How to Display Servers on an HP KVM Switch

You can control all your servers with a single KVM.

The "KVM" in KVM switch stands for "keyboard, video, mouse"; the KVM switch allows multiple computers, servers and pieces of equipment to share a single monitor, keyboard and mouse. This makes monitoring a room full of computer equipment and servers a great deal easier, and in fact KVM switches are often found in server rooms. In the server room environment, setting up a KVM switch greatly simplifies the maintenance and monitoring of computer servers across a company. The HP KVM switch can be the perfect tool for this purpose, as long as it is set up and configured properly.

Instructions

1. Connect the monitor to the monitor port on the front of the HP KVM switch. This port is small, rectangular and blue in color.

2. Plug the keyboard and mouse into the ports on the front of the HP KVM switch. Depending on the KVM model, it may use either round PS2 or flat USB ports for the keyboard and mouse.

3. Connect the first server to the monitor using the dongles that come with the HP KVM switch. Connect the dongle to the monitor, keyboard and mouse port on the back of the server, and the other end to the back of the KVM switch. Do the same for every server you wish to connect to the HP KVM switch.

4. Label each port on the KVM switch with the name of the server. This makes it easier to administer the servers and know which one you are working with.

5. Press the button next to each port on the KVM switch to display that server. When the button is pressed, it will light up, and the monitor will display the screen for the selected server. You can also use the keyboard and mouse to control the server you have selected. When finished with that server, press the next button to work on the next server.