Feature

Benefit

Compact form factors

Paragon II Main switches come in 1U to 2U form factors and can be rack mounted. The small form factor saves expensive rack space and makes it perfect for large data centers where space is at a premium. Reduced form factors minimize electrical consumption by lowering HVAC provisioning needs.

The Paragon II User Stations double as monitor stands and occupy minimal footprint on the desk.

Smart Card and CAC Reader capabilities

Paragon II Release 4.3 supports smart card authentication, enhancing security for both the private sector and government customers. A Common Access Card (CAC) / Smart Card reader is built into the Paragon II Enhanced User Station (model numbers P2-EUST/C and P2-EUST/C-GOV). As a result, Paragon II enables the United States Department of Defense and their affiliated agencies to easily comply with HSPD-12, maintaining high security during convenient KVM access of servers. Private sector customers who may also be implementing the use of Smart Cards will also benefit from this complete solution to safeguard their IT and business assets against identity theft, system hacks, and internal frauds.

The solution is easy to deploy. Existing Paragon II customers (or Paragon I, hardware version 3 customers) who wish to implement the new card reader solution may simply replace their existing user stations with the new card reader user stations. New Computer Interface Modules (P2CIM-AUSB-C or P2CIM-AUSB-C-GOV) are also required for this solution. Lastly, a firmware upgrade of the Paragon UMT switch and an update of Paragon Manager to release 4.3 are needed. New Paragon II customers will implement the complete solution without the need to purchase additional smart card readers.

Highly scalable architecture

The Paragon II switch architecture and the ability to cascade switches in tiers enables access to thousands of attached devices connected in a single logical deployment.

Stackable expansion units

Paragon II switches stacking unit allows expansion of each switch to attach up to 128 devices per switch with a single cable.
Stacking architecture simplifies cabling between ”tiers” by replacing pass through cables with a single expansion cable. These units save in rack space and HVAC costs.

A combination of two types of User Stations can be connected to a Main Switch

Users can choose any of the two types of user stations while connecting to the Paragon II; the switch simultaneously operates with the Enhanced User Station (P2-EUST) and the User Station with integrated IP access (P2-USTIP). The P2-USTIP provides users with remote access to their Paragon II-connected servers or IT devices.

CIM Technology

Computer Interface Modules (CIMs), with “keep-alive” technology, allow users to add, remove and hot-swap components without interruption to the live servers.

P2ZCIM

P2ZCIMs allow users to daisy-chain up to 42 servers on a single chain, occupying only one server port on Paragon II. P2ZCIMs offer a flexible and cost-effective way to expand the Paragon II capability.

AC Power: 110/220V Auto-Switching

Integrated power supply ensures proper power provision and system reliability.

2, 4, 8 or 16 non-blocked users

Paragon II provides two, four, eight or 16 users non-blocked access to connected servers using the regular User Station or the Enhanced User Station. With use of the Paragon II Dual CIM (P2CIM-APS2DUAL), user access is doubled – and with the P2-HUBPAC as many as 64 users can reach their desired targets.

Optional IP access with the P2-USTIP

Optional IP access allows up to two users to remotely access their Paragon II-connected servers from anytime, anywhere via a Web browser.

32, 42 or 64 server ports on Main Switch, expandable to 128 with Stacking Units

Paragon II comes with 32, 42 or 64 server ports on each Main Switching Unit. Some models can be used with Stacking Units and expand to 128 server ports.

Cross-platform and hardware independent

Allows a mix of servers such as Windows, Sun, Compaq, HP and UNIX to be connected to the same switch. Also allows serial devices to be connected with the use of Raritan’s AUATC adaptors.

High video resolutions

The P2-EUST provides video resolutions greater than 1920 x 1440 at distances over 1000 feet at refresh rates of 60 Hz, and 1600 x 1200 at distances up to 1000 feet at refresh rates of 75 Hz and 85 Hz.

Manual skew compensation

Users can manually adjust video clarity per server. Settings are saved in the Paragon database to be used the next time the user logs onto the system.

Automatic skew compensation

The new P2CIMs perform automatic skew compensation when used with the enhanced user station (P2-EUST), achieving the best video quality by adjusting for signal loss based on cable distance and varying cable types. Manual skew compensation will continue to be supported by older CIMs, and can be used to override automatic settings in the new CIMs.

Integrated power management

Provides a single, consolidated view and control of Raritan’s Remote Power Management Units connected to Paragon II. It automatically displays power strips and Paragon II targets on the connected ports. Administrators can monitor status and power on/off/recycle power to remote equipment including servers, remote alarm monitoring, HVAC and other critical data center equipment.

Paragon Manager Administrative Software

Paragon’s GUI software drastically simplifies management and monitoring of the data center by consolidating administration of attached equipment. With a single view of all connected equipment via the LAN, Paragon Manager lets you manage users by capturing and saving all system events for auditing purposes, push firmware upgrades via the network, associate power outlets to the connected targets and maintain system profiles.

Firmware upgradeability via network connection

Simplifies firmware updates by allowing the administrator to push upgrades out over the network and complete installs from the NOC – saving time and money.

Backward Compatibility

Paragon II is compatible with existing Paragon equipment, allowing for investment protection and continued ROI.

Event logging

Paragon Manager will allow you to save and store system events to an appropriate text file.

Raritan CommandCenter Secure Gateway Integration through the Paragon II System Controller

Multiple Paragon II switches can be managed centrally and seamlessly through Paragon II System Controller (P2-SC) and CommandCenter Secure Gateway (CC-SG). CommandCenter Secure Gateway provides a single sign-on for a consolidated view, and BIOS-level, click-and-control access to all servers and IT devices in the data center, reducing incident response time.

Ghosting

Saves users valuable configuration time by reusing the existing CIM channel name when CIMs are disconnected from the servers. Disabling ghosting enables a clean record in deployments where components are relocated frequently, allowing users greater freedom and flexibility.

System-wide Reset from the Analog User Station

Allows users to perform a system-wide reset of an entire matrix or a specific UMT from the analog user station without going to each switch to reset.

Screen Saver

In addition to the already supported Green Mode feature, a screen saver feature is provided.

Video Redirect

Allows administrators to redirect a server’s video signals from one Paragon II Enhanced User Station (P2-EUST) to another P2-EUST that is connected to stacked and tiered units, or separate Paragon II base units (requires Paragon Manager). Video Redirect is ideal for use in the NOC or training centers.

Multiple Video support

Multiple Video, also known as Port Following Switch, enables multiple user stations to simultaneously view the video output of servers that have multiple video ports (up to four). Channel / port association for using this feature is configured in Paragon Manager™. This feature is great for broadcast, video production, training and other applications where the sharing of video is needed.

Deko® Fast Action Keyboard Support

Enables the use of Deko FAK in broadcast production and post-production facilities.

IBM BladeCenter^® Support

Paragon II is now the premier KVM solution for IBM BladeCenter customers. Two new Paragon II CIMs have been created (USB and PS/2 versions) for connecting to the BladeCenter chassis.

Cortron Keyboard Support

A variety of military and commercial IT operations require rugged equipment to meet the environmental challenges they often face. As a result, military and commercial organizations routinely deploy Cortron keyboards to meet the demands of those environments. Paragon II supports Cortrons rugged keyboards, extending Paragons value to organizations that operate in harsh conditions.

Kensington Expert Mouse and Turbo Mouse Trackball Support

While supported on both Macintosh and Windows platforms, Kensington expert mouse and turbo mouse trackball products are very popular with Mac users, and rank highest among 3rd party peripheral vendors.