Opengear CM8116-10G-C Console Manager, 16 selectable serial ports, 2x 10GbE SFP+, 2x 1GbE, ARM 1.6GHz 2-core, 2GB RAM, 32GB flash, TPM 2.0, Docker support, 5G

Opengear CM8116-10G-C 16-Port 5G Console Manager with Dual 10GbE SFP+ and Smart Out-of-Band Management

The Opengear CM8116-10G-C Console Manager is a high-performance 16-port Smart Out-of-Band console server with integrated 5G cellular connectivity, designed to provide secure and resilient remote access to critical network infrastructure during both normal operation and network outages. Combining 16 software-selectable RJ45 RS-232 console ports, dual 10GbE SFP+, dual Gigabit Ethernet, global 5G cellular with LTE Cat 20 fallback, TPM 2.0 hardware security and extensive automation capabilities, the CM8116-10G-C provides an independent management platform for data centres, enterprise networks, edge infrastructure and remote sites where maintaining access to critical equipment is essential.

Integrated 5G Cellular for True Out-of-Band Resilience

The defining feature of the CM8116-10G-C is its integrated global 5G cellular modem.

Out-of-band management is most valuable when it provides a management path that remains available independently of the primary network. By incorporating cellular connectivity directly into the console manager, the CM8116-10G-C can provide remote access even when the site's conventional WAN or network infrastructure is unavailable.

The integrated cellular modem supports:

• 5G NR Sub-6
• 4G LTE Cat 20
• Global cellular operation
• Independent cellular out-of-band connectivity

This allows network operations teams to remotely access critical infrastructure during failures that affect conventional wired connectivity.

5G Connectivity with LTE Cat 20 Fallback

The CM8116-10G-C uses a Sierra Wireless EM9291 cellular module, providing high-performance 5G connectivity with LTE Cat 20 support.

5G cellular provides a fast independent management connection suitable for modern data centres, edge sites and other infrastructure environments.

Where 5G service is unavailable, LTE Cat 20 provides high-performance 4G connectivity, allowing the cellular management path to operate across a wide range of mobile network environments.

The cellular connection can provide a critical alternative route to infrastructure when conventional WAN services are unavailable.

16-Port Serial Console Management

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

Connected equipment can include:

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

Direct console access is particularly valuable when the network interfaces of a device cannot be reached due to configuration errors, routing problems or network outages.

Software-Selectable Straight or Rollover Serial Pinout

Each of the CM8116-10G-C's 16 serial interfaces provides a software-selectable straight or rollover pinout.

This allows the serial configuration to be changed through software rather than requiring different cables or physical adapters for equipment with different console pinouts.

Benefits include:

• Reduced cable complexity
• Fewer serial adapters
• Easier multi-vendor deployments
• Faster equipment replacement
• Simplified rack cabling
• More flexible console connectivity

This is particularly useful in data centres containing network infrastructure from multiple manufacturers.

Dual 10GbE SFP+ Connectivity

The CM8116-10G-C includes two 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ interfaces, allowing the console manager to connect directly to modern high-speed management networks.

10GbE connectivity makes the appliance particularly well suited to:

• Enterprise data centres
• Colocation facilities
• High-speed management networks
• Network operations centres
• Cloud infrastructure
• Telecommunications facilities
• High-density network environments

SFP+ interfaces also provide flexibility when selecting appropriate fibre transceivers and cabling for the deployment.

Dual Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 Interfaces

In addition to its 10GbE SFP+ interfaces, the CM8116-10G-C provides two 1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports.

The appliance therefore provides:

• 2 × 10GbE SFP+
• 2 × 1GbE RJ45
• Integrated 5G cellular

This combination gives network architects considerable flexibility when designing resilient management connectivity.

The multiple wired and cellular interfaces can help ensure that an alternative management path remains available when a primary connection fails.

Smart Out-of-Band Management

The Opengear CM8116-10G-C forms part of Opengear's Smart Out-of-Band management platform.

Rather than relying entirely on the production network for device management, Smart Out-of-Band creates an independent path to critical network infrastructure.

If a network outage occurs because of:

• Router failure
• Switch failure
• WAN outage
• Firewall misconfiguration
• Routing error
• Software failure
• Configuration mistake
• Fibre or cabling failure

the CM8116-10G-C can provide an alternative route to the serial consoles of affected equipment.

With integrated cellular connectivity, administrators may still be able to reach the console manager even when the site's primary wired WAN infrastructure is unavailable.

Designed for Remote Network Recovery

The combination of cellular connectivity and serial console access makes the CM8116-10G-C particularly valuable for remote recovery.

Instead of immediately dispatching a technician when network equipment becomes unreachable, administrators can connect to the CM8116-10G-C through its out-of-band cellular connection and access the console of the affected device.

From there they can potentially:

• Diagnose configuration problems
• Restart services
• Correct routing configurations
• Restore firewall settings
• Roll back configuration changes
• Reboot equipment
• Investigate boot failures
• Restore network connectivity

This can significantly reduce Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR) and avoid unnecessary site visits.

Secure Remote Console Access

The CM8116-10G-C provides secure remote access to attached serial infrastructure.

Console management capabilities include:

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

These features provide network operations teams with centralised access to critical equipment regardless of the state of the production network.

TPM 2.0 Hardware Security

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

TPM provides a hardware-based security foundation designed to help protect sensitive cryptographic information and strengthen the integrity of the management appliance.

Security and authentication capabilities include:

• TPM 2.0
• TACACS+
• RADIUS
• Active Directory
• OpenLDAP
• Local authentication fallback
• IPsec
• OpenVPN
• Integrated firewall
• FIPS 140-2 compliant security capabilities

These features are particularly important for an out-of-band appliance that provides privileged access to critical network infrastructure.

Automation with Docker, Python, APIs and Ansible

The CM8116-10G-C goes considerably further than a conventional serial terminal server by providing extensive network automation capabilities.

Supported automation technologies include:

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

These technologies 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 run directly on the console manager.

This provides opportunities for organisations to deploy custom monitoring, automation and remediation functionality at the network edge.

Potential uses include:

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

This capability allows the CM8116-10G-C to contribute proactively to network resilience rather than functioning solely as a device that administrators access after an outage.

Zero Touch Provisioning

The CM8116-10G-C supports Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) to simplify deployment of network infrastructure.

ZTP can automate elements of device deployment and configuration, reducing the need for experienced networking personnel to be physically present at each installation.

This is particularly useful when deploying:

• New data centre infrastructure
• Remote branches
• Edge locations
• Telecommunications sites
• Large-scale network upgrades
• Geographically distributed infrastructure

Centralised Management with Opengear Lighthouse

The CM8116-10G-C can be centrally managed using Opengear Lighthouse, providing a unified platform for managing Opengear out-of-band infrastructure across multiple sites.

Lighthouse can centralise access to console managers deployed across:

• Data centres
• Branch offices
• Edge sites
• Remote facilities
• Telecommunications infrastructure
• Distributed enterprise networks

This allows network operations teams to access and manage geographically distributed infrastructure through a common platform.

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

Console Logging and Proactive Alerting

The CM8116-10G-C 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 used to detect specific console messages, potentially allowing administrators to identify infrastructure problems before they result in a complete service outage.

USB 3.0 Connectivity

The CM8116-10G-C includes two USB 3.0 host ports.

These can be used with compatible external storage and USB-connected serial devices, providing additional flexibility beyond the appliance's 16 integrated RJ45 serial interfaces.

Integrated Environmental Monitoring

An integrated temperature sensor provides additional environmental visibility around the console manager.

Temperature monitoring can help administrators identify environmental conditions that could potentially affect network equipment in communications rooms, data centres and remote equipment cabinets.

Compact 1RU Rackmount Design

Despite combining 16 serial ports, four wired network interfaces and integrated 5G cellular connectivity, the CM8116-10G-C fits within a 1RU rackmount chassis.

Its compact form factor allows it to be installed alongside the switches, routers, firewalls and other network infrastructure it is intended to manage.

The cellular model measures approximately 440 × 265 × 44mm and weighs approximately 3.7kg.

Passive cooling eliminates cooling fans within the appliance, reducing the number of mechanical components.

Ideal Applications for the Opengear CM8116-10G-C

The CM8116-10G-C is particularly well suited to:

• Data centre out-of-band management
• Enterprise network resilience
• Remote network recovery
• Colocation facilities
• Network operations centres
• Edge computing locations
• Remote infrastructure
• Telecommunications networks
• Branch office infrastructure
• Cloud and hosting environments
• Government networks
• Financial services infrastructure
• Network automation
• High-availability network environments
• Sites requiring independent cellular management access

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-C
Product Family	CM8100-10G
Product Type	5G 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
Cellular	Integrated global 5G modem
Cellular Module	Sierra Wireless EM9291
5G	5G NR Sub-6
4G Fallback	LTE Cat 20
Cellular SIM	Dual 4FF Nano-SIM
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
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	AC
AC Input	100–240V AC
Cooling	Passive
Dimensions	440 × 265 × 44mm
Weight	Approx. 3.7kg
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-C vs CM8116-10G

The principal difference between these two models is integrated cellular connectivity.

Feature	CM8116-10G-C	CM8116-10G
Serial Ports	16	16
Selectable Straight/Rollover	Yes	Yes
10GbE SFP+	2	2
1GbE RJ45	2	2
5G Cellular	Yes	No
LTE Fallback	LTE Cat 20	N/A
Cellular SIM	Dual Nano-SIM	N/A
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
Docker	Yes	Yes
Lighthouse Compatible	Yes	Yes

The CM8116-10G is well suited where an independent wired management network already exists. The CM8116-10G-C adds cellular connectivity, providing an additional out-of-band path when the site's wired WAN or management network is unavailable.

Why Choose the Opengear CM8116-10G-C?

The Opengear CM8116-10G-C is designed for organisations where simply having remote console access is not enough – the management connection itself also needs to remain available during a network failure.

Its integrated 5G cellular modem with LTE Cat 20 fallback provides an independent path into the site, while 16 software-selectable serial ports provide direct console access to critical routers, switches, firewalls and other infrastructure.

Dual 10GbE SFP+ and dual Gigabit Ethernet provide extensive wired connectivity during normal operation, while the cellular connection provides an alternative route when conventional network paths are unavailable.

TPM 2.0 hardware security, enterprise authentication and VPN support help protect privileged infrastructure access, while Docker, Python, APIs, Ansible and Zero Touch Provisioning provide the automation capabilities required by modern network operations teams.

Combined with Opengear Lighthouse for centralised management, the CM8116-10G-C provides a comprehensive Smart Out-of-Band platform for organisations seeking to reduce network downtime, accelerate remote recovery and minimise costly on-site intervention.

For data centres, enterprise networks and remote infrastructure requiring 16-port serial management, dual 10GbE connectivity and independent 5G out-of-band access, the Opengear CM8116-10G-C provides a highly resilient network management solution.