KVM's

[Doc Shipley]

Don wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> In an attempt to cut down on the number of monitors, etc.
> here, I dragged out an old KVM (which, unfortunately, seems
> to have lost track of his wal wart!).
> 
> It doesn't take long to realize that this is a non-solution:
> - keyboards are PS2, Sun, USB, ADB, etc.
> - mice are PS2, Serial, Sun, USB, ADB, etc.
> - video is Sun's 13W3, HD15, DEC's RGB, apple's DB15, etc.
> 
> Does anyone make a *truly* universal KVM (i.e. so that
> I can mix and match all of these flavors)?  And, how
> outrageously priced is it?

   Cybex Commander series is as close as you'll get.  The ones I've 
worked with are a backplane with cards that attach to computers or 
console or other KVM units.  The computer-conected cards are jumperable 
to the type of kbd/mouse/display that system expects, and they make 
cables for SPARC (with 13W3 display), ADB/DB15, PS/2-HD15, 
AT/serial/HD15, etc.  I've not seen USB cables, but that doesn't mean 
they don't exist.  As an added bonus, they do sound if you buy the right 
cables, and allow up to 4 user consoles per setup.

   The newer ones are a lot smaller, support USB, and don't have the 
mix-&-match backplane.

   Fairly expensive, but common on eBay and the cables come up 
reasonably cheap.


	Doc
> 
> Or, do I just have to get used to hiding "not in use"
> mice, etc. out of the way?
>