Chapter 1
Introduction
Overview
The CS-428 KVM Switch is a control unit that allows four independent keyboard, mouse, and monitor Consoles to access eight computers, either independently or on a multiuser shared basis, in a convenient, cost effective manner. A Master View CS-428 unit can control up to 8 PCs. Since it can be cascaded one level down to a CS-138A, CS-9138, CS-128A, or CS-124A, up to 9 Master View units (the CS-428 plus eight cascaded ones), can control up to 64 computers from any of the four Consoles.
Setup is fast and easy; plugging cables into their appropriate ports is all that is entailed. There is no software to configure, so there is no need to get involved in complex software installation routines or be concerned with incompatibility problems. Because the CS-428 intercepts keyboard input directly, it works on any hardware platform and with all operating systems.
The CS-428 provides a convenient OSD (On Screen Display), function that allows any of the four Consoles to access any computer connected to the system by means of an on screen, menu driven interface. In addition, a powerful Quick View Scan feature allows you to auto scan and monitor the activities of all operating computers on the installation one by one.
For security, two level password protection (administrator and user), is provided in order to prevent unauthorized access to the computers. Responding to the growing use of audio input/output in the workstation space, the CS-428 has been designed with built in microphone and speaker support, as well.
There is no better way to save time and money than with a Master View CS- 428 installation. By allowing all the attached computers to be managed from four separate Consoles, a Master View CS-428 installation: (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 around from one computer to another, while allowing a single user to access the computers from several different convenient locations, or up to four users to share them.
