Managing Industrial Grade PCs with Allxon's Out-of-Band Solution

Out-of-Band management has long been a vital approach for ensuring reliable remote device control, particularly in scenarios where traditional network access is unavailable. By providing a separate, independent channel for managing an industrial grade PC, OOB solutions enable efficient troubleshooting, system recovery, and maintenance, even when primary systems fail. However, the growing complexity of emerging edge computing technologies often makes OOB management costly, especially when hardware upgrades are required.

To help put this into perspective, if we take the digital signage industry as an example, malfunctioning screens or non-responsive kiosks are all too common, leading to frustration, financial losses, and damaged brand perception. Traditional device management often relies on IT technicians manually rebooting devices on-site, which resolves the issue in most cases but is time-consuming and inefficient. Software-based remote management tools also fall short when devices are powered off or unresponsive. This is where Out-of-Band management shines, offering hardware-based control to remotely power devices on or off, adjust BIOS settings, reload SSD images, and more, ensuring faster resolutions and minimising downtime without relying solely on software or on-site intervention.

“Integrating a remote management service onboard an edge computer simplifies system access and upgradability through standard protocols, enabling our customers’ IT teams to monitor and manage their embedded systems with ease. We partnered with Allxon for their Out of Band management solution, as it is designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of our industrial grade PCs, which are built for harsh environments at the edge. One of our customers once had to charter a helicopter to replace a $2 real time clock battery, a costly and time consuming effort that could have been entirely avoided with remote access to the UEFI firmware, allowing synchronisation of the edge computer’s real time clock.” Andrew Whitehouse, CEO at Things Embedded

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with Out of Band Management

We’re here to help you get started with Out of Band management, guiding you step by step through the process. Begin by selecting the OOB functionalities that best suit your project requirements, specifying any hardware preferences or needs for your next industrial-grade PC. This should include the system architecture and operating system you want your next edge computer to operate on, ensuring it aligns with your goals. Our expert hardware engineers at Things Embedded can help support you in making sure these requirements are met, and are ready to collaborate with Allxon alongside our leading industrial PC manufacturers to design a tailored solution that meets your unique needs.