KVM Switchboxes & Hubs

KVM switch: electronic "keyboard", "video", "mouse" switch - the easiest way to manage multiple computers.

• With only one console you operate and control two or more PCs or servers
  
  
• You can perform all functions that can be reached via keyboard or mouse without any restrictions'
  
  
• Optional switching via hot key, button on the KVM switch or OSD (On Screen Display)
  
  
• An optical display of the active channel is common with all KVM switches.
  
  
• "Auto Scan" enables permanent monitoring of several computers
  
  
• Booting" of the PCs is usually also possible on a non-active channel
  
  
• Many KVM switches can be connected together (cascading) to manage even more computers.
  
  
• With some KVM switches, several users can access the computers at the same time (multi-user KVM switches).

Five reasons for KVM switches

• Save money: With KVM switches, you can reduce the number of monitors for administration to a minimum. In addition to the cost of the monitors themselves, power costs are also reduced.
  
  
• Save time: You don't have to run back and forth from one PC to another. The operation can be done from one workstation.
  
  
• Save space: Like servers or workstations, many KVM switches can be installed in 19" racks, for example. This gives the best overview and creates a lot of workspace.
  
  
• Save on additional air-conditioning: Since the heat generated by monitors is high, this also drops to a minimum and you are not forced to increase the air-conditioning.
  
  
• Save your nerves: Save yourself a lot of hassle and spare your nerves. Because the fewer devices you have to manage, the easier it is to maintain them.

Frequently used terms: console - on screen display - cascading - multiuser KVM switches

• Console: Term for the administrator unit consisting of a keyboard, mouse and screen. These are connected to the console ports of the KVM switch.
  
  
• On Screen Display: KVM switches can be operated either via the front keys of the switch, via hot key on the keyboard or via OSD (On Screen Display). If there are a large number of computers, the OSD is particularly helpful because it makes it possible to assign names to the individual PCs and then select and manage them via the input screen.
  
  
• Cascading: Cascadable KVM switches allow several KVM switches to be connected in series ("cascading"). Caution: In some cases, special connection cables are required for cascading.
  
  
• Multiuser KVM switches: With multiuser KVM switches, central administration of the computers is not only possible from one workstation, but from several. As a rule, multiuser KVM switches are also equipped with password protection.