Specifications

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KVM Buyer’s Guide
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Before You Buy
Questions to ask before you buy a KVM switching system
Before you choose a KVM switching solution,
you need to consider some important issues. Any
time you have questions or need help contact
Black Box’s FREE, live, 24/7 Tech Support.
What type of connection does the
controlling keyboard, video display,
and mouse have?
Depending on whether they are PS/2
®
, USB,
or some combination of both, your connections
determine what type of cabling you need.
If you are using USB devices, like keyboards
and mice, make sure to purchase a KVM switch
with USB support. Older KVMs usually only
support PS/2
®
connections, but Black Box has
KVM switches that support both USB and PS/2,
as well as USB-only models.
Do your CPUs require keyboard or
keyboard and mouse emulation?
Keyboard emulation and keyboard and
mouse emulation (see our Glossary on the facing
page) are enhanced features of most KVM
switches. They enable each CPU to communicate
with the switch as if it were directly attached to
the controlling keyboard or mouse.
What operating system (OS) software do
your computers use?
Are all your computers running the same OS?
Or, like many organizations, do you have multiple
CPUs running different OSs? With the right KVM
switch, interconnecting multiple CPUs running
different OSs is easy. Black Box offers several
multiplatform KVM switches.
How close are your users to your servers?
If servers and users are physically close to
each other, an analog KVM system will meet your
needs. On the other hand, if users require access
from remote locations because they travel or if an
IT manager needs to manage a distant data center,
a KVM over IP (KVMoIP) system is going to be the
best fit for your organization.
How many ports do you need? What will
your future needs be?
It is advisable to purchase a KVM switch with
more ports than you currently need. This way,
when you expand your server room or add users,
you do not need to completely replace a small
KVM switch with a larger one with more ports.
Also, although many KVM switches are cascad-
able, a KVMoIP system simplifies configuration,
usually requiring the addition of IP addresses
and updating the authentication database.
KVMoIP makes adding servers fast and free
of complications.
What are your security needs?
Network security must never be compromised,
yet authorized personnel need access. KVM
switches use a combination of user authentication,
an operating system’s internal security, and Secure
Socket Layer (SSL) encryption — among other
security features — to ensure that users receive
access to those devices to which they are allowed.