Dsview 3 Management Software

Transcript

DSView 3 ® Management Software Understanding and Using Virtual Media 1 Ho w To Virtual Medi a Understanding and Using Virtual Media Overview The virtual media feature of Avocent® KVM over IP switches allows you to connect a USB device to a KVM switch and access it from the local port of that switch. Just attach a USB 2.0 CD-ROM or Mass storage device to one of the five USB ports on the DSR® switch and use that device as if it were connected directly to any computer connected to that switch. Users can view, move or copy data on a virtual media enabled USB device to and from any computer attached to that switch. Virtual media also allows you to remotely manage your system as if you were local to the server. With DSView® 3 software, the CD-ROM or mass storage device of the client computer can be connected across the network to a computer. Now, any computer in the DS series system can access and use the device as if it were attached locally! Advantages of Virtual Media With all the remote tools available, administrators still need to physically access data centers to load CDs, patch the OS and run diagnostics. Virtual media removes this limitation and adds advantages in three key areas. Management: Centralizes IT Staff Administrators can move data from a central location to a remote IT device. Down the hall or across the world - the transfer is as seamless as if the device were local. Leverage Expertise In a distributed IT model, virtual media provides the tools to leverage IT expertise. Skilled IT administrators can be centralized so remote sites no longer require a dedicated IT staff. Time & Travel Savings Virtual media eliminates the need for administrators to physically travel to the server. IT administrators can diagnose and solve remote site problems from the central office in record time. 2 Understanding and Using Virtual Media Cost Savings Less time, less travel and less need for remote IT staff all add up to reduced operating costs. Managers can spend more time on revenue-generating work and strategic issues. Security: Controls Physical Access Eliminates the need to enter the server room, lowering the risk of tampering or damage to the servers. Secures Access Protects the remote site from unwanted or unsafe programs carried in on removable media. Works with DSView 3 Software Supports all authentication methods and security features of the DSView® 3 management software. User: More Efficient Workday Without the need for onsite visits to remote locations, the IT staff can spend their time solving problems instead of traveling. Better Environment IT administrators can work from the convenience of their work or home offices - no need to live in the data center. Requirements Virtual media is supported on DSR1030, 2030, 4030 and 8030 switches. To take advantage of the virtual media feature: • The computer must be connected to the DSR switch with a DSRIQ-USB2 module. • The computer must be able to use the types of USB2-compatible media that you require in a stand-alone environment. (If the computer does not support a portable composite USB memory device, you cannot map it as a virtual media drive.) • The user or user group must have permission to establish virtual media sessions and/or reserved virtual media sessions to the target device. The virtual media feature allows the user on the client workstation to map local physical drives, ISO or floppy image files as virtual drives on a target device. You can have one virtual CD drive and one virtual mass storage device mapped concurrently. A CD drive or disk image file (ISO CD image file) is mapped as a virtual CD drive. A floppy drive (or floppy image file), USB memory device or other media type is mapped as a virtual mass storage device. Understanding and Using Virtual Media 3 NOTE: Virtual media can only be activated after a KVM session has been initiated and can only be mapped to one server at a time. The number of concurrent virtual media sessions available any single media device on each DSR switch varies by model. Virtual media is not supported in the DSR Remote Operations software. Sharing and Preemption Options Since KVM and virtual media sessions are separate, there are many options for sharing, reserving or pre-empting sessions. The DSView 3 software has the flexibility to accommodate the combination your individual system requires. • Locked - The KVM and virtual media sessions are locked together. In this mode, when a KVM session is disconnected, so is the associated virtual media session. • Unlocked - If the sessions are not locked together, the KVM session can be closed while the virtual media session remains active. (Please note: a KVM session is required before establishing a virtual media session.) A user performing a time-intensive task using the virtual media session, such as a software load, can establish a KVM session with a different target device to perform other functions while the software load progresses. Once a target device has an active virtual media session without an associated active KVM session, two situations can occur. The original user (User A) can reconnect or a different user (User B) can connect to that computer. • Reserved- Selecting this option in the virtual media dialog box allows only User A to reestablish a KVM session with the target device with an active virtual media session. Only User A can control this virtual media session. This option also prevents another user from preempting a session while the virtual media session is active. In reserved mode, the inactivity timer is also disabled. By using the reserved option in a tiered environment, only User A can access the lower switch and the KVM channel between the upper switch and lower switch would be reserved for User A when a virtual media session is active. • Not Reserved - User B is allowed to establish a KVM session, and then controls the virtual media session. User B cannot map or unmap the virtual media device since the mapped device is connected to User A's remote computer. Preemption levels offer additional flexibility of combinations. For more information on preemption see Launching an exclusive KVM session and Connecting to an existing session in the DSView 3 Online Help. The preemption modes described in those sections also apply to virtual media sessions. 4 Understanding and Using Virtual Media Using Virtual Media Virtual media can be accessed through two means, IP-based access through the DSView 3 software and appliance-based access through the OSCAR® graphical user interface. NOTE: Because of possible hardware limitations external to the switching system, some Virtual Media functions may be limited. See Virtual Media and USB 2.0 Constraints later in this document for further details. Virtual Media via DSView 3 Software The DSView 3 software provides an easy-to-use mapping dialog box to make any local removable media or mass storage device appear as a virtual media device on the remote computer. Virtual Media Dialog Box The virtual media dialog box manages the mapping and unmapping of virtual media. The dialog box displays all physical drives on the client's workstation that can be mapped as virtual drives. You can also add ISO and floppy image files and map them using the virtual media dialog box. After a device is mapped, the virtual media dialog box Details View displays information about the amount of data transferred and the time elapsed since the device was mapped. Reserving Virtual Media Sessions You can specify that the virtual media session is reserved. When a session is reserved, and the associated KVM session is closed, no other user can launch a KVM session to that target device. If a session is not reserved, another KVM session can be launched at any time by any user. In addition, when a session is reserved, the session cannot be preempted. You can also reset the USB2 IQ module from the virtual media dialog box. This action will reset every type of USB media on the target device. Use this option with caution and only when the target device is not responding. Access Modes for Mapped Drives You can set the access mode for mapped drives to read-only or read-write. Read-only mode restricts data flow to the mapped virtual media device. When the access mode is read-only, the user will not be able to write data from the remote computer to the mapped Virtual Media device on the client workstation. This is especially useful if a mass storage device or USB removable media is mapped and remote data copy is not desired. When the access mode is read-write, the user will be able to read and write data from/to the remote computer. If the mapped drive is read-only by design (for example, CD ROM drives or ISO images), the configured read-write access mode will be ignored. Note: The default setting for all virtual media devices is read-only. The administrator must change the appliance setting to allow for write access of the mapped virtual media devices. Understanding and Using Virtual Media 5 Encryption Level You can configure four encryption levels for virtual media sessions. Any combination is valid. The choices are: no encryption, DES, 3DES and 128bit SSL. The default is no encryption (no encryption levels selected). Configuring a Device for Virtual Media NOTE: Only users in the DSView 3 software administrator, appliance administrator and user administrator user groups can configure unit access rights. To change the unit access rights of a target device: From a Unit Views window: 1. To change the access rights for a single target device, click on a target device name. Overview will automatically be selected in the side navigation bar and the Unit Overview window will open. Continue to step 2. -orTo change the access rights of all devices, click the Rights button. The Unit Access Rights window will open. Proceed to step 4. -orTo change the access rights of selected target devices, click the checkboxes next to the target device names, then click the Rights button. Proceed to step 3. Figure 1.1: Unit Overview Window From the side navigation bar: 2. Click Access Rights. The Unit Access Rights window will appear. 3. Select a user or group in the User and User Groups list. 6 Understanding and Using Virtual Media 4. Select Establish Virtual Media Sessions - This enables the user or group to establish a virtual media session with the target device. Virtual media sessions are launched from a Video Viewer session. If you select this option, you also should select Establish Viewer Sessions. Before you can initiate a virtual media session, the virtual media feature must be enabled. You can assign any available session type access rights to a target device. Note, however, that if the managed appliance connected to the target does not support virtual media (such as a CCM), then the target cannot use it. If the target device is later moved to an appliance that does support virtual media, then the target can make use of the feature. Each access right is independent of other access rights. It is possible to enable virtual media session access to a supported target device, but not enable KVM (Video Viewer) session access. Since a virtual media session is launched from a KVM session, the user would not actually be able to open a virtual media session with that target device. The access right only indicates that the user is allowed to perform the operation; it does not ensure that the operation can be performed. Figure 1.2: Assigning Access Rights 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to change access rights for your remaining users or user groups. 6. Click Save to save your changes. 7. Click Close. The Unit Views window will open. If enabled, a KVM Session, Virtual Media Session or Serial Session link will appear in the Action column and a power control option will appear in the Unit Overview window. Understanding and Using Virtual Media Opening a Virtual Media Session NOTE: The following procedures are valid only on DSR1030, 2030, 4030 and 8030 switches connected with DSRIQ-USB2 modules. First you must make a KVM connection to the server on which you wish to access virtual media. To launch a KVM session from the DSView 3 software Explorer: 1. Under the Units tab, display target devices. Figure 1.3: Target Devices Window 2. Click the KVM Session link in the Action column of the target device you wish to view. Next you will need to map a virtual media device. To map a virtual media device: 3. Open a virtual media session from the Video Viewer toolbar by selecting Tools - Virtual Media. Note: The media icon can be added to the toolbar and a session can be opened by clicking on the icon in the toolbar. 7 8 Understanding and Using Virtual Media Figure 1.4: Accessing Virtual Media To map a physical drive as a virtual media drive: a. In the virtual media dialog box, click the Mapped checkbox next to the drive(s) or ISO image you wish to map. Figure 1.5: Mapping a Virtual Media Device b. To limit a mapped drive to read-only access, click the Read Only checkbox next to the drive. If the virtual media session settings were previously configured so that all mapped drives must be read only, this checkbox will already be enabled and cannot be changed. You can limit a particular drive's access to read only by checking the box next to the drive, even if the session settings enable read and write access. To add and map an ISO or floppy image as a virtual media drive: Understanding and Using Virtual Media 9 a. In the virtual media dialog box, click Add Image. b. The common file dialog box will appear, with the directory containing disk image files ending in .iso or .img displayed. Select the desired ISO or floppy image file and click Open. -orIf the client workstation's operating system supports drag-and-drop, select the desired ISO or floppy image file from the common file dialog box and drag it onto the virtual media dialog box. c. The file's header is checked to ensure it is correct. If so, the common file dialog box will close and the chosen image file will appear in the virtual media dialog box. This file can now be mapped by clicking the Mapped checkbox. d. Repeat steps a through c for any additional ISO or floppy images you wish to add. You can add any number of image files (up to the limits imposed by memory), but you may only have one virtual CD and one virtual mass storage device mapped concurrently. If you attempt to map too many drives (one CD and one mass storage device) or too many drives of a particular type (more than one CD or mass storage device) a message will be displayed. To map the new drive, you must first un-map an existing mapped drive, then map the new one. After a physical drive or image is mapped on the computer running DSView 3 software, it can be accessed on the remote computer. To display virtual media drive details: In the virtual media dialog box, click Details. The dialog box expands to display the Details table. Each row indicates: Figure 1.6: The Virtual Media Drive Details Window 10 Understanding and Using Virtual Media • Target Drive - Name used for the mapped drive, such as virtual CD 1. • Mapped to - Identical to Drive information that appears in the Client View Drive column. • Read Bytes and Write Bytes - Amount of data transferred since the mapping. • Duration - Elapsed time since the drive was mapped. To close the Details view, click Details again. To reset all USB devices on the target device: NOTE: The USB reset feature resets every USB device on the target device, including the mouse and keyboard. It should only be used when the target device is not responding. 1. In the virtual media dialog box, click Details. 2. The Details View will appear. Click USB Reset. 3. A warning message will appear, indicating the possible effects of the reset. Click Yes to confirm the reset or No to cancel it. 4. To close the Details view, click Details again. To unmap a virtual media drive: 1. In the virtual media dialog box, uncheck the Mapped checkbox next to the drive you wish to unmap. NOTE: It is recommended that the eject function from the computer where the device is mapped be used prior to unmapping the device. If the media is unmapped during a write operation, data could be lost. By ejecting the drive the operating system has the opportunity to perform pending data writes before the ejection. 2. You will be prompted to confirm the unmapping. Click Yes to confirm or No to cancel. Closing a Virtual Media Session To close the virtual media dialog box: 1. Click Exit. 2. On exit, if you have any mapped drives, a message will be displayed indicating that the mapped drives will be unmapped. Click Yes to confirm and close the dialog box or click No to cancel the close. Appliance-Based Virtual Media Connecting Local Virtual Media Virtual media can be connected directly to the DSR switch using one of five USB ports located on the switch: four in the back and one in the front. Please note that all five USB ports are assigned to a single virtual media session and cannot be mapped independently. NOTE: For all virtual media sessions, you must use a DSRIQ-USB2 or DSRIQ-USB2L module. Understanding and Using Virtual Media 11 To launch a local virtual media session: 1. Press Print Screen to open the Main dialog box. Figure 1.7: Launching a Virtual Media Session through the OSCAR interface 2. Establish a KVM connection to the server you wish to establish a virtual media session to by using the arrow keys to highlight the server name, then press enter. 3. Press Print Screen to re-open the Main dialog box. 4. Next you will need to map a CD-ROM or mass storage device. Click VMedia to display the Virtual Media dialog box. Figure 1.8: The Virtual Media window 5. Click to enable or disable the desired access options: • Locked - Synchronizes the KVM and virtual media sessions so that when a user disconnects a KVM connection, the virtual media connection to that server is also disconnected. 12 Understanding and Using Virtual Media A local user attempting to switch to a different server is also disconnected. Note: By default the KVM and virtual media sessions will be locked. This setting can only be changed by an administrator through the DSView software. Please see the DSView software online help for more information. 6. • Reserve - Ensures that a virtual media connection can only be accessed with your username and that no other user can create a KVM connection to that server. • CD-ROM - Allows virtual media sessions to the first detected CD-ROM drive. Enable this checkbox to establish a virtual media CD-ROM connection to a server. Disable to end a virtual media CD-ROM connection to a server. • Mass Storage - Allows virtual media sessions to the first detected mass storage drive. Enable this checkbox to establish a virtual media mass storage connection to a server. Disable to end a virtual media mass storage connection to a server. • Write Access - Allows a target server to write data to the virtual media during a virtual media session. Read access is always allowed during a virtual media session. The default setting is read only. This setting can only be changed by an appliance administrator using DSView 3 software. Click OK to accept the options you have selected and return to the Setup dialog box. Understanding and Using Virtual Media 13 Virtual Media and USB 2.0 Constraints The virtual media feature of Avocent KVM switches allows users to not only connect to the keyboard, monitor and mouse of an attached computer, but the USB port as well. With this feature, a user located at the switch or using the remote software can extend a local USB device such as a USB CD-ROM or USB flash drive to an attached computer. The USB 2.0 IQ is a composite device that addresses 4 functions: keyboard, mouse, CD-ROM drive and mass storage device. The CD-ROM drive and mass storage device will be present on the target device whether or not a virtual media session is mapped. If a device is not mapped, it is shown without media present. When a virtual media device is mapped to the target device, the target device will be notified that media has been inserted. When the device is unmapped, the target device will be notified that the media was removed. Thus, the USB virtual device is not "unplugged" from the target device. Since the DSRIQ-USB2 IQ presents the keyboard and mouse as a composite USB 2.0 device, the BIOS must support composite USB 2.0 Human Interface Devices (HID). If the BIOS of the connected computer does not support this type of device, the keyboard and mouse may not work until the operating system loads USB 2.0 drivers. If this occurs, there may be a BIOS update provided by the computer manufacturer that will provide BIOS support for a USB 2.0 connected keyboard and mouse. Booting a Computer Via Virtual Memory In many cases the virtual media feature can even boot an attached computer from a device attached to the USB port on the switch. While virtually any computer with a USB port can utilize virtual media, limitations inherent in some BIOS sets and USB devices may prevent it from booting from a USB device attached to the switch. Booting from an Avocent virtual USB device is dependant on the target device supporting booting from an external composite USB device. It also requires a CD of the operating system that supports external USB 2.0 booting. The distribution disks of the following operating systems are built to boot from an external USB 2.0 device: • Windows Server 2003 • Windows XP • Windows 2000 Server with Service Pack 4 (SP4) or higher NOTE: This list may not be exhaustive, but does represent OS distributions that have been tested with target computers that support USB 2.0 composite device boot. To determine if your computer can be booted from virtual media: 1. Connect a USB CD-ROM to the DSR appliance with an OS distribution disk that is bootable and map it to the target device. Reboot the target device to determine if it will boot from this attached CD. Note: the BIOS may need to be set to boot from an external USB device. 14 Understanding and Using Virtual Media 2. If the target device will not boot, connect the USB CD-ROM drive to a USB port on the target device and reboot the target device. If the target device successfully boots from the CD-ROM drive, the BIOS is not supporting booting from a composite USB 2.0 device. Check the support site from the target device manufacturer to determine if a later BIOS is available that may support booting from a composite USB 2.0 device. If so, update the BIOS and retry. 3. At this point, the target device is not capable of booting from an external USB 2.0 device. The following steps can be tried to remotely boot this target device: 4. Some BIOS versions provide an option to limit USB speeds. If this option is available to you, change the USB port setting to “USB 1.1” or “Full Speed” mode and try booting again 5. Insert a USB 1.1 card and try booting again 6. Insert a USB 1.1 Hub between the DSRIQ and the target device and try booting again 7. Contact the manufacturer of the target device for information on availability or plans of a BIOS revision that will support booting from a composite USB 2.0 device. Virtual Media Restrictions 1. The DSR virtual media appliances only support connection of USB 2.0 FLASH drives and CD-ROM drives 2. The DSView 3 software version 3.1 client will not support mapping of multi-session CDR on the client workstation. If using a multi-session CDR, the session must be finalized and closed prior to using it with DSView 3 software. 3. The DSView 3 software version 3.1 client will only support mapping of USB 2.0 FLASH drives connected to the client workstation. 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