| | by 42U Multi-User KVM switches range from smaller 4-Users KVM switches able to handle dozens of servers, to an integrated KVM switching system capable of having hundreds of administrators controlling thousands of servers. The more complex your environment is, the more mission critical servers and devices these KVM switching will be tasked to manage. Following are some key KVM switch features to compare when determining the best solution for your needs. You may also be interested in KVM Switches Online's interactive KVM Comparison tool (link opens new window). Ready to purchase or see discounted pricing on your next KVM Switch? We recommend visiting KVM Switches Online for all your KVM Switch needs. - Is the KVM switch you are considering compatible with other brands of KVM switches you may already have invested in?
- What is the Degree of Difficulty / Ease in deploying the KVM switches?
- After the initial install, how easy is it to deploy expansion options?
- What cabling options does the KVM switch offer? From your users to the KVM switch, and from the switch to your servers and devices?
- Video Resolutions supported.
- Ability to automatically cycle/scan video.
- Power supply requirements for KVM switching unit, KVM transmitters, and KVM receivers.
- What KVM Extension options are available?
- Coax only? CAT5? Fiber? KVM over IP?
- Does the KVM switch support serial devices (i.e. Routers, headless Unix, etc.)?
- If so how and with what functionality?
- Can all your devices (Sun, USB, AIX, SGI, RS6000, HP9000, DEC, MAC, chained IBM 330 servers, serial/TTY, etc) connect directly to the KVM switch?
- Can your Sun users use their native Sun keyboard, mouse, display?
- Ease in adding local user stations in server farm / data center.
- Ability to directly access individual servers in your server farm - can you easily set up crash carts to connect directly to servers without having to down either the servers or reset the KVM switch?
- Does the KVM switch have the ability to split KVM signal for each server?
- Does the KVM, or the KVM TX units offer server "stay alive" functionality?
- Can the KVM, or KVM TX units retain server name information?
- Does the KVM switch support Audio?
- Does the KVM switch support Video or video/keyboard sharing - i.e. Can you have multiple users accessing and sharing access to the same computer.
- What levels of Access Rights (Security Levels) are available?
- Does the KVM's security allow you to hide servers/devices from users who aren't given sufficient access rights?
- Does viewing multiple servers or devices create "blocking", which doesn't allow other users to work with those servers?
- What naming options does the KVM switch offer for your servers/devices?
- Does the KVM switch offer a "Time Out" feature?
- What power cycling options are available?
- Does the KVM manufacturer charge for Technical Support?
- If so, be sure to know what is covered and what it costs in year 1, 2, 3, etc.
- Scalability Considerations:
- Minimum & Larger configuration options.
- Time required to install KVM hardware.
- How user friendly is the application to configure user & server rights & profiles?
- What is the normal delivery time for all of the KVM switching components?
- Can you Backup the Configuration / User Rights Database?
- Are there any single points of failure?
- If components fail:
- What is the degree of difficulty in replacing the switching equipment?
- Are there any delay issues should replacement equipment be necessary?
- How will your servers & users be affected?
- How easy is it to configure replacement equipment?
- How easily can you rebuild you configuration / user rights?
- Are there additional costs required for installation support?
- Are there additional costs required for a maintenance agreement?
- Does adding additional equipment require additional installation / maintenance cost?
- Are you able to add additional equipment on your own, without needing to buy or add to an installation / maintenance agreement?
- Should you consider maintaining redundant KVM switch components?
- Any hidden costs?
- Additional computers, servers, equipment, software licenses required to run this system?
- How much Rack space does the KVM switch and all of it's components require? - Keeping in mind that it tends to differ for a non-blocked vs. partially-blocked KVM switch configuration
- Cabling requirement to the server & equipment racks:
- In a "non-blocked" KVM switch environment?
- In a "blocked" KVM switch environment?
- In a mixed "non-blocked" and "blocked" KVM switch environment?
- What configurations available for smaller remote locations?
- What client platforms does KVM via IP support? (i.e. Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, etc.)
- Does the KVM manufacturer have realistic "non-blocked" remote access solutions for smaller remote sites?
- Pricing considerations for remote access sites:
- Prices can vary greatly from one KVM Remote IP product to another, depending on the scalability of the manufacturer's KVM switches (how small as well as how large), and the amount of pathways required.
- What is the resolution, and performance over IP?
- What Bandwidth is required for Remote IP Access?
About 42U
42U focuses on providing Facilities and Data Center Managers with objective and trusted independent information on Data Center Power and Data Center Cooling best practices along with KVM over IP and Remote Power lights out management to help them reduce their organization's power consumption. Our Data Center Management website has helped millions of IT professionals globally who search for best practices and technologies to help them make their computer environment more efficient. 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
| |
