View a larger image

Rose UltraConsole KVM switch review

An eight-port KVM switch that is pricey but can be expanded and has good management options

Alan Stevens

This review is part of a KVM switch grouptest

Rose Electronics provided an eight-port switch from its UltraConsole family for our KVM switch grouptest. The range includes four-port and 16-port versions. All are rack-mountable and can be linked together using optional plug-in expansion cards, enabling up to 1,000 devices to be managed in total.

Advertisement

The console is attached using PS/2 connectors via an adapter cable that, in turn, plugs into a custom connector at the rear of the switch. Similar ports are provided to attach the server cables, with PS/2, USB and Sun cables available in lengths of up to 30 metres. Cables to connect to serial devices are another option; the Rose switch emulates a standard VT1000/220 terminal to manage routers and other devices with serial management ports.

Indicators on the front panel light up when devices are attached and powered on, and there are buttons to select the port to be displayed and managed. Alternatively, ports can be selected using the usual hot-key combinations or via a menu-driven on-screen display.

The menu system is pretty straightforward and there are options to name ports and configure password-protected user accounts. Moreover, users can be grouped and assigned profiles to manage access rights – a particularly useful facility when several switches are linked together, enabling two or more consoles to be used at once.

An IP-enabled implementation, UltraConsole Remote, is also available, plus it is possible to add an IP remote console to the standard UltraConsole switch using the separate Rose UltraLink Lite device (£778 + VAT).

Product overview

Ratings

  • Overall rating: n/a
  • Features: n/a
  • Performance rating: n/a
  • Value for money: n/a
  • Average user rating:
Rate this product

Verdict

The Rose Electronics UltraConsole UC1-1X8U offers good expansion options and serial device management tools, but is a little overpriced.

Pros: Serial device management; custom expansion bus to manage up to 1,000 ports; well conceived management interface.

Cons: Bulky cabling

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Tags:

Do you agree?

Related whitepapers

Advertisements

Most watched

Views from the Valley, 9 March 2010

Batteries, browsers and recognition for PARC researchers

Samsung talks up 3D TV

The next big thing, but it will take some time

Analysis and Reports

Continuous Availability for Microsoft SharePoint

This paper examines how to create continuous availability for Microsoft SharePoint by implementing high availability and disaster recovery solutions.

Database security: Preventing enterprise data leaks at the source

This report looks at the challenge of information protection and control (IPC) and how enterprises must adopt database security best practices

Poll

International Women’s Day poll

International Women’s Day poll

Have measures to encourage women into the IT profession been successful?

View poll results

Advertisement

White paper library

Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies; IThound.com brings you over 6,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Advertisement

Spotlight

SXSW Interactive

Mobile location services set for mainstream uptake

Social sites to showcase new offerings at SXSW Interactive

Opera

Opera launches Mini 5 for Android smartphones

Firm promises fastest speeds for Google platform

Eugene Kaspersky

Kaspersky calls for international internet government

Kaspersky Lab co-founder argues for multinational body to tackle cyber...

Parliament

Digital Economy Bill may escape Commons scrutiny

Government copyright proposals head for the 'wash ups'

Primary Navigation