Opengear CM8008-C Console Manager, 8x RS232 X2 pinout ports, 2x 1GbE/SFP combo, 2x USB 3.0, TPM 2.0, Docker support, DC jacks, 5G

Opengear CM8008-C Console Manager – 8-Port Smart Out-of-Band Management with 5G Cellular

The Opengear CM8008-C Console Manager is a compact 8-port Smart Out-of-Band (Smart OOB™) management appliance with integrated global 5G cellular connectivity, designed to keep critical network infrastructure accessible when the production network or primary WAN connection is unavailable. Combining eight RS-232 serial console ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet/SFP interfaces, dual SIM capability, TPM 2.0 hardware security, remote power integration, and a powerful quad-core ARM automation platform, the CM8008-C is an ideal solution for branch offices, retail networks, telecommunications sites, network closets, and remote edge environments where resilient management access is essential.

8-Port Smart Out-of-Band Management with 5G Cellular

The Opengear CM8008-C provides an independent path to critical network infrastructure, allowing IT teams to remotely diagnose, configure, and recover equipment even when normal network management access has been lost.

Its integrated 5G cellular capability provides an alternative route into the site when primary wired connectivity is unavailable.

Key features include:

• 8 × RJ45 RS-232 serial console ports
• Integrated global 5G cellular modem
• 5G NR Sub-6 and LTE CAT20 support
• Dual nano-SIM slots
• Smart Out-of-Band management
• 2 × 1GbE/SFP combo network interfaces
• 2 × USB 3.0 ports
• Dedicated USB-C local console
• Secure and audited remote console access
• Automatic network failover
• Dual SIM failover capability
• Integrated PDU support for remote power management
• TPM 2.0 hardware security
• Docker and automation support
• Opengear Lighthouse compatibility
• Compact half-rack-width form factor

Global 5G Cellular Connectivity for Network Resilience

The defining difference between the CM8008-C and standard CM8008 is the integrated global cellular interface.

The CM8008-C incorporates a Sierra Wireless EM9291 cellular module supporting 5G NR Sub-6 and LTE CAT20, providing high-performance cellular connectivity for Out-of-Band management.

If the primary WAN or management network fails, cellular connectivity can provide an independent route to the CM8008-C, allowing administrators to continue accessing the serial consoles of critical network infrastructure.

This is particularly valuable when the device causing the network outage is itself the router, firewall, or other equipment that would normally provide remote access to the site.

Dual SIM Support for Greater OOB Availability

The CM8008-C provides two 4FF nano-SIM slots, allowing two cellular services to be installed.

Dual SIM functionality can provide additional resilience to the Out-of-Band connection. One SIM can operate as the primary cellular service while the second provides an alternative should the primary cellular connection become unavailable.

This provides another layer of redundancy for locations where maintaining remote management access is particularly important.

A suitable cellular data service and SIM are required separately.

Eight Serial Ports for Critical Network Infrastructure

The CM8008-C provides eight RJ45 RS-232 serial console ports, allowing a single compact appliance to manage multiple critical infrastructure devices.

Typical connected equipment includes:

• Routers
• Ethernet switches
• Firewalls
• Servers
• UPS systems
• PDUs
• Storage appliances
• Telecommunications equipment
• Other serial-managed network infrastructure

The serial interfaces provide direct console-level access to connected equipment, allowing administrators to troubleshoot devices even when their normal IP management interfaces are inaccessible.

Console management capabilities include secure remote sessions, browser-based terminal access, multiple concurrent sessions, console event and keystroke logging, IP aliases for individual serial ports, and text pattern matching with alerting.

Maintain Access When the Production Network Fails

Traditional remote network management depends upon the production network remaining operational. If that network fails, administrators can lose access precisely when they need it most.

The CM8008-C addresses this by combining direct serial console access with an independent cellular communications path.

For example, if a remote site's firewall or router fails and takes the WAN connection down with it, administrators may still be able to:

1. Connect to the CM8008-C over its 5G cellular connection.
2. Open the serial console of the affected firewall or router.
3. Diagnose the fault.
4. Correct configuration problems or perform recovery procedures.
5. Restore the production network remotely.

This can transform a problem that would otherwise require an onsite technician into one that can potentially be resolved remotely within minutes.

Flexible Gigabit Ethernet and SFP Connectivity

In addition to cellular connectivity, the Opengear CM8008-C provides two 1GbE/SFP combo network interfaces, allowing copper Gigabit Ethernet or compatible SFP fibre connectivity to be used according to the requirements of the deployment.

This provides flexibility for:

• Copper management networks
• Fibre management networks
• Dedicated Out-of-Band networks
• Network redundancy
• Ethernet aggregation
• Automatic network failover
• Management network separation
• Existing fibre infrastructure

Combined with the integrated 5G modem, these interfaces provide multiple potential paths for maintaining management access to critical infrastructure.

Remote Power Management and PDU Integration

Console access can resolve many network problems remotely, but sometimes an unresponsive device simply needs to be restarted.

The CM8000 Series provides integrated PDU support for remote power management, allowing compatible power infrastructure to be controlled alongside serial-connected equipment.

Administrators can therefore combine remote console access with remote power control. If a router, firewall, switch, server, or other device becomes completely unresponsive, it may be possible to remotely power-cycle the equipment rather than dispatching a technician.

This can help organisations:

• Reduce Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)
• Minimise network downtime
• Reduce onsite technician callouts
• Improve support for unattended locations
• Recover equipment outside normal business hours
• Improve operational efficiency across distributed networks

Powerful Quad-Core Automation Platform

The CM8008-C is considerably more capable than a traditional serial console server. It is built around a 1.6GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with 4GB LPDDR4 memory and 32GB eMMC storage.

Automation and scalability capabilities include:

• Docker container support
• Python
• Ruby
• Ansible
• Zero Touch Provisioning
• API-based management
• SNMP standard MIB support
• Automated monitoring and remediation

This enables organisations to automate common deployment, monitoring, troubleshooting, and recovery tasks directly at remote and edge locations.

Enterprise Security with TPM 2.0

Because Smart Out-of-Band management provides privileged access to critical infrastructure, strong security is fundamental to the CM8008-C platform.

The appliance incorporates Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 hardware security together with enterprise authentication, encryption, VPN, and access-control capabilities.

Security and authentication features include:

• TPM 2.0 hardware security
• TACACS+
• RADIUS
• Active Directory
• OpenLDAP
• Local authentication fallback
• IPSec
• OpenVPN
• Secure HTTPS administration
• SSH remote access
• Secure and audited console sessions

These capabilities allow organisations to maintain emergency and remote management access while applying enterprise security controls to privileged infrastructure access.

Centralised Management with Opengear Lighthouse

The CM8008-C is compatible with Opengear Lighthouse, allowing Opengear appliances and their connected infrastructure to be centrally accessed and managed across distributed environments.

Lighthouse is particularly valuable for organisations managing large numbers of:

• Branch offices
• Retail locations
• Telecommunications sites
• Network closets
• Edge environments
• Remote infrastructure sites

Instead of managing individual console managers separately, Lighthouse provides a central platform for visibility and access across the Opengear environment.

Note: The standard CM8008-C is Lighthouse compatible but is not Lighthouse Service Portal (LSP) enabled. Where factory-enabled Lighthouse Service Portal functionality and zero-touch Lighthouse enrolment are required, select the CM8008-C-LSP instead.

A separate applicable Lighthouse licence/node subscription is required for Lighthouse management.

Compact Design with 8-Port Serial Density

The CM8000 Series is designed specifically for environments where space is limited but reliable Out-of-Band access remains essential.

The CM8008-C combines eight serial console ports and integrated 5G cellular connectivity in a compact 1RU half-rack-width form factor, making it particularly suitable for distributed locations where installing a conventional full-width console manager may be unnecessary.

The cellular version measures approximately 220 × 189 × 44mm and uses passive cooling, making it well suited to branch offices, retail locations, telecommunications sites, network closets, and other space-constrained environments.

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 CM8008-C

The CM8008-C is particularly well suited to:

• Branch offices
• Retail stores and distributed retail networks
• Network closets
• Remote edge sites
• Telecommunications POPs
• Small data centre environments
• Managed service provider deployments
• Distributed enterprise networks
• Utility and industrial infrastructure
• Unattended network locations
• Sites requiring independent cellular OOB connectivity
• Locations managing up to eight serial-connected devices

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Model	Opengear CM8008-C
Product Family	CM8000 Console Manager Series
Product Type	Smart Out-of-Band Console Manager
Serial Console Ports	8 × RJ45 RS-232
Serial Pinout	Cisco Straight X2
Serial Speed	50 to 115,200bps
Network Interfaces	2 × 1GbE/SFP combo ports
Cellular Connectivity	Global 5G
Cellular Module	Sierra Wireless EM9291
Cellular Technology	5G NR Sub-6 and LTE CAT20
SIM Support	2 × 4FF nano-SIM slots
Dual SIM Failover	Supported
Cellular Antennas	4 × cellular antennas included
USB Ports	2 × USB 3.0
Local Console	1 × USB-C console
CPU	1.6GHz Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53
Memory	4GB LPDDR4 SDRAM
Internal Storage	32GB eMMC
Hardware Security	TPM 2.0
Smart Out-of-Band	Yes
Automation	ZTP, Ansible, Docker, Python, Ruby and API support
Authentication	TACACS+, RADIUS, Active Directory and OpenLDAP
VPN	IPSec and OpenVPN
Remote Power Management	Integrated PDU support
Centralised Management	Opengear Lighthouse compatible
Lighthouse Service Portal	No – standard CM8008-C
Environmental Monitoring	Built-in temperature sensor
Power Inputs	Dual DC inputs; second input available for redundancy
Supplied Power Adapter	Universal 110–240V AC to 12V DC external adapter
Power Consumption	Less than 30W
Cooling	Passive
Form Factor	Compact SFF, 1RU half-rack width
Dimensions	220 × 189 × 44mm
Weight	Approx. 1.55kg
Operating Temperature	5°C to 50°C
Support Requirement	Opengear Foundation or Premium Support licence required

Why Choose the Opengear CM8008-C?

The Opengear CM8008-C combines the greater serial capacity of the CM8008 with integrated global 5G cellular connectivity, making it particularly well suited to remote and distributed locations where maintaining access during a network outage is critical.

Eight serial ports provide direct console access to routers, switches, firewalls, servers, power infrastructure, and other critical equipment. If the primary network fails, the integrated 5G modem can provide an independent communications path into the CM8008-C, allowing administrators to diagnose and potentially recover the affected infrastructure remotely.

Dual SIM support adds another level of cellular resilience, while dual Gigabit Ethernet/SFP connectivity provides flexible copper or fibre management networking. Integrated PDU support extends remote recovery to power control when equipment needs to be restarted.

With 8 serial ports, global 5G connectivity, dual SIM support, TPM 2.0 security, Docker, Python, Ansible, Zero Touch Provisioning, remote power integration, and Opengear Lighthouse compatibility, the CM8008-C provides a powerful yet compact Smart Out-of-Band platform designed to reduce downtime, minimise onsite callouts, and keep critical infrastructure accessible when the production network is unavailable.

 

When choosing an Opengear Appliance, please select a required Support Solution below.

Premium Support Solutions
OG-PRTS-1YR 1-Year Premium Support – Access to Premium Resources 24×7 and Advanced Replacements
OG-PRTS-2YR 2-Year Premium Support – Access to Premium Resources 24×7 and Advanced Replacements
OG-PRTS-3YR 3-Year Premium Support – Access to Premium Resources 24×7 and Advanced Replacements
OG-PRTS-5YR 5-Year Premium Support – Access to Premium Resources 24×7 and Advanced Replacements
OG-PRTS-7YR 7-Year Premium Support – Access to Premium Resources 24×7 and Advanced Replacements

CM8000 Foundation Support
OG-FNTS-CM8000-1YR 1-Year Foundation Support for CM8000 – 8×5 Regional Support with Advanced Replacement
OG-FNTS-CM8000-2YR 2-Year Foundation Support for CM8000 – 8×5 Regional Support with Advanced Replacement
OG-FNTS-CM8000-3YR 3-Year Foundation Support for CM8000 – 8×5 Regional Support with Advanced Replacement
OG-FNTS-CM8000-5YR 5-Year Foundation Support for CM8000 – 8×5 Regional Support with Advanced Replacement
OG-FNTS-CM8000-7YR 7-Year Foundation Support for CM8000 – 8×5 Regional Support with Advanced Replacement