Aten intros combo KVM switches

Taipei, Sep 30

Aten International has introduced CS1708A and CS1716A-two new 8 and 16-port PS/2-USB KVMP solutions for controlling up to eight or 16 directly connected servers. The switches provide dual interface functionality, a front panel USB port for sharing peripherals and a two-level password security. Users can control up to 256 or 512 servers from a single KVM console.

Its dual interface functionality supports PS/2 or USB keyboards and mice for both servers and console. In addition, the rack-mountable 1U device features a front USB port for connecting USB peripherals. Thus, each computer directly linked to the CS1708A/CS1716A via a USB cable set connection can share any peripheral connected to the KVMP switch a one-at-a-time.

For a secured and centralized server management, these switches integrate two-level password security allowing only the authorized users to view and control servers. Up to four users and the administrator can be provided with separate access profiles, which effectively protects the system and vital business information. In addition, the auto scan function allows KVM users to easily monitor any user-selected servers.

“The new CS1708A and CS1716A supports Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Mac and Sun. Users can conveniently select servers for management via front panel pushbuttons and intuitive on screen display menus, which do not require any additional software installation,” informed Kevin Chen, President, Aten International.

Daisy-chaining up to 31 units

The switch auto-senses its position on daisy-chained installations, while LEDs at the front panel of the switch indicates the position of the units. With the broadcast mode of the CS1708A/CS1716A, users can perform operations simultaneously on all or selected servers, and do firmware upgrades to all chained KVM switches at the same time via the daisy-chain cable.

With Aten's display emulation technology, the CS1708A and CS1716A automatically store the console monitor's extended display identification data (EDID) to optimise the display resolution, thus providing video resolution of up to 2,048x1,536 pixels (DDC2B). In addition, it features USB and PS/2 keyboard and mouse emulation to seamlessly recognise even multimedia keyboards and multifunction mice when the user switches between the servers.

Pricing and availability

Now available, the CS1708A and CS1716A PS/2-USB KVMP switches are priced at Rs 30,000 and Rs 42,500.