About USB KVMP Switch
 
 
As more and more USB products are available on the market, the demand for a convenient way to connect USB external peripherals increases. Thus, a new challenge will be to combine USB peripherals with KVM. ATEN first introduced the KVMP (KVM + Peripheral) concept in 2000 by adding a 2 port USB HUB to KVM. This allowed the USB peripheral to be installed on top of the KVM so that every PC can share the USB peripherals and can easily remove or insert USB peripherals based on the specific needs. The advantage of KVMP is especially evident as the demand for file reading and writing in USB sticks, card readers and digital cameras increases. Recently, many KVM companies have included the KVMP specification as a standard, thus illustrating ATEN's knowledge of the market and leadership in the development of product technology.

When purchasing KVMP, there are several things to keep in mind:
1. Synchronous and Asynchronous switching
2. Cross-platform and USB compatibility
3. Double specification (PS/2 and USB) KVMP switch
4. The difference between USB 1.1 and USB 2.0
5. Back vs. front USB Hub installation
6. Port specification for Console's keyboard and mouse

Further explanations for the problems indicated above are as follows:

1. Synchronous Switch is a Normal KVMP Concurrent Switching, and is currently the most common type of switching. During the switching process, the Synchronous Switch allows simultaneous switching of audio, monitor and USB device signals, whereas with the Asynchronous Switch, you can use exclusive flexible independent switching (information transfer, print files, play music, use your PC) with no wait time. The Asynchronous Switch is a suitable choice for media producers or design engineers who need to switch between different PCs. ATEN KVMP Switch realizes Synchronous and Asynchronous Switching and effectively increases the work performance and allocation flexibility. Using ATEN's proprietary signal simulation technology helps to solve common problems, such as identifying signals or quaking of the signals during the switching process.

2. Currently, the cross-platform support of switching between PCs is accomplished through the use of the USB interface (PC, MAC, Linux and Sun support USB). As a result, USB signal transfer and identification is the biggest challenge to USB KVM operation. Today, there are many types of mouse and keyboard brands and the hot keys and functions identified by different companies are complicated. When KVM companies are faced with many different keys, there answer is to use hot keys. In regards to the degree of compatibility, it differs from company to company depending on their professionalism and experience. ATEN's USB KVMP Switch includes a proprietary USB ASIC, which is compatible with the majority of the USB keyboards and mice. Using a precise and accurate hot key, you can use on a PC keyboard the hot key of a MAC keyboard to realize cross-platform switching between PCs, without using a MAC connector.

3. If you are using an old PS/2 computer, but would like to use a USB KVM Switch, you may need to purchase a converter. However, to install on the KVM, otherwise portions of it will not be compatible. ATEN USB KVMP Switch / CS-1732A and CS-1734A simultaneously support USB and PS/2. The user only needs to purchase PS/2 KVM Cable(Product NO. 2L-5301P/1.2M, 2L-5302P/1.8M, 2L-5303P/3M, 2L-5304P/4M, 2L-5305P/5M) in order to be compatible with a PS/2 computer.

4. Currently, the USB HUB of a normal KVMP Switch only supports USB 1.1. This specification is suitable for the transfer of files in an average card reader or USB stick. ATEN USB KVMP Switch / CS-1722, CS-1724 is the world's first USB 2.0 HUB ( 2 and 4 Port USB KVMP Switch / CS-1772, 1774 with USB 2.0 HUB will also be launched soon). It is 40 times the speed of USB 1.1 and is suitable for the transfer of large files in external hard drives, digital cameras, scanners and printers.

5. Currently the USB Peripheral Port of the USB KVMP Switch is installed on the rear of the KVM. This can confuse the user and cause them to insert USB peripherals into the CPU USB Port, instead of the USB Peripheral Port. ATEN is the first to move the USB HUB to the front of the KVMP product (2 & 4 Port USB Dual-View KVMP Switch / CS-1742, CS-1744; 2 & 4 Port USB KVME Switch / CS-1772, 1774), making the USB Peripheral Ports more accessible while simplifying and improving the user's experience.

6. In addition, the keyboard and mouse interface of the Console on the USB KVMP Switch uses different specifications. Some companies design the Console for PS/2, but claim that they support USB, when in reality they use the USB Peripheral Port to support USB keyboard/mouse. ATEN's KVMP products series (2 & 4 Port USB KVMP Switch / CS-1732A, CS-1734A;2 & 4 Port USB Dual-View KVMP Switch / CS-1742, CS-1744) and the Console's keyboard / mouse is designed using USB interface and does not occupy USB Peripheral Port.

Established in 1979, ATEN International CO. Ltd, is a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of cutting edge connectivity solutions for the IT industry and its computer users. Dedicated to the mission of "Contributing Knowledge-Creating the Future," ATEN provides customers with the most efficient, reliable, and user-friendly connectivity products to be found anywhere in the market. As competition within the connectivity market expands to meet the growing demand of businesses wanting to upgrade their PC and server management methods, ATEN continues to keep ahead. In addition to KVM switches, ATEN provides a diversified line-up of hundreds of data communication products, such as switch boxes, video splitters, interface converters, networking products, USB HUB and other connectivity products.