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KVM advice needed

Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Hi all,

I do on-site computer consulting and I got a client that is wants a KVM so he can use the same keyboard, monitor, and mouse with his new 2.26GHz rig and his old P2 rig. He has some sensitive data on that p2 rig (he was unable to talk about it with me... :Q) and says he doesn't want to deal with transferring everything over and whatnot...basically, he knows what he wants and it's a KVM. 🙂

So he wants it by Wednesday and price is of little consequence, I told him it would be about $100, possibly a bit more.

So, here are the choices I have found from local stores that I can pick up tomorrow:

Linksys
Belkin 1
Belkin 2

So the first one appears to be just a regular hardware switch basically. I don't know about the second, whether it's a hardware switch, or somehow software based like the third.

I'm not too well versed in KVMs - what are the advantages/disadvantages to a hardware switch vs. a software based one? Also, if you have any experience with these please reply. 🙂

Thanks all.
 
I have the belkin #2 one. It's awesome but I wish now that I had gotten the 4 port one instead of the two port one.
 
Look here.


... and I'm partial to this model ... but I got myself a Cybex Switchview 4 port off of FS/FT which I love. Whatever you do, just make sure you get really good shielded cables as they are the most important regarding image quality.

 
I just bought a 4 port IOGear model, similar to this 2 port model. Works great and comes with good cables. The cables are easily the most important thing to look for. Most units are sold without cables, and they are not cheap.
 
I'd recommend Avocent (Cybex) too. I have a 4port Switchview, and its great. If security is something he is concerned about, Avocent makes a switchview (Switchview SC) with secured transfer (to avoid line taps, and people switching into machines without a password). I've used belkin's, and they're pretty good, but definately don't get manual KVMs. Manual KVMs can trash your monitors because of the voltage drops/spikes. Also, see if he has an optical mouse (and if anything is USB). Avocent supports the higher polling/refresh rates of optical mice, Belkin doesn't officially support them (and the specs I could talk out of a technician cut the mice down to PS/2 refresh rates (~20/sec instead of 120/sec).

another point, if he's using DVI monitor I/O, find a KVM that supports that (not sure who), but don't skimp him there.
 
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