Managing data centers via wireless link

There are other vendors that specialize in remote data center management. Avocent Corp. recently announced a family of serial console servers for remote management of small and midsize data centers. Another is Adder Corp., a U.K. firm with an office in Newburyport, Mass.; it recently announced the AdderLink ipeps (IP engine per server) to help access servers no matter where they are located. "If you can get remote access to the data center, it doesn't matter if you are near the user or not near the user, or near the data center or not near the data center," adds Mathias, agreeing that Wi-Fi offers remote benefits. "They keyword is convenience."

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Hackers compromised a wireless network at retailer TJ Companies Inc. recently, stealing 45 million credit card numbers. Wardriving, where hackers drive around looking for open access points, is common around enterprise campuses, and Linux distributions with tools for hacking both WPA and WEP encryption measures are readily available. One of the most common tricks: just guessing an admin's WPA pass code, which if remote management is conducted over wireless link, opens the door to steal financial data or trusted company information.

However, when secured properly, a wireless connection is just as impenetrable as a wired connection.

"You could argue that that physical security is better over a wired connection, because you can lock the console in the data center," says Farpoint's Mathias. "But you can lock down access to applications, and that is not a wireless issue at all. Passwords on the laptop, passwords in the remote management suite, two-factor authentication all helps. You should definitely use a VPN, strong authentication and 802.1x."