Abstract: A remote access appliance (“appliance”)is disclosed which includes an autosensing subsystem that automatically senses when an Ethernet device or a serial device has been connected to it. The appliance then automatically configures one or more internal components to operate with the sensed/connected Ethernet device or serial device. When a serial device connection is detected, the appliance is further able to automatically detect which one of two different, predetermined pinout configurations is being used by the serial device, and to automatically configure one or more internal components to accommodate the detected pinout configuration.

Abstract: In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a remote access appliance for facilitating communications between a managed device and a user located remotely from the managed device. The appliance may have a processor adapted to facilitate the communication of keyboard, video and mouse information between the appliance and the managed device. A rack data unit (RDU) subsystem may be used which is adapted to manage communications with, and to receive sensor data directly from, at least one remotely located sensor located at the managed device, without the need to transmit the sensor data over a network. An interface may also be used for interfacing the appliance to the managed device.

Abstract: A remote access appliance (“appliance”) having a backup power subsystem for powering a digital rack interface pod (“DRIP”) that is interfacing the appliance to a remote device. The backup power subsystem may involve the use of at least one shunt regulator subsystem that is adapted to control backup power to the DRIP in the event the DRIP loses power from a USB port of the remote device while a session is in progress with the remote device. The backup power subsystem automatically applies and regulates the power available to the power pins on the RJ-45 port of the appliance to power the DRIP. In the event the DRIP is unplugged form the RJ-45 port of the appliance while backup power is being drawn by the DRIP, the backup power subsystem virtually immediately removes power being applied to the predetermined pins of the RJ-45 port of the appliance.

Abstract: A remote access appliance is disclosed for facilitating communications between a managed device and a user located remotely from the appliance and from the managed device. The appliance may have a processor adapted to facilitate the communication of keyboard, video and mouse information between the appliance and the managed device. A manageability subsystem may be incorporated for communicating with the managed device and collecting information concerning operation of the managed device, without the need to first transmit the information over a network.

Abstract: A digital rack interface pod (DRIP) that is able to establish a communications link between a remote access appliance and a server having a USB port and a video port, to facilitate a keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) session between the server and the appliance. The DRIP is also able to establish a communications link between the appliance and an Ethernet port of the server that is associated with a service processor (SP) of the server. In this manner the DRIP is able to route data from the SP of the server to the appliance as well as communications from the appliance to the SP Ethernet port of the server. The DRIP is able to intelligently determine which packets of information received from the appliance are intended for the SP Ethernet port of the server and routes those packets to the SP Ethernet port of the server.