Chapter 1

Introduction

Overview

The KH1508Ai / KH1516Ai KVM Over the NET™ switches are control units that allow access to multiple computers from a single KVM (keyboard, monitor, and mouse) console.

A single KH1508Ai / KH1516Ai can control up to 8 / 16 computers. As many as 15 additional KVM switches can be daisy chained from the original unit, so that up to 256 computers can all be controlled from the original KVM console.

Note: See Supported Devices, page 182, for a list of KVM switches that can be installed on a KH1508Ai / KH1516Ai daisy chain.

Since the KH1508Ai / KH1516Ai uses TCP/IP for its communications protocol, it can be accessed from any computer on the Net – whether that computer is located down the hall, down the street, or half-way around the world.

Over the

NETTM

Local

In addition to TCP/IP connectivity, the KH1508Ai / KH1516Ai provides local ports for a locally attached USB or PS/2 console and a Laptop console – allowing access and control from the data center as well as over the Net. The switches utilize a single shared bus implementation – although they support local and remote login at the same time, they do not support independent operation. If a local user logs in while a remote user has already opened a session, the local user sees the same screen that the remote user is working on.

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