Please Recoment Some Good KVM Switches

[PCX]

I am getting ready to expand my shop again, which means buying more KVM switches and replacing the old ones. Just about all the ones I have found online either suck (according to reviews) or are just way too expensive. I was wondering what you guys use and recommend.

Thanks.

Oh, and please correct my spelling in the title moderator sorry.

 

[bigdessert]

I have had good luck with trendnet KVM's. I have had some issues with avocent KVM's.

 

[Dagooseisloose]

I use Raritan KVM's at work. Kinda expensive but work really well. They have built in remote software so If you have stuff hooked up at the shop you can hit consoles from home and work on them if RDP doesnt work.

 

[PCX]

not being lazy, but could you guys send some links of the specific models?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Looking for desktop/shelf sized ones? Or rack mounted?

I have had good luck with Avocent for rack mounts....good features for the price.

As for desktop or shelf sized ones....actually used Belkins without problem.

 

[FoolishTech]

They aren't usually cheap, but I've never had any issues with ATEN brand KVMs. I can't recommend a specific model my last one purchased is like over 10 years old and still chugging along. I'm also using a few cheap ones that I picked up for USB support, but when I get tired of the quirks or they just die I'll replace them with a model from ATEN.

Everything else I've used there's always some quirky little issue at best, if not some crippling "then what's the point of having a KVM" type issue, or they just fail after a few months of usage.

 

[PCX]

They aren't usually cheap, but I've never had any issues with ATEN brand KVMs. I can't recommend a specific model my last one purchased is like over 10 years old and still chugging along. I'm also using a few cheap ones that I picked up for USB support, but when I get tired of the quirks or they just die I'll replace them with a model from ATEN.

Everything else I've used there's always some quirky little issue at best, if not some crippling "then what's the point of having a KVM" type issue, or they just fail after a few months of usage.

Got some cheap ones from ebay for USB support as well, and for the most part they work just fine, but they are awkward at times and they most def have their quirks.

 

[altrenda]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I ordered one of these for a client and he's happy with it.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p..._id=1010202&p_id=3406&seq=1&format=4#feedback

Also a DVI version

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10102&cs_id=1010203&p_id=4075&seq=1&format=2

 

[rsarceno]

+1 for Raritan secured, dependable but expensive

 

[CDavis]

I picked up this Trendnet 8 port KVM about 6 months ago with 4 sets of cables. It wasn't too expensive, and I have never had any issues with it.

 

[NerdHouse]

I use nothing but ATEN/IOGear. The IOGear stuff is rebadged ATEN. I use the higher end KVMs and they've never given me problems. I have the dual-link dual view DVI KVM which allows me to use dual monitors with 4 computers.

I have the GCS634U which I use for client computers as well.

 

[Thorstein]

StarTech 4-Port Black PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Cables (SV411K) - Link

I've used several of these in my shop for my techs over the last 8 or 10 years. I've only had to replace a few cables in that time frame.

I've used a TRENDnet TK-409K 4-Port USB KVM Switch Kit with Audio that had a dead port in just a few months.

I also used a IOGEAR GCS78 8-port KVM Switch that lasted less than a year. Sent it back in for repair and it died again within 6 to 9 months.

When I buy another USB KVM switch it will be from StarTech. The ones we have have lasted forever with no problems. (knock on wood)

 

[PCX]

StarTech 4-Port Black PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Cables (SV411K) - Link

I've used several of these in my shop for my techs over the last 8 or 10 years. I've only had to replace a few cables in that time frame.

I've used a TRENDnet TK-409K 4-Port USB KVM Switch Kit with Audio that had a dead port in just a few months.

I also used a IOGEAR GCS78 8-port KVM Switch that lasted less than a year. Sent it back in for repair and it died again within 6 to 9 months.

When I buy another USB KVM switch it will be from StarTech. The ones we have have lasted forever with no problems. (knock on wood)

Thanks, that actually closer to my price range and its more highly reviewed than trendnet.

And thanks to all those who replied, I will take everything into consideration.

 

[twincountycomputers]

I have had good luck with trendnet KVM's. I have had some issues with avocent KVM's.

same here, been using 3 trendnet units for 6 months or so with no issues

prior to that I had 2 older hawking units but they didn't perform very will with hotswapping computers, the switches preferred I only unplug/replug with the switches turned off, the only side effect was the mouse didn't work though and I got around it by plugging up seperate mice for each pc, I bought one of the trendnets to test this and they have worked flawlessly so far.

 

[PCX]

Oh, this should not been an issue, but these KVMs must work with linux. Just about every computer in our shop (with the exception of customers computers) are running linux for diagnostics and such.

 

[twincountycomputers]

Oh, this should not been an issue, but these KVMs must work with linux. Just about every computer in our shop (with the exception of customers computers) are running linux for diagnostics and such.

never had an issue with any kvm not working with linux, I've only use PS2 switches in house though

 

[tankman1989]

I've had a lot of problems with KVM's for some reason and I finally found one that is decently prices and built very well. It is a Cables To Go model -35555


It is available here: http://www.neworldit.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=35555 The shipping sucks as it is 50% of the cost of the device for ground UPS but the nice thing is that it is only $1 more for an extra unit if needed.

I like the 3 USB ports on the front and the fact that I only have to run 2 cables to the computer: monitor & USB. Oh, and did I say it is very well built! No way you can beat this for a 4 port for $30!

 

[tankman1989]

Oh, this should not been an issue, but these KVMs must work with linux. Just about every computer in our shop (with the exception of customers computers) are running linux for diagnostics and such.

I think that was the issue I was having with a lot of the KVM's before I found the CabToGo unit. This one will handle Linux quite nicely.

 

[PCX]

Just in case you guys were wondering, this is what I have been using for the last couple years. They have done me well, but they have a few quirks. Sometimes they cause computers to run extremely slow (I have seen things maybe a handful of times out of thousands of comps) and some times you cannot get a keyboard or mouse to work on different computers. I would say about 90% of the time, they work great.


http://www.amazon.com/USB-KVM-Switc...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331153314&sr=1-21

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I just got my Raritan MCCAT116 16 port KVM switch delivered today. I was looking for an 8 port on ebay and couldn't find anything with a decent price so for sh*ts grins I looked at 16 ports and this one started at $20. Did a little research and it looks like it retails around $1600-$1800. It was listed as company purchased but never setup as the company went out of business. All new in box. I got it for $71 shipped. So far it works great.