| 1Q: What is the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
| A: Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition is the new LAN-only version of the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI, with new and enhanced features. It provides an easier and more cost-effective way to remotely access and manage Compaq servers. It has its own integrated hardware components (processor, memory, NIC Interface, virtual power button) that allow full access and control of the server, independent of the state of the operating system or server hardware. Through integrated remote graphics console support in the firmware, Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition provides seamless access to the server in full graphics mode, without requiring the installation of any software on host server and management client. By enabling faster response to downtime events, this board allows IT administrators to further reduce downtime and lost business revenue. |
| 2Q: What are the key features of Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
| A: Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition provides several compelling features that enable full access and control of Compaq servers located in data center or remote locations. The new features of the product are LAN-based remote graphics console with auto sensing of mode and resolution of server screen, virtual power button (remote power on/off), virtual floppy drive (remote floppy boot), and IP configuration with DNS/DHCP. The board provides support for many of the same features as the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI. These features include access to the Integrated Management Log and Event Log, Reset and Failure Sequence Capture and Replay, User Administration of up to 12 users, SNMP Trap Delivery to Insight Manager, and full integration with Insight Manager Console and Survey. It will allow access through any standard web browser, and can be setup using Smart Start, an integrated ROM-based Configuration Utility, and Compaq Remote Insight Board NT Configuration Utility. |
| 3Q: What are the key differences between the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI and the new board? |
A: Key differences are:
- Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition is a LAN-only version of the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI. It does not provide support for an internal or external modem.
- Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition does not have an integrated battery. When the server is powered off, it gets power from an external power adapter that is shipped with the board.
- Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition provides firmware-based graphics console support. Unlike the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI, it does not require Carbon Copy or PCAnyWhere software to enable graphics remote console.
- Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition provides a virtual power button to fully control the power of certain ProLiant server models. This feature is not available with the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI.
- Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition is priced significantly less than the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI.
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| 4Q: Why is the product called the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
| A: With the new PCI card, IT administrators can fully access and manage their server from a network client, even if the lights are out in the data center or remote server location. With this product, Compaq continues to deliver customer-driven innovations, such as integrated graphics remote console, DNS/DHCP, and remote power-on/off capabilities. |
| 5Q: Do I need to purchase any additional software, such as Carbon Copy, to access the graphics remote console? |
| A: No. IT administrators can access the integrated graphics remote console via a web-browser without purchasing or installing any additional software. |
| 6Q: How does graphics remote console work with Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition without any third party software? |
| A: A feature of Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition, not available on the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI, is the ability to remotely access the server in graphics mode without requiring the installation of any software on the host server or management client. This feature is implemented via embedded firmware on the board. This feature is completely independent of the server operating system and works even if the operating system is down. The firmware determines video mode and sends the graphical information to the client. The client side consists of a Web browser and Java applet downloaded from the board. The Java applet supports both text and graphics mode displays and seamlessly transitions between them as needed. The board supports 64 color and is capable to auto-sense server screen resolution, and adjust it in the browser. |
| 7Q: How does the PCI card get power without an on-board battery? |
| A: During normal server operations, the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition board is powered through the standard PCI connector. To enable greater availability and access, the product ships with an external power supply and cable. The PCI card has a DC-input on the I/O bracket for connecting the power adapter. When connected to the external power source, the board can be accessed even when the server loses power.
The external power adapter is designed to work in all countries, irrespective of voltage and connectivity requirements. In order to provide the correct power cord on a world-wide basis, the product will be available in three different part numbers (1 for North America & Japan, 1 for EMEA, and 1 for the rest of world).
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| 8Q: What is the virtual power button feature of Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
| A: A cable is provided with Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition that connects the board to the virtual power button circuitry on future servers. Using the browser interface, authenticated users can remotely control the server's power button. The power to the system can be turned on or off. This feature will also be available on ProLiant 1850R and ProLiant 8000. Future ProLiant servers from Compaq will also support this feature. |
| 9Q: Does the virtual power button feature gracefully shutdown the system? |
| A: No, the virtual power button does not perform a graceful shutdown of the system. It is designed to power off the server when the OS is locked-up. If the OS is still running, the server may be shutdown gracefully through Compaq Insight Manager, or by following the normal shutdown process via the integrated graphic remote console. |
| 10Q: Why is Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition so inexpensive compared to the current Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI and competitive products? |
| A: Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition is a LAN-only Compaq Remote Insight product. It does not have an integrated modem or battery, which results in substantially lower costs to manufacture the board. Compaq is passing these savings along to our customers so that the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition can be deployed in any server that requires remote access. We believe that remote management will play an ever increasingly important role in the data center as well as in remote server sites. So, we are pricing the product for volume deployments. |
| 11Q: How does Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition give me an advantage in managing my complex data center? |
| A: As the server density increases, management of data centers is becoming expensive, time-consuming, and inflexible. The low price and easy-to-use feature set of Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition (namely LAN connectivity, and integrated keyboard-mouse graphics console support) enable IT administrators to eliminate deployment of monitors and keyboards with every server, and reduce cabling complexity. Any standard web browser can be used to access the server in the heart of the data center with full control, eliminating the need to step into the data center. |
| 12Q: Can I manage my remote server using the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition if I don't have a WAN or LAN connection? |
| A: Yes. To use Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition for remote management of a stand-alone server, a modem gateway or a RAS account has to be configured to enable a dial-up to Ethernet connectivity to the server. For example, a RAS server could be used as a modem gateway. Alternatively, the modem or serial version of Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI can be used in place of Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition. |
| 13Q: Is the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition easy to configure? |
| A: Yes. Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition comes with an integrated graphics remote console support on the firmware, eliminating the need to use Carbon Copy or PCAnyWhere. The graphical remote console feature does not require any configuration on the server or client. A Java applet is automatically downloaded in the browser when the board is accessed. When viewing the remote server console, the applet will automatically switch between text and graphics mode. Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition comes with DNS/DHCP support that allows it to be used straight out of the box without any configuration. Every Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition will have its default name RIB_XXXXXXXXXXXX, where X represents the MAC address of the board's network adapter. This default name is printed on a sticker affixed on the board. The board also includes an expansion ROM-based configuration utility that is operating system independent and does not require F10 configuration. This utility can also be run remotely using Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition remote console feature. |
| 14Q: How does Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition lower my IT costs? |
| A: Expanding business is resulting in massive deployment of servers at distributed locations across the globe. IT staff remains limited and centralized. Attended operations for these distributed environments are becoming expensive, time-consuming, and inflexible. Accessibility to these servers is key to ensure uptime. Fast and efficient response time to downtime is required, along with the capability to diagnose-before-dispatch. The new Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition board empowers IT administrators with advanced remote management functions that enable them to reduce downtime risk, and gain business advantage. Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition also allows IT administrators
to simplify the management of dense data center environments, further reducing IT costs. |
| 15Q: What Compaq servers does Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition work with? |
| A: Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition is designed to work on all Compaq ProLiant and Prosignia servers that have PCI card support. The Virtual Power Button feature will work on ProLiant 1850R and ProLiant 8000, as well as all currently planned ProLiant servers. The product is not supported on non-Compaq platforms. |
| 16Q: How is Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition better than competitors' remote management cards? |
| A: Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition provides the easiest and most cost-effective way of managing remote servers than any competitive products. The low-price enables cost-efficient volume deployment into data centers and remote sites, allowing IT administrators to further eliminate downtime across their IT environment. Integrated graphics remote console support eliminates the need to purchase, install, and use third party graphics software, saving time and money. ROM-based Configuration Utility and DNS/DHCP support makes it easier to install and use the new Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition. |
| 17Q: Will Compaq continue to sell the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI product? |
| A: Yes. Compaq will continue to sell the modem and serial versions of the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI product. Those customers who require direct modem or serial access to their servers should continue to purchase the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI. |
| 18Q: Will Compaq add integrated graphics remote console or remote power-on/off capabilities to the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI? |
| A: No. Due to hardware design constraints, the integrated graphics remote console and remote power-on/off capabilities can not be added to the Compaq Remote Insight Board/PCI. If these features are desired, please purchase the new Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition. |
| 19Q: Can I access and use the Native Graphical Remote Console over a modem or low-bandwidth WAN connection? |
| A: Yes. Reasonable screen refresh rates can be accomplished through a standard 33.6K or greater connection. |
| 20Q: Can I access the new Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition product through a modem-gateway into my remote server site? |
| A: Yes. Although the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition only supports LAN-access, IT administrators can easily install a modem-gateway into their local LAN to gain access to the product. If there are multiple servers at the remote site, this solution would only require one telephone line to access all the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition boards installed at that site. |
| 21Q: Can I access the new Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition product through a Remote Access Server (RAS) into my remote server site? |
| A: Yes. Although the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition only supports LAN-access, IT administrators can easily use a RAS login into the local LAN to gain access to the product. If there are multiple servers at the remote site, this solution would only require one telephone line to access all the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition boards installed at that site. |
| 22Q: Does the new Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition support static-IP routing in addition to DNS/DHCP? |
| A: Yes. As a default, the new Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition will automatically attempt to configure the board IP address using DNS/DHCP. However, the customer may assign a static IP address if necessary. |
| 23Q: What is the Virtual Floppy Drive for the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
| A: The Virtual Floppy Drive is a new feature of the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition available through a free firmware upgrade. The Virtual Floppy Drive allows an administrator to remotely boot a server from a floppy inserted in a network client from anywhere on the network. By eliminating the need to travel to the server to insert and access a floppy, the administrator can more effectively manage the servers in his/her environment.
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| 24Q: How does the Virtual Floppy Drive work? |
| A: The Virtual Floppy Drive works by capturing and transferring an image of a floppy diskette over the network into the memory of the target server's Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition. Once a floppy diskette image is in the memory of the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition, the card simply redirects floppy read/write requests to floppy sectors in memory, instead of to the local floppy drive. Since the memory of the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition is independent from the server the floppy image remains available for use even after the server is rebooted or powered off.
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| 25Q: What is the process for using the Virtual Floppy Drive on the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
A:
Step 1: Insert a 1.44MB floppy diskette (Windows 95, 98, DOS) into any network client and create an image file with the Compaq Floppy Image Utility.
Step 2: Open a web browser and log onto the target server's Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition.
Step 3: Select Virtual Floppy Drive, select the desired bootable floppy image file, and then remotely boot the host server.
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| 26Q: What type of network client can be used to create a floppy image file? |
| A: A Microsoft Windows-based client must be used to create floppy image files. The Compaq Floppy Image Utility is currently only compatible with Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT 4.0/2000 operating systems. The Compaq Floppy Image Utility is available for free download at http://www.compaq.com/lights-out.
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| 27Q: Can floppy image files be re-used? |
| A: Yes, absolutely. Image files created with the Compaq Floppy Image Utility may be saved on a network drive and re-used at will.
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| 28Q: Can I re-create a floppy diskette from a floppy image file using the Compaq Floppy Image Utility? |
| A: Yes. You can use the Compaq Floppy Image Utility to recreate a floppy diskette from an existing floppy image file. You can also use the Compaq Floppy Image Utility to verify that the image file and a floppy diskette are bit-for-bit identical.
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| 29Q: What are some examples of using the Virtual Floppy Drive? |
| A: The Virtual Floppy Drive enables powerful remote capabilities such as Remote RomPAQ (ROM Flash) upgrades, Remote Diagnostics, Remote network-based OS install, Remote image load, and Remote virus recovery. Since the Virtual Floppy Drive allows an administrator to remotely boot a host server from any 1.44MB floppy diskette, the possibilities are endless.
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| 30Q: I recently purchased a Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition. How do I add this new feature? |
| A: Customers who have already purchased a Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition can easily upgrade their card with a simple firmware upgrade available at http://www.compaq.com/lights-out. The Compaq Floppy Image Utility is also available for free download at http://www.compaq.com/lights-out.
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| 31Q: I own a Remote Insight/PCI card, can I add the Virtual Floppy Drive feature? |
| A: No. The Virtual Floppy Drive firmware upgrade is only available for the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition.
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| 32Q: Can I access or use the local server floppy drive during a Virtual Floppy Drive session? |
| A: No. During a Virtual Floppy Drive session, the local server floppy drive will be temporarily unavailable. However, as soon as the host server is rebooted, the local server floppy drive will be re-activated.
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| 33Q: In the future, will I be able to remotely update the firmware of the Compaq Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
| A: Yes. The newest firmware now supports remote firmware updates for the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition. In other words, you will be able to remotely install and apply future firmware updates for the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition. Using the web interface you will be able to initiate and activate future remote firmware updates of the card anywhere on the network.
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| 34Q: Does the single mouse cursor feature require any software to be installed on the client machine? |
| A: Yes, to enable single mouse cursor in the remote console window, the Java 1.3 VM must be downloaded and installed on the client machine. When a browser running on a client machine connected to the Internet is used to access the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition (upgraded to firmware version 2.31), the browser will automatically try to download the Java 1.3 VM software. If the JVM 1.3 is not downloaded, the legacy remote console screen with two mouse cursors will be available. The Java 1.3 VM can be downloaded from http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/jre/index.html.
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| 35Q: Does the single mouse cursor feature require any software to be installed on the remote server system? |
| A: No, the remote server does not require any software.. The Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition installed in the server must be upgraded to the new firmware version 2.31. The new firmware can be downloaded from http://www.compaq.com/lights-out.
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| 36Q: Will the remote console still work if the Java VM 1.3 is not installed? |
| A: Yes, the legacy remote console will still work. The browser will provide an option to use the remote console screen with two mouse cursors. Compaq recommends that users install the JVM 1.3.
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| 37Q: On what browsers is the single mouse cursor supported? |
| A: The single mouse cursor is supported on Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
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| 38Q: What handheld devices are supported for accessing the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
| A: At present, Compaq supports the Compaq iPAQ H3600 handheld device only with the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition.
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| 39Q: How does the access to the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition from an iPAQ work? |
| A: When a browser accesses the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition, the client browser type is detected by the card. If the client is an iPAQ running Pocket Internet Explorer, specific content is provided that has been optimized for display on the small form factor screen.
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| 40Q: What features of the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition are supported on the iPAQ? |
| A: The iPAQ interface of the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition supports the following features: Virtual Power Button, Reboot Server Remote Insight Event Log, Integrated Management Log, Virtual Floppy Drive Status, Status, and SSL Security.
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| 41Q: What security is available when accessing the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition from the iPAQ H3600? |
| A: The Remote Insight Light-Out Edition supports SSL encryption (40 bit and 128 bit) with the Pocket Internet Explorer. The Remote Insight card negotiates an SSL session when a user attempts to login from Pocket Internet Explorer. If the login is successful with valid username and password credentials, the user is logged in.
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| 42Q: Will the remote console still work if the Java VM 1.3 is not installed? |
| A: Yes, the legacy remote console will still work. The browser will provide an option to use the remote console screen with two mouse cursors. Compaq recommends that users install the JVM 1.3.
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| 43Q: What is the Telnet lockout capability of the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
A: The Telnet lockout capability is a new security enhancement that allows a user with supervisor rights to configure the access to the remote console port. Three options are available:
- The remote console port is always enabled (default setting).
- The remote console is always disabled. A user trying to access the remote console will always be denied access when this setting is in place.
- The remote console is automatically enabled when a user initiates a remote console session, and disabled when user terminates the remote console session.
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| 44Q: What are the new Remote Insight Event Log enhancements? |
A: With the new firmware, the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition will log events pertaining to user actions. This will allow the supervisor to audit actions executed by an individual user. The following new events are supported:
- Successful and unsuccessful login attempts by users
- Successful and unsuccessful remote console login attempts by users
- Reset Server initiated
- Virtual Power Button initiated
- User settings changed
- Remote Insight Event Log cleared
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| 45Q: What is the new performance enhancement for the Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition? |
| A: Starting January 1st, all Remote Insight Lights-Out Editions will ship upgraded with the faster Intel i960 RD 66 MHz processors, at no extra cost. Any Remote Insight Lights-Out Editions shipped with the Intel i960 RP 33MHz version cannot be upgraded to the new processor. The new 66MHz version of the processor provides faster performance with the graphical remote console.
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printable version
