LCM8 and LCM16 Local Console Managers

The 1x8 and 2x16 Local Console Managers (LCM8 and LCM16) are the next generation analog keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) console managers that provide enhanced local access, management, and security capabilities to Lenovo server environments.

The LCM8 has eight target ports and supports one local user, and the LCM16 has 16 target ports and supports up to two local users. Local video resolution can be up to 1600x1200 or 1680x1050 (widescreen). Two level tiering allows you to manage up to 256 servers connected to multiple switches from one local console. The following figure shows the LCM8 and LCM16.

Figure 1. The Local Console Managers: LCM8 (top) and LCM16 (bottom)

The LCM8 and LCM16 support Two Factor Authentication (TFA), a system where two different security elements are used in conjunction to authenticate to a server or desktop. TFA is an authentication process where a person proves their identity with two methods: something you know (for example, a password or PIN) and something you have (such as a smart card). Use of TFA is growing due to requirements by governments and other institutions with a high need for security. An example of a TFA device that the Local Console Managers support is the CCID-compliant Common Access Card (CAC) reader.

You can use the LCM8 and LCM16 with a Global Console Manager to provide network-wide remote access with out-of-band access to servers, network equipment, and other devices with serial configuration or console ports all from a single appliance. This unified approach improves staff efficiency by reducing the time required to remotely diagnose, reconfigure, repair, or restore servers and network devices and other hardware with serial configuration, management consoles, or both.

Ordering information is shown in Table 1. Note that when ordering with feature codes, use machine type-model 1754HC3 for the LCM8 and 1754HC4 for the LCM16.

Table 1. Ordering part numbers and feature codes

The LCM8 Local Console Manager includes the following items:

• An 8-port console switch
• Mounting hardware for an EIA space for rack sidewall compartment
• One 1U filler panel
• One 1.5 m C13/C14 rack power cable
• One RJ45-DB9F DCE adapter for use with the Setup port
• One RJ45-DB9M DTE adapter for use with the Modem port
• Eight terminators for daisy-chaining configurations
• Installation publications and warranty

The LCM16 Local Console Manager includes the following items:

• A 16-port console switch
• Mounting hardware for an EIA space for rack sidewall compartment
• One 1U filler panel
• One 1.5 m C13/C14 rack power cable
• One RJ45-DB9F DCE adapter for use with the Setup port
• One RJ45-DB9M DTE adapter for use with the Modem port
• 16 terminators for daisy-chaining configurations
• Installation publications and warranty

Each of the Conversion Option parts listed in Table 1 ships with:

• One Conversion Option (4-packs have four)
• Installation publications and warranty

The 1754 LCM Digital Activation Key includes the following:

• One USB key
• Installation instructions

The Local Console Managers enable you to share one workspace (keyboard, mouse, and display) across many target systems. The target systems are connected to the console switch via CAT-5 cables and the appropriate conversion option at the target end.

With server densities continually increasing, cable bulk remains a major concern for network administrators. The LCM8 and LCM16 switches significantly reduce KVM cable volume in the rack by utilizing the innovative conversion option cables and single, industry-standard CAT-5 UTP cabling. This allows a higher server density while providing greater airflow and cooling capacity. In addition, multiple target systems can be daisy-chained together using CAT-5 cables, and then all connected to the console switch using one cable, thereby eliminating a lot of cable clutter.

The 1754 LCM Digital Activation Key, part number 81Y2393, is a upgrade that turns the LCM KVM analog switch into a digital device enabling remote access to servers it is connected to. This device enables one remote user. The Digital Activation Key is a small USB device that is inserted into one of the USB ports at the rear of the unit. The following figure shows the Digital Activation Key. An LED on the end of the key shows its status.

Figure 2. 1754 LCM Digital Activation Key

The following table compares the two LCM console switches.

The following figure shows the connections on the LCM16 Local Console Manager. The LCM8 Local Console Manager has identical connections except it only has one local user port and eight analog rack interface (ARI) ports, whereas the LCM16 has two local user ports and 16 ARI ports.

Figure 3. Connections on the LCM16 Local Console Manager

Note: The above figure shows the rear of the unit. There are no connectors on the front of the unit.

Details about the features of the LCM8 and LCM16 are discussed in this section.

Two additional USB ports (for a total of four USB ports) are available for each local user, and devices plugged into these ports (for example, memory key, optical drive, and CAC reader) are visible to the target servers if a Virtual Media Conversion Option Gen2 (VCO2), part number 46M5383 is used. Note, however, that the VCO2 does not support chaining of target systems. (There is more information about virtual media in the "Virtual media" section below.)

For the LCM16, if the target server is currently in use, a second user attempting to gain access will be given an opportunity to force a connection to the device if their preemption level is equal to or higher than the current user’s level. If the user attempting to gain access has a lower preemption level, the active user will be asked if they wish to give up control to the new user (a timeout is also configurable).

Note: The KVM and USB conversion options are withdrawn from marketing.

Figure 4. Supported conversion options

The built-in memory of each connection option helps simplify the configuration by assigning and retaining unique server identification codes for each attached server. This integrated intelligence enhances security and helps prevent unauthorized access to a server through cable manipulation. The connection option is powered directly from the server, providing Keep Alive functionality even if the server is not powered on.

Supported video resolutions are listed in the following table.

Note that USB ports are assigned to a single virtual media session and cannot be independently mapped. This means you cannot map one USB device to one target system and another USB device to another target system.

Note: For smart card use, the target device must be connected to the console switch using the Virtual Media Conversion Option Gen2 (VCO2), part number 46M5383. Other conversion options such as the VCO are not supported with smart cards.

You can tier multiple rack console switches to enable access to additional servers. In a tiered system, an ARI port on the main rack console switch connects to the Analog Console Interface (ACI) port of a tiered rack console switch (see the Connections section for a photo showing the locations of these ports). Consider a tiered configuration if you want to manage servers connected to multiple switches from one central location. For example, you could have a primary LCM16 console switch with 16 switches tiered underneath it that all have servers chained to their ports.

The LCM8 and LCM16 support two levels of tiering. The use of virtual media and smart card authentication are both supported only when primary and secondary switches are LCM8 or LCM16 console switches.

The following figure shows an example of tiered consoles. The red connections are simply CAT-5 cables between an ARI port on the master and the ACI port of each secondary switch.

Figure 6. Tiered consoles

If there are local users attached to other tiered consoles, each can control target systems connected to that specific console. The local user at the primary console (Local user A in the figure) can preempt other local users if necessary.

The LCM8 supports up to 128 target systems and the LCM16 supports up to 256 target systems in a tiered configuration.

If the master switch is a Global Console Manager, GCM16 (1754D1X), or GCM32 (1754D2X), then tiering can also be used with the additional benefit of supporting remote network-attached users.

If you are using tiering and you have wish to enable remote access to the consoles using the Digital Activation Key, you only need the Digital Activation Key on the LCM that you are starting the session from. In a Primary > Secondary > Target cascade, a Digital Activation Key is needed on the Primary (master) console where you launch the session from, but it is not needed on the Secondary (tiered) consoles. You would only need to install the Digital Activation Key on the Secondary console if you plan to also initiate remote sessions from a Secondary console.

The LCM8 and LCM16 have the following specifications:

Height: 4.37 cm (1.72 inches): 1 rack unit (1R)
Width: 43.2 cm (17 inches)
Depth: 16.5 cm (6.5 inches)
Weight: 1.9 kg (4.2 lb)

The adapter is supported in this environment:

• Temperature:
  • Operating: 0° to 50°C (32° to 132°F)
  • Non-operating: -20° to 70°C (-4° to 158°F)
• Relative humidity:
  • 10% to 95%

The LCM8 and LCM16 have a three-year limited warranty.

For more information, refer to these documents and websites:

• Lenovo Press Product Guides for console switches and console kits:
  https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/kvm
• Local Console Manager LCM8 and LCM16 Installation and User's Guide
  https://support.lenovo.com/docs/UM103303