Operating instructions

CHAPTER 1 SIMPLY PUT

• Direct access to the host console port. There are some privileges that the console retains which cannot be

accessed from another workstation. Figure 3 illustrates a modification of the application in Figure 2. Here,

the KVM switches allow the user to control any workstation connected to the switch with full privileges.

• Speed of display. In cases where the UNIX network has high utilization, being directly connected to the

server(s) can improve the rapidity with which the display is refreshed.

• A KVM switch requires no special software (such as Hummingbird), eliminating the cost of purchasing and

updating such software.

• A KVM switch can boot multiple servers simultaneously, saving user time.

KVM Switches are hardware based and transparent to the attached computers. KVM switches do not need

special software because they do not change the way the computer operates or interacts with users. The

modification illustrated in Figure 3 includes some applications for KVM switching. A Sun® computer is added

to Workstation 3’s workspace. The user at Workstation 3 can now control both the Sun and PC computers with

one keyboard, monitor and mouse. The addition of an NTI ST-2x8 multiple-user/multiple platform matrix KVM

switch with On Screen Display (OSD) and Security Features in the server room will allow a network

administration staff to control multiple computers (PCs, Suns and Macs) from both the network administration

office and the server room.

BENEFITS OF USING A KVM SWITCH

A KVM Switch can increase efficient use of resources by:

• Reducing equipment costs and space needs. If users work on more than one platform (for instance, a graphic

artist who uses both a PC and a Macintosh®) or on multiple computers, a KVM switch can reduce the

clutter of multiple monitors, keyboards and mice, and the cost of buying keyboards, monitors and mice.

Fewer keyboards, monitors and mice can also mean less racks, cabinets, furniture and floor space are

required, as illustrated in Figure 4.

• Reduced environmental costs are achieved by eliminating redundant peripherals. According to the

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (Office Technology Consortium) and the Canadian

Bureau of National Resources, even with 5.5 hours of power management per day, the average 14-inch

color CRT monitor consumes about 145kW of energy per year, as illustrated in Figure 5. The power saving

Figure 4 – Reconfigured server setup with three KVM switch controls. This actual example illustrates

configurations of a bank of 18 computers at Microsoft before and after using KVM switches to consolidate

control. Eliminating 15 keyboards, monitors and mice cleared out an almost two entire racks.