Chapter 1

Introduction

Overview

A KL1508A or KL1516A KVM switch is a control unit that allows IT administrators to access and control multiple computers from a single PS/2 or USB KVM (keyboard, monitor, and mouse) console. A single KL1508A / KL1516A can control up to 8 / 16 computers. They consist of an integrated LCD monitor, keyboard, and touchpad in a 1U rack-mountable retractable sliding housing.

The similarities and differences among the models in the KL1508A / KL1516A series are shown in the following table:

Model

LCD Panel

Ports

 

 

 

KL1508AM

17"

8

 

 

 

KL1508AN

19"

8

 

 

 

KL1516AM

17"

16

 

 

 

KL1516AN

19"

16

 

 

 

The LCD and keyboard/touchpad modules slide independently of each other. To maximize space in your data center, the keyboard/touchpad module slides back to "hide away" when not in use, while the thin profile LCD monitor rotates back – flush against the rack – allowing administrators to monitor computer activity on the installation.

By daisy chaining up to 31 additional switches, as many as 512 computers can be controlled from the original KVM console. An auto-sensing function recognizes the position of each station on the chain, eliminating the need to manually set the position, and a seven-segment front panel LED displays each Station's position for easy identification.

Compact, high-density, RJ-45 connectors and CAT 5e/6 cable make for a compact, efficient, wiring configuration, while the use of PS/2 and USB KVM Adapter Cables to link to the computers, permits any combination of PCs, Macs, Sun computers, and serial devices to coexist on the installation.

Setting up the KL1508A / KL1516A is fast and easy – plugging cables into their appropriate ports is all that is entailed. Because the KL1508A / KL1516A intercepts keyboard and mouse input directly, there is no software to configure and no complex installation routines.

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