How to Use a KVM Switch on a Home Network

A KVM switch (Keyboard, Video and Mouse) is a hardware device used for sharing a keyboard, monitor or mouse on multiple computers. You can connect and control multiple computers through a KVM switch. If you install a KVM switch on your home network, you can operate all computers on the network using a single keyboard, monitor and mouse. Here’s how you can connect and use a KVM switch on your home network.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• keyboard
• KVM Switch
• mouse
• Sets of cables including audio
• Video device
• Video and USB

Connect a KVM Switch

1. There are different types of KVM switches so be sure your KVM switch supports all computers on your network. Check that the KVM interface ports are compatible with the computers and other devices.
2. Ensure you have all the equipment required for connecting the KVM switch to the network. This typically includes the KVM power cable and all cables required to interface with the computers and devices that will be shared. For instance, USB cables, VGA cables and adapters and PS/2 cables.
3. Ensure that all your PCs are shut down before you start installation.
4. Hook up the monitor, keyboard and mouse using the relevant input ports of the KVM switch. Note that you must connect all the devices that will be shared on the home network. For instance, if you want to share the keyboard, connect the keyboard to the input port. If your KVM switch includes speaker output, you may also connect your speaker cables to the switch. This will allow you to share speakers on the network.
5. Be sure you have enough sets of cables to connect all computers in your system. For each computer you'll probably need a set of two identical cables—one for the keyboard and one for the mouse.
6. Plug in the keyboard cable to the computer's keyboard port and the mouse cable to the same computer's mouse port.
7. Plug in the single monitor cable to each computer. This cable is separate from the set of cables mentioned above.
8. Boot all computers. The computers connected to the KVM switch should automatically identify the switch. Check if all shared devices are working on the computers. If not, switch off the KVM switch, unplug and re-plug the cables. If any of the computers still do not identify the KVM switch, restart that computer. If the problem persists, contact your vendor.

Tips & Warnings

• Label the computer ports and their corresponding cables. This will eliminate confusion and help you connect the proper cables. For instance, all three cables from the same set-- keyboard, mouse, and monitor--must be connected to the same computer.
• Tie together cables from the same set so you can easily identify them.
• Avoid connecting all the sets of cable simultaneously. Rather, to prevent confusion, connect one set of cables at a time.

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