NPort 6000 Series
Introducing Serial Port Operation Modes
4-8
Reverse Terminal Applications
Reverse terminal applications are similar to terminal applications in that they involve using the NPort 6000 to
manage the connection between a terminal and a server. The difference is that with reverse terminal
applications, the terminal is connected through the network and the server is connected through the serial port,
rather than the other way around. In practice, a reverse terminal session typically involves a network
administrator telnetting to a device that has a dedicated serial console port used specifically for configuration
purposes.
For example, many routers, switches, UPS units, and other devices (including the NPort 6000) have
Console/AUX or COM ports to which a terminal can be physically connected for console management. With the
NPort 6000, the device’s console port can be connected to a serial port on the NPort 6000, allowing a network
administrator to telnet to the device remotely through the network. Although modern network equipment
generally allows other options for remote configuration through the network, there are situations in which it is
necessary or desirable to configure a device by serial console (e.g., for security reasons, when using
older-generation equipment, or as a backup configuration method when the network is down).
NPort 6000 reverse terminal modes allow the use of the NPort 6000 User Table or a RADIUS server for identity
verification purposes. Please refer to the Misc. Network Settings section in Chapter 9, System Management
Settings, for instructions on setting up the NPort 6000 User Table.
Reverse Telnet
Reverse Telnet mode is widely used for device management in telecommunication control rooms. The system
waits for a host on the network to initiate a connection. Since TCP Server mode does not assist with conversion
of CR/LF commands, reverse terminal applications that require this conversion should use Reverse Telnet
mode.
Reverse SSH
The NPort 6000 also offers a Reverse SSH mode so you can use SSH utilities such as PuTTY to connect to
remote servers.
