User manual

KM0832 User Manual
18
Multilevel Installations
The number of computers that can be added to your installation can be greatly
expanded by performing a multilevel installation. The KM0832 supports two
types of multilevel installation:
 Cascading
 Daisy chaining
Overview
Cascading involves using the CPU Port(s) of a parent KVM switch (one that is
above a switch linked down from it) to connect to the User Ports of a child
KVM switch. With numerous child switches linked down from the parent, the
effect is reminiscent of the way water cascades down over a waterfall.
Cascading adds capacity to a KVM installation, but the parent KVM switch
loses at least one CPU Port for each cascaded child switch.
Daisy chaining refers to connecting two KVM switches via dedicated daisy
chain ports. The switches are strung together in a chain (see the diagram on
p. 24), similar to the way children make chains of daisies by tying the end of
one daisy to the head of another.
A daisy chained installation does not utilize CPU and User Ports to connect one
switch to another as in a cascaded installation, thus preserving valuable port
space. The port capacity of a daisy chained installation is the total of all the
CPU Ports for all of the KVM switches on the chain. For example, a KM0832
has 32 CPU Ports. On an installation with eight daisy chained switches (one
KM0832 and seven KM0432s), the number of available ports is 32 x 8 = 256.
The KM0832 supports both daisy chaining and cascading, providing enormous
capacity and flexibility for expanding the installation. The following sections
provide the information and procedures involved in setting up cascaded and
daisy chained installations.
Note: If the daisy chain feature is not operative on your unit, you will need a
newer version of the firmware. Contact your dealer for details.