Recommendations for a KVM switch please

[David_L6]

Want to buy an inexpensive but reliable 4 port KVM switch and looking for recommendations.

[meshmesh]

I don't know about "inexpensive" in KVM land. Those things are generally pricey. That said, the one our guy likes are those from avocent (http://www.avocent.com/web/en.nsf/Content/DatacenterTable).

There are different versions that have varying capability, ie security, mounting virtual media, etc..not only port numbers. I guess the DSR1022 would be the cheepest, although DSR1031 has more to offer, depending on your needs.

Looking at the manuals for DSR1022 (ftp://ftp.avocent.com/public/manuals/current/Manuals/DSR1021_1022/590-427-616B.pdf) and DSR1031 (ftp://ftp.avocent.com/public/manuals/current/Manuals/DSR1031/590-497-616A.pdf) would explain what I mean.

[sierra_bound]

Is this KVM switch for PS/2 or USB devices? USB KVM's are generally more expensive. And ones with both USB and DVI ports are even more costly.

I was thinking about getting this PS/2 KVM:

http://www.avocent.com/web/en.nsf/Content/SwitchViewPC-4port

It handles 4-ports. It's not the cheapest KVM and cables cost extra. The nice thing is that most of the connectors are in the back. Some 4-port KVM's have connectors sticking out of all sides.

Your least expensive option is going to be PS/2 and non-DVI.

[meshmesh]

Is this KVM switch for PS/2 or USB devices? USB KVM's are generally more expensive. And ones with both USB and DVI ports are even more costly.

I was thinking about getting this PS/2 KVM:

http://www.avocent.com/web/en.nsf/Content/SwitchViewPC-4port

It handles 4-ports. It's not the cheapest KVM and cables cost extra. The nice thing is that most of the connectors are in the back. Some 4-port KVM's have connectors sticking out of all sides.

Your least expensive option is going to be PS/2 and non-DVI.
The ones you are refering to are desktop switches. indeed, they should be much cheeper. The four PCs hook up directly in the back of the unit. But the PCs need to be in the same room though.

The ones I am refering to are KVM-over-IP (http://www.avocent.com/web/en.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/DSSeriesSol_fin.pdf/$FILE/DSSeriesSol_fin.pdf). They work with usb, ps/2,sun, etc... it doesn't matter. You select the I appropriate modules (http://www.avocent.com/web/en.nsf/Content/DSR1022). The machines can reside anywhere, in the basement, or half way around the world. You get access via the internet or dial up modem if needed, cycle power using a special power strip, etc.... These are very different products.

I don't know what David_L6 physical setup are. If the machines are in same room, then this PS/2 desktop switch is much cheeper and will do the job nicely. If he needs remote access, then kvm over IP.

[David_L6]

I just want something that I can hook up one keyboard, monitor, mouse to several computers that I have running WCG (I have 4 with most of the needed parts for a 5th). Right now I have two monitors, 3 keyboards, and 3 mice (mice?, mouses? :confused: ) hooked up. The monitors were easy - used both DVI and VGA - two computers per monitor and swap back and forth using the controls on the monitors. I have to swap a mouse (and sometimes keyboard) around once in a while to get into the fourth computer. I would like an easier way to go in and check once in a while. Present plans are to have three WCG crunching only computers running through a KVM switch and my "main" computer separate from those three. Will add another "cruncher" once I get the rest of the parts and figure out how I'm going to do the internet connection thing (my router has 4 ports.......). All the computers are in the same room.

[sierra_bound]

The ones you are refering to are desktop switches. indeed, they should be much cheeper. The four PCs hook up directly in the back of the unit. But the PCs need to be in the same room though.
He said "inexpensive".;) And based of what he just said, I don't think he needs KVM-over-IP.

If looks are not an issue, then he might check out something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107244

It comes with all the cables.

[Fr3ak]

I am quite happy with my aten KVMs. There are quite a lot of different ones. Check them out using google. They are very cheap too.
Have a look what the cables cost aswell. There are some KVMs that come without cables and most cables are freakin expensive, so better check that beofre you buy anything.

[KaptainBlaZzed]

just use remote desktop, easy and Free.

[sierra_bound]

just use remote desktop, easy and Free.
That will work if all of your machines are running Windows. Some of mine aren't.:)

You can use VNC (http://www.justlinux.com/nhf/Networks/Using_VNC_with_Linux.html) (Virtual Network Computing) to access a Linux box on the internet from a Windows machine.

Or, if you're running Server 2003, you can use something like this (http://www.rdesktop.org/).

[heater918]

He said "inexpensive".;) And based of what he just said, I don't think he needs KVM-over-IP.

If looks are not an issue, then he might check out something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107244

It comes with all the cables.
I have that 1 and it works just fine for me.

[mike047]

I have 6 or 7 of these and they work well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107602

[[XC] hipno650]

i have a really nice startech one, ps2 came with cables to for $100 cad.

[an0nym0us]

i have a zonet 4 port that works pretty well. i'm in the market for a DVI KVM though.

[[XC]thewildblue]

I use a combination of a belkin 4 port ps/2 kvm (about £60) and rdp for everything else.