Vertiv 8-PORT ACS Dual AC W/ Analog Modem - ACS8008MDAC-400

Vertiv ACS8008MDAC-400 8-Port Dual-AC Console Server with Analog Modem

The Vertiv ACS8008MDAC-400 is a 1U rack-mounted console server built for out-of-band management of data center and network infrastructure. With 8 RS-232 serial ports, 8 USB 2.0 ports, dual AC power inputs, and an integrated analog modem, this unit gives operations teams a reliable secondary access path to routers, switches, servers, and PDUs — even when the primary network is down. If your site has strict out-of-band requirements and no tolerance for a single point of failure on the management plane, this is the unit to evaluate first.

Overview

Console servers earn their keep in the moments when everything else fails. The ACS8008MDAC-400 runs embedded Linux as its operating system, providing a stable, scriptable platform for automation and integration with existing management workflows. The dual AC input (100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, C13 coupler) means you can feed the unit from two independent PDUs — a standard practice in Tier III/IV data centers where a single PDU failure should never take down OOB access. Typical power draw is just 11 W, so it won't noticeably impact rack power budgets.

The Vertiv console server line is purpose-built for enterprise data centers, co-location facilities, and distributed network edge sites. The ACS8008MDAC-400 (often searched as ACS8008MDAC 400) sits squarely in the 8-port tier — the right footprint for a network closet or single rack segment before you step up to higher-density models.

Key Features

• 8 RS-232 Serial Ports: Each port connects directly to a device's console interface — no IP stack required on the managed device. This is the only reliable way to access a crashed router or bricked switch. With 8 ports you can cover a full rack segment's worth of managed devices from a single 1U unit.
• 8 USB 2.0 Ports: USB ports extend the unit's versatility — attach USB-to-serial adapters for additional console connections, USB storage for configuration backups, or USB cellular modems as a third out-of-band path. The presence of USB 2.0 alongside native RS-232 makes this unit significantly more flexible than serial-only alternatives.
• Dual AC Power Inputs (100–240 V): Both inputs accept the full international voltage range with C13 connectors, so the same unit deploys in North American, European, or Asian facilities without hardware changes. Feed each input from a different PDU circuit to eliminate the management plane as a single point of failure.
• Integrated Analog Modem: When IP connectivity to the site is completely severed, the built-in modem provides POTS-based dial-in access — a fallback that cellular or satellite links can't always replicate in legacy facilities or carrier-neutral co-lo environments with strict network policies. No external modem shelf or separate ATA required.
• SSH / SSH-2 Encryption + IP Address Filtering: All remote console sessions run over SSH-2, which means management traffic is encrypted in transit. IP address filtering lets you restrict access to known management subnets — a basic but important control when console ports expose raw device CLIs.
• WPA2-RADIUS Authentication: Wi-Fi management access authenticates against your existing RADIUS infrastructure, keeping OOB credentials in the same identity store as the rest of your network. No local credential sprawl.
• SNMP Support: SNMP integration means the ACS8008MDAC-400 can report status into your existing NMS alongside the devices it manages. Event logging is built-in, giving you an audit trail of who accessed which port and when — critical for compliance in regulated environments.
• Embedded Linux OS: The Linux-based firmware supports scripting, custom integrations, and a broad range of serial device types. Unlike proprietary OS platforms, Linux-based console servers are easier to automate and integrate with tools like Ansible, Puppet, or custom Python management scripts.
• 1U Rack Form Factor (438 × 241 × 44.5 mm): Standard 19-inch rack width with a shallow 241 mm depth — fits in half-depth two-post racks and telco cabinets without a rear-mount kit. At 11 W typical consumption, thermal impact on the rack is negligible.
• 48 V DC Input Support: In addition to dual AC, the unit accepts 48 V DC input — the standard telecom bus voltage. This makes the ACS8008MDAC-400 compatible with telco facilities and carrier-grade DC power plants without a separate AC/DC converter.

Integration & Compatibility

The ACS8008MDAC-400 integrates with network management platforms via SNMP, and its embedded Linux base supports LDAP, RADIUS, and TACACS+ for centralized authentication — standard in enterprise environments with existing AAA infrastructure. The dual Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ports support network redundancy or out-of-band segment isolation (dedicated management VLAN on one interface, production on the other). RS-232 console ports are compatible with virtually all enterprise network equipment and server vendors. USB ports accept standard USB-to-serial adapters, expanding the effective port count when needed. For facilities requiring reliable power infrastructure, the dual AC + 48 V DC tri-modal power input makes this one of the more flexible OOB units in its class for mixed AC/DC environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many devices can the ACS8008MDAC-400 manage simultaneously?

A: The ACS8008MDAC-400 provides 8 RS-232 serial console ports plus 8 USB 2.0 ports. Native RS-232 supports 8 direct device console connections. USB ports can expand this further via USB-to-serial adapters, depending on the adapter type used.

Q: Does the ACS8008MDAC-400 support dual power input?

A: Yes. The unit has two AC inputs (100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, C13 coupler) and also accepts 48 V DC input — allowing simultaneous dual-AC redundancy or a hybrid AC/DC configuration common in carrier and co-location environments.

Q: What security protocols does the ACS8008MDAC-400 support?

A: The unit supports SSH, SSH-2, SNMP, and WPA2-RADIUS for authentication and encrypted access. IP address filtering is also available to restrict management access to defined subnets.

Q: Does the ACS8008MDAC-400 include an analog modem for out-of-band access?

A: Yes, an analog modem is built in. This provides POTS dial-in access as a fallback when IP connectivity to the site is unavailable — no external modem device or ATA adapter required.

Q: What operating system does the ACS8008MDAC-400 run?

A: The unit runs embedded Linux, which provides a stable platform for scripting, automation, and integration with enterprise management workflows and tools.

Q: Will the ACS8008MDAC-400 fit in a standard 19-inch rack?

A: Yes. The unit is 1U (44.5 mm high) and 438 mm wide — standard 19-inch rack compatible. Depth is 241 mm, which suits both full-depth and many half-depth rack cabinets.