How to Buy a KVM Switch

A Keyboard, Video and Mouse (KVM) switch allows you to share one keyboard, monitor, and/or mouse on multiple computers. Remote KVM devices are also available now for wider control. There are mainly 2 types of KVM switches: single-user and multi-user. A single-user switch allows a single user to share and monitor devices on multiple computers, whereas a multi-user switch allows more than one user to administer all computers. Here is how to buy a KVM switch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Buy a KVM switch keeping in mind the number of computers you want to connect. For example, you can connect 2, 4, 8, 10 or 12 computers to a KVM switch and share a single device on all computers.
2. Assess hardware devices that you will connect a KVM switch to, for example, mouse, keyboard and/or monitor. Know what kind of ports (USB and/or PS/2) your computer uses to interface with these devices.
3. Buy a KVM switch that is compatible with the operating system installed on your computers.
4. If you plan to share access to a monitor, choose a KVM switch that supports the video resolution output of the monitor. It is always advisable to choose a KVM switch that supports all standard resolutions.
5. Buy a KVM switch that supports auto scan interval. The auto scan feature will allow you to monitor and scan the activity on all attached computers for a specific time. The auto scan interval varies from 5 seconds to 99 seconds.
6. Look for features such as LED display—that shows what computer the KVM switch is monitoring, front-panel push buttons corresponding to each computer that allows the user to manually select ports, flash upgrade that allows connecting a flash drive so that drivers and firmware can be updated, in-built microphone/audio support, and hot keys—short cut keys for selecting ports. However, the price of the KVM switch increases with an increase in features.
7. Look for advance features such as “Time Out” (automatic time out) that automatically disconnects inactive users from the KVM switch.
8. Ensure that the KVM switch has security features such as setting permission levels and establishing access rights to ports. These are useful in managing users who have access to the computers through the KVM switch.
9. Learn more about the features and prices of the KVM switches by referring to online buyers’ guides. Browse through reviews and compare pricing. Some popular buyers’ guides are NexTag, Windows Marketplace, MySimon and Epinions (see Resources).
10. Buy a KVM switch after comparing prices in different stores online and offline. Search for online vendors using search engines like Google or Yahoo. Browse through popular online stores such as CompUSA, Best Buy and Circuit City (see Resources).

Tips & Warnings

• Browse through blogs and tech discussion forums. These are good avenues for gathering more information on features, trends and other insights on KVM switches.
• Avoid a KVM switch that does not support the monitor refresh rates and resolution if sharing a monitor. This is to ensure that the signals are not degraded.

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