AlterPath ACS16, $2,661. Cyclades Corp., (888) CYCLADES, (510) 771-6100. www.cyclades.com
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Whereas the Cyclades system reached its full potential when we rolled up our sleeves and edited configuration files, the Digi CM16 shone as an easy-to-use system that leans on its Web-based GUI for virtually all configuration and management functions. A text-menu interface is available, as is a CLI that directly manipulates the Digi's Hard Hat Linux operating system, but most users will never need to delve beyond the Web interface.
After we set up initial network parameters, the CM16 propagated addresses and port numbers to its 16 serial ports via NAT, so we could address attached devices through individual IP addresses or a single IP address using a range of attaching ports. We could establish user authentication using Kerberos, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+ or local user list methods. RADIUS authentication was a simple matter, set up with menu boxes. Establishing a local user database, with privileges varying according to user and port, was just as easy.
We could encrypt traffic with SSHv2. Users can also be restricted according to their originating IP addresses through the use of IP filtering. We believe authentication will be sufficient for most needs, and SSH encryption is adequate for most control conversations given that the majority of users will rely on the Web interface for administration.
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