Vertiv DACS8016MDAC-G01 16-Port Dual AC Console Server

The Vertiv DACS8016MDAC-G01 is a 16-port out-of-band console server purpose-configured for Dell environments, delivered with dual AC power inputs in a rack-mountable chassis. If you're managing Dell server infrastructure and need reliable out-of-band access to all 16 serial console ports without a single point of power failure, this is the unit built to handle it. Explore the broader Vertiv infrastructure catalog for complementary KVM and power management solutions.

Overview

Out-of-band management is the safety net that keeps your team in control when the in-band network path is down, a server is locked up, or you need to push a BIOS-level config change at 2 AM without dispatching someone to the data center. The DACS8016MDAC-G01 delivers exactly that: 16 serial console ports, a Dell-optimized configuration, and dual AC inputs so a single PDU or power circuit failure doesn't take your management plane with it. It mounts in a standard rack, keeping your rack and data center infrastructure tidy and your console access centralized. For environments running mixed infrastructure, pair this with a managed network switch to ensure the management network itself stays resilient.

Key Features

• 16 Serial Console Ports: Manage 16 devices simultaneously from a single rack unit. In dense Dell server deployments, this consolidates what would otherwise be 16 separate console cables and local KVM sessions into one managed endpoint — reducing both cable clutter and the time it takes to reach any individual device remotely.
• Dual AC Power Inputs: Two independent AC feeds mean you can connect to separate PDUs or separate circuits. If one feed fails, the unit stays online and your out-of-band access remains uninterrupted — the exact scenario where out-of-band management earns its keep. This is a non-negotiable spec for any deployment with uptime SLAs.
• Rack-Mountable Form Factor: Designed to install directly into standard 19-inch racks. Console servers belong in the rack with the equipment they manage — not on a shelf or mounted to a wall — and this unit is built accordingly. Plan your rack power and UPS architecture around both AC inputs to take full advantage of the redundancy.
• Dell-Optimized Configuration: The DACS8016MDAC-G01 (often searched as DACS8016MDAC G01) is pre-configured for Dell environments. This matters at deployment time: serial console pinouts, baud rate defaults, and device profiles are aligned to Dell hardware, reducing the setup time compared to a generic console server that requires per-port manual configuration.
• Out-of-Band Management Architecture: Because this unit operates independently of the production network, it remains reachable even when the primary network fabric is down. That's the fundamental value proposition of any ACS-series device: access when you need it most, not just when the network cooperates.
• Centralized Serial Access: Replacing ad-hoc serial console access (USB-to-serial dongles, crash carts, manual cable swaps) with a managed 16-port console server means your team can handle routine console tasks and emergency recovery from any authorized location — reducing mean time to recovery on server incidents significantly.

Integration & Compatibility

The DACS8016MDAC-G01 is specifically configured for Dell server environments. If your infrastructure is a mix of Dell and other vendors, verify per-port compatibility with non-Dell devices before assuming plug-and-play operation — the Dell-optimized profile is an advantage in homogeneous Dell shops and may require manual adjustment elsewhere. The dual AC input design is compatible with standard C13/C14 power delivery found on most rack PDUs. For teams standardizing on Vertiv for console and power management, this unit integrates cleanly into broader Vertiv ACS console server deployments where centralized management software is already in use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many devices can the DACS8016MDAC-G01 manage simultaneously?

A: The DACS8016MDAC-G01 provides 16 serial console ports, allowing simultaneous out-of-band management access to up to 16 devices from a single rack-mounted unit.

Q: What is the benefit of dual AC power on the DACS8016MDAC-G01?

A: Dual AC inputs allow you to connect the unit to two separate power feeds or PDUs. If one feed loses power, the console server remains operational on the second feed — preserving out-of-band access precisely when it matters most during infrastructure failures.

Q: Is the DACS8016MDAC-G01 designed specifically for Dell servers?

A: Yes. The DACS8016MDAC-G01 carries a Dell-specific configuration optimized for Dell server environments. This typically means pre-set serial parameters and device profiles aligned to Dell hardware, reducing manual setup compared to a generic console server.

Q: Does the DACS8016MDAC-G01 mount in a standard server rack?

A: Yes, it is a rack-mountable unit designed for installation in standard 19-inch equipment racks alongside the servers it manages.

Q: What type of access does this console server provide?

A: The DACS8016MDAC-G01 provides out-of-band serial console access, meaning it operates on a management network path independent of the production network. This allows remote BIOS-level, OS-level, and firmware access even when the primary network is unavailable.

Marty Allison

The spec that defines this unit's value proposition is the dual AC power input — and it's the first thing I look at when speccing the DACS8016MDAC-G01 for a customer. Out-of-band management only works if the console server itself stays powered. Connecting both AC feeds to independent PDUs or circuits is the difference between a true emergency access path and one that fails the moment a breaker trips or a UPS goes into bypass.

Technical Highlights:

• 16 Serial Console Ports: Enough capacity to cover a fully populated half-rack of 1U servers without cascading to a second unit — keeps your management plane simple and your cabling clean.
• Dual AC Power Inputs: Two independent feeds eliminate the console server as a single point of failure. In any deployment where uptime SLAs matter, this is a hard requirement, not a nice-to-have.
• Dell-Optimized Configuration: Factory-configured for Dell server serial console parameters, which meaningfully reduces per-port commissioning time in homogeneous Dell environments versus a generic ACS unit requiring manual profile setup.

Deployment Considerations:

• Route each AC input to a separate PDU on a separate circuit — ideally on separate UPS feeds. Running both inputs to the same PDU defeats the redundancy entirely.
• The Dell-optimized profile is a time-saver in pure Dell shops, but if you're managing non-Dell devices on any of the 16 ports, verify baud rate and pinout compatibility before assuming defaults will work.

The DACS8016MDAC-G01 is the right call for data center teams running dense Dell server deployments who need a reliable, power-redundant out-of-band console access layer — particularly in colocation environments where dispatching someone to the floor is expensive and slow.