General
Questions
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About
KVM Switch
Q24:
What
is KVM Switch?
Q23:
What
is the difference between electronic KVM Switch and mechanical KVM
Switch?
Q22:
What
is the benefit to use KVM Switch?
Q21:
What
are some KVM Switch terminologies mean?
Q20:
What
is the KVM Switch application?
Q19:
What
is the KVM Cable required to install KVM Switch?
Q18:
What
is the keyboard can be used?
Q17: What
is the mouse can be used?
Q16: If
an O.S. must use serial mouse, how to support?
Q15: How
to check VGA Monitor compatibility?
Q14: How
to add in new PC to the KVM Switch?
Q13: How
long the KVM cable can be used?
Q12:
What
is the operating system can be used with KVM Switch? Q11:
Can
I use KVM Switch for Macintosh?
Q10: Can
I use KVM Switch for Sun Micro System?
About
Trouble Shooting
Q09: Keyboard
or mouse does not work or not be compatible with the PC.
Q08: Mouse
doesnt work in Auto Scan mode.
Q07: There
is a keyboard error message on the screen when booting PC.
Q06: What
I can do if the OS failed to boot?
Q05: Why
USB KVM Switch slower when switching ports?
Q04: How
to make KVM switch compatible with Japanese Windows?
Q03: Why
the OSD function cannot be used for SUN Microsystems server?
Q02: Why
SUN Microsystems failed to boot with KVM switch?
Q01: How
to use MAC Computer with KVM Switch?
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Q24:
What
is KVM Switch?
KVM
stands for Keyboard, VGA monitor and Mouse. (K for Keyboard, V for
VGA or Video, M for Mouse).
These
three computer peripherals are so called Console of a computer
operating system. There are also other names of KVM Switch like CPU
Switch, Console Switch and PC Switch.
Depends
on the design architecture, KVM Switch are different from the
interfaces and cables, there are PS2 KVM Switch, Cat 5 KVM Switch,
USB KVM Switch, KVM Switch Drawer and IP KVM Switch.
Similar
to the Data Switch for sharing peripheral (Ex: printer, monitor,
etc.) which enable multiple personal computers to share one printer
not at the same time. The KVM Switch allows multiple computers to
share one set of Keyboard, VGA Monitor and Mouse.
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Q23:
What is the difference between electronic KVM Switch and mechanical
KVM Switch?
The
KVM Switch is electronic type of design, different to the mechanical
data switch, it must support all computers to turn on power at the
same time, so every electronic KVM Switchs port must features
emulation function. It needs to remember each port status after the
console switch to the other computer.
On
the other hand, to use mechanical KVM switch, users need to turn on
computers one after one that is a time consuming task. Even worse,
most of the operating systems check keyboard and mouse in a
periodical of time, so as to the mechanical KVM switch can not be
used for such operating systems.
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Q22:
What is the benefit to use KVM Switch?
1.Save
Cost Need only one set of keyboard, VGA monitor and mouse to
control multiple computers. Save a lot of budget to purchase these
peripherals each set per computers.
2.Save
Time Users sit in front of a console, switching between multiple
computers, save a lot of time to walk between computers and
searching for the input and out devices.
3.Save
Space Think about four sets of keyboard, monitor and mouse need
how large the space, with KVM switch, you need only one table
instead of four tables. Furthermore, save electric power and
overhead.
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Q21:
What are some KVM Switch terminologies mean?
Console:
Keyboard, Mouse and Monitor are console of a computer
Console Emulation:
Cheating PC during PC boot process even when console not connected
at that PC
PC Port:
The port on KVM switch which is connected to PC
Console Port:
The port on KVM switch which is connected to real Keyboard, Mouse,
Monitor (Console)
Daisy Chain Port:
The port on KVM switch which is connected to other KVM switch for
daisy chain
Power Free KVM:
Drawing power from PCs PS/2 port, no need to use external power
supply
KVM Cable:
Standard cable --- Two PS2 + one HDB15 connector
KVM Cable:
Special cable --- DB-25, RJ-45 or the others
OSD:
On Screen Display Menu (Define PC name for easy recognition and
switching)
Hot Key:
The combination of keyboard strokes that is used to switch PC port.
VGA Bandwidth:
The maximum frequency to support resolution of VGA monitor scan rate
Scan Mode:
Alternatively display all of PCs in a fixed time interval to monitor
each connected computer
Multi-platform:
Different computers with various operating systems
KVM converter:
Convert PC interface to another platform (Maybe MAC or Sun Micro
Systems)
KVM extender:
Enhance PS2 or VGA signal for Console or PC located at remote side
IP KVM:
KVM Switch built-in IP module and transfer console information to
client side over Ethernet LAN
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Q20:
What is the KVM Switch application?
1.2-Port
can be used to control two computers, 4-Port can be used to control
four computers, etc.
2.Personal user who has a PC and a notebook to share console.
3.Small office user who need to work with two computers with two
different operating systems
4.Lab users who need to change motherboard, peripheral frequently
5.Small to medium enterprise computer center who has seldom used
console computer and/or servers
6.ISP, ASP, IDC computer center who need to provide many computers
with single management console
7.IPC (Industrial PC) users who integrated multiple computers with
rack mount cabinet
8.PC or peripheral products manufacturing line burn in facility
9.Software and communication design house who need more computers
for development testing
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Q19:
What is the KVM Cable required to install KVM Switch?
There
is a 3-in-1 cable, which bundled PS2 keyboard, PS2 mouse and VGA
cable together. These cable complaint to PC99 standards.
Alternatively, users may use the cable available from shelf of the
computer shop.
Just
need to take care VGA cable quality and PS2 cable quality and
connector (male, female) matches.
The
maximum length of 3-in-1 KVM cable is 5-meter. A PS2 and VGA
extender need to be used if more than this limitation.
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Q18:
What is the keyboard can be used?
All
the IBM PC compatible 101,102,103,104 key keyboards can be used.
If
the keyboard cannot be used with KVM switch, user may check to plug
keyboard to PC directly to verify.
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Q17:
What is the mouse can be used?
All
PS2 mouse compatible to Microsoft Operating System can be used.
If
the keyboard cannot be used with KVM switch, user may check to plug
keyboard to PC directly to verify.
Microsoft
O.S. support 3D mouse standard driver. If use 4D or 5D mouse that is
not standard supported with Windows, then the function key will not
be effective more than 3D mouse.
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Q16:
If an O.S. must use serial mouse, how to support?
The
console port of mouse must be connected with PS/2 mouse (mini Din
6-pin).
If
you want to use serial port of that PC, you need a conversion cable
with DB9 serial port at PC side convert to mini DIN 6-pin at KVM
side for such requirement. Note that only rack mount type KVM Switch
(Ex: UKS8108-RO) has implemented such serial mouse to PS/2 mouse
conversion. And only some old SCO UNIX systems need such connection.
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Q15:
How to check VGA Monitor compatibility?
1.Please
check what is the output bandwidth of the VGA card, KVM Switch
support 200MHz bandwidth.
2.If the monitor display with abnormal scan lines, please connect
monitor to VGA card directly to verify.
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Q14:
How to add in new PC to the KVM Switch?
If
adding a new PC to one of the port of KVM Switch, just plug KVM
Switch cable into the PC side and KVM side then turn on the power,
it will not impact to the KVM switch operation.
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Q13:
How long the KVM cable can be used?
The
recommended VGA cable distance is 5 meters maximum without ghosting
and degradation. Normally, the cable length is based on driver
capacity of your VGA card. If you need longer VGA cable, please use
VGA extender to accomplish your applications.
The
recommended keyboard or mouse cable is 10 feet maximum without
degradation. Normally, the cable length is based on driver capacity
of your motherboard. If you need longer keyboard or mouse cable,
please use keyboard or mouse extender to get your applications.
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Q12:
What is the operating system can be used with KVM Switch?
DOS,
Win3.X / 95 / 98 / SE / ME / XP / 2000 / NT, Netware 3.X / 4.X /
5.X, HP UNIX, SCO UNIX, Linux
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Q11:
Can I use KVM Switch for Macintosh?
If
you use PS2 KVM Switch, you need USB-PS2 converter to support IMAC,
Power Mac and Server MAC.
If
you use USB KVM Switch, you can directly connect IMAC, Power Mac and
Server MAC to the USB port.
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Q10:
Can I use KVM Switch for Sun Micro System?
If
you use PS2 KVM Switch, you need USB-PS2 converter to support Sun
Micro System with USB port.
If
you use USB KVM Switch, you can directly connect Sun Micro System to
the USB port.
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Q09:
Keyboard or mouse does not work or not be compatible with the PC.
Please
make sure the keyboard or mouse works when directly plug into the
computer. If the problem persists, please try another keyboard or
mouse.
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Q08:
Mouse doesnt work in Auto Scan mode.
No,
mouse doesnt work in auto scan mode. You need to return standard
mode. You can press any key on the keyboard or the front button on
the face plate for returning standard mode and then use the Keyboard
or Mouse again.
When
KVM switch is in Auto Scan mode, there are only VGA monitor display
and CPU alternately ( but the USB Hub is not switched in auto scan
mode ). After you press any key, the PC port will be selected at the
same time, as you see the current PC Screen.
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Q07:
There is a keyboard error message on the screen when booting PC.
If
you apply PS/2 keyboard to USB KVM switchs PS/2 port and fail in
booting PC with keyboard error message.
The
PC BIOS (Basic Input Output System) need be upgraded to new BIOS for
accepting USB to PS/2 conversion. Normally, most of BIOS support,
during PC boot process, recognizing USB to PS/2 keyboard conversion
or USB keyboard.
If
your motherboard BIOS is unable to be upgraded to new BIOS, you may
need boot this PC individually and the console port need be switched
to this PC before you power on this PC.
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Q06:
What I can do if the OS failed to boot?
Some
Operation System (O.S.) like Win NT, Unix need boot with KB and
Mouse. So, please switch the console port of KVM switch to PC
which installed Win NT or Unix before you power on the PC.
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Q05:
Why USB KVM Switch slower when switching ports?
When
you switch USB Hub from one PC to another and there are many USB
devices are attached to the PC, it will take about 5~10 seconds for
all USB devices initialization. So, to switch port will take more
time than the switching time of conventional PS/2 KVM switch.
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Q04:
How to make KVM switch compatible with Japanese Windows?
When
you use Japanese windows OS with 106 key keyboard, there are some
special keys like need 106 key driver (Microsoft
native driver in O.S. CD). Please follow procedures below and click
the mouse to add new driver.
Win98/SE/ME:
control panel → Add new hardware → Next → Next
→ Select
"No, the device isn't in the list" → Select
→"No, I want to select the hardware from a list"
→
Select keyboard → Select standard keyboard → Select (日本語)
Japanese 106 key keyboard →
Reboot PC
Win2000:
Control panel → System
→ Hardware → Device manager → Keyboards →
Standard keyboard → Click mouse right key → Properties
→ Driver → Update driver → Display a list of the
known drivers → For this device so that I can choose a
specific driver → Standard keyboard → Standard (日本語)Japanese
106 key keyboard → Reboot PC
WinNT:
Control panel → Keyboard → General → Change
→ Show all devices → Standard(日本語)
Japanese 106 key keyboard → Reboot PC
WinXP:
Control panel → System → Hardware → Device manager
→ Keyboards → Standard keyboard →
Click mouse right key → driver → Update driver →
Install from a list or specific location (advanced) → Don't
search. I will choose the driver to install → Deselect show
compatible hardware → Standard keyboard → Standard(日本語)Japanese
106 key keyboard → Reboot PC
SUN
Microsystems:
If you apply PC USB keyboard
to USB hub ports and SUN Microsystems are connected to this USB KVM
switch, there is no SUN-to-PC keyboard mapping available. SUN-to-PC
keyboard mapping is only valid at PS/2 keyboard port of USB KVM
switch. You also can connect SUN USB keyboard to one of USB Hub
ports.
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Q03:
Why the OSD function cannot be used for SUN Microsystems server?
If
you apply PC USB keyboard or SUN USB keyboard to one of USB hub
ports and SUN Microsystems are connected to this USB KVM
switch, there is no OSD function for this application.
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Q02:
Why SUN Microsystems failed to boot with KVM switch?
For
4 ports USB KVM Switch without OSD, few monitors might cause SUN
Microsystems fails in boot-up process, please power off all
systems and console monitor. You can go one of methods to solve this
problem:
a.Putting SUN
Microsystems at 1st port of this KVM switch and boot up SUN
Microsystems again.
b.To add a power adapter to this KVM switch and power on this switch
first, then go the same boot up process again.
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Q01:
How to use MAC Computer with KVM Switch?
If
you apply PC USB keyboard to one of USB hub ports and MAC computers
are connected to this USB KVM switch, there is no MAC-to-PC
keyboard mapping available. MAC-to-PC keyboard mapping is only valid
at PS/2 keyboard port of USB KVM switch. You also can connect MAC
keyboard to one of USB Hub ports.
If you
apply PC USB keyboard or MAC keyboard to one USB hub ports and MAC
computers are connected to this USB KVM switch, there is no OSD
function for this application.
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EUSSO
Technologies, Inc. is a dedicated data communication and networking
company. With professional experiences in design, production,
marketing and service support, we deliver the full range networking
products including Gigabit Ethernet, Fiber Optic, Wireless LAN,
Switches, Hubs, LAN cards, PCMCIA adapters, Converter, Transceivers.
As well as Internet Telephony Gateway, Print Servers, Broadband Router
and many others.
Copyright
EUSSO Technologies, Inc. 2003
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