A KVM
switch (with KVM being an acronym for Keyboard, Video, Mouse) is
a hardware device that allows a user to control multiple computers from a
single keyboard, video monitor and mouse. Although multiple computers are
connected to the KVM, typically a smaller number of computers can be controlled
at any given time. Modern devices have also added the ability to share USB devices
and speakers with multiple computers. Some KVM switches allow one PC to be
connected to multiple monitors, keyboards, and mice. Although this
configuration is not as wide spread as the reverse, it is useful when one wants
to be in two different positions such as sitting and standing depending on what
they are doing.
Types of KVM?s
Single User KVM's: Aimed at smaller installations
these switches allow a single person to access as many computers as they need
to from a single console.
Multiple User KVM's: As you would guess these switches would allow
multiple people access to as many computers as they need to from multiple
consoles.
Analog KVM's: These are KVM's that operate by having a direct cable
connection from the computer to the KVM Switch to the console. The cables can
be Coax or Cat5 depending on the switch.
Digital KVM's: Also known as KVM Over IP. These allow you to control
your servers over any IP connection from anywhere. This can be on the company
LAN or across the world. There are differing methods to the access portion such
as some use software and some use any internet browser. The computers still
have to have a direct connection from the computer to the KVM Switch but the
user that is controlling the computers does not need to be directly connected
to the KVM Switch.
Technology Specific KVM's: Since there are different types of computers
there are different type's of KVM's to accommodate them. Some of the different
technologies can be PS/2, USB, Sun, Mac, DVI, ADC, Dual Video, Serial and there
are more. These types of switches are great if you work in a homogeneous
environment but that is rarely the case. Usually server rooms have a mixture of
technologies and they want to control them from a single console which leads to
Multi-Platform KVM's.
Multi-Platform KVM's: These KVM's can handle a wide variety of
technologies such as PC's, Mac's, Sun's, Routers, Serial Devices, and more.
KVM Cables
VGA
Male/Male Cable ? This is used to connect the display monitor to the KVM
and to connect the KVM to the computer(s) that you would like set up on the
switch.
DVI
Male/Male Cable - This is used to connect the display monitor to the KVM
and to connect the KVM to the computer(s) that you would like set up on the
switch on DVI compatible KVM switches.
USB
A Male/Male Cable ? This is used to connect a USB mouse and keyboard to the
KVM?s input on USB compatible KVM switches
6
Pin Mini Din/PS-2 Male/Male Cable ? This is used to connect the KVM to the
computers you would like to set up for use on the switch.
DB25
KVM Cable ? This is used to convert the Keyboard, Video, and Mouse
connections in to a single DB25 Male connector.
Cat5e
Cable ? This is used in KVM over IP solutions and for piggy-backing
multiple KVM?s for a larger network.
