Avocent – SwitchView 100 4-port PS/2 KVM Switch

• Avocent – SwitchView 100 2-port PS/2 KVM Switch
• Avocent – SwitchView 100 2-port USB KVM Switch
• Avocent – SwitchView 100 4-port PS/2 KVM Switch
• Avocent – SwitchView 100 4-port USB KVM Switch

The InteropNET crew has been using the Avocent KVM solution for quite a while, but we’ve all been in agreement that justifying an enterprise grade KVM for your desktop is something none of us want to pass by the CFO. The main issue has been getting a KVM that will handle the increasing screen resolution and scan rates of modern monitors, while also making sure that as CPU’s restart that the KVM answers back correctly to avoid boot errors.

You might have noticed that some consumer KVM’s have little Linux Friendly stickers on them…this has been because el’cheapo KVM’s have typically not answered back in a timely manner when Linux asks what kind of Keyboard+Mouse+Monitor is attached. Many Linux distros have a failsafe in that like the Sun Sparc’s of old, they will automagically add a serial console device if it can’t detect a keyboard on the box. So while this is a great thing (always able to get to the console) it can be darn frustrating pounding away at the keyboard only to be ignored…all because the el’cheapo KVM didn’t answer back in time. Similar things happen when systems go off to power saver mode and loses the keyboard since the KVM isn’t sending any sort of keep alive to the CPU. I don’t mean randomly hitting a key, just making sure that the keyboard signal stays there and when the CPU polls the keyboard i/o chip that the KVM answers. Sounds simple, but missing from a bunch of  KVM’s I’ve thrown away over the years.

Now keep in mind that while there are USB versions available (see above list) these are ONLY for keyboard and mice. Not storage devices.

So since many of these KVM’s are going to be used for desktops, it makes sense to also make sure that the speakers and mike get swapped along with the keyboard+mouse+video. Afterall when that call comes in from the rest of you HALO team, you want to make sure you answer on the right machine.

So getting to the tech specs…I tossed a couple questions at David Scarlett, Avocent Product Manager for the the SwitchView 100 and here are the answers:

1. I’m assuming this is a single KVM console to four, not a matrix like a 2×2? So four machines to single console….

(SIDE NOTE from Brian Chee: such a thing does exist from a UK vendor, but ain’t cheap… checkout https://www.adder.com/uk/products/SmartViewMultiscreen.aspx )

AVCT> Yes you are correct.  The unit provides access for up to 4 machines from a single keyboard, monitor, mouse, speaker set and mic. 2. I’m also assuming like other Avocent KVM products, this does kvm keep alive for machines if they reboot.

AVCT> Yes.

3. What is the limits on resolution conversion?

a. Can it handle upwards of 1600×1400? Or lower?

AVCT> All of the SwitchView 100 models support up to a maximum resolution of 2048×1536 @ 60Hz.

b. What kinds of scan rates can it handle?

c. Is there a matrix of what it can handle (scan rate versus resolution)

AVCT> The SwitchView 100 supports a wide range including these common resolutions:

800×600 @ max 120Hz 1024×768 @ max 120 Hz 1280×1024@ max 120 Hz 1600×1200 @ max 100 Hz 1920×1200 @ max 80 Hz 2048×1536 @ max 60 Hz

4. Is the audio stereo or can it also handle the new 5.1 stuff coming out over a mini-plug? AVCT> The audio is stereo and does not support 5.1.

5. Is a DVI version available? AVCT> No.  Currently the SV100 series supports VGA only.

a. Analog in but DVI out?

b. DVI in and out?

6. What is the warranty length? AVCT> 2 years.

7. Does it pass through the plug-n-play monitor information? AVCT> Yes.

8. How does it handle power saver mode for the monitor? AVCT> The unit passes through from the PC.

9. Is there going to be a USB mouse+keyboard version in the future? AVCT> This is not in the current plans. Brian Chee> I’m pretty sure that this question was misunderstood. I’m fairly sure they thought I was asking if there were going to be additional USB ports added that will give you USB storage sharing capability. Such a thing is pretty complex and I don’t blame them for waffling on such a feature in a SOHO product.

10. How far can I extend the cables? AVCT> The USB can be extended up to 12 feet and the VGA can be extended up to 15 ft.

11. This is targeted at the SMB market, so not really dual use for SOHO+gamer applications right? AVCT> The unit was not specifically designed for the gamer applications.  The unit should support many gamer applications, and it would depend on how hardcore the user is as to whether or not it would be acceptable for him or her.

MSRP Pricing: $45 2port ps/2 $90 4port ps/s $50 2port usb $100 4port usb *NOTE: Cables ARE included with the system.