KVM Switch

[k3nn4]

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask if anyone using KVM Switch to fix computer ?

What I'm thinking is... I would like to setup a Rack which I am able to put 15 computers on the rack and then with 1 KVM Switch with 16 ports and 1 monitor connected.

So.. this will be the easy way to fix the computer.

Computer will just need to plug-in to the switch and wait for the technician to fix rather than sitting on the floor without connected and wait for the technician to fix.

Any suggestion?

 

[sjlplat]

I use a 2-port KVM on my bench. I don't have much space to work with, so it's really a necessity for me. It makes things quick and easy.

A 16-port KVM is going to be pretty pricey. I'm not sure if the convenience would be worth the price, but then I don't have that volume of work.

 

[Simmy]

I got a second hand 8 port Dell KVM for £30 off ebay and there were plenty available at that price. Not sure where you live but ebay is your best bet IMO.

 

[andrewrost3241981]

I purchased one last year from newegg for about $40.00. The brand is Linkskey and it is a four port switch. I think that it works pretty well, although sometimes it has a little trouble switching from one computer to another when I press the buttons on the switch. Still, I don't think it is too bad for the money.

 

[kagman]

I have a small belkin 2 port kvm... love it... but having one that does 4 is great to have.. however they can get expensive depending on what you want. Im looking for one that does vga/dvi/usb/ps2 but all that does bring the price up

 

[coreyspeed]

i really want to do something like this, i was looking at a 32 kvm with two user stations and uterlizes cat5e cabling to connect between the switch and computers, you have to have a littly box thing, but i thought it was good cause all the cabling is around my workshop and all i would have to do was plug in the cables, i wanted a 2 user station one because if i needed to i could have two people working on the computers. the only draw back is the cost it was around a £1000 for the switch with out the little boxs that connect to the computers.

belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=479829

 

[sjlplat]

i really want to do something like this, i was looking at a 32 kvm with two user stations and uterlizes cat5e cabling to connect between the switch and computers, you have to have a littly box thing, but i thought it was good cause all the cabling is around my workshop and all i would have to do was plug in the cables, i wanted a 2 user station one because if i needed to i could have two people working on the computers. the only draw back is the cost it was around a £1000 for the switch with out the little boxs that connect to the computers.

belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=479829

I think this would be a good buy if you intend to use it to it's full capacity. The cost of 32 monitors alone far exceeds the cost of the KVM.

 

[coreyspeed]

their are two downsides i can see, you can only have two people working on the computers, maybe possible to expand with additonal units. and the other is you can only see what one/two computers are doing at a time, so if you are working on one why another is scanning for viruses you have to switch between them.

 

[kagman]

Wow.. that belkin 32 kvm is sweet.. wow... would love to get my hands on that thing.. sweet..

 

[ProTech Support]

The only problem I see with using a 32 port KVM is this...let's say you actually have 32 computers connected to the KVM, now you can only work on one computer at a time. Grant it, you can start a scan on one, then switch to the next, but you can never physically work on multiple computers. I would prefer to have 4 stations setup with 8 port KVM's so I can work on multiple systems at the same time without having to keep switching between 32 computers on one system.

 

[onetech4all]

Re:

It would have a certain benefit, but you are still limited to one mouse/keyboard/monitor. I'd go as high as 2, maybe 4 connected.
I used to work for a computer store, and never needed a KVM switch. The workbench provided enough space for all computers. We could hook up up to 10 computers.
16 ports it's too much, my opinion!
In a server room, that is beneficial (I know, 'cause I use one at my full time job). Other then this situation, I think ,it's pointless.

 

[mmanna]

For years, we've been using two 2-port KVM's on our workbench so that we could have 2 technicians working on 2 computers; We recently added another workbench with a 4-port KVM, and frankly, I wouldn't want any more ports on it. It's cumbersome enough to cycle through 4 screens just to try and get a quick glance at the status of a download or virus scan.

 

[Menaice]

i use an 8 port IoGear kvm switch and another 4 port kvm switch