Johan Simbade
KVM Switches Guide
KVM switches are among the most popular and high-end devices that can be used to help people manage their multiple networked computer systems. These switches are much more affordable than their counterparts, and they can help a company to have a lot more flexibility when it comes to the use of multiple networked systems. However, it is important for people to know the facts about these switches before making their purchase. Here is what a consumer should know about KVM switches.
A KVM switch is actually a hardware device that enables a user to manage a number of computers from a single set of input/output devices, computer keyboards, monitor screens, and optical mice. Each KVM switch works with a simple plug and play mechanism. All that a person needs to do is plug in the devices that they want to use for managing their computers and then select which ports on the switch they want to use for particular computer applications. They can also connect up to four additional input/output ports on the switch and add another sixteen ports on which to connect additional computer peripherals. Each port on the expansion capability of a KVM switch can be used for input and output purposes.
The main feature of KVM switches is that they allow easy expansion of input/output peripherals with the use of an expandable plug. Thus allowing up to four USB ports, four serial ports, four digital plugs, and one parallel port can be connected to a single KVM port. These ports all support different kinds of technologies including USB 2.0, serial adpters, and PATA. In fact, some of these devices might even support several ports at the same time. This allows a business user to have more input and output ports available for the use of USB peripherals such as printers, scanners, card readers, USB drives, cameras, and webcams.
These switches are very useful for servers that require a lot of expansion but are not yet fully outfitted with IT solutions. Since these switches can be expanded later on, they are a good solution for small offices that might require added computers but do not wish to spend the money on them just yet. The cost savings and convenience of KVM switch is well appreciated by companies that wish to buy these PCs and other peripherals but do not have the budget to buy them in full. They allow users to connect PCs with KVM switches to each other in order to save a lot of money.
KVM switches are able to capture and transmit data at high speeds using high-speed MOSFET or switching gates that enable them to convert the required signals for fast forwarding and switching between multiple network states. These signals are digitally converted via a host computer and then compressed into what is known as EDI (electronic data interface). Through this technology, input and output signals are maintained and encoded so that they can be read and changed quickly and reliably. This ensures that the computers on which the KVM switches are connected remain in full operational order and do not suffer from any errors.
KVM switches are available in different form factors that ensure compatibility with the wide range of devices and servers that are being used in the business environment. Some of these switches also offer compact designs that make them easier to be used in servers and other types of client computers. However, while KVM switches are very useful for larger businesses that require many USB peripherals, they are not designed for use in small offices that only have single computers or servers. These smaller offices usually have a great number of USB devices and other small devices that are not capable of connecting to and using a computer through the USB port. In this case, a USB-based printer or scanner would need to be connected to the computer through the USB port in order to be read.
