HP's IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media and Common Access Card (CAC) support is a key component in managing the heterogeneous data center and along with the IP Console Viewer software allows remote access to multiple servers running various operating systems. Virtual Media capability allows a removable drive or ISO image to be remotely mapped to an attached server in the data center or a remote office for software installations and upgrades. An intuitive Local Console User Interface provides menus for configuration, virtual media, display, and even security and upgrades from the local console that is the same as the On Board Web Interface (OBWI) used for remote management. The term CAC stands for Common Access Card, also known as "Smart Cards". The CAC allows government agencies and other companies to implement two-factor authentication to increase security of their Datacenters. The HP IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media appliance adds support for reading and transmitting USB CCID Generic Smart Card/CAC data from user station (local or remote) to end server. In cascaded environments the HP IP Console Switch G2 with Virtual Media & CAC can allow an administrator to manage up to 1024 servers across two tiers from a single local console. When tiered with additional HP Server Console Switches with Virtual Media application installations and upgrades can be pushed through to any server on any of the two tiers from the local console or remotely.