarkets; and they can be affordably embedded in appliances. Also by building openly on a Linux and open source base, we offer the most robust secure solutions.
- To create a firmware image for the range of Opengear family of Infrastructure Gateway/ Console Manager/ Device Server products, download the source from http://www.opengearweb.org/
- The IM/CM/SD4000 and CMx86 solutions are all built upon the uClinux and okvm console management software. The SDTConnnector remote access client builds from the sdtcon SSH tunneling management tool. Source code is available for all this software
- For documentation and more download information refer Support: Downloads and Manuals
