Lantronix SecureLinx SpiderDuo review

Lantronix has a habit of delivering unusual KVM solutions. Its latest SpiderDuo combines remote KVM-over-IP services with local access, allowing host systems to be controlled remotely with a web browser and via a directly attached keyboard, monitor and mouse.

The SpiderDuo comes with a pair of PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports along with one USB for non-PS/2 devices. One end of the unit has two proprietary ports for connecting a Lantronix cable set to the keyboard and video ports on the system, and another for linking it to local input devices and monitors.

The USB port beneath these is only used to auto-load a bootstrap file to allow the SpiderDuo to integrate with Lantronix's ManageLinx appliance. The RJ-45 port alongside is used to connect Lantronix's optional PCU, allowing you to control the host's power remotely.

At the other end is a 10/100 Ethernet port for network connection and a socket for the external power supply. The SpiderDuo is preset to DHCP, so once it's on the network you can access it immediately with a web browser.

The home page provides a preview of the host system's screen, and selecting this loads a remote control session. Performance is reasonable, although mouse movement on the host's screen wanders and lags behind.

A useful feature is the option to boot the host from virtual media. From the guest system you designate local or network drives as remote boot devices, specify an ISO image and even copy a floppy disk image to the Spider where it presents it as USB bootable media.

It offers good security, as you can create multiple local users and groups, and for each one you can decide what features they can access. HTTPS access can also be enforced and the SpiderDuo can use LDAP and RADIUS servers.

With both local and remote access to the same system, the SpiderDuo will prove useful in a server room. Remote control performance is slow, but access security is second to none, and it offers good remote boot functions.

Author: Dave Mitchell