out-of-band network experiences

Mon Nov 5 21:47:31 UTC 2001

On Mon, 5 Nov 2001, Michael Chang wrote:
> I would appreciate if you could share your experiences of settting up
> out-of-band management networks especially large # 50 - 100+ sites.
> Appreciate your experiences on the follwing and any other:

Most providers rely on dialup async terminal/console port access
as their out-of-band management network.  It is generally a terminal
server connected to the equipment console ports, with a dialup modem
for external access.

A few (very few) providers have a dedicated out-of-band management
network.  Generally a frame-relay circuit to a management hub/router
connected to the async terminal server and low-speed (10 meg) ethernet
port on some routers.  One problem with high-end routers, it is either
expensive (lost opportunity cost) or impossible to connect low-speed
circuits to high-end routers.

Non-facility based providers often purchase their out-of-band circuits
from a different provider than their primary circuits.  AT&T is a
popular supplier for out-of-band management networks. AT&T may not
be price/competitive for high-bandwidth circuits, but for 64k/128k
frame-relay management links, it may make sense.

Carrier/facility based providers tend to use their own facilities.  Yep,
facility based providers have cut their own facilities in the past,
including one provider which took their own NOC off-line for most of
a day.