Manufacturer: Linksys Website: Linksys KVM 2-Port Switch Kit Price: $80 - $100 Author: Brian Lee Page: 1

These days, many of us have more than one computer.  Some of us have half a dozen computers or more that we use just for ourselves!  Does this mean you need to buy multiple monitors, keyboards, and mice?  The answer is no.  Having multiple of everything is expensive, not to mention takes up a lot of space.  The answer to our problems is a KVM switch.  Here we look at the Linksys KVM 2-Port Switch Kit.

KVM stands for "Keyboard, Video, Mouse".  It is a device that allows you to connect two or more computers to one keyboard, monitor, and mouse.  By pressing a button on the KVM, you can switch between the different computers.  Some models such as this Linksys KVM have a Hot Key combination on the keyboard that does the switch in addition to a button on the KVM unit. 

Here is a simple diagram on the back of the Linksys box that shows how you can use one set of monitor, keyboard, and mouse with 2 computers.

You may have seen other solutions like those boxes that have a turn knob that says "A" and "B" which will do the same thing, but STAY AWAY from those boxes.  Those boxes are mechanical units that may introduce electrical spikes into your components when you turn the knob.  They're really cheap because they have no electronics or intelligence to protect your equipment.

The Linksys KVM, like other electronic KVM switches,  is able to "buffer" the transfer from one computer to the other so that there is no damage to your computers.  Also, this KVM remembers the settings of each computer so that your computer or operating system won't suddenly hang or crash because it thinks the keyboard, monitor, and mouse have been detached (a problem with the mechanical switch boxes).

Even if you did have a second monitor, keyboard, and mouse to use with your other computers, they are probably not as good quality as your main workstation computer and it's nice to be able to sit in one place and can control your empire.  A downside is that you can't see all your computers at the same time.

You can purchase KVM's as separate units or as a complete kit with all the required hardware (like this Linksys kit).  I think buying a complete kit is the best idea because you don't have to worry if the cables will work with a specific box, missing parts, etc.  Also, the kits tend to be a bit cheaper than purchasing the switch box, cables, and adapters separately.

This is what comes with the Linksys KVM kit:

Two sets of monitor, keyboard, mouse cables - 4 feet in length

KVM switch box

PS/2 to serial adapter

PS/2 keyboard to AT-style keyboard adapter

If you are using this KVM switch on two older computers that use serial mice and the older AT-style keyboard connector, you may need to purchase additional adapters for the mouse and keyboard.  However, if all your computers use PS/2 type connectors for the mouse and keyboard, you're okay.  A possible problem that some people may encounter is that this Linksys KVM switch does not support USB.  Since more and more keyboards and mice are moving towards USB, this may prevent you from using this KVM unless your mouse or keyboard can accept using USB to PS/2 converters.  This is something to be aware of.

Since this KVM is an active electronics device, it requires power which is drawn from the keyboard connector from each computer.  No additional external adapter is needed, although for some reason, this KVM switch box has a port for an AC adapter.  I am not sure when you would ever need such an external adapter.

This is the KVM switch box.  The purple button allows you to switch between PC1 and PC2.  At a touch of a button, you can control either computer you have hooked up.  The LED's on the box indicate which computer the KVM is currently controlling.

Another way to switch between the two computers is via "hot keys".  For this Linksys KVM, all you have to do is press the "Ctrl" key twice quickly.  This is probably the best way to use this KVM.  It is much faster to hit "Ctrl" twice than it is to reach around the back of your desk and search for the little purple button.  In fact, since I don't even use the button on the switch box and I don't look at the LED's, I have the Linksys KVM hanging off the back of my desk so it isn't taking up any desk space.  Of course this is contributing to the huge mess of cables I have at the back of my desk, but my desk space isn't compromised.

While hitting "Ctrl" twice is a very nice way to switch between two computers, sometimes it can cause problems, although, rarely.  For example, I am a big Starcraft fan.  I play quite a bit each day.  For those of you not familiar with the game, you can use the "Ctrl" key to as a hot key during the game for various purposes.  During the more frantic games, I sometimes accidentally trigger the KVM to switch to my second computer.  Then I have to frantically switch back to the original computer that the game was playing on.  There may be other programs or games where hitting the "Ctrl" key multiple times could cause you accidentally switch over to your second computer when you didn't intend to do so.

The Linksys KVM also includes an Auto Scan mode which will switch between the two computers continuously until you tell it to stop.  In this mode, each computer display will be on screen for 3 seconds before it is switched to the other PC for 3 seconds and then back again.  This is useful if you need to monitor something on both computers at the same time.
 

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