Out-of-band remote management station

Abstract

A management system for a computer data network comprises a remote management station connected to an analog communication system and connected to a device console port of a co-located computer device. The remote management station comprises (a) an embedded processor, (b) a connecting means to the analog communication system, and (c) a connecting means to the device console port. The remote management station is configured to detect a user connecting to or disconnecting from the device console port via the remote management station. The remote management station is configured for one or more of the following: (a) logging the user off the device console port when the user disconnects or is disconnected from the console port; (b) logging a previous user off the device console port before allowing a new user to access the device console port; or (c) monitoring messages sent to the device console port.

1 . A management system for a computer data network, comprising: 
 a remote management station connected to an analog communication system and connected to a device console port of a co-located computer device;    wherein the remote management station comprises (a) an embedded processor, (b) a connecting means to the analog communication system, and (c) a connecting means to the device console port;    wherein the remote management station is configured to detect a user connecting to or disconnecting from the device console port via the remote management station; and    wherein the remote management station is configured for one or more of the following: (a) logging the user off the device console port when the user disconnects or is disconnected from the console port; (b) logging a previous user off the device console port before allowing a new user to access the device console port; or (c) monitoring messages sent to the device console port.    
     
     
         2 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 1 , wherein the remote management station is configured to log the messages sent to the device console port.  
     
     
         3 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 1 , wherein the remote management station is configured to compare the messages sent to the device console port to one of more predetermined filtering criteria.  
     
     
         4 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 3 , wherein the remote management station is configured to filter the messages sent to the device console port based upon a result of the comparison to the predetermined filtering criteria.  
     
     
         5 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 3 , wherein the remote management station is configured to generate an alert based on a result of the comparison to the predetermined filtering criteria.  
     
     
         6 . A management system for a computer data network, comprising: 
 a remote network administrator connected to a data network through a plurality of separate, two-way means for connecting the administrator to the data network;    wherein a first means for connecting comprises an analog communication system and an analog connection means, and a second means for connecting comprises a digital communication system and at least one digital communication means;    wherein the analog communication system comprises (a) a remote management station comprising an embedded processor, and (b) a direct connection to the data network; and    wherein the remote management station is connected to a device console poll of a remote networking device.    
     
     
         7 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one digital communication means includes a network interface for reporting a status of computer equipment attached to the remote management station to a network management station.  
     
     
         8 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one digital communication means includes a network interface which allows for remote configuration of the remote management station.  
     
     
         9 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , further comprising a means for authenticating a remote administrator through use of the at least one digital communication means.  
     
     
         10 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , further comprising an internal means for authenticating a remote administrator.  
     
     
         11 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , further comprising a means for monitoring the status of the at least one digital communication means and a means for sending a status update through the analog connection means if the status changes.  
     
     
         12 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , further comprising a means for monitoring the status of the analog connection means and a means for sending a status update through the at least one digital communication means if the status changes.  
     
     
         13 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , further comprising an independent power supply.  
     
     
         14 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 13 , wherein the computer data network has a power supply and further comprising: 
 a means for monitoring the power supply of the computer data network; and    a means for sending a status update through the analog connection means if the status of the power supply changes wherein the independent power supply supplies power to the remote management station if the power supply for the computer data network has failed.    
     
     
         15 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , further comprising a means for remotely interrupting power to a device connected to the remote management station.  
     
     
         16 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , further comprising a means for monitoring connection attempts made through the analog connection means.  
     
     
         17 . The management system for a computer network described in  claim 6 , further comprising a means for selectively blocking connection attempts made through the analog connection means.