10 Considerations Before Purchasing a KVM Switch

In the previous article we have learned about KVM switch and what does it do. Now in this article I am going to give some tips regarding choosing the right KVM switch to purchase.

When choosing a KVM Switch, there are plenty of important things to keep in mind. Below you will find 10 things you ought to think about when purchasing your KVM.

1. Digital KVM vs. Front-End IP KVM Switch
2. Support for Audio
3. Integration of Remote Power Management Functionality
4. Security/Authentication
5. Number of Users
6. CAT5 Switches
7. Resolution & Performance
8. Support for Serial Devices
9. Bandwidth
10. Distance Requirements

Digital vs. Front-End IP products - In case you need to implement KVM over IP, you can select between pure digital applications & front-end IP products. A pure digital implementation makes use of digital KVM switches & is a network-based management approach that allows administrators to gain BIOS-level access of the attached servers by communicating with the networked digital KVM switch. Front-End IP products are positioned at the console of existing analog switches & permit remote users to gain secure access to an existing KVM switch.

Supports for Audio - Some KVM switches provide audio support. For example, the Rose Electronics UltraView Pro series will support audio for users & computers. In addition, Avocent AMX devices provide multi-user switches that support audio functionality.

Integration of Remote Power Management Functionality - By integrating a remote reboot device, administrators can cycle power to a server from a user station or through an online browser from any location worldwide. Enterprise-level solutions such as Server Technology's line of remote power management products provide multiple options for 3-phase or 208 power.

Security/Authentication - Most KVM over IP devices permit an administrator to leverage existing authentication schema such as LDAP, Active Listing, RADIUS, or TACACS+.

Number of Users - Multi-User KVM switches range from smaller 4-user KVM switches able to handle dozens of servers, to integrated KVM switching systems able to allowing hundreds of administrators to control thousands of servers.

CAT5 Switches - CAT5 KVM switches dramatically reduce desktop & server rack cable clutter & permit users & computers to be situated farther apart than they could be using standard KVM cables. CAT5 switches also scale much larger on both the user & method sides, providing additional flexibility as your organization grows.

Resolution & Performance - Resolutions vary by device; some KVM over IP switches provide a maximum of up to 1600X1200 at 60Hz over IP. In case you have high resolution requirements, think about analog KVM switches, as they provide a higher resolution than digital KVM switches.

Support for Serial Devices - Some high-end KVM enterprise solutions provide support for serial devices (routers, headless Unix, etc.). Rose Electronics' devices provide serial support at the switch level & can support serial devices through coax cables.

Bandwidth - Bandwidth requirements will vary significantly depending on the graphic intensity of the application you are using. Most compression technologies use differentials, sending only the changes that appear on a screen to update the user screen.

Distance Requirements - The distance between a user & a server with KVM over IP is limitless. The maximum distance between a user & server with a CAT5 KVM switch varies, with some higher-end analog CAT5 KVM switches allowing a user & a server to be up to 1,000 feet apart.