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KVM Switch

V

vroom_skies

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Sep 25, 2005
Messages
1,390
I am in the market for a KVM.It has to be atleast a four port switch, but maybe more.
I would like it to be:
-rack mountable
-support 1920x1200 (I take it these down scale to lower resolutions fine?)
-I have a wireless kb & mouse (via usb) is there anyway to make that work?

I am looking for less then $100.00

Thanks
Bob

What I am looking at now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107255
 
Is this for a business purpose or personal? The problem with these cheap KVMs is not life or business threatening, but it's pretty damn annoying. Sometimes, these cheapos lock up and you can no longer switch the ports or even use a mouse and keyboard on the port it's on. No problem, you just power cycle it and it's all good. Only problem with that is, these things can pull power from the PS/2 port. So, now, to power cycle this cheap piece of crap, you have to disconnect every single device from it and plug them back in. On some PCs, disconnecting and reconnecting a PS2 device doesn't always work as planned.

That's my only gripe with them, I prefer the more expensive models ( I have a CS1758) that have one processor for each port. Have never had even one issue with the one I own, other than the price (over $450 for the kvm and 8 cables).
 
The other thing to remember is your ps2/usb usage. We use some cheapie ones in the office for ghosting/setting up multiple pc's at the workbench, and the newer pc's we're getting in at the office are usb only. They don't work with an adapter.

As such we have a mess of kb's/mice which negates the whole point of the ps2/usb.


*edit* Realized I didn't answer your question. There are usb to ps2 adapters though I'm not sure that's going to work for your purposes. http://sewelldirect.com/ps2tousb.asp may work for that kvm, or it may not. Best thing would be to contact the manufacturer.
 
aramis said:
The other thing to remember is your ps2/usb usage. We use some cheapie ones in the office for ghosting/setting up multiple pc's at the workbench, and the newer pc's we're getting in at the office are usb only. They don't work with an adapter.

As such we have a mess of kb's/mice which negates the whole point of the ps2/usb.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know that feeling. That's why I purchased a USB kvm when I bought mine 2.5 years ago.
 
Thanks for the help so far you guys.

This will be mostly be used for personal use, mainly used to work with home servers and backup machines or the like. I doubt I would be using this on my main system, but honestly don't know yet.
Few Q's:
-How do they scale for resolutions?
-Is there any picture quality or response time loss? (if the kvm supports your res)

Would I be able to run vga from my monitor to the kvm and have the three servers use that. And then run dvi from my main system to my monitor, but use the same keyboard and mouse for all that? Then use PIP to switch between them? Hope that makes sense lol, If not I can draw it or something.

Also, I have this keyboard and mouse http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126175 , I just use the usb for both the keyboard and mouse. How would that work with a kvm? Going from the kvm to computer/ server would I use two ps/2 cords (one for the mouse and the other for keyboard)? Or just a usb cord, or what?

Thanks for everything and sorry for the arrogant questions.
Bob
 
We've got IOGEAR switches here; two 4-port for our lab and an 8-port for Ghosting.

My main requirement was USB support because as an all-dell shop, anything Optiplex GX280 and newer have no ps/2 ports, and the 4-port switches are natively USB (as in, use USB cables and not adapters).

My 8-port however, is natively PS/2 but uses USB adapters. They came with the switch but it turns out to be like $50 cheaper. And it's rackmountable which WE have no use for, but someone else may. If you want model numbers, I'll fish 'em. But I know the 4-ports were like $125.

To answer your questions...

The ones I have work very well up to 1280x1024 but I wouldn't wanna use anything beyond that. Response time isn't really affected, but quality certainly deteriorates.
Regarding using a DVI monitor with another system with only the PS/2 ports... That SHOULD work, even with USB. I did something like that before.
 
hey Blitzrommel,

I'm wondering with the IOGEAR KVM switches (I'm in the market for one) - can you leave the display unattached between two or three PC's, and still be able to share the same USB keyboard/mouse? I've got two separate LCD's and a laptop that I'd want with their own screens rather than having to switch between them - would this work?

Thanks in advance!
 
I don't think you are going to find one that supports more than 4 ports with that resolution for under $100.

If you were fine with 1600x1200 check ebay for the Apex Outlook EL-80DT's.

I picked mine up for $20 and buy your KVM cables from monoprice.

My 10 footers were about $7 each. (I bought 6 to get that price)

A decent 8 port that supports that res would be the TRENDnet TK-801R. It shoud run about $125 or so.
 
The one I have is an IOGEAR. I have a wireless keyboard, and the keystroke sequence to change ports doesn't work for me, not sure if they are related tough. I needed 8 ports and I still wouldn't give up the one I got, just because of the price.
 
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