Enabling Secure, Real-Time Management of Irrigation Resources

Challenge:

The customer – a Fortune 500 organization, who is in the business of theme parks, with thousands of acres of plants, grass, and other horticulture that needs specific watering on a very timely schedule. Irrigation controllers are scattered throughout the property. Some can be reached by wire, and others cannot. The proprietary irrigation software resides on a single PC in the data center, but needs bi-directional access to each irrigation controller.

Historically, for connectivity, the application supports a “modem” to dial the irrigation controller at the remote location. As phones have gone digital, and switchboards have moved on property, the POTS line is no longer available or expensive. Could Lantronix provide a more cost effective solution that was reliable and scalable?

Key Requirements:

	Solution must be scalable – capable of handling the existing multiple irrigation controller locations and able to accommodate rapid expansion of additional locations
	Ease-of-implementation was critical
	Ease-of-integration with each the office’s unique software
	Remote access, control and device management
	Highest levels of encryption and security to ensure data assets are protected over Wi-Fi® utilizing EAP-TLS enterprise level security

The Solution: Lantronix PremierWave XN – Wireless Device Server

The Lantronix PremierWave XN – a solution for distributed control environments – was an ideal solution for the customer, whose business model requires the need to manage hundreds of irrigation controllers with thousands of sprinklers. Without changes to the application software, and Lantronix modem emulation, the centralized PC can contact each controller (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet), access the appropriate weather conditions, build the watering program, and download it to the controller without making an on-site visit.

PremierWave XN Application: Wireless Device Server

Results:

	Rapid deployment – the set-up and configuration of the PremierWave XN was done in a matter of minutes and the centralized solution was up and running within days
	Customer can remotely manage and control all irrigation controllers either over Ethernet or Wi-Fi
	The PremierWave XN solution overall resulted in reduced operating costs, improved horticulture watering program times and the ability to change the watering program “on the fly” as the plantings change.

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About the Lantronix PremierWave XN

PremierWave XN is a multi-port application server that offers high performance Ethernet or Wireless connectivity for remote access and easy management of machines or equipment over the network and across the Internet.

PremierWave XN Key Benefits:

	Increased wireless speed, improved reliability and extended transmission range with dualband (2.4/5 GHz) 802.11 a/b/g/n
	Lantronix SmartRoam™ technology provides seamless mobile connectivity and improved reliability
	Enterprise-level security options including AES, SSL, SSH and EAP for data encryption and authentication
	Simple device set-up, configuration and monitoring with powerful, industry-standard management tools (Web, CLI, XML), Lantronix DeviceInstaller, QuickConnect, and WPS support

Lantronix PremierWave XN device server is now available through lantronix.com.

Reducing Downtime and IT Support Costs for Retail and Branch Offices

Challenge:

The customer – a Fortune 500 organization with hundreds of branch offices and retail locations required a secure, robust, yet easy-to-implement and use solution for managing IT equipment across all of its branch office locations.

Historically, for every IT issue (server maintenance, system crash, router troubleshooting, etc.) the customer deployed IT technicians from a central hub to each branch location – a solution that was not only inefficient in terms of response time, but expensive in hard and soft costs. Could Lantronix provide a more cost effective, centralized solution that was reliable and scalable?

Key Requirements:

	Solution must be scalable – capable of handling the existing hundreds of locations, and able to accommodate rapid expansion of additional locations
	Ease-of-implementation was critical
	Ease-of-integration with each brand office’s unique environment and variety of IT equipment
	Remote monitoring, device management and power management
	Highest levels of encryption and security to ensure data assets are protected

The Solution: Lantronix SLB – Secure Branch Office Manager

The Lantronix SLB – a consolidated hybrid management solution for distributed IT environments – was an ideal solution for the customer, whose business model requires the need to manage hundreds of branch offices with thousands of pieces of IT equipment, yet cannot support on-site IT staff.

Lantronix SLB – Application: Remote Monitoring and Management of Branch Offices

Results?

	Rapid deployment – the set-up and configuration of the SLB was done in a matter of minutes and the centralized management solution was up and running within days
	Customer can remotely manage all IT equipment – including ability to cycle power remotely (On/Off/Reboot), with no loss of power downstream during power switching
	Customer virtually eliminated “truck rolls” (IT technician deployment) to all branch locations for IT equipment management
	The SLB solution overall resulted in reduced operating costs, improved response time and service quality for all IT issues

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About the Lantronix SLB

Built specifically for the branch office – The Lantronix SLB is ideal for locations with a handful of servers and/or networked devices and where there is little or no on-site IT staff, such as branch offices or campus environments. The SLB supports a variety of industries including banking, finance, insurance, healthcare, retail sales, hospitality and education. It delivers secure remote console and power management (on/off/reboot) for up to eight devices. A total out-of-band solution, the SLB enables administrators to centrally monitor, manage and troubleshoot IT equipment even if the network or Internet is down.

SLB Key Benefits:

	Compact hybrid design to meet the unique needs of remote branch office environments
	Integrated secure console management (8 serial ports), remote power management (8 switching power outlets) and dual AC power inlets for redundancy and failover
	Automatic power source switchover
	Per outlet current measurement for energy monitoring
	Front LCD and keypad allows for quick network set-up and easy deployment
	Highest levels of encryption and security
	Centralized management integration with Lantronix vSLM and ConsoleFlow management software

Lantronix SLB secure branch office manager is now available through lantronix.com.

Reliable, Remote Server Management That Works From Anywhere

Challenge:

The customer – a leading provider of on-demand IT infrastructure solutions, hosting more than 22,000 small and medium-sized businesses and 3.1 million web sites worldwide. By offering the best choice of servers, software tools and world-class support, all backed by state-of-the-art facilities and unmatched network connectivity, this company helps turn information technology into a powerful competitive advantage that enables its customers to successfully grow their businesses.

Upon reviewing results from one of the company’s regularly scheduled customer feedback polls – an ongoing practice for continuous improvement – They found one of the top requests from its customers was the ability to add remote KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) management capabilities to their servers.

Recognizing this important customer request, the company’s technology team began to investigate ways to quickly and affordably add this capability to the company’s product catalogue. They were soon presented with a major issue: in a hosting center environment loaded with different servers, it is difficult to separate individual customer ports to diagnose a problem over the network with regard to BIOS or other operating system issues. The team realized they needed a single-port solution that allowed them to buy “per port.” However, typical KVM solutions on the market were high-port count and too costly for customers. Could Lantronix provide a more cost-effective, reliable remote server management?

Key Requirements:

	Solution must be scalable and cost-effective to handle the growing amount of equipment that requires monitoring
	Ease-of-implementation was critical
	Remote access and control for distributed server equipment from a central point of access
	Flexibility of KVM providing non-blocked, single-port access to servers over IP

The Solution: Lantronix Spider – Flexible and Scalable KVM-over-IP Solution

After reviewing traditional KVM solutions that did not meet their specific needs, the company discovered Lantronix Spider. In addition to providing the secure, KVM-over-IP access they needed, the Lantronix Spider offered a flexible, scalable and affordable CAT5-based remote access solution in a cable-friendly, compact, “zero-foot print” package.

A single-port device, the Lantronix Spider allowed the company to add remote IP users one server port at a time, which provided the company with the most cost-effective and scalable solution for its customers. This one feature alone made the Lantronix Spider a stand-out winner for meeting the company’s challenges. Additionally, the KVM solution provided hands-on access to remotely diagnose attached servers and perform a number of administrative tasks such as software installations from one central location.

Lantronix Spider Application – Distributed KVM Access

Results:

	Improved customer responsiveness and service to increase customer base
	New revenue stream for the company
	Capability for system administrators to remotely install additional software and virtually manage everything from the operating system up
	Ability of adding one port per server makes their service cost effective and flexible for their wide variety of customers
	The company now uses Spiders as an extension of its internal technical support staff, adding additional value to the company’s resources
	Ensures both the company and its customers’ IT assets are constantly up and running

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About the Lantronix Spider

Lantronix Spider Distributed KVM – a whole new concept of KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) access and control. Lantronix Spider provides secure, non-blocked BIOS-level access over IP to servers that’s guaranteed … no matter how many administrators need access. With built-in SwitchPort+ Ethernet switching technology, Spider eliminates the barriers of analog CAT5 KVM switches. Equipment can be distributed remotely and managed over an IP network or the Internet! This makes the Lantronix Spider perfect for branch offices, campus or multi-floor environments and small/medium sized businesses – basically anywhere servers are spread out in different locations.

Lantronix Spider Key Benefits:

	Incredibly low “cost-per-remote-user” server management solution
	Secure, full BIOS-level control of servers over an IP network
	Full KVM switch in a “Zero U” form factor-takes up no rack space
	Compact server-powered design – no external power supply required
	Cost-effective, “add-as-you-grow” scalability by daisy-chaining multiple units

Lantronix Solutions Help Ensure that Broadcasting Company Data Center Stays On Top of Its Game

Challenge:

A large broadcasting company deployed the Lantronix SLC 8000 console managers in their data centers to provide a robust infrastructure management solution at each of their geographic sites. Conscious of their need to provide service at all times, the customer was forced to consider a robust and effective cellular out-of-band management solution which would provide an uninterrupted alternative route for control of their equipment.

The customer was particularly worried about access to their key infrastructure and data equipment in the event of a denial of service attack on the Internet.

The console ports of all equipment were already conveniently aggregated by using the Lantronix SLC 8000 console manager which could be used as an efficient gateway to any particular site and its device. It was now just a question of choosing the right complementary solution to allow the engineers and network administrators to remotely access the console manager potentially from anywhere in the world during an unprecedented network outage.

Could Lantronix provide an ideal remote cellular access solution that would give users the ability to securely and remotely access the console manager and hence its connected data center equipment?

Key Requirements:

• Instant access to the console port of any piece of equipment within a local data center
• Availability and control are top priorities even if there is a DOA attack
• Must make full use of the audit log tracking features of the Lantronix SLC 8000 unit
• Simple
• Reliable
• Cost effective

The Solution:
Lantronix SLC 8000 and PremierWave XC Cellular Unit

In order to meet their customer’s needs, the customer incorporated the Lantronix PremierWave XC cellular unit at each key site as an added solution to each SLC 8000 Advanced Console Manager. Having set up a GSM cellular connection to the main administrator port on the front panel of the SLC 8000 unit provided direct access. Administrators now have Command Line level access for debugging, rebooting any piece of equipment attached to the console manager even in the event of a denial of service attack on their network.

Lantronix PremierWave XC Application: Cellular Out-of-Band Management

Results:

• Engineers and administrators could provide 24/7 support for the data network infrastructure system for resilient operations
• Audit logs were maintained without losses as per corporate guidelines
• Response times were significantly improved

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About the Lantronix PremierWave XC

High Performance, GPRS, Linux-Based Application/Device Server that offers Ethernet or GSM/GPRS connectivity for remote access and easy management of machines and equipment over the network and across the Internet.

Lantronix PremierWave XC Key Benefits:

• Dual connectivity offers flexibility and redundancy
• Provides network connectivity to virtually any device with a serial port
• Simple device set-up, configuration and monitoring with powerful, industry-standard management tools (Web, CLI, XML)

Learn More about the PremierWave XC

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About the Lantronix SLC 8000

Future Proof Your Secure Out-Of-Band Management Solution

The Lantronix SLC 8000 advanced console manager is the industry’s first modular console server that provides secure remote access to IT equipment, while reducing deployment costs and time.

SLC 8000 Key Benefits:

• Reduces downtime and increases efficiency with anytime, anywhere access to IT equipment
• Enables custom “mix-and-match” configurations with USB and RS-232 modules
• Simplifies service deployments and balances CAPEX and OPEX with its modular design
• In-band (Ethernet) and out-of-band access (dial-in/out via modem, as well as cellular: PremierWave XC HSPA+ and 4G LTE with newly available LTE connectivity kit)
• Front LCD and keypad allows for quick network set-up and easy deployment
• Protects management interfaces with authentication and FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption
• Centralized management integration with the Lantronix vSLM and ConsoleFlow management software