subject: Out Of Band Management [print this page] Information technology administrators must constantly be monitoring their servers and other data equipment to ensure that no errors or feedback or technical problems arise. One of the most practical means of upkeep on IT devices is through out of band management, a system in which a specific channel is created to link together various servers for an administrator's review. In contrast to in band management, which relies upon tapping into data systems for updates, an out of band structure uses an original source so that issues with the data channels themselves will not affect the overall monitoring or upgrading process. If an administrator needs access to a channel for technical reasons, the out of band system does not require them to risk any other equipment or data lines by direct link to a faulty channel. As such, more and more IT services use the out of band system for security and repair.
The first out of band management was developed in the 1980s when Ethernet ports became available to servers, allowing information to be passed on without direct transfers (such as disks or CDs). As more and more computer companies realized the promise and security of being able to interact with a modem to data servers, the popularity of out of band programming and functions took off. Eventually, data servers could be programmed to receive more than one outward data flow, so that up to sixteen different users could monitor and adjust a server from a remote location. By the 1990s, more and more data ports became standard on servers, so that entire networks could be linked in to one of band terminal, or vice versa. This proved so adept at increasing efficiency and lowering costs that nearly all major businesses today use out of band services for their data networks.
Today, most out of band management connects data networks to a central server. This allows IT administrators to run maintenance, upgrade programs, and perform diagnostics on every customer's system simultaneously. This multi tasking would be impossible with in band management connections, as each server would have to be monitored and upgraded individually. As such, the only servers for which in band management is used are for extremely high security data where the clients do not wish to trade flexibility for the chance of other servers gaining their information. Military intelligence and corporate research are some of the few users of in band management; it is not only less efficient but more expensive, so few businesses or individuals choose it for their servers. The only limitation on out of band management is that a system administrator must be present at the control terminal to initiate any action, which may cost money to clients looking for service if the administrator is away from the site.
