Compared with SOHO KVM, Enterprise KVM
is mainly designed to provide larger PC
management solutions for corporations, associations
and other professional entities. This type
of KVM is usually designed based on the
19" rack size, or for the 1U or 2U.
Also, in order to control a number of PCs,
a majority of the products are designed
to include 4, 8, 16 or 32 CPU Ports. Many
of the products also can be Cascaded or
Daisy Chained to allow users the flexibility
of expanding the number of PCs they control.
Due to the demands of multiple port specification
and Cascade or Daisy Chain expansion management,
many Enterprise KVM products provide the
On Screen Display (OSD) function to allow
the users convenient switching and management,
apart from the hotkey or button. Some of
the switches, such as the ALTUSEN Series
KVM switches, provide a detachable display,
allowing easy management of the back wires
of the KVM on the rack, and a more customized
use of the front display and switch button.
Enterprise KVM that is currently available
on the market can be divided into four types:
Single Console KVM, Multi-Console KVM, LCD
KVM, and IP Based KVM. The characteristics
and explanations of these four types of
Enterprise KVM are as follows:
1. Single Console KVM—Switch
for one user
As
indicated by its name, Single Console KVMs
provide a single console that uses a KVM
switch to control multiple PCs/servers.
This type of KVM is appropriate for one
user or for an environment where there is
a small number of PCs. When purchasing this
type of product, users can consider the
PC platform or interface that they want
to control in order to choose an appropriate
product. Single Console KVMs that are currently
found on the market mainly use the PS/2
interface (ATEN CS-9138/CS-138A). These
entry-level enterprise KVMs have practical
functions and flexibility for expansion,
and are suitable for the average server
room in a corporation. There is also another
type of product that integrates three types
of signals and audio into one connecting
interface (ATEN CS-1004/CS-1008/CS-1016).
In addition, apart from just supporting
PS/2 product types, there are other products
that support USB interface, especially as
USB interface becomes increasing popular,
more and more KVM switches support this
interface. In fact, some KVMs only support
the USB interface but are compatible with
PC, Mac, Sun and Linux platforms. For example,
ATEN's CS-1708/CS-1716
and Combo types of KVM that support both
PS/2 and USB interfaces, such as ATEN's
CS-1754/CS-1758.
These types of products are specially designed
with a connecting port on the KVM console,
allowing users to choose different wires
(PS/2 or USB) according to their needs,
and to simultaneously control PS/2 or USB
interface servers. As mentioned above, for
easy control management, many Single Console
KVM provide and OSD and can be cascaded
or daisy chained for expansion. However,
when purchasing, users should still be aware
that currently some low-priced models on
the market do not provide the functions
mentioned above. For lower priced items,
users should consider their expansion and
management needs in order to choose the
most appropriate product.
2. Multi-Console KVM—Multiple
Switch
For
users that need at least two people to simultaneously
manage and control a server environment,
they can choose a Multi-Console KVM. The
majority of these products on the market
allow one KVM to provide 2, 4 or 8 sets
of consle controls. Depending on the interface
type and ports, there are different models
available. For PS/2 interface products,
the most common configuration for the multi-console
KVM provides 8 CPU ports and two console
controls (ATEN CS-228).
Apart from the PS/2 interface, there are
products that support multi-platform interfaces.
Often, these PC ports are designed to be
integrated ports, and are ports that integrate
keyboard, mouse, and display signals. The
highly visible and most recognized is the
RJ-45 interface. The RJ-45 interface allows
users to extend the distance between the
KVM console and PC/server using standard
Cat 5 cable. This solution can effectively
solve the distance restrictions of other
port wires, and will be more convenient
for cable management. Using ATEN's KM0432(4X32)
/KM0216(2X16) as an example, it supports
distances of up to 150 meters. Also, the
RJ-45 interface occupies little space, making
it possible for a 32 port KVM to fit in
a 1U rack space. However, for such products,
more support is needed for "expansion
usage" and "management" due
to the multiple to multiple specifications.
Thus, Cascade or Daisy Chain structure and
OSD function are important factors for users
to consider when purchasing. Again, using
the KM0432 as an example, it supports both
Cascade and Daisy Chain and allows a maximum
of 4096 PC connections. Thus, not only can
the four users of the Master KVM control
all the connected PCs, it can also allow
each of the KM0432 under the Daisy Chain
management to manage all the PCs connected
to the KVM. Users can separate it into different
sets for management, thus increasing management
efficiency. In addition, in terms of OSD
management, KM0432 /KM0216 has three levels
of security management, classifying users
into Super Administrator, Administrator
and User. Similar OSD functions will help
to increase management efficiency in a multiple
user environment.
3. LCD KVM—Integrated
Switch
What
is commonly known in the market as LCD KVM
is in reality a product that integrates
LCD display, keyboard, and mouse functions
at the console with a KVM switch. This product
concept was developed to fulfill the demands
of the server room by combining KVM functions
with specific design structure in order
to solve the user's problem of having to
additionally purchase display, keyboard,
and mouse to establish a KVM console. Also,
as a result of the console integrating with
KVM to become 1U in size, the rack is able
to save valuable space.
4. IP Based KVM
With
the increasing popularity of the Internet,
the evolution of KVM's development has initiated
the birth of the IP Based KVM switch. The
development of IP Based KVM switches not
only allows integration with Internet specifications,
but also allows the user to gain the benefits
that the Internet has brought to KVM. The
biggest advantage of IP Based KVM, that
is different from other KVM, is in the user's
physical location when using the console.
The user is no longer limited to the general
proximity of the KVM switch. The user only
needs to connect the KVM switch to the LAN
or Internet and the user can manage the
PCs that are connected to the KVM CPU, regardless
of where he or she is in the world. From
a remote control interface point of view,
using ATEN KN9116 as an example, the user
can manage the PCs using an Internet Browser
or Windows; JAVA customer interface management
is also very convenient. The differences
for these types of products on the market
are not very big. The main difference is
in the number of ports and the PC connecting
interface. Factors to consider when purchasing
IP based KVM switch include, similar to
the KN9116, whether or not there are local
console connecting ports available, security
technology and the quality of the image
resolution.
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