By Rick Stevenson

Types of KVM The difference between passive and active KVMs Advantages and disadvantages Summary What is a KVM? What is a software KVM? What is a hardware KVM?

KVM is an abbreviation for Keyboard, Video and Mouse Control multiple computers using a single monitor, keyboard and mouse (standard) Connect multiple monitors, keyboards and mice to a single computer (reverse)

Standard Reverse Active Hardware Software Passive Active

A software KVM is very similar to a hardware KVM however: A software KVM generally cannot share a monitor, only the keyboard and mouse A software KVM does not require external hardware and can run on any existing network One of the best software KVMs (synergy) costs $0.00 and is completely open source

This is a hardware KVM Computer Selector Console Keyboard and Mouse Console Monitor Client Keyboard and Mouse Client Monitor Power

A passive KVM switch changes the keyboard, video and mouse to interact with each computer by using a hardware switch or knob. An active KVM switch changes the keyboard, video and mouse to interact with each computer by using an electronic switch (either a button on the KVM or a keyboard shortcut)

In short, Passive = Mechanical Active = Electronic

Hardware KVM AdvantageDisadvantage No software requiredCost Not dependent on a network Limited Upgradeability Manual changing of computer control

Software KVM AdvantageDisadvantage Cost (free, open source)Dependent on stable network Automatic changing of computer control Generally can only share keyboard and mouse Effectively unlimited upgradeability May require local administrator rights Share the same clipboard

If you need to control more than one computer using the same keyboard, mouse and monitor Or If you need to have more than one active user on a single computer Or If your desk looks like this…

Then a KVM could be of benefit to you Random fact: Throughout the duration of this presentation over 300,000 songs were downloaded illegally off of the internet.