FYI 8 port KVM for best price I've seen

[CyberDyneSystems]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=17-107-504&DEPA=1

The price was too good not to share,... nice deal.

[lechumbl]

Hi Cyber,

Thanx for the link.

I have the 8 port Apex box, and it runs around a thousand dollars.

This one is certainly a better buy, price wise.

Take care and thanx again...........

[CyberDyneSystems]

I think one of the differences between this unit and all the other rack mount 8 port or more KVMs is the lack of "cascading" or "stacking" options. For those that need dozens you can hook up eight 8 port kvms to a 9th one and have acces to 64 PCs from one station. :eek:

This one clearly lacks that scalability,.. but ,.. :D I have one on the way as I can't imagine needing more than an 8 port unit at home :) It will in fact replace one of my 4 port D-link models.

[lechumbl]

Hi Cyber,

When I USED to work, yesterday, I had 4 8 port Apex boxes tied in and ran all my systems in one lab that way.
As you say, who will be running over 8 boxes at home, beside mdzcpa? :D

Take care.........and let us know how it works for you.........

[mdzcpa]

Originally posted by lechumbl
As you say, who will be running over 8 boxes at home, beside mdzcpa?


Hey now.....I resemble that comment!:)

BTW, only a tad off topic, but I've found that Remote Desktop is the way to go for me vs. KVM. There are certainly differences...yes. But for many, I think this is a great answer to managing multiple boxes:)

[CyberDyneSystems]

I read the great thread somehwere on this forum about remote desktop,.. and I tell you this,. If I had not allready invested in a KVM set-up, I surely would have tried it by now. Regardless. I will be giving it a go soon. Certainly more economical and does away with all the wires!

[CyberDyneSystems]

O-kay,.. the BEAST has arrived,. and it is much more than I thought.

I assumed due to the price and lack of online info that this would be an 8 port version of the little tykes we have come to know from Belkin and D-link,. the 4 port jobs that cost about $75.00

I was WRONG.

At $154.00,.. you get 8 ports of THE FULL MONTY!

19" rackmount,.. HEAVY steel housing,.. easy to read leds,. positive switches,. and plenty of room on the back to hook up all the cables is only the tip of the Iceberg.

Here are the high end features you expect only in a unit that costs three to four times as much.

* "Uplink port" to "stack" additional units for nearly infinate expandability and control from one keyboard. (like 64 PCs!)

* On Screen display of functions,. with "Banks" to address "stacked or cascaded" units. (first 8 PCs are on "Bank 1",. hook 8 more PCs to a second KVM on the uplink port and they are "Bank 2",... etc. )

* Activate the Switch using the panel mounted toggle buttons,.or Hotkey sequences on your Keyboard,. or activate the onscreen display via Keyboard.

This unit is much more than I had anticipated. If I had any forseeable use for more than one of these,. I would buy a few more on sheer principle.



P.S.,.. I ran it through the Sony FW900 which is my primary display at the max Resolution my Geforce 4 ti4400 will allow,. 1920 X 1440,. and I could see no discernable effects from the KVM.

If you need a KVM and think you need only two portsget a 4 port unit. ( you always end up wishing you had more ports somewhere down the line) But If you think you need a 4 port unit,.. SKIP IT and grab this one. Sure its twice the price,. but it is more than twice the bang for your buck.


!!! One Gripe

* Despite the large industrial size of this switch,.. it still managed to come with a "wallwart" power "brick" power supply??? The casing is easily large enough for an internal power supply. I find "bricks" way too annoying. On the plus side,. if the "brick" dies,.. I can get a replacement at Radio Shack for $8.00,. and I won't have to send the unit in for repair.

[lechumbl]

Hi Cyber,

Congrats on the good find, and the new toy.
Now, to fill up the eight ports. :p

Take care............