As more and more USB-enabled devices are entering the market, the demand for a convenient way to connect external USB peripherals increases. Thus, a new challenge is to combine USB peripherals with KVM. ATEN first introduced the KVMP™ (KVM + Peripheral) concept in 2000 by adding a 2-port USB hub to a KVM switch. This allows USB peripherals to be installed on the KVM so that every PC can share USB peripherals, easily removing or inserting them according to specific needs. The advantage of KVMP™ is especially evident with the increase in demand for file reading and writing on flash disks, card readers and digital cameras. Recently, many KVM companies have included the KVMP™ specification as a standard, thus illustrating ATEN's advanced knowledge of the market and its leadership in the development of innovative product technology.

ATEN's KVMP™ has the following features:

1. Synchronous and Asynchronous Switching
2. Multiplatform Support
3. Support for PS/2 and USB Console Interfaces
4. Firmware Upgradeable
5. Port specification for Console's keyboard and mouse
6. Audio Enabled
7. Multi-function Mouse Support

 

 

Further details on the features indicated above are as follows:

1. Synchronous and Asynchronous Switching
Synchronous Switching is 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. The Asynchronous Switch, on the other hand, allows exclusive flexible independent switching (information transfer, file printing, playing music, PC use) with no wait time. The Asynchronous Switch is the most suitable choice for media producers or design engineers who need to switch between different PCs. ATEN KVMP™ switches realize both Synchronous and Asynchronous Switching and effectively increase work performance and allocation flexibility. Using ATEN's proprietary signal simulation technology helps to solve common problems, such as identifying signals or signal quaking during the switching process. (See the figure below).

2. Multiplatform Support
Currently, the multiplatform support of switching between PCs is accomplished through the use of the USB interface (Windows, 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. ATEN USB KVMP™ switches include a proprietary USB ASIC, which is compatible with the majority of USB keyboards and mice. With a precise hotkey, you can use a PC keyboard to emulate the hotkey of a Mac or Sun keyboard to realize cross-platform switching between PCs, without the need for a Mac or Sun Connector.

3. Supports PS/2 and USB Console Interfaces
ATEN USB KVMP™ switches are packaged with a PS/2-to-USB Console Converter. Regardless of whether users have a PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse, they may freely select any combination for the console interface.

4. Firmware Upgradeable
ATEN USB KVMP™ switches have firmware upgrade support; users may download the latest firmware from the Internet.

5. Port specification for Console's keyboard and mouse
Usually, the USB peripheral port of a 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 USB mouse or keyboard port, instead of the USB peripheral port. ATEN is the first to separate the USB console ports and USB peripheral ports, making the USB peripheral ports more accessible while simplifying and improving the user's experience. 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. In the ATEN KVMP™ product series, the console's keyboard/mouse is designed using a USB interface and does not occupy a USB peripheral port.

6. Audio Enabled
ATEN KVMP™ switches are audio enabled. You can listen to the audio output of 2 to 4 computers on a single set of speakers, or use a microphone.

7. Multi-function Mouse Support
Users may choose to use a traditional mouse or multi-function mouse at the console.
* CS1732A/1734A do not support this feature.

 

ATEN KVMP™ Series