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KVM switches group review
We tested six keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switches, for use with
rack-mounted servers
Rack-mounted servers are a great way to save space, especially if you can do
away with the clutter – things like video displays, keyboards and mice – that
goes with them. One way to do this is with remote control software, but most
network managers prefer to use a keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch.
KVM switches are a much more robust and flexible solution, capable of
providing access to multiple servers simultaneously no matter what the state of
the resident operating system – right down to the Bios level. With most devices,
it is just like sitting in front of a directly attached console.
On the downside, KVM switches require a fair amount of custom cabling, both
to connect the local console and, more importantly, to connect the switch to
each of the servers in the rack. That said, this only has to be done once and
there are ways of minimising the cable bulk and complexity. Some products
support the use of standard Cat5 network cabling rather than custom wiring, for
example.
A hardware-based KVM also allows fast switching between server screens, using
buttons on the switch or hotkey combinations and on-screen menu systems. Most
also allow a degree of customisation, typically letting administrators assign
user-friendly names rather than numbers to ports. There is often a measure of
integrated security, with password-protected user accounts for managing access
to the switch and, in some cases, individual ports and attached servers.
We tested six eight-port products designed to manage rack-mounted servers.
Four are designed to route standard analogue KVM signals to a locally attached
management console. The other two are KVM-over-IP products that digitise and
encapsulate the signals for transmission across an IP network.
All of the KVM switches in this grouptest provided network managers with a
way to control up to eight servers from a single console. If that is all that is
required, then they might as well opt for the cheapest device – the Fujitsu
Servis KVM. But there are plenty of reasons why firms might prefer to spend a
little more on one of the alternatives.
They might, for instance, want a more functional management interface, like
those on the AdderView Matrix MP or the UltraConsole from Rose. Or expansion
facilities, in which case the Rose switch would again be a good choice. Remote
management might be important, so the Avocent DSR Switch and Raritan
MasterConsole IP with their KVM-over-IP architectures could prove attractive.
To pick our recommended products, we split the switches into two groups,
putting the analogue products in one and the much more expensive KVM-over-IP
products in the other.
Of the analogue switches, we felt the AdderView Matrix MP offers the best
value, with support for dual consoles at a very competitive price, added
benefits of affordable cables and a very usable management interface. AdderView
Matrix MP is our Editor’s Choice for analogue eight-port KVM switch, though
closely followed by the Belkin OmniView Quad-Bus Series which, with its
expansion facilities, is similarly good value for money.
The KVM-over-IP products from Avocent and Raritan are evenly balanced when it
comes to setup and performance. The management facilities are similar too,
although Avocent has the edge in terms of functionality with its DSView software
and virtual media capabilities. However, these come at a price and the Raritan
MasterConsole IP is the Editor’s Choice for being a much more affordable
solution.
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