KVM development history

(1) First-generation manual KVM:


With the ever-increasing server room and other equipment, cabinets can not accommodate more client operation (keyboard, mouse, display), this time in history to realize the need for a shared client device operation. This time, KVM was born, KVM formerly known as a Sharerthe of mouse, keyboard and monitor。


At this time only the KVM simple manual control panel, and is limited to PS / 2 interface of the server at the same time, only the realization of a single machine boot sequence control, often throwing the mouse, keyboard problems.



(2) The second generation of the Automatic KVM:


Server to replace old ones, there were a lot of special server interface, such as the SUN server, IBM, HP and other minicomputer. This time, ordinary manual KVM has been unable to adapt to the needs of the times.


The emergence of automatic KVM manual KVM solution of many problems, for example, the server supports the USB interface to support the boot at the same time, support for hotkeys / OSD menu control. KVM is mainly due to the increase of the internal CPU chip simulation.


(3) Third-generation digital KVM:


When the room to accommodate a growing number of servers, updating the internal cabinet more types of servers, this time, the original first generation analog stage, the second generation of KVM are unable to adapt to the needs of the engine room. For example, USB's second-generation KVM, only the farthest distance of 5 meters to, PS / 2 support are also the farthest distance to 15 meters. The size of the room now, because through the cabinets and counters placed in a large room can not be achieved simply by a KVM to control the second generation.

About KVM over IP

Before the birth of the KVM, if the server room 200, then at the same time there will be 200 sets of keyboard, monitor and mouse, investment repeat, am not going to mention the complexity of cable, this may result in the cost of electricity and the increase in air-conditioned, and the birth of KVM No doubt the large and medium-scale servers to resolve user problems.

KVM many types of network connections in accordance with the classification, they could be divided into analogue and digital. One analog KVM support plug-and-play function, no need to install any software or drivers, the deployment of a very simple, remote management has been the engine room without the support of users. Although the convenience of this model, but because of the KVM control signal transmission distance of not more than 200 meters, we can only use in the engine room.

The using of KVM over IP technology, digital KVM, it is through TCP / IP protocol to manage the remote server technology.
Although many years ago can be adopted, such as PC Anywhere remote control software to achieve remote management and service, but in fact, for large-scale deployment of the server users, remote management is not the reality. First of all, because the mode of remote management software on each server need to install the software client, but the administrator can only log on a server and not the true sense of the remote management. KVM over IP and the emergence of the large-scale server deployment and management of long-range into a reality.
KVM over IP technology through the TCP protocol, through LAN and WAN access to the KVM console, and then through the daisy chain topology or star topology on the management server node. Star topology is a traditional KVM connection, usually only a KVM management 16 ~ 32 server nodes. The daisy chain topology is based on the series, and will connect to the server node, so that cable can achieve a high degree of simplification, and breakthroughs in the number of KVM console port restrictions is to disadvantage a single node of a hardware failure may cause other machines can not be managed.

But regardless of the way topology, KVM over IP technology can achieve the true sense of the high-performance remote management. Clearly, the KVM over IP, through the centralized management system, not only in quantity at the same time the management of hundreds or even thousands of servers (currently KVM over IP system supports from 16 to 10,000 of the management server node), and can the management of thousands of kilometers away in the remote management.

More importantly, the combination of KVM server management tools and automatic scanning function, KVM over IP to achieve efficient remote management. Such as the use of IBM Director or HP OpenView, engineers can be on the remote LAN to the dozens of new server operating system to install / security policy configuration, and the work of the past can only be completed by mid-LAN. Maintenance engineers over the past usually only manage about 30 servers through KVM over IP and a combination of management tools, engineers can manage each server is expected to reach 60.

Other two factors promote growing popularity of the KVM

With the expansion of data centers, in order to be able to adapt all of the keyboard, monitor and mouse, the power and space demand increases. Of course, the data center itself is not important each factor, but these factors will be multiplied by the dozens or even hundreds of systems, built up on the considerable consumption, especially for space requirements. In addition KVM cables can cut costs and solve management problem because of the cable .

Market research firm Venture Development Corp. (VDC) group of global asset manager Chris Lanfear is preparing a report on the KVM market, he said: "KVM initial problem to be solved is that the data center if you have 500 servers, then you may have 500 keyboard, 500 display and the mouse 500. KVM is now using the technology that you no longer need a dedicated space. so many of the keyboard, monitor and mouse will also distribute a number of calories, but you do not need to use KVM installation of air-conditioning too much, so less than the number of electricity. "

KVM Internet is to promote technological development of another important driving force. Over the past 10 years combined with the IP remote KVM operation to bring a new lease on life. A San Francisco-based company can operate the data center in Singapore, you can manage from anywhere "lights out" (ie no duty) data center. IP-based KVM (KVM over IP) not only has more capacity to deal with outstanding issues, but also to provide a higher level of monitoring and preventive maintenance functions.

Flexible application of KVM technology enables IT departments to create greater efficiency. Imagine a company in the distant branches in different places (such as banks, hotels or car parts store, etc.) There are several servers. Apparently it was unlikely to be trained or those who have time to deal with IT issues. Traditional approach is to send an IT technical staff over the past or an expert employed at the local, or branch of technology forced most of the people by telephone in accordance with instructions to solve the problem. Of course, these options are far from satisfactory, and KVM solutions for the IT technical staff can feel like dealing with problems.

KVM companies and KVM security

KVM's leading manufacturers of Rose, Avocent, Belkin, Raritan, the CCC Network Systems (CCC Network Systems) and other companies.
There are a various of KVM switch products , from family-oriented use of equipment to be able to operate from several sites of thousands of PC servers and enterprise-class switches, therefore, IS (information systems) departments should know how to use products who wish to invest in KVM products, and have a clear concept about using what channels the migration and other issues , then decide what types of products purchased.

In addition, enterprises should also be concerned about the various characteristics of KVM products. For example, some products can use the "hotkey" to switch between the customer premises equipment, if you are very focused on speed, this product is very convenient. At the same time, the user should consider display quality of the control equipment when they use . Indoor KVM cable systems and through a special PS / 2 interface connected.

There is no doubt that people are most concerned about is the IP-KVM-based security issues, KVM's fundamental purpose - the promotion of the server and PC remote control technology - suggesting a huge security risk. If the system is designed to establish a KVM remote operation, then naturally there is a risk. Enterprises should establish a critical concept: the implementation of IP-based KVM must not mean the issue of security.