KVM Switches

starixiom wrote on 6/12/2003, 6:45 PM

I would love to simplify the jungle of computer wires in my computer room and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good reliable KVM switch? Ive been researching this on various forums for the past couple days and so far from what i can gather not all these switches are created equally. Each brand/ model have some quirks to overcome. The main connection proablem seems to be monitor and settings if all your computers dont have the same video card, which mine do not.

I am basicly looking for a simply KVM switch that can connect 3 or more computers together using PS/2 Mouse/ Keyboard and SVGA connections. I dont have a DVI type LCD monitor but would not rule it out for the future (the future being 1 year.) I am not going to mess with USB connections.

Any testimonials or recommendations anyone can make would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

filmy wrote on 6/12/2003, 7:08 PM

I just got a TK-200 sent to me so I could use a W2K based Pinnacle edit system. Didn't work. I can't say it is the switch however - it seems to be the OS. What happened is that on my Xp Pro system everyting works fine. When I switched to the W2k system at first it would work fine but if I went back to the XP system (Still working fine) and back to the W2K than the mouse would not be working, or the keyboard so you had to reboot the W2k system. I was lucky enough to be able to map out the video drives before total loss of mouse and keyboard support. Now the switch is really doing nothing as the W2k system is stuck on the log-in screen. FWIW - when I told the production company about the mouse problem their response was along the lines of "Crap! That is the problem we had and just thought it was because our computer is so ancient" So the only advice I can offer is if you are going to switch between an W2K OS - think again. It seems to work with XP and 98/98SE however.

starixiom wrote on 6/12/2003, 7:20 PM

Im glad you told me about your W2k dilema. I have 3 dual processor systems. 1 dual Xeon, 1 dual P3, and 1 Dual P2 (I love dual systems.) Well the Xeon is XP Pro, the P3 is W2k, and the P2 is W2k/ Win98 dual boot. I would hate to think that I simply KVM switch would cause a mouse to stop working. I want to simplify my life and make all my systems XP but some problem always creeps up that i need to switch to a different windows version, hence my problem.

Ive been to KVMS.com and others and there is so many to choose from my head is about to explode.

simojo wrote on 6/12/2003, 9:33 PM

I know you asked about three PC's, but I'm using the ~$40 two port Belkin with built-in cabling. Works flawlessly. I have two single processor Pentium 4's. One runs dual monitors through a Matrox G550, the other is a single monitor through a Nvidia MX420. I thought that would freak out the KVM, but no problem. I'm posting this to at least give you a good feeling about Belkin. Best wishes on finding a killer 3-port version...

starixiom wrote on 6/12/2003, 9:48 PM

Are you running two different Versions of Windows on each box ie. W2k and XP ?

gnfoster wrote on 6/12/2003, 10:10 PM

Using a D-Link DKVM-2. Used eBay special.

2 port between AMD 900 W2K (2 nvidia video) and a P2-350 Win98SE (1 Matrox video)

Never a problem. Excellent Resolution.

gnf

simojo wrote on 6/13/2003, 6:46 AM

I'm using Win XP on both of my machines. Also, re: the dual monitors: When I render on PC#1 with the G550, I push the status window into monitor #2, then switch monitor #1 to PC #1. I still see half of #PC2 going on monitor 2 while working on PC #1 in monitor 1. Even though the Matrox G550 is seeing a live monitor on one side and a blocked KVM on the other channel, the whole system still works fine. Hope that helps.

JJKizak wrote on 6/13/2003, 7:33 AM

I use the Aten CS-114 with foot pedal to elimnate using the keyboard to switch.
Three computers with Win2k pro. Only thing else I would like is for some extra
USB and Firewire ports so that I can switch the shuttle pro and joy stick and
capture and external monitor all at the same time. No problems.

JJK

Former user wrote on 6/13/2003, 8:11 AM

I use an Iogear Mini KVM auto switch on my two systems. Each system has a different video card, but it works great. You hit a hot key on one of the keyboards to switch. Runs about $49 US.

Dave T2

sorry after re reading your original, I see you want more than two computers. This particular model will not work, but Iogear makes good stuff.

farss wrote on 6/13/2003, 8:28 AM

I've used KVMs with 10 ports in a server room.
Main thing to look for are ones that emulate the keyboard and mouse when they are not connected to the PC. Without that the OS may go off into gaga land thinking its lost comms with a device.

Also factor in the cost of the cables your going to need. Many of them use non standard cables and a full set can cost as much s the switch itself.

One free solution I use is TightVNC. I have one machine I just use to store backups on and do label printing from. I've setup the BIOS to ignore the missing keyboard and it loads VNC at bootup as a service. From my other machines I can run VNC and takeover its screen, keyboard and monitor. I wouldn't try editing video using VNC but for basic stuff is more than adequate and its a free OSF utility, it will work between WinXX and Linux boxes as well. Of course they need to be on a IP network.

Jsnkc wrote on 6/13/2003, 9:44 AM

I use the Iogear mini switch but it's the USB version. Works great switching between my Mac G3 and my Windows XP computer.

vicmilt wrote on 6/13/2003, 9:46 AM

OK - I am the laziest human in the world.
My solution (thinking "out of the box") is a monthly software service, gotomypc.com .

They allow me to link to any of the computers in my shop from ANYWHERE, via internet. This really works out great for me, as I do work from home, and spend a reasonable amount of time on the road.

But when I'm in the shop, I use the service to mount the other machines, and then minimize them. Give the service a trial it's free to start.

Advantages: no wiring at all and access from anywhere
Disadvantage: $15/ month fee for both computers

starixiom wrote on 6/13/2003, 9:57 AM

Hey Farss,

Does emulation of keyboard and mouse when they are not connected to the PC have some other marketing term attached to it or could i just ask for PS/2 emulation?

JJKizak wrote on 6/13/2003, 10:16 AM

Black Box also has a large selection of switches.

JJK

Galeng wrote on 6/13/2003, 5:29 PM

I use a Belkin KVM switch to manage 4 computers. One is dedicated to vedio editing, one is a multiboot OS system to help with customer needs and the other two are used to bring up systems on the work bench. It maintains it's mouse and keyboard connection and is for PS2 connections. I've used it for the last 3 1/2 years without a problem. Can switch using keyboard command or button on the unit. It also has the ability to upto for other consoles to it.

Galen