Audio KVM Switch: Share a Single Set of Peripheral between Multiple Computers

A single keyboard, video monitor and mouse can be connected to more than one computer using the KVM Switch. The number of computers which can be connected to s single set of peripherals depends upon the ports that the switch has. Available in 2, 4, 8 and 16 ports, these units can also be daisy chained together to control an even greater number of computers. Connections between the peripherals and the host computer can be secured using either CAT5 or VGA cables. Some models are also connected via IP and are known as IP KVM Switches or KVM over IP Switches. Peripherals supported can be either PS2 or VGA with the respective models being known as PS2 KVM switch and USB KVM Switch. Another classification is analog or digital on the basis of the type of connection. The high end model of all these versions are known to support audio and are known as an Audio KVM Switch.

Compact desktop models, they are also available in rack mount versions. These units are easy to install and work on simple plug and play functionality. They do not require any additional software or device drivers for operation. Hot pluggable, the switches are so designed that it is not necessary to shut down computers while maintenance operations are being performed. Offering multi platform support, they are compatible with SUN, IBM, HP, Dell, Solaris, and Mac, and Windows Vista/2003/XP/2000, Netware, UNIX and Linux operating systems and have optional 12, 24 and 48 volt DC power.

Supporting Microsoft Intellimouse, Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer, Logitech Net Mouse, the KVM Switch with audio is equipped with a LED display for easy status monitoring. Control can be exercised using front panel push buttons or hot key combinations. High end models also use RS232 or Infra red remote control. Supporting resolutions of 1920 x 1440, it has a bandwidth of 400 MHz. The key features of the audio switches are: ability to switch audio from each PC and transmit to a set of peripheral speakers, multi lingual on screen display menu (OSD), auto scan mode for monitoring PCs at regular intervals, advanced user profiles, complete keyboard and mouse emulation for simultaneous boot up of all PCs and configurable OSD hot key combinations.

Since the Audio KVM Switch offers flexibility and range of control, it is widely deployed in server rooms and data centers as well as remote monitoring facilities where it is used by network administrators.

KVM Over IP Switch: Remote Server Management through 128 bit Browser

The KVM over IP Switch was introduced to overcome the distance limitations associated with the normal KVM Switches. Like the latter, these devices also allow a user to control multiple computers with the help of a single set of peripherals but the connections are secured without cables. These units allow monitoring and controlling through 128 bit secure browser from anywhere in the world over IP. Available in desktop and rack mountable versions, these units support resolutions ranging up to 1920 x 1440 locally and 1600 x 1200 remotely. Designed to offer multi platform support, they work with SUN, IBM, HP, Dell, Solaris, and Mac, and Windows Vista/2003/XP/2000, Netware, UNIX and Linux operating systems.

The KVM over IP switching device works on plug and play functionality and does not require any additional software or device drivers for operation. They use microcontrollers and specialized hardware to capture the signals from peripheral devices, compress and convert these into packets, and send them over an Ethernet link to a remote console application that unpacks and reconstitutes the dynamic graphical image. Hot pluggable, a user can add or remove connected device for maintenance without powering down the systems or the switch. A normal IP KVM device is available in 8, 16 or 32 ports but can be daisy chained to control up to 123 servers. Control is exercised using push buttons on the front panel, via OSD menu or a combination of hot keys.

The matrix model of this device is known as the IP KVM Matrix. The key benefit of this device is simultaneous access that allows one local, one remote and up to two IP users on four different switches at one time. Its OSD supports configurable hotkey access and has English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Simplified Chinese multilingual interface. Equipped with optional 12, 24 and 48 volt DC power, these switches have the ability to automatically sense video resolution for best screen capture. It is also equipped with has a built-in microprocessor emulation for each port boot up process and a BIOS level access for administration. Other features include availability of scan mode to monitor servers at intervals between 5 and 99 seconds. The device also has a multilingual interface which allows users to select English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Simplified Chinese.

Providing a non intrusive solution for remote access and control, the KVM over IP Switch is an ideal device for any environment involving multiple computers where remote access is needed.