KVM Switch Selection Guide

Types & Characteristics

Types & Characteristics

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KVM Switches: What is best for you?

KVM switches are used to connect users to their computers. There are many types of switches to meet a wide variety of customer needs, but choosing the best KVM switches can be a challenge. Here are the major questions to consider:

How many users and computers are there?
What are the distances between the users and the computers?
What type of cabling (or network) will connect the users and computers?
Any special needs such as 4K video, high performance KVM, or protecting classified information?

Here’s some quick advice to find the best KVM switch. If you want point-to-point access to a single computer, then look into KVM Extension. If you have a few computers in close proximity, then a Desktop Switch may be right for you. If you are a government or military worker who needs access to systems at different classification levels, then a Secure Desktop Switch is for you. If you have a smaller server room or rack within close proximity to the users, then look into a KVM Matrix Switch. KVM-over-IP Switches provide flexible, local, and multi-user IP access of 8 to 64 computers, that scales to thousands of computers via Raritan’s Centralized Access and Management System. For 4K, broadcast, video, or dynamic applications consider a high performance KVM switch.

The table below summarizes the types of KVM switches, from enterprise-wide IP access to the extension of a single computer. Look at the Typical Applications column for the type that best matches your application.

Types of KVM Switches Table

Discover Raritan product families in the table below, detailing applications and user-to-computer distances!

Type of KVM Switches	Overview	Typical Applications	User to Computer Distance	Raritan Products
Centralized Access & Management System	Centralized IP access to hundreds or thousands of servers across multiple locations	Scales to world-wide, enterprise access for hundreds of users and tens of thousands of servers	Unlimited distance via LAN, WAN, Internet	CommandCenter® Secure Gateway Dominion Switches
KVM-over-IP	Scalable family of KVM-over-IP switches from 1 user/8 ports to 8 users/64 ports.	IP-based remote access for small labs to the largest, enterprise data centers via CommandCenter	At-the-rack access plus unlimited distances via LAN, WAN, Internet	Dominion KX III Dominion KX IV-101 Dominion LX II
Cat5 Matrix Switch	Cat5 KVM switches supporting analog and digital video from 8, 16, and 32 servers for 1 to 2 users.	Supports local access for small labs, server rooms, and data centers	Up to 300 meters distance	MasterConsole® Digital* *supports both analog and digital devices
Desktop & Secure Desktop	Supports a single user accessing 2 to 16 servers per switch	Desktop or small rack use. Secure Desktop to access classified systems.	1.5 to 15 meters distance	Raritan Secure Switch
KVM Extension	Point-to-point access to a single computer. Scales to access from multiple locations.	Extended access to a single computer from one or more locations.	Up to 150 meters. Can daisy chain via Ethernet switches for longer distances	Cat5 Reach DVI HD
High Performance KVM-over-IP	High Performance KVM-over-IP Switches with 4K and 1080p60 video support	Broadcast, control rooms, video, and applications with high resolution video/images	KVM-over-IP access over LAN, WAN, and Internet via User Station or PC/Laptop	Dominion KX IV–101 Dominion KX III Dominion KX IV User Station Dominion KX III User Station

Characteristics Table

The final table details Raritan product families, including users/computers supported and cabling:

Type	Characteristics	Raritan Products
Centralized Access & Management System	Centralized IP access to thousands of computers Provides enterprise level access Manages Raritan KVM devices Provides multiple types of access	CommandCenter® Secure Gateway Dominion Switches
KVM-over-IP	Flexible, web-based IP access from PC/Laptop LAN, WAN, and Internet Access Supports 1 to 8 remote users per switch Supports 8 to 64 computers per switch Enterprise access via CommandCenter	Dominion KX III Dominion KX IV-101 Dominion LX II
Cat5 Matrix Switch	Cat5 access for Analog and Digital Video Labs, server rooms, and small data centers Supports 1 or 2 users Supports 8, 16, or 32 servers per switch Scales via switch tiering/stacking	MasterConsole® Digital^* *supports both analog and digital devices
Desktop & Secure Desktop	Supports a user in close proximity to computers Supports 2 to 16 servers per switch High speed analog or digital access Scales via switch tiering/cascading Secure access of classified information	Raritan Secure Switch
KVM Extension	Point-to-point extension of a single computer Scales to access from multiple locations 500 feet distance Daisy chain via Ethernet switches DVI or VGA with USB, IR, and audio	Cat5 Reach DVI HD
High Performance KVM-over-IP	Support of high resolution 4K video High speed 1080p60 access Flexible KVM-over-IP access over LAN, WAN & Internet High speed User Station access Laptop/PC access for engineers, managers, and IT	Dominion KX IV–101 Dominion KX III Dominion KX IV User Station Dominion KX III User Station