Opengear CM8116-10G CM8116-10G, 16 selectable serial ports, 2x 10GbE SFP+, 2x 1GbE, 32GB flash, TPM 2.0, Docker support, C14 power cord

Opengear CM8116-10G 16-Port Console Manager with Dual 10GbE SFP+ and Smart Out-of-Band Management

The Opengear CM8116-10G Console Manager is a high-performance 16-port serial console server with dual 10GbE SFP+ connectivity and Smart Out-of-Band management, designed to provide secure and resilient remote access to critical network infrastructure. Featuring 16 software-selectable RJ45 RS-232 serial ports, two 10GbE SFP+ interfaces, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, dual AC power, TPM 2.0 hardware security and extensive network automation capabilities, the CM8116-10G is ideal for data centres, enterprise networks, edge infrastructure and other environments where reliable remote management is essential.

16-Port Serial Console Management

The Opengear CM8116-10G provides 16 RJ45 RS-232 serial console ports, allowing administrators to centrally manage the console interfaces of critical network and infrastructure equipment.

Connected equipment can include:

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

Serial connections provide an independent method of accessing equipment when conventional network management interfaces are unavailable, making the CM8116-10G particularly valuable during network outages and configuration problems.

Software-Selectable Straight or Rollover Serial Pinout

A major advantage of the CM8116-10G over the standard CM8116 is its software-selectable serial pinout.

Each RJ45 RS-232 console interface can be configured for either straight or rollover pinout, helping the console manager connect to equipment from different manufacturers without requiring additional crossover or rollover adapters.

Serial interfaces support configurable speeds from 50 to 230,400bps.

This simplifies cabling, reduces the number of specialised adapters that need to be maintained and makes the CM8116-10G particularly useful in heterogeneous data centre environments containing equipment from multiple vendors.

Dual 10GbE SFP+ Network Connectivity

The CM8116-10G includes two 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ interfaces, providing high-speed fibre connectivity to modern data centre and enterprise management networks.

The 10GbE interfaces allow the console manager to integrate with higher-speed network infrastructure without being restricted to conventional Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.

This is particularly valuable in:

• Modern data centres
• High-speed management networks
• Enterprise core networks
• Colocation facilities
• Network operations centres
• High-density infrastructure environments

The SFP+ interfaces also provide flexibility when selecting suitable optical transceivers and fibre connectivity for the deployment.

Dual Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 Interfaces

In addition to its two 10GbE SFP+ ports, the CM8116-10G provides two 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ethernet interfaces.

This gives administrators a total of four network interfaces:

• 2 × 10GbE SFP+
• 2 × Gigabit Ethernet RJ45

The combination provides considerable flexibility when designing management network connectivity.

The Ethernet interfaces support capabilities including network redundancy, aggregation and automatic network failover, helping ensure that the console manager remains reachable if a network path becomes unavailable.

Smart Out-of-Band Management

The CM8116-10G forms part of Opengear's Smart Out-of-Band management platform, providing an independent pathway to critical network infrastructure.

When the production network is operating normally, administrators can remotely manage connected equipment through conventional network management tools.

However, if the production network becomes unavailable because of a routing failure, firewall configuration error, failed switch, software problem or other outage, the CM8116-10G can provide direct console-level access to affected equipment.

This allows administrators to diagnose problems and restore services remotely rather than immediately dispatching a technician to the site.

Secure Remote Console Access

The CM8116-10G provides secure remote access to the console ports of connected equipment.

Console management features include:

• Browser-based terminal access
• Direct SSH access
• Multiple concurrent sessions
• Console event logging
• Keystroke logging capability
• Text pattern matching
• Configurable alerts
• IP aliasing for serial console connections

These features allow network operations teams to centrally access and troubleshoot connected infrastructure regardless of the state of the production network.

Dual AC Power for Increased Resilience

The standard CM8116-10G features dual AC power inputs, allowing the console manager to be connected to two separate power sources.

Each input supports universal 100–240V AC, 50/60Hz power through an IEC C14 inlet.

In a data centre environment, the two inputs can be connected to separate PDUs or independent power feeds.

If one power source becomes unavailable, the second can continue powering the appliance.

Redundant power is particularly important for out-of-band management infrastructure because the management platform needs to remain operational during the same infrastructure failures administrators are attempting to diagnose.

TPM 2.0 Hardware Security

The Opengear CM8116-10G incorporates a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0).

TPM provides hardware-based security that helps protect sensitive cryptographic information and supports secure boot functionality.

This is particularly valuable for an out-of-band management appliance because the console manager can provide privileged administrative access to critical network equipment.

Additional security and authentication capabilities include:

• TACACS+
• RADIUS
• Active Directory
• OpenLDAP
• Local authentication fallback
• IPsec
• OpenVPN
• Integrated firewall
• Enterprise authentication controls

These capabilities allow the CM8116-10G to integrate into established enterprise authentication and security environments.

Automation with Docker, Python, APIs and Ansible

The Opengear CM8116-10G provides extensive automation capabilities designed for modern network operations and NetOps environments.

Automation features include:

• Zero Touch Provisioning
• Ansible integration
• API-based operating system
• Docker support
• Python
• Ruby
• SNMP standard MIBs

These capabilities allow organisations to automate repetitive network management processes and perform intelligent actions directly from the out-of-band management platform.

Docker Support for Edge Automation

Integrated Docker support allows compatible containerised applications to operate directly on the console manager.

This gives administrators the ability to deploy custom automation, monitoring or management functionality at the network edge without requiring a separate server.

Potential applications include:

• Automated network recovery
• Configuration management
• Infrastructure monitoring
• Custom scripts
• Event-driven remediation
• Remote diagnostics

For large or geographically distributed networks, edge automation can help reduce response times and minimise manual intervention.

Zero Touch Provisioning

The CM8116-10G supports Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), helping automate the deployment and configuration of network infrastructure.

ZTP can reduce the amount of manual configuration required when installing new equipment and can help ensure consistent configurations across multiple sites.

This is particularly valuable for organisations deploying:

• New data centre infrastructure
• Branch offices
• Edge locations
• Remote communications sites
• Large-scale network upgrades

Automation reduces the dependence on highly skilled technical personnel being physically present at each location.

Centralised Management with Opengear Lighthouse

The CM8116-10G can be centrally managed through Opengear Lighthouse, allowing multiple Opengear console managers and remote sites to be administered through a unified management platform.

Lighthouse can provide centralised access to Opengear infrastructure deployed across:

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

This provides network operations teams with a scalable approach to out-of-band management across large and geographically distributed environments.

An applicable Lighthouse licence or node subscription is required separately to use Lighthouse management services.

Console Logging and Alerting

The CM8116-10G can monitor console activity and generate alerts based on configured events.

Capabilities include:

• Console event logging
• Optional keystroke logging
• Text pattern matching
• Cable disconnect alerts
• Multiple concurrent console sessions

Text pattern matching can be particularly useful for identifying specific error messages or events generated through the console interface.

This allows the out-of-band management platform to contribute to proactive infrastructure monitoring rather than being used only after a network failure has occurred.

Two USB 3.0 Host Ports

The standard CM8116-10G includes two USB 3.0 host interfaces.

These interfaces can be used for compatible external storage or USB-connected serial console devices, providing additional flexibility beyond the 16 integrated RJ45 serial interfaces.

For deployments requiring dedicated USB-C serial console interfaces, Opengear also offers the separate CM8116-10G-USB variant, which adds eight USB-C 2.0 serial ports.

Integrated Environmental Monitoring

An integrated temperature sensor provides environmental monitoring around the console manager.

Temperature monitoring can help network administrators identify potentially problematic environmental conditions within communications rooms, data centres and network cabinets.

This provides additional infrastructure visibility from the same platform being used for out-of-band management.

High-Density 1RU Rackmount Design

The CM8116-10G uses a compact 1RU rackmount chassis, allowing 16 serial console connections and four network interfaces to be accommodated within a single rack unit.

The appliance measures approximately 440 × 265 × 44mm and weighs approximately 3.5kg.

Passive cooling eliminates cooling fans within the console manager, reducing mechanical components.

The unit can also be forward or reverse mounted to better suit the airflow and cabling requirements of the rack.

Ideal for Data Centre and Enterprise Infrastructure

The Opengear CM8116-10G is particularly well suited to environments where network availability and remote recoverability are important.

Typical applications include:

• Enterprise data centres
• Colocation facilities
• Network operations centres
• High-speed management networks
• Telecommunications infrastructure
• Edge computing sites
• Remote equipment rooms
• Branch infrastructure
• Government networks
• Financial services infrastructure
• Education and research networks
• Cloud and hosting environments

Modern Replacement for Legacy Terminal Servers

Traditional terminal servers generally provide basic serial-over-IP access.

The Opengear CM8116-10G extends this concept with modern network resilience, security and automation capabilities.

These include:

• Smart Out-of-Band management
• Dual 10GbE SFP+ connectivity
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet
• Software-selectable serial pinouts
• Dual AC power
• TPM 2.0
• Enterprise authentication
• Secure VPN connectivity
• Docker
• Python
• Ansible integration
• API-based automation
• Zero Touch Provisioning
• Lighthouse centralised management

This makes the CM8116-10G suitable both for new network infrastructure and as an upgrade from ageing serial console servers.

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.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Model	Opengear CM8116-10G
Product Family	CM8100-10G
Product Type	Smart Out-of-Band Console Manager
Form Factor	1RU rackmount
Serial Ports	16 × RJ45 RS-232
Serial Pinout	Software-selectable straight or rollover
Serial Speed	50 to 230,400bps
Local Console	1 × RJ45 RS-232
Local Console Pinout	Cisco rolled X1
Local Console Default Speed	9600bps
10GbE Interfaces	2 × 10GbE SFP+
Gigabit Ethernet	2 × 1000BASE-T RJ45
Network Interfaces	4 total – 2 × 10GbE SFP+ + 2 × 1GbE RJ45
Network Features	Aggregation, redundancy and automatic network failover
USB	2 × USB 3.0 host
CPU	1.6GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 SoC
Memory	2GB DDR4 SDRAM
Storage	32GB eMMC
Hardware Security	TPM 2.0
Secure Boot	Supported through TPM 2.0
Authentication	TACACS+, RADIUS, Active Directory/OpenLDAP and local fallback
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
Automation	ZTP, Ansible, API, Docker, Python, Ruby and SNMP
Centralised Management	Opengear Lighthouse compatible
Environmental Monitoring	Integrated temperature sensor
Power	Dual AC
AC Input	100–240V AC, 50/60Hz
Power Connectors	Dual IEC C14
Cooling	Passive
Dimensions	440 × 265 × 44mm
Weight	Approx. 3.5kg
Operating Temperature	5°C to 50°C
Storage Temperature	-30°C to +60°C
Operating Humidity	5% to 90%, non-condensing
Rack Orientation	Forward or reverse mounting

CM8116-10G vs CM8116

The CM8116-10G provides two important upgrades over the standard CM8116.

Feature	CM8116-10G	CM8116
Serial Ports	16 × RS-232	16 × RS-232
Serial Pinout	Software-selectable straight or rollover	Fixed straight X2
10GbE SFP+	2	None
1GbE RJ45	2	2
CPU	1.6GHz dual-core ARM	1.6GHz dual-core ARM
RAM	2GB DDR4	2GB DDR4
Storage	32GB eMMC	32GB eMMC
TPM 2.0	Yes	Yes
Dual AC	Yes	Yes
Docker	Yes	Yes

For installations using modern 10GbE management infrastructure or environments containing console connections with different pinout requirements, the CM8116-10G provides substantially greater connectivity flexibility.

Why Choose the Opengear CM8116-10G?

The Opengear CM8116-10G combines secure serial console management, high-speed network connectivity and sophisticated automation within a compact 1RU appliance.

Its 16 software-selectable RS-232 interfaces make it easier to connect equipment from different manufacturers without maintaining multiple serial adapters, while dual 10GbE SFP+ and dual Gigabit Ethernet interfaces provide flexible connectivity to modern management networks.

Dual AC power helps keep the console manager operational during power-path failures, while TPM 2.0, enterprise authentication, VPN support and secure remote access help protect privileged management connectivity.

Docker, Python, Ansible, APIs and Zero Touch Provisioning extend the appliance beyond conventional serial console management, enabling automation and intelligent management at the network edge.

Combined with Opengear Lighthouse for centralised management, the CM8116-10G provides a scalable Smart Out-of-Band platform for organisations requiring resilient access to critical network infrastructure.

For data centres and enterprise networks requiring 16-port console management with 10GbE connectivity, selectable serial pinouts, resilient power and advanced automation, the Opengear CM8116-10G is a powerful step up from a traditional console server.