Post on 24-Dec-2015
By Rick Stevenson
KVM
CONTENT
• Types of KVM
• The difference between passive and active KVMs
• Advantages and disadvantages• Summary
• What is a KVM?
• What is a software KVM?• What is a hardware KVM?
• KVM is an abbreviation for Keyboard, Video and Mouse
• Control multiple computers using a single monitor, keyboard and mouse (standard)
• Connect multiple monitors, keyboards and mice to a single computer (reverse)
WHAT IS A KVM?
TYPES OF KVM
• Standard
• Reverse
• Active
• Hardware
• Software
• Passive
• Active
WHAT IS A SOFTWARE KVM
A software KVM is very similar to a hardware KVM however:
A software KVM generally cannot share a monitor, only the keyboard and mouse
A software KVM does not require external hardware and can run on any existing network
One of the best software KVMs (synergy) costs $0.00 and is completely open source
WHAT IS A HARDWARE KVM?
This is a hardware KVMComputer Selector
Console Keyboard and Mouse
Console Monitor
Client Keyboard and Mouse
Client Monitor
Power
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASSIVE AND ACTIVE
A passive KVM switch changes the keyboard, video and mouse to interact with each computer by using a hardware switch or knob.
An active KVM switch changes the keyboard, video and mouse to interact with each computer by using an electronic switch (either a button on the KVM or a keyboard shortcut)
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASSIVE AND ACTIVE (CONT.)
In short,
Passive = Mechanical
Active = Electronic
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Hardware KVM
Advantage Disadvantage
No software required Cost
Not dependent on a network
Limited Upgradeability
Manual changing of computer control
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES (CONT.)
Software KVM
Advantage Disadvantage
Cost (free, open source) Dependent on stable network
Automatic changing of computer control
Generally can only share keyboard and mouse
Effectively unlimited upgradeability
May require local administrator rights
Share the same clipboard
SUMMARY
If you need to control more than one computer using the same keyboard, mouse and monitor
Or
If you need to have more than one active user on a single computer
Or
If your desk looks like this…
END.
Then a KVM could be of benefit to you
Random fact: Throughout the duration of this presentation over 300,000 songs were downloaded illegally off of the internet.