KVM switches group review

We tested six keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switches, for use with rack-mounted servers

Alan Stevens, Network IT Week 21 Mar 2006

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.

For individual reviews, click below:
AdderView Matrix MP
Avocent DSR1031
Belkin OmniView Quad-Bus
Fujitsu Servis KVM
Raritan MasterConsole IP
Rose UltraConsole

All Hubs and Switches

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Verdict

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.

M A R K E T P L A C E