KVM over IP

KVM over IP Remotely access and control your servers & devices including your power strips with KVM over IP The number of KVM over IP Digital Pathways shown below, equals the number of possible Remote Concurrent KVM over IP Users   Test Drive a KVM over IP Switch Solution!   Featured Solution!   Take a KVM over IP switch for a spin with our FREE 30-Day Product Eval and/or Web Demo! The "Test Drive" product evaluation enables you to explore a KVM over IP switch to make sure it is the best solution for your environment.     LCD Drawers w/ KVM over IP Switch Raloy's Rackmount LCD Drawers have a 19" Samsung LCD with 1440x900 Resolution and come with an optional integrated KVM over IP switch - all in 1U of rack space! KVM options include 8,16, or 32-ports; 1,2,3, or 4-users.
1-Digital Path KVM over IP Switches	2-Digital Paths KVM over IP Switches	4-Digital Paths KVM over IP Switches	8-Digital Paths KVM over IP Switches
Avocent MergePoint Unity KVM over IP + Serial	Avocent DSR Series KVM over IP	Avocent AutoView Digital KVM Switches	Avocent HMX Desktop over IP
Raritan KSX II KVM over IP + Serial	Raritan KX II Series KVM over IP	Minicom Smart IP KVM over IP	Rose UltraLink KVM over IP
Minicom PX KVM over IP - non-blocked 1:1	Raritan KX2-101 KVM over IP - non-blocked 1:1	Avocent DSView 3 KVM over IP Software	Raritan CommandCenter KVM over IP Appliance
Free Project Consultation	Power over IP	Console Servers	Data Center Products
KVM over IP Manufacturers

What is KVM over IP?

KVM over IP Enterprise Application Diagram

Digital KVM over IP and Digital KVM Switch over IP KVM Products & Solutions
KVM over IP switches (also known as IP KVM switches) provide secure bios level access and control of servers and other network devices utilizing a browser via the network. KVM over IP solutions can be used to enhance or to replace in-band solutions such as RDP, VNC, SSH or other out-of-band access solutions such as remote access cards for a more reliable and secure way to manage an IT infrastructure. KVM over IP solutions can also be integrated with power strips to provide remote reboot capabilities and measure power consumption down to the outlet level. Additional features of KVM over IP include Virtual Media, Command Line Access to serial ports and support for Smart Card/CAC readers. KVM over IP switches come in various configurations to support every IT environment from large data centers to stand alone server racks as well as distributed environments including labs and branch offices.

Another type of KVM over IP product is known as Desktop over IP. Desktop over IP is similar to a KVM extender solution but leverages network protocol to provide a true desktop experience in a point to point configuration or routed via the network. This type of solution is very popular in the broadcast market, clean rooms, secure computing environments and many other solutions that require high resolutions, USB peripheral flexibility and environments that you cannot simply run a Cat5 or fiber cable and must leverage network connectivity.

Utilizing advanced security and regardless of operating system, these Remote Access KVM Over IP products allow you to remotely control all your servers/CPUs including pre-boot functions such as editing CMOS settings and power cycling your servers. All of these Remote Access KVM Over IP products allow you access via your internal LAN/WAN, and some allow connectivity via the Internet or dial-in access via ISDN or standard 56K modems.

Comparison of VNC, RDP, and other Remote Access software with KVM over IP

As many IT departments are operating at downsized levels and employees are being asked to manage more mission-critical server room equipment with fewer resources, the ability to remotely monitor and maintain performance of server equipment has become essential.

Administrators primarily use two remote management approaches for controlling computers by leveraging the IP network. The first approach is KVM over IP, which utilizes network-based KVM switches to provide out-of-band BIOS-level access. The second approach is through the use of remote access software. Depending on the datacenter environment and application, these approaches can be used separately or in combination and allow network administrators to remotely view target systems as though they were sitting directly in front of them.

Remote Access Software
Remote access software programs are loaded onto the target computer or, in some cases both target and remote computers, and allow users to view and take remote KVM control and access servers from any location with internet access.

Remote management software includes Virtual Network Computing (VNC), PCanywhere, and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Older versions of PCanywhere could only be used on Windows-based computer systems. The current version (12.0), by Symantec, can be used with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS operating systems. Using a platform-independent software approach, VNC requires users to load software on both client and server computers. RDP is built into Windows products.

Although most remote access software is simple to load and can in some instances be obtained for free, users must install the remote management software on every machine in the datacenter that needs remote connectivity. This approach increases the number of touches needed to a server by an administrator and also introduces the need to test any new software programs with the control software.

The other drawback to remote access software is that the remote operating system must be up and running at the application level for the remote session to work properly. If the operating system crashes on the remote computer during remote connectivity at any time, users will be forced to take alternative ways to activate the remote computer. In most cases, this will result in the need to physically reboot the remote server from a cold start.

KVM over IP Remote Server Management
KVM over IP is a general industry term used to describe a server management hardware-based approach that allows administrators to gain true keyboard and mouse control of servers remotely. KVM over IP applications generally fall into two broad categories: pure digital applications and front-end IP products.

Digital IP KVM Switches: A pure digital implementation uses digital KVM switches and is a network-based management approach that allows administrators to gain BIOS-level access of the attached servers by communicating with the networked digital KVM switch.

Front-End IP Products: KVM over IP can also be implemented using front-end IP products, which are positioned at the console of existing analog switches and permit remote users to gain secure access to an existing KVM switch.

In both cases, an administrator uses a standard internet browser session to remotely access the KVM switch and attached servers. Administrators can gain access with most major Web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape, and Safari. In addition, KVM Over IP remote server management products can be seamlessly integrated with remote management software, such as Avocent's DSView, which allows administrators to manage datacenter appliances from any location worldwide.

Click here to see additional KVM over IP Switches

KVM over IP remote access Comparison Chart The chart below compares features of KVM over IP and remote access software. Key Remote Access Features & Benefits KVM over IP Remote Access Software Remotely access servers Warm reboot ability Cold reboot ability * Bios-level access to servers Multiple users  can share a concurrent session Encryption of data streaming over the internet User profiles―the ability to add user rights at the port level Employs third-party authentication Exit macros to log out each user when a remote session window is closed Simultaneous flash upgrades Selectable encryption modes to support specific security policies Username and password protection Performs operating system patches ** Authenticates users from existing accounts by integrating with industry-standards such as RADIUS and Active Directory *** Provides control of power at the outlet level Provides the ability to boot servers from a remote media source Provides comprehensive logging of user access, system changes, etc. Provides out-of-band access for redundancy *-Some KVM over IP datacenter management products including Avocent's DSView and Raritan's CommandCenter offer the ability to manage integrated remote power PDU's. **-Some remote software tools do not provide the ability to send software patches. ***-Some remote software solutions only authorize against windows active directory. KVM over IP Application Diagrams Considerations When Evaluating KVM over IP Switches As you browse through these KVM Switch product pages to determine which KVM Switch solution best meets your requirements, carefully consider the following: What expansion options (for both your users/administrators and your servers) does this KVM switching solution offer? What are the KVM switch's cable length limitations? How much cabling is required?? What type of cable media does the KVM switch require - coax cable, single, dual CAT5, or fiber optic? Some use more than one, for example CAT5 and coax - an important topology consideration when considering cost and ease of installation. What are the switch's multi-platform capabilities, and for non-PC environments does the KVM do keyboard mapping or allow you to use your native keyboard? Does the KVM switch's level of security suit your needs? What redundancy does the KVM offer if one of its components were to fail? How would a failure of any of the KVM  switches / components affect your servers and your ability to control them? How is KVM extension handled? Does the KVM offer IP and in-band options? What are the KVM switch's power cycling options? Are your space-constrained in your current environment? For more details, see our Frequently Asked Questions About KVM Switches and Upgrade Your KVM Technology. Already know what KVM you need and would just like to view discounted pricing or place an online order? The following Ecommerce site provides secure shopping specializing in KVM Switch products.