managed USB switch

[tlemons]

Hi

We have a remote data center with only occassional visits from humans. There are several tasks that require us to use USB devices (ex., upgrading BIOS). Without a human to help, it isn't possible to insert a USB thumb drive into a server to upgrade the BIOS. I'd like to find a managed USB switch. This would allow me to connect a number of servers to this USB switch, connect a number of thumb drives to the USB switch, and then remotely use the switch management utility to 'connect' a port containing a USB drive to a port containing a server connection.

Does such a USB switch exist?

Thanks
tl

 

[58sniper]

Not that I'm aware of, but you can upgrade the BIOS in Dell servers from within Windows. Then it just requires a reboot, which could be monitored via DRAC or KVM-over-IP.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[mforrence]

Could you also just leave a thumb drive in all servers, and move whatever files you need to the drive via remote?
Mike

 

[Cyberprog]

Hi tl,

What I think you're looking for is a virtual media kvm. Avocent do several variations on this, and dell/hp/fujitsu and others re-badge their units. Scalable for lots of ports, IP access etc. Highly recommended, I have an HP one, though no VM SIP's at present, but will probably be buying some at some point.

Alex Threlfall
Cyberprog New Media

http://www.cyberprog.net

Telecoms, Networks, Hosting, Alarms, CCTV etc.