The serial port parameters for configuration are 115200-8-N-1 with no flow control. It was also provided with a DB-9 to DB-9 serial lead, which was a null modem lead intended to connect the LARA to a computer to run configuration through the serial port. The unit was provided with its proprietary DB25 lead, which splits out into VGA input, PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, and a USB connector (whose functionality is unknown – I couldn’t get it to register as any device whatsoever). The box itself was moderately long, and on the underside, it is identified by MAC address and serial number. The plates at both ends are vented, but there is no active cooling. There are RJ45 jacks for ISDN and Ethernet interface, and a latching 4-pin power cable, that only supplies 12v, 1A. The rear panel houses the connections for the two serial ports, and for inputting the Keyboard, Mouse and Video signals from the computer through a special DB25 cable. One of the monitor lead screw sockets snapped off, but I replaced it later with a spare I stole from an unused serial header. The front of the box features LED indicators, a reset button, and a monitor, keyboard and mouse pass-through for the local console to use. The Peppercon LARA was a long black aluminium box with ports on each end. It’s definitely mysterious as I’ve never had one, and “out of band” management devices such as these were only used by those operating critical servers. It just so happened to be just one of the many devices which was part of a “bulk” salvage done on my behalf. There is a preliminary manual still available from, the product page itself on and a firmware download for the whole family of devices at the End of Life support section of Raritan’s website, which is a good start for getting one “going” again. Information on the Peppercon LARA is pretty rare online. Peppercon were acquired by Raritan in 2004, leaving very little trace of the company. This particular unit has additional features which allow for interfacing to an external power switch unit, or for a special header set-up which allows for the ATX power button to be controlled by the LARA itself. This allows for remote administration over Ethernet, ISDN or by modem connected to a serial port. LARA is one of those “fancy” recursive acronyms standing for LARA Advanced Remote Administration.įor those who aren’t familiar, an IP KVM is a device which attaches to a computer’s keyboard, video and mouse ports in order to allow the console to be accessed remotely via an IP network. The Peppercon LARA (note, not pepper corn, nor pepper com) is an IP-KVM device produced around 2002 by Peppercon AG of Germany.
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