KVM Video Switches & Extenders

KVM stands for “keyboard, video and mouse” and KVM Switches are devices that allow the use of one keyboard, one monitor and one mouse to control multiple computers. Or in more complicated KVM applications you may have a number of monitors, mice and keyboards connected to a number of computers through the KVM switch.

The switching from one set of keyboards, monitors and mice to the various computers is accomplished by pressing a button on the KVM switch. These switches are often used to manage rack servers (a bank of computer servers that are housed in racks). These servers are used in a variety of data centres, control rooms, manufacturing centres and other applications that require multiple computers or servers but only really require a single control point.

A single KVM switch can connect a large number of users to many source computers. Several sources can be accessed,switched and shared instantly by users. Any connected user console, consisting of keyboard, mouse, monitor or other peripherals, can access any computer within the network. Expensive equipment and software licenses can be shared between multiple users; all accessing the same computersf rom their individual workstations in real-time. In addition, several matrix switches can be connected to each other acting as one homogeneous system. 

Figure 1 shows a server rack on the upper left part of the diagram that is controlled by the operator sitting in the chair in the bottom right using a KVM switch with a single keyboard, single mouse and two monitors.