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.
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