KVM Suggestions

[lv_dicedealer]

I am going to need a KVM here soon. I currently have 4 PCs which will be on it, and plan to expand. I want to be able to boot them without the need for the KVM to be switched to it. I dont need DVI (thankfully as those are $$$$$), as I will be using one of my Dell 2001FPs VGA input to check on them.

I am willing to spend the $$$ on a KVM, I just want one that is reliable and can boot the PCs without the KVM switched to it.

[Rodzilla]

Right now I'm using a Belkin 8 port KVM. It does the job but it ghost like mad! I have a Belkin 4 port at work... Ghost like mad... I had another 4 post Belkin at my last job... and Guess what... Ghost like mad! They all did there job quite well and emulated a keyboard & mouse even though focus wasn't switched to that port. They would all boot PCs fine.

Belkin makes some cheap KVMs that work well... But of the 3 I have seen, they all ghost!!!!!

I've also owned a couple Iogear KVMs. They were perfect! Booted the PCs just fine and no ghosting! :up: The ones I owned were never big enough for all of my PCs. They cost a little more too.

For a 4 port KVM I would go with this.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-419&depa=0
The cables aren't removable so you are limited on how far away the PCs can be.

Here is another 4 port that would work well.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-123&depa=0
The cables can be swapped out so you can use longer cables.

Here is a really nice 8 port simple KVM
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-413&depa=0

Here is the one I will own next!
http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GCS1758
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=17-107-421&ATT=KVM+Keyboard+Video+M&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r

And here is a good place to see a wide selection of what Iogear sells...
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=143&manufactory=1479&DEPA=0

[RocKer]

I use a 4port KVM from ATEN,i am very happy with it,works just fine,price was 39.95€ thats about 60$ i think.

Rodzilla what do you mean by "the all ghost".

[Paladin]

Here is the one I will own next!
http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GCS1758
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=17-107-421&ATT=KVM+Keyboard+Video+M&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r

I'd stay away from ones like that which require custom cables. They'll reem you on the cable price and you can't change KVMs without getting all new cables.

I've never had troubles with ghosting. Have you tried better shielded VGA lines?

At home I use an Airlink+ 4-port (http://www.airlinkplus.com/kvm/akvm4.htm). Comes with all cables (changable), no ghosts, and inexpensive. Don't know about it's blind boot capabilities...that would require shutting down D2OL, which isn't going to happen. ;)

At work we've used rack-mount 16-port Belkins. I'm not entirely pleased with them as the front face of a model we have, the physical node switch buttons are just dimples in the plastic face which tends to crack unreasonablely soon after use. Belkin has discontinued this model, but we still have them and the bad taste is still in my mouth.

[angrysquirrel]

I'm not a big fan of iogear, I've always used belkin.

$84.99 4 port KVM with cables included (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0174356)

[faruquehabib]

i have this one from newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-054&depa=0

it works really well, and has audio to each pc as well. it's only 4-port, but i have it loaded up as well. my onboard video was ghosting, but i threw in an x300se and it's perfect now on my acer 19" flat panel

:toast:

[lv_dicedealer]

Good bit of feedback... Thanks all :toast:

[[XC] serlv]

I use 5 4 port Iogears, and a few 2 porters of theirs. No ghosting, no problems. I have one Belkin 2 port and though it works I don't like it as much as the Iogears.

[Rodzilla]

I use 5 4 port Iogears, and a few 2 porters of theirs. No ghosting, no problems. I have one Belkin 2 port and though it works I don't like it as much as the Iogears.

That's what I'm talken about!!! http://smly.org/smly/raiseroof.gif

[Jeff]

Good bit of feedback... Thanks all :toast:

Yeah it is. :up: Making me want to get a 4port KVM to replace the two 2porters I have. ;)

[bachus_anonym]

You guys are crazy! Those swithces are expensive! Unless you need a KVM with audio, you can get good 4-port KVM switch for $50.
I only use one KVM, 2-port, between my main rig and gaming one. It's JustCom 2-Port, Model "JC-102CP" (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-057&depa=0). Works very well, even at 2048x1536 (no ghosting)!!! Not sure what you exactly mean by "ability to boot without switching to it" :) I can RESET any of them and they will boot to Windows just fine. After it boots you can switch to either of the PC and e.g. go into BIOS.
Best part is - it's not even 20 bucks!

Justcom also has a sleek 4-port that costs below $50 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-056&depa=0). That's what I'm getting next ;)

[lv_dicedealer]

re:"ability to boot with out having to switch to the pc"

I had read another member complaining that they had had a power failure in the house and he had to boot each pc one at time because of his KVM. That is what I am hoping to avoid...

[Jeff]

You guys are crazy! Those swithces are expensive! Unless you need a KVM with audio, you can get good 4-port KVM switch for $50.
I only use one KVM, 2-port, between my main rig and gaming one. It's JustCom 2-Port, Model "JC-102CP" (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-057&depa=0). Works very well, even at 2048x1536 (no ghosting)!!! Not sure what you exactly mean by "ability to boot without switching to it" :) I can RESET any of them and they will boot to Windows just fine. After it boots you can switch to either of the PC and e.g. go into BIOS.
Best part is - it's not even 20 bucks!

Justcom also has a sleek 4-port that costs below $50 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-056&depa=0). That's what I'm getting next ;)

I agree BA. Here's the 4porter I'm going to get in the next couple weeks...
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-244&depa=0

I have their two of their 2porters and I've been very happy with them... even though I picked them up for under $20 shipped.