LittleNeutrino Veteran Posted July 7, 2015 Veteran Share Posted July 7, 2015 I am looking to buy a Networked KVM for here at work, and it needs to support at least 8 PCs Any Suggestions? I was looking at this one. Avocent MergePoint Unity KVM over IP 8 port Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted July 7, 2015 MVC Share Posted July 7, 2015 This is what we use.. Very robust product http://www.lantronix.com/it-management/console-servers/slc.html They have a 8 port model, but if you need 8 now would prob go with 16 But your looking for actual KVM, not console access.. Ah bit different - we use them for console into firewalls, switches, routers, etc.. Your wanting it for Servers/PCs? Actual Keyboard and Video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc302 Veteran Posted July 7, 2015 Veteran Share Posted July 7, 2015 http://www.aten-usa.com/IP-KVM.htm We use this - it uses cat5/6 based console "cables"...it is more of an adapter. It is also expandable, I have an addon "shelf" to expand to 32 right now. http://www.aten.com/products/KVM/LCD-KVM-Switches/16-Port-Dual-Rail-LCD-KVM-SwitchLCD-Console-+-Cat-5-High-Density-KVM-Switch-with-KVM-over-IP~KL1516Ai.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remixedcat Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 KVM is crap a lot of newer mice/KBs have issue with them. I would use VNC instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mando Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 KVM is crap a lot of newer mice/KBs have issue with them. I would use VNC instead. ultraVNC ftw! Terminals also! (googleplex Terminals) All you need, and at a push if its hardware level input you require, keep a usb keyb/mouse combo in the server area. Im also not a fan of most KVMS, SOHO ones are a waste of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc302 Veteran Posted July 7, 2015 Veteran Share Posted July 7, 2015 On the rare occasion you want to see it boot. On a rarer occasion you want boot options, not to boot into the system (to troubleshoot a boot failure). If you have drac or ilo, it is somewhat better but you waste an extra IP per server, if you have a vlan dedicated for it, its no big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mando Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 On the rare occasion you want to see it boot. On a rarer occasion you want boot options, not to boot into the system (to troubleshoot a boot failure). If you have drac or ilo, it is somewhat better but you waste an extra IP per server, if you have a vlan dedicated for it, its no big deal. All you need, and at a push if its hardware level input you require, keep a usb keyb/mouse combo in the server area. ^ cheaper and directly into affected hardware? Dont get me wrong, the latter two examples you give, I get the benefit, but the old adage of KISS kinda rings true on the first 3 buddy esp when you press enter bios key, the keypress doesn't work, is it the KVM? is it the Keyboard? dunno! the keyboards got numlock key powered up........but is that cos the KVM is feeding power to it, or because the PC can see the connection?? I know ill plug the keyboard directly into the server to see! < that to me kind of defeats the point of a local non IP based KVM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iogbrideau Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Whatever you do, avoid StarTech at all cost! At work that's what they bought probably because it was the cheapest, and when it works, because it rarely even works, there's a 5 second delay between your kb/mouse and the movement over there. We have 6 of them in 6 different office buildings in different cities.. They actually work better through the Java interface than the VNC interface. I told them to check the reviews next time, but we're stuck with that and if we can remote-control/vnc into the computers that's what we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remixedcat Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Just get one of those Logitech K400r or favi keyboards for the server and there yah go, small and only one unit to lug around. For my server I have a K400r that I also use for the HTPC... I just plug it in when I need local access for BIOS and such. Most of the time I use TightVNC or the Meraki Systems manager's remote desktop feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc302 Veteran Posted July 7, 2015 Veteran Share Posted July 7, 2015 All you need, and at a push if its hardware level input you require, keep a usb keyb/mouse combo in the server area. ^ cheaper and directly into affected hardware? Dont get me wrong, the latter two examples you give, I get the benefit, but the old adage of KISS kinda rings true on the first 3 buddy esp when you press enter bios key, the keypress doesn't work, is it the KVM? is it the Keyboard? dunno! the keyboards got numlock key powered up........but is that cos the KVM is feeding power to it, or because the PC can see the connection?? I know ill plug the keyboard directly into the server to see! < that to me kind of defeats the point of a local non IP based KVM. The difference is that when I am on a project in a different state or country,I can still do what is needed and I don't have random stuff in the server room. I will be able to figure out cause and have parts on site in 4 hours if it comes down to that. If I lose network connectivity I have massive issues that a downed server would be the least of my problems, with generators, upses the size of your favorite dining facility, as well as multi location redundancy. Ilo, drac, and ip kvms save me from from going into the obscenely loud and freezing server rooms. You can have your 2x2 closet with your detachable keyboard and mouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binaryzero Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 KVMs are still handy. ilo\Drac ftw though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleNeutrino Veteran Posted July 8, 2015 Author Veteran Share Posted July 8, 2015 not really worried about cost, and we are not connecting them to servers, The helpdesk area is too small and they are putting more people in it so they want to connect all computers that are being worked on into a network KVM and have them sitting on a work bench that is not located near the helpdesk (but is locked and secured) until the new building is built with dedicated work space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts