More expensive KVM switches will allow you to connect two computers (or a computer and a gaming console) to one display. If you want to share an external hard drive between two computers for backing up or transferring data, a USB KVM switch can help with that too, though you'll often need to plug either the drive or the switch into a power source. Just press a button on the switch to swap your peripherals from computer #1 to computer #2.īasic KVM switches have two to four USB ports and let you share a keyboard and mouse, a printer, a USB thumb drive, a webcam and headset, or other peripherals. Unlike a dock, a KVM switch remains plugged into both your computers all the time.
If you've ever found yourself switching between two computing devices, such as a home desktop and a work-issued laptop, then you've probably felt the pain of jumping back and forth between two keyboards and two different screens.
Best Hosted Endpoint Protection and Security Software.Schedule an online demo to see KVM switches in action and find out which switch fits best in your data center. Fortunately, KVM technology is at a point where combinations are unlimited to accommodate the breadth of technologies used in server rooms and data centers. It’s clear to see that as applications and technologies evolved over the past three decades, they’ve required KVM switches to evolve and keep pace as well. Computer interface modules (CIM) are available in a variety of formats in order to support these different video and input interfaces.
KVM switches also need to support different platforms such as Windows based PC/Servers, Mac, Sun, Linux, and more. For instance, KVM switches need to support different keyboard and mouse interfaces like PS/2, USB, Sun, Mac and different video interfaces like VGA, DVI, ADC, HDMI, and display ports. 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. The Dominion KX3-864 is a KVM-over-IP switch that allows 8 users to control up to 64 servers via a TCP/IP network and one person can control at the rack.Įach of these main four types of KVM switches also needs to support a variety of platforms and technologies. This can be on the company LAN or from across the world. These allow you to control your servers over any IP connection from any place at any time. The digital KVM switch: Also known as a KVM over IP.For example, the EZ-108 uses coax cables to connect to servers, and MCCAT18 uses Cat5 cables. The cables can be Coax or Cat5 depending on the switch. The analog KVM switch: Analog KVM switches are operated by having a direct cable connection from the computer to the KVM Switch to the console.The Paragon® II UMT1664 is a great example as it allows 16 users to access up to 64 servers.įrom an application and technology perspective, KVM switches can be divided into the following two types: The multi-user KVM switch: This is used for larger installations and data centers that required several users to manage a number of computers or servers.For instance, the MasterConsole® CAT MCCAT18 allows one person to access up to 8 servers. It allows a single person to access as many computers as they need to form a single console.