What is KVM?
KVM is an acronym for keyboard, video (monitor) and mouse, and is otherwise called a CPU switch or electronic switch.
However, this is different from the conventional data switch. The main function of KVM is to control, switch and manage many PCs via a single keyboard, monitor and mouse.
According to the basic PC function design, as the PC is starting up, the operating system will automatically detect the signals of the keyboard and mouse. After the confirmation of connectivity, the screen then enters the start up page. As a result, a single PC (CPU/Server) naturally complements the start up operations of the keyboard and mouse.
If you need to control multiple PCs, then you need to purchase several sets of keyboard, mouse and monitor. However, this is not the most effective way of management as not only is it space-consuming, but also costly, and keeping a row of large CRT monitors may be problematic. Thus, the KVM was "born" under the demands of saving space, costs and increasing management efficiency.
When purchasing a KVM, the choice is often made based on the number of PCs that you need to control. Low port number KVMs are convenient to use, without the installation of extra software, and can be easily managed using hot keys or switch keys. Some of these low port KVMs do not need an exteral power supply.
Due to environmental needs, multiple ports, high-level KVM switches are designed to 1U or 2U in size and can be installed on the server rack. These KVM switches can use the Internet to manage power supply and control the start up or shut down of PCs.
The main function of a KVM is to use one of keyboard, monitor and mouse to start multiple PCs, so it is important to simulate the keyboard and mouse signals to each PC and not influence the CPU operations during switching. Other important factors to consider when buying a KVM is the stability of the monitor resolution, whether or not it supports multiple platforms, and the compatibility of operating systems with different branded keyboards and mice.
Every KVM Switch has a maximum number of PC connections. A single KVM switch can provide as few as two CPU ports, while a multiple KVM switch installation can offer more than 4000 CPU ports. As the number of connected PCs increase, the technology needs are higher (for example, signal identification) and the different ways of management increase (for example, remote control, multiple segmentation, high-level security, etc.) in order to meet the management demands of different environments.
Currently, the remote control solutions use both hardware (KVM) and software (for example, PC Anywhere, VNC, OpenSSH, Microsoft Telnet Service, etc.). Previously, KVM has been used in server rooms and data information centers. An average-sized room will contain 16 to 32 servers, whereas a large room may contain over 100 servers. As the trend is for PC prices to become increasingly lower, many people are able to purchase a second PC or laptop, making KVM necessary for the average consumer.
Advancements in technology, new specifications, innovative concepts and new applications have pushed KVM to evolve (for example, KVM + Peripheral / KVMP + Fast Ethernet / KVME, Wireless KVM, KVM on the Net, etc.). These new KVM are increasingly popular in the consumer market and as digital appliances become more mainstream, KVM's multi-faceted development can cater to this market and create new concepts that may not have been previously possible.
KVM's categories can be divided as follows: small office and home office (SOHO); small and medium-sized business (SMB); and large, high-end global enterprise-level KVM. Many KVM companies then further divide high-end KVM to remote-controlled high-end KVM and nearby-controlled high-end KVM.
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