USB And PS2 Ports On KVM Switches? 18
An Anonymous Coward asks: "I am regularly working with multiple computers and have given in to the fact that I need and will buy a KVM. However, I am in need of a device that can switch both standard PS2 (mouse & keyboard support) and also USB. From my searching I have found KVMs with Monitor + USB or Monitor + PS2, but not all three. Does anyone know if such a USB + PS2 + Monitor KVM exists?"
Yet another uninformed opinion...for free! (Score:1)
KVM with USB (Score:2)
I don't have time to look, but you might want to check out Belkin [belkin.com], they have just about every cable and accessory known to man.
Good luck
Belkin (Score:1)
iogear.com (Score:1)
-the packet man
By the way (Score:1)
Get a USB card (with another suggestion) (Score:2)
BTW, I'd go with active PS/2 switching if possible. You don't get as many devices, but you *do* get immediate keyboard-n-mouse control of the newly swiched-to machine. With the USB switches, you've gotta wait for the OS to recognize that there were new USB components plugged in, which takes a few seconds.
You might also look into the conyx "surfer mp"http://www.conyx.com/surfermp.htm [conyx.com]. I dunno if it'll work or not, but it suports a bunch of stuff...
Re:By the way (Score:1)
Re:Why why why?? (Score:1)
Box 1: Windows ME
Box 2: Lots of differents OS's Windows 2k, Windows ME,Slackware 7 running X , and FreeBSD 4.0
Box 3: Slackware 7 also running X
Box 4: FreeBSD 4.0 also running X
Yes three of these systems do support serial console, but last time I checked X does not work too well over serial consoles. I know that you can say well just use a X server on Box 1 and access X over the network work. Again not a bad idea, but Win2k Pro and WinME does not work very well with remote displays unless you use third party software.
So as you can see One solution does not fit all, there are ones that fit certain solutions. Like yours a rack of servers, the serial console is a great idea. But have 2 or more desktop machines the KVM is the best way.
Why why why?? (Score:3)
There's only two times where you actually NEED a KVM switch:
1) You have to do something at the machine that requires you to be there, like an OS install. Even that can be worked around. Pop CD in drive, walk back to desk, install while reading
2) You're using NT. No serial console support there. The less said about this, the better.
Seriously, look at the rack space used up by kvm switching gear and monitor and keyboard and mouse, the problems involved with having only one crash cart in a cage, or having to shlep your butt into work at 3AM to reboot a machine you could have done from home.
(Yes, there are monitors and keyboards that will fit in a 1U space. $$$ and still has the limitation that you can't get direct access remotely.)
Re:Why why why?? (Score:1)
Happily, we don't have anywhere near enough NT servers to justify one of these.
Re:Why why why?? (Score:2)
I've also had the problem of working on a site with KVM and remote control packages. Same limitation of one user per machine.
Basically, NT is hopeless when it comes to remote administration.
Re:Why why why?? (Score:1)
The person asking this question obviously has a need (possibly just a want, that's his decision) to use a KVM switch with USB support. Just because you can't see a valid use doesn't mean there isn't one.
Re:Why why why?? (Score:1)
Which way? (Score:1)
-c-
Re:Yet another uninformed opinion...for free! (Score:3)
OMIGOD!!! You've just stumbled onto the biggest secret from the connector conspiracy!!! USB is nuthin' but a repackaged PS2 port!!!!!!
Naah, it's the mice that are bilingual... they speak both PS2 and USB protocols - just like the old days when they spoke PS2 and SERIAL.
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Inanimate Carbon Rod thanks you for your support. See you in 2004!
VNC (Score:1)
Connect to the desktop of as many machines as you like... WAY better than crappy KVM switches! Free, and I believe Open Source as well.
We have a load of NT and UNIX machines here, and I use VNC all the time, I highly recommend it.
Re:Get a USB card (with another suggestion) (Score:1)
Re:Why why why?? (Score:1)
http://www.cygwin.com/ [cygwin.com]