{{short description, Cable chaining technology
C2T (an abbreviation for Cable Chaining Technology) is an IBM technology for KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) chaining.Hoskins, Wilson, Winkel, "Exploring IBM @Server Series" CT2 Interconnect Cable Chaining Technology - Google Books
C2T, built into some of the IBM's xSeries and
Netfinity
System x is a line of x86 Server (computing), servers produced by IBM – and later by Lenovo – as a sub-brand of IBM's ''System'' brand, alongside IBM Power Systems, IBM System z and IBM System Storage. In addition, IBM System x was the main c ...
models, allows daisy-chaining up to forty-two compatible
server
Server may refer to:
Computing
*Server (computing), a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices, called clients
Role
* Waiting staff, those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers and su ...
s in a single rack. Servers are daisy-chained using a special purpose cable which is included with new servers. The final server in the stack is connected to a monitor/keyboard/mouse or a
KVM switch
A KVM switch (with KVM being an abbreviation for "keyboard, video, and mouse") is a hardware device that allows a user to control multiple computers from one or more sets of keyboards, video monitors, and mice.
Name
Switches to connect ...
using a C2T
breakout cable
Breakout-style fiberoptic cable (also called breakout cable or fanout cable), is an optical fiber cable containing several jacketed simplex optical fibers packaged together inside an outer jacket. This differs from distribution-style cable, in wh ...
, which provides PS/2 and VGA connectors. The breakout cable was once very expensive to purchase new, but are now obtainable for less than $30
USD
The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...
online.
C2T works thanks to a chip in each server that emulates a KVM switch. To take control of a certain xSeries server in the rack, user needs to press Num Lock twice, "nn" (where "nn" is the number of the server) and then press Enter, or could also manually press the button on the front of the desired xSeries server. The theory behind C2T is to reduce clutter and save money as no KVM switch is required.