/
Reduce clutter with KVM switches
 
|
|||
 | |||
|
Sign up to receive this and other networking newsletters in your inbox.
As networks grow in size, many network managers are using keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switches to unclutter and save space in their server rooms.
Among those vendors with KVM switches are Apex, Cybex Computer Products and Raritan. KVM switches aggregate the signals from monitors and keyboards into a single console keyboard and mouse, saving space that multiple keyboards and monitors would require. KVM switches are available in different sizes ranging from small switches that work with two computers to large switches that can operate with more than 2,000 servers. Most KVM switches are rack-mountable and work with NetWare, Windows NT and Windows 2000. They are password-protected and often can display the operation of several servers at once. Recently, two of the largest KVM switch makers, Apex and Cybex, merged to create a new company called Avocent, which will continue to manufacture switches and remote management products. KVM switches can monitor and control remote servers as well as local ones. Cybex's newest switch, the XP4000 is designed for server farms and data centers. It uses a nonblocking configuration that allows several network managers at different KVM consoles to manage servers across a WAN. The XP4000 works with any Intel, Macintosh, Sun, RS/6000, SGI, Compaq AlphaServer or Hewlett-Packard server. Raritan's Paragon compares to the XP4000 and uses Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair cable to connect with local or remote servers up to 1,000 feet away. The Apex ViewPoint 64 addresses thousands of HP-9000, Sun, IBM RS-6000, Macintosh and other systems.RELATED LINKS
Deni Connor is a senior editor at Network World covering storage, SANs, Novell and Novell-related products. You can reach her at dconnor@nww.com.
Servers archive
Past issues of Network World on Servers.
Network World, 04/28/00. Cybex unrolls keyboard-video-mouse controller
Network World, 04/07/00. Get the equipment
Network World, 04/05/99. IBM creates 12.3-teraflop supercomputer
IDG News Service, 06/29/00. Archive of Network World on Servers newsletters
