"KVM
refers to "keyboard,
video, and mouse".
These three items are collectively known as a KVM
console"
Benefits
of KVM Switches
Reduce costs
Improved business continuity
Hardware platform and OS independence
Analog or Digital
KVM:
Which is Right for Your Business?
There is no right answer to the question. Analog
switching solutions with modular KVM over IP capabilities
and digital switching solutions with integrated
KVM over IP both have advantages. An "out-of-band",
analog KVM solution is generally best suited for
small to mid-sized data centers. Whereas an "in-band",
digital KVM solution is best for supporting large,
national or globally distributed data centers.
The following table summarizes some of the key differences
between analog and digital KVM.
Analog KVM
Digital KVM
Access/Connectivity
Out-of-band
Network-independent
In-band
Network-dependent
Advantages
Better video performance / usability
Unblocked access
Requires less network bandwidth
Less cabling
Easier and cost-effective scalability
Leverages existing LAN infrastructure
Disadvantages
Greater number of Cat5 cables required
Greater number of components
Video quality degrades with distance
Users suffer from KVM Over IP limitations:
- Latency
- Artifacts
Consumes network bandwidth
Access Blocking (limited console availability)
Typical Application
Data center with up to ~300 servers, and up to 32
simultaneous users
Digital and analog solutions can be used independently
or in conjunction to meet the needs of your business.
You can connect to a small number of servers with
one or two switches integrated through analog
KVM. You can connect a large number of data centers
in multiple locations with digital KVM, or you
can design a solution that combines analog and
digital KVM.
Reduce costs 
