Chapter 1
Introduction
Overview
The CS-1754 and CS-1758 USB KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) Switches are control units that allow access and control of up to 4 (CS-1754) or 8 (CS- 1758) computers from a single USB keyboard, USB mouse, and monitor console. They can be cascaded to three levels – allowing up to 21 CS-1754s to control up to 64 computers, and up to 73 CS-1758s to control up to 512 computers - all from the original single console.
Although the switches use a USB keyboard and mouse for the console, they support both PS/2 and USB computers. Users have the choice of connecting the switch to a computer with PS/2 connectors or USB connectors depending on the cable used to link the switch to the computers. See the Cables section, page 3 for more details.
The CS-1754 / CS-1758 provides Multimedia keyboard support (volume up/ down, mute and pulse), and is audio enabled. A single microphone can provide audio input to each of the computers, and you can listen to the audio output of each computer on a single set of speakers (on a one-at-a-time basis).
There are three convenient methods to access any computer connected to the installation: (1) using the push button port selection switches located on each unit's front panel; (2) entering Hotkey combinations from the keyboard; and (3) selecting from menus provided by the On Screen Display (OSD). An Auto Scan feature also permits automatic scanning and monitoring of the activities of all computers running on the installation one by one.
Setup is fast and easy; simply plug cables into their appropriate ports. There is no software to configure, no installation routines, and no incompatibility problems. Since the CS-1754 / CS-1758 intercepts keyboard input directly, it works on multiple operating platforms (PC compatible, Mac*, Sun*, etc.).
Since a single console manages all of the computers on your installation, a CS- 1754 / CS-1758 KVM switch setup: (1) eliminates the expense of having to purchase a separate keyboard, monitor, and mouse for each computer; (2) saves all the space those extra components would take up; (3) saves on energy costs; and (4) eliminates the inconvenience and wasted effort involved in constantly moving from one computer to another.
*Mac and Sun computers must use the USB cable connection (see Cables, page 3).
