KVM Switch: for Fast and Efficient Computer Repairs

Working as an IT technician can be an exacting job with 6 to 8 computer always at hand for some sort of repair. This is a daily occurrence at the university, where I work as an IT expert. There is always some kind of problem to fix like cleaning the viruses and other spy-ware that seem to infest the systems on regular basis, replacing or installing new hardware and other such works which seem to go on endlessly.

I always had a load of systems to work on at the same time, for the various repairs that I referred to earlier or a new set of computers that had to be geared up for use. So to manage these piles of work, I was in need of a fast and effective solution. A separate monitor, keyboard and mouse set up would be heaven in such circumstances but it is impractical and the space constraint is also a problem.

The KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) switch is of great help in such circumstances. It helps me to wade through the daily work load of repair and setup without the need for extra spaces or offices to work in. It is very effective and also very simple to use in my work place when there are many computers to work on in a single day. The KVM switch helps to join one set of keyboard, monitor and mouse to a single switch which in turn is connected by means of ports to various other computers that need to be worked on. The older versions of KVMs had vga and PS2 connectors. The newer ones are equipped with a vga and USB ports.

The KVM switch that I use now has the capacity to connect to 8 computers at a time. The system that is fitted to the first hole is the ghost server I use, which gets rid of ghost images and forms new ones as backup. The other slots in the switch are used to connect the computers that are to be worked upon for purposes like cleaning, set up and repair. Now I can work with adequate space by placing all the computers in shelves, with three computers in each one. Thus I can manage working with more than one at a time.

Placing the KVM switch on the top shelf with all the cables hanging down will facilitate easy access to the cables and the hooking will be a lot easier. This makes working easier and swifter with the amount of systems that I have to deal.

I am able to do several repairs or cleaning, at the same time, with the help of the KVM switch. For example, I can check for virus on one system, run the latest updates in Windows on the next, do a backup image in the third and also connect the ghost server to a user who is in need of a backup. All this is done in a matter of few minutes using the same set of keyboard, monitor and mouse.

As you can see the KVM switch is a very vital tool to perform multiple operations at the same time on different computers. The KVM is available in different types that can suit your needs whether they are small (two to four connection at a time) or larger ones (eight to sixteen). Whatever is the demand in your work schedule, to perform faster and more effectively, saving time and money is certainly a benefit that no one will want to miss.