whats a KVM switch?

[akira9000]

well I kinda understand what it is but can anyone gimme an example of a situation where you would use one? :suspect:

[minicooper69]

It's simply a switch to allow mulitple computers be controlled by a single Keyboard, Monitor and Mouse. In my MCR we have about 15 compputers most of which don't need to be touched most of the time, so rather than have 15 Monitors and such, we just have 2 connected to 8 way KVMs, nice and tidy.

[tomos]

i did that for 3 pcs in the past (each with own monitor tho) but now just use synergy. so much nicer than flicking switches and such.

[RobDickinson]

We use quite a few of them here, mainly for servers, and a lot of them are now blade center - so we KVM between blade centers, 40 serves on one monitor...

Or I'll use on on my desk to controll 2 PC's rather than use VNC or whatever, sometimes easier.

[bbevan]

Shoot me down if I'm wrong,

I think can also control the post screen via a KVM, where as with the VNC etc you have to wait untill the OS has started, so if your server was n't booting correctly you would be able to see that with a KVM

[RobDickinson]

Ya bbevan thats true too.

[belly]

i would be lost without my KVM (4 port Belkin omniview SE). it means not having to mess around unplugging my monitor etc when i am building a new pc or repairing an old one.

[ganan]

We have KVM over IP, which is pretty useful because it works through cat5. So I can control servers at our data centre even if there is a problem with the network card, and I cant remote desktop.