Rackmount KVMs

I'm looking at getting a rackmount KVM; there's 7 servers for it to manage currently, two USB, 5 PS/2. I don't really need IP access, since the machines have remote management cards, it really IS for managing them locally - while the management cards are fine if I'm remoted in from home in the middle of the night, they're NOT so good if I need to get into a machine quickly to fix something. It can take a few minutes for a console session to load. Ideally, the KVM will have a 17" LCD tray, 16 ports (to take account of possible future machines) and be able to handle PS/2 or USB with equal facility. I've been looking at Daxten, Avocent (THIS plus THIS ) Belkin ( THIS plus THIS )...you get the idea.

Anyone got any opinions as to reliability or quality of this sort of size KVM box?

Cheers,
Nick

I'll take that as a "no", then... :)

Never mind; the Daxten looks like a good option.

I like the first Adovcent one :).. just purely on ooo factor :D

Ive only used one before in a temp job a long while ago... so no ideas about quality :)

HP KVM over IP :)

We took all the consoles out of our datacentre. ( apart from a \'crash cart\' for serious emergency

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Originally Posted by Moby-Dick

HP KVM over IP :)

We took all the consoles out of our datacentre. ( apart from a 'crash cart' for serious emergency

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I know; I have DRACs for the Dells and ILM with KVM facilities for the HP. Problem is when you REALLY need to get in quickly, they're slow.

Thanks, Metier; the Avocent console looks nice, I agree.

KVM over Ip is a bit quicker than ILo from what I've seen - we've got ILo for the power management features mainly.

Hmm. Thing is, I don't actually NEED IP; my office is right by the server room, and if I'm remoting in from home, the DRAC/ILo cards are quick enough - no-one's there anyway :). This really is for dashing into the server room and un-****ing a balky server, or doing work that I'm happier doing locally rather than remotely.

The HP really DOES look like good kit, but that plus the adapters, I'm looking at quite a lot more than the non-IP stuff. Virtual media's a nice feature, but I really only ever need that from home, and the DRAC/ILo cards do that too. I really appreciate the thoughts, though, Moby.

needing & wanting are different :P

I'll keep an eye open and see if I can find anything. I'd be tempted by the avocent kit too :)

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Originally Posted by Moby-Dick

needing & wanting are different :P

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Yes...they do 19" screen versions too...*smacks own hand* NO! BAD IT MANAGER! NO BISCUIT! :lol:

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Originally Posted by Moby-Dick

I'll keep an eye open and see if I can find anything. I'd be tempted by the avocent kit too :)

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It certainly looks nicer. TBH, I've had mixed experiences w/Belkin KVM kit, so I was looking at that as a less-preferred option unless someone had had better experiences with their rackmount stuff. Thanks again, Moby.

the cheapy dell ones we have do ps2 and usb (the non-ip ones)

That's a thought - what model are they, please? And is the boot time support OK?

dell 180as

and they appear to be rebadged avocent

boot-time support is fine. i thought it wasn't until i tried turning the kvm itself on. you need to tweak the settings not to have the current output name permanently stamped on the screen, and the ability to use the mouse to configure it is neat