I'm a little late on this thread, but I would like to also recommend Avocent! Good luck!
-----Original Message----- From: Ralph Smith [mailto:m...@gatewayindustries.org] Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 2:02 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: REQ: KVM Switch Recommendations Thanks everyone, looks like Avocent is the clear choice of discerning IT experts. I greatly appreciate the input. -----Original Message----- From: Phil Brutsche [mailto:p...@optimumdata.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 5:00 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: REQ: KVM Switch Recommendations Avocent, hands down. They are the OEM for HP KVMs and Compaq before them. For a 16-port KVM I suggest the AutoView 2015. You can find it online for $640-ish. Be warned that it does not come with the server interface dongles (AVRIQ-USB for USB machines and AVRIQ-PS2 for PS/2 machines), and they cost $60 each. The dongles connect to the KVM via CAT5. An alternative to the Avocent AutoView might be a 16-port Avocent SwitchView 1000. It uses the traditional bulky KVM cables, but the KVM costs less and the cables are under $20 US. Ralph Smith wrote: > I'm hoping to get some recommendations on purchasing a KVM switch - > brands that are good or bad, features to look for, etc. > > What I have is a room with 10 servers, all Dell PowerEdge from about 6 > or 7 years old to new, different models. Some have USB 1.1, some 2.0, > most have PS2 ports, but a few do not. My office with two other IT > staff is about 75 feet down the hall. > > I have a 10 year old Belkin PS2 KVM switch now, but it doesn't work > right with the newer servers (randomly the mouse and keyboard stop > responding), the older servers never seem to be a problem. For the > USB only servers I have USB to PS2 adapters, also not very reliable. > > It would be swell to be able to access the KVM remotely so I can > troubleshoot unresponsive servers (blue screen, post errors) from > home, but it's not a must have feature. Of course budget is an issue - I will > have a hard time going over a grand. Looking online I see a wide range > of prices for 16 port switches, and lots of brands I've never heard of. > > Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks. -- Phil Brutsche p...@optimumdata.com ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ Confidentiality Notice: ---------------------------------- This communication, including any attachments, may contain confidential information and is intended only for the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. Any review, dissemination, or copying of this communication by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email, delete and destroy all copies of the original message. ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ . ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
