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Thread: Trouble finding the perfect KVM for my needs

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    Trouble finding the perfect KVM for my needs

    Hi all,

    My objectives: to find either one of the following KVM switch or something equivalent using mostly hardware:

    • 4 ports KVM with dual console users (including DVI, USB, Audio and Microphone)

    • 8 ports KVM with dual console users (including DVI, USB, Audio and Microphone)


    So far I have searched and contacted a number of companies without success, as no one is prepared to suggest a solution that may involve a product that is not their own.

    Please note that I do not have the sort of budget that a company or an organisation does have, and therefore am limited in that sense.

    In terms of hardware, I am specifically searching for equipment that support:

    • DVI (preferably dual link, supporting a resolution of up to 1080p or 1080i, any higher resolution would be a bonus)

    • USB (for the keyboard and mouse), all the mice that I have are now USB and have a couple of Logitech G9x which I would like to continue using. Therefore am not prepared to downgrade to PS/2 mice. I am mostly interested in UBS2.0 and not in USB KVM that only support USB 1.1. I don’t think that there are any KVM switches on the market that support USB 3.0.

    • My keyboards are currently PS/2, but I am about to change these in favour of USB Nkro mechanical keyboards, this is why I am looking for USB keyboard and mice ports (of course both consoles, keyboard and mice will be of the same type and models).

    • Audio and microphone ports (preferably for 7.1 sound, however will settle for at least 2.1 stereo sound).


    The requirement is to be able to have a maximum of two console users connected at the same time to the KVM system, and each controlling a different multimedia computer that is connected to the KVM system. I do not mind how this is achieved as long as hardware is used as the primary means of accessing the different computers.

    An additional and important factor is that all the computers that I have are connected to a wired LAN, and that the solution that I am looking for, must not be wireless.

    The products that come close to my requirement needs are the following, but each of these lack an important feature that I am looking for.






    My primary choice would be to go for the Aten CS1784A, although it is a pity that the Uniclass desktop matrix switch is lacking audio connectivity, otherwise the latter would have been my top choice.

    Yet, with all these choices I still have a problem, with how I am going to achieve the 2 users / console users setup with any of these KVM system and be able to have the resolution that I require (preferably native monitor resolution), with USB keyboard and mice, and audio functionality too.

    I would be prepared if necessary to opt for a IP based KVM systems, however these devices require a lot more hardware, with KVM extenders etcetera that would bring the price up.

    I require to have two users who could either use anyone of the computers that are connected to the KVM system, one computer at a time.

    Could anyone advise on how I could achieve this?

  2. #2
    DDY
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    Re: Trouble finding the perfect KVM for my needs

    Would two USB sound interfaces work independently over the KVM's console side USB?

    If yes you'd be able to hook up two relatively inexpensive USB audio interfaces to the KVM for audio aupport.

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    Re: Trouble finding the perfect KVM for my needs

    I am not sure what is meant by
    Would two USB sound interfaces work independently over the KVM's console side USB?
    I will have to look up these USB sound interfaces.

    What I would like to achieve as an alternative solution, failing the fact that I may not be able to find exactly what I require, is:
    • To connect all 4 multi-media computers to the preferred KVM switch of my choice, namely the Aten CS1784A KVMP switch.

    • Each of the 4 multi-media computers, would also be connected to my Gigabit LAN, via individual Ethernet cables.

    • 1 of the 4 multi-media computers could additionally have its own set of USB keyboard / mouse, including DVI monitor, of the same type, brand and resolution as the ones connected to the KVM switch, as the graphics card has 2 dual link DVI-D ports. Unless I purchase a special cable of type: http://uk.startech.com/Cables/Audio-...ble~DMSDVIDVI1 to connect one end to the monitor cable connector of the special KVM cable, and the other side directly to the monitor, while the other end would be connected to the multi-media computer. Please note that the Aten KVM uses special cables (of either 1.8 m or maximum 5m) http://www.aten.com/products/product...l_no=2L-7D05UD
      Using this latter computer that would also be connected to the KVM switch, with its additional set of direct keyboard, mouse and monitor, to access the other computers that are connected to the KVMP switch from this second external point, via remote desktop, using my LAN (would in theory allow me to implement a second remote user to access any single multi-media computer that is connected to the KVM system).


    The only thing that I do not know is whether such setup will function properly, before committing myself into purchasing the preferred KVM system.
    It would be a pity to buy the equipment first and find out that it is not possible to achieve what I would like to do with it.

    Would anybody know if such alternative setup would function?

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    Senior Moment blueball's Avatar
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    Re: Trouble finding the perfect KVM for my needs

    Could you not achieve similar using VNC or Dameware MRC and avoid the need for KVMs altogether?
    Rgds,

    BB
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    Re: Trouble finding the perfect KVM for my needs

    Yes, I could, but I prefer to use hardware as a priority and software as a secondary option to avoid the limitations of hardware.
    Not all version of remote software connection support the same native resolution as monitors, and most do not support sound, plus all use network connection and if there is a lot of traffic on the network, these slow down and at times to a standstill. OK, In my case this is unlikely to happen.
    If a lot of traffic is present then, the alternative is to drop the resolution of the screen and the number of colours, to speed up the connection.

    With DameWare in order to use its full capabilities one needs several licenses for the different computers. I cannot remember if DameWare allows multiple users to connect to a computer (it may do, but I am not sure). Then the ever so used VNC, or real VNC, all of which have got good points and not so good point. At least VNC is free, which is a good thing, but again I am not sure if VNC supports sound generated from the remote system, and whether it can transfer this to the resources of the source computer. And then in terms of security VPN can be used with these software too, which again is a positive point.

    However, I still prefer the versatility of hardware KVM switches, with the knowledge that the devices will work properly without effort, and without the need to have a constant remote connectivity software running in the background (of course these can be switched off).

  6. #6
    Senior Moment blueball's Avatar
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    Re: Trouble finding the perfect KVM for my needs

    A single Dameware license allows you to connect to as many machines as you want:

    http://www.dameware.com/products/min...ricing-uk.aspx
    Rgds,

    BB
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