Opengear CM8116-AU Console Manager, 16 serial straight pinout, 2x 1GbE, NetOps, Dual AC Global Power Supply

Opengear CM8116 16-Port Console Manager with Smart Out-of-Band Management

The Opengear CM8116 Console Manager is a secure, high-density 16-port serial console server with Smart Out-of-Band management, designed to provide reliable remote access to critical network infrastructure in data centres, communications rooms, enterprise networks and edge locations. Featuring 16 RJ45 RS-232 serial console ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet, dual AC power inputs, TPM 2.0 hardware security and extensive automation capabilities, the CM8116 gives network administrators an independent management path to routers, switches, firewalls, servers, power equipment and other serial-managed infrastructure – even when the production network is unavailable.

16-Port Serial Console Management

The Opengear CM8116 provides 16 RJ45 RS-232 serial console ports, allowing network administrators to remotely access and manage multiple infrastructure devices from a single appliance.

Serial ports use the Cisco Straight X2 pinout and support speeds from 50 to 230,400bps, providing direct connectivity to many common network device console ports without requiring rollover adapters.

Typical devices that can be managed include:

• Network switches
• Routers
• Firewalls
• Servers
• Storage systems
• Power equipment
• Telecommunications equipment
• Other RS-232 console-managed devices

Centralising console connections through the CM8116 can dramatically simplify remote troubleshooting and reduce the need for technicians to physically visit a site.

Smart Out-of-Band Management

The CM8116 forms part of Opengear's Smart Out-of-Band (Smart OOB) platform.

Out-of-band management provides administrators with a separate management path to critical infrastructure rather than relying entirely on the production network.

If the primary network experiences a routing failure, configuration error, firewall problem or other outage, administrators can still use the CM8116 to access the serial consoles of connected devices and begin troubleshooting.

This makes the CM8116 particularly valuable for environments where network downtime is expensive or where equipment is installed at remote or difficult-to-access locations.

Dual Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces

The Opengear CM8116 includes two 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet interfaces for connection to management and production networks.

Dual Ethernet connectivity supports:

• Network redundancy
• Link aggregation
• Automatic network failover
• Separate management network architectures
• IPv4 and IPv6 connectivity

The Ethernet interfaces feature 1500V AC isolation and ESD protection, helping provide reliable operation in demanding infrastructure environments.

Dual AC Power for Increased Resilience

The standard CM8116 includes dual AC power inputs, helping eliminate a potential single point of failure within the management infrastructure.

Each input uses a universal IEC C14 connection supporting 100–240V AC.

The two power inputs can be connected to separate power sources or PDUs, allowing the console manager to remain operational if one source becomes unavailable.

Independent power monitoring further improves visibility into the status of the appliance's power sources.

For data centres and other critical infrastructure environments, this redundant power architecture helps ensure that the out-of-band management platform remains available precisely when it is needed most.

Secure Remote Console Access

Administrators can remotely access connected serial devices without needing physical access to the rack or equipment room.

Console management features include:

• Built-in browser-based terminal
• Direct SSH access to console ports
• Multiple concurrent sessions
• Console event logging
• Optional keystroke logging
• Text pattern matching and alerts
• Cable disconnect alerts
• IP aliasing for serial console connections

These capabilities allow the CM8116 to act as a central remote-access point for critical infrastructure.

TPM 2.0 Hardware Security

The CM8116 incorporates a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0) to provide hardware-based security.

TPM technology provides a secure hardware foundation for protecting sensitive cryptographic information and strengthening the integrity of the management platform.

This is particularly important because an out-of-band console manager can provide privileged access to critical network infrastructure.

The CM8116 also supports enterprise authentication and security technologies including:

• TACACS+
• RADIUS
• Active Directory
• OpenLDAP
• Kerberos
• Local authentication fallback
• Embedded firewall
• IPsec
• OpenVPN

These capabilities allow the appliance to be integrated into established enterprise security and authentication environments.

Automation with Python, Docker and APIs

The Opengear CM8116 is designed not only for remote console access but also for modern network automation.

Automation and programmability capabilities include:

• Python
• Ruby
• Docker
• Zero Touch Provisioning
• RESTful API
• SNMP
• Bash
• Ansible integration

These capabilities allow network administrators and DevOps teams to automate repetitive management tasks and run applications directly at the network edge.

Automation can be particularly valuable when managing large numbers of devices or geographically distributed infrastructure.

Zero Touch Provisioning

Opengear's automation capabilities can help simplify deployment of new network infrastructure.

Using Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), the CM8116 can form part of an automated deployment process where devices are configured with minimal on-site intervention.

This can reduce installation time and help ensure consistent configurations across multiple sites.

For organisations rolling out branch offices, data centre infrastructure or edge locations, ZTP can significantly reduce the operational workload associated with deploying new equipment.

Centralised Management with Opengear Lighthouse

The CM8116 can be centrally managed using Opengear Lighthouse, providing administrators with a unified platform for accessing and managing Opengear infrastructure across multiple sites.

Lighthouse is particularly valuable where an organisation has console managers deployed across:

• Multiple data centres
• Branch offices
• Remote facilities
• Edge locations
• Telecommunications sites
• Distributed enterprise networks

Rather than connecting separately to each console manager, administrators can use Lighthouse to provide centralised visibility and access across the Opengear deployment.

An applicable Lighthouse licence or node subscription is required separately where Lighthouse management services are used.

Integrated Environmental Monitoring

The CM8116 includes an integrated temperature sensor, allowing administrators to monitor environmental temperature around the console manager.

This can provide useful additional visibility in communications rooms, network cabinets and other infrastructure environments.

Environmental information can help identify conditions that could potentially affect network equipment before they result in service interruptions.

USB 3.0 Connectivity

Two USB 3.0 host ports provide additional flexibility.

These USB interfaces can be used for:

• External storage
• USB-connected serial console devices
• Other supported peripherals

This provides an additional method of connecting or expanding supported management devices beyond the 16 integrated RJ45 serial interfaces.

Designed for Data Centres and Network Infrastructure

The CM8116 uses a standard 1RU rackmount form factor, allowing it to be installed alongside switches, routers, firewalls and other network infrastructure.

Its passive cooling design eliminates the need for cooling fans within the appliance, reducing mechanical components and operating noise.

The CM8116 can also be mounted in either orientation to accommodate different rack airflow requirements.

Typical deployment environments include:

• Enterprise data centres
• Colocation facilities
• Network operations centres
• Communications rooms
• Branch offices
• Edge computing sites
• Telecommunications facilities
• Remote infrastructure
• Government networks
• Education and research networks

Replace Legacy Terminal Servers

The Opengear CM8100 family is designed as a modern replacement for traditional terminal servers.

While a legacy terminal server may provide basic serial-over-IP connectivity, the CM8116 adds features designed around modern network resilience, security and automation.

These include:

• Smart Out-of-Band management
• TPM 2.0 hardware security
• Enterprise authentication
• Network failover
• Dual power
• Automation
• Docker support
• Python scripting
• API integration
• Centralised Lighthouse management
• Zero Touch Provisioning

This makes the CM8116 suitable both for new infrastructure deployments and for organisations replacing ageing serial console equipment.

Opengear Support Licence Requirement

Note. All Opengear deployments require a support license, meaning a support option must be included with every new hardware purchase.

Foundation Support delivers day-to-day assurance with regional coverage and advanced hardware replacement.

Premium Support adds 24×7 global coverage, priority escalation, and expert services for complex environments.

Existing Customers: When Foundation or Premium is purchased for any new device, all existing devices under original warranty automatically upgrade at no additional cost for the remainder of the existing term.

Ideal Applications for the Opengear CM8116

The Opengear CM8116 is particularly well suited to:

• Data centre out-of-band management
• Enterprise network infrastructure
• Remote network troubleshooting
• Network operations centres
• Branch office infrastructure
• Edge computing sites
• Remote equipment rooms
• Telecommunications networks
• Network automation
• Router and switch console management
• Firewall console management
• Replacement of legacy terminal servers
• Business continuity and network resilience

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Model	Opengear CM8116
Product Family	CM8100 Console Manager
Product Type	Smart Out-of-Band Console Manager
Form Factor	1RU rackmount
Serial Ports	16 × RJ45 RS-232
Serial Pinout	Cisco Straight X2
Serial Speed	50 to 230,400bps
Local Console	1 × RJ45 RS-232, Cisco Rolled X1
Local Console Speed	9600bps
Ethernet	2 × 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45
Ethernet Features	Aggregation, redundancy and automatic network failover
USB	2 × USB 3.0 host
CPU	1.6GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9
Memory	2GB DDR4 SDRAM
Storage	32GB eMMC
Hardware Security	TPM 2.0
Authentication	TACACS+, RADIUS, Active Directory/OpenLDAP, Kerberos and local fallback
Firewall	Integrated
VPN	IPsec and OpenVPN
IPv6	Supported
Browser Console	Yes
Direct SSH Console Access	Yes
Multiple Concurrent Sessions	Supported
Console Logging	Supported
Text Pattern Alerts	Supported
Cable Disconnect Alerts	Supported
Automation	ZTP, REST API, Docker, Python, Ruby, Bash, SNMP and Ansible integration
Centralised Management	Opengear Lighthouse compatible
Environmental Monitoring	Integrated temperature sensor
Power	Dual AC
AC Input	100–240V AC
AC Connections	2 × IEC C14
Typical Power Consumption	Less than 15W
Cooling	Passive
Dimensions	440 × 235 × 44mm
Weight	Approx. 4.5kg
Operating Temperature	5°C to 50°C
Storage Temperature	-30°C to +60°C
Operating Humidity	5% to 90%, non-condensing
MTBF	150,000 hours
Rack Mount Kit	Included

Why Choose the Opengear CM8116?

The Opengear CM8116 provides much more than basic serial console access. It creates a secure, independent management platform that allows administrators to reach critical network infrastructure when conventional network access is unavailable.

Its 16 RS-232 console ports provide centralised access to routers, switches, firewalls, servers and other infrastructure, while dual Gigabit Ethernet and dual AC power help ensure that the management platform itself remains resilient.

TPM 2.0 hardware security, enterprise authentication, VPN support and an integrated firewall help protect privileged infrastructure access, while Python, Docker, APIs, ZTP and Ansible integration provide the automation capabilities required by modern network operations teams.

Integration with Opengear Lighthouse allows multiple Opengear appliances and sites to be centrally managed, providing a scalable approach to out-of-band management across distributed networks.

For organisations requiring secure 16-port serial console management, network resilience, remote troubleshooting and automation, the Opengear CM8116 provides a robust enterprise-class Smart Out-of-Band management solution.