How does kvm extender work

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Joel R. What is a KVM extender? Why do I need a KVM extender? Security and Data Protection Protects computers from damage and technical failures. Typically, it is a set of transmitter and receiver appliances. The KVM transmitter unit is connected to the computer system and captures the peripheral signals such as universal serial bus USB for keyboard and mouse, audio, and video. These signals are extended to a remote user station where the monitors, keyboard, and mouse are powered by the KVM receiver unit.

KVM extenders consist of a transmitter and receiver pair. A transmitter unit is located next to the computer system, and a receiver unit resides at the remote user station. The units communicate with each other over copper such as CAT5e or fiber optic cabling. The KVM extender encodes these signals and uses either proprietary or standard internet protocol to transport them to the KVM receiver unit, which decodes these signals and powers the remote peripheral devices such as displays, keyboard, mouse, and speakers.

A KVM extender is useful wherever there is a need to control a computer from a distance—which could be for a variety of purposes. When a user needs to work on more than one system, using KVM extension with switching solutions declutters and optimizes desk space—since multiple computers can be controlled with a single set of displays, keyboard, and mouse.

KVM solutions are deployed in a wide range of industries and control room applications to improve security, ergonomics, and collaboration—from industrial control rooms to military and defense command centers, airport management, transportation, emergency dispatch centers, post-production, broadcast, education and healthcare, to name but a few.

IP KVM extenders enable users to work on a computer from a distance. They use internet protocol to transmit signals from point A to point B, convert the signals into packets, and distribute them through standard commercial off-the-shelf COTS network switches.

They enable the design of KVM matrix systems over IP, where any source system can be accessed from any remote location on the network. The network switch effectively replaces the traditional KVM matrix switch and provides better scalability. KVM switch is a hardware device that allows a single user to control multiple computers with a single set of displays, keyboard, and mouse attached to the KVM switch. The primary goal of the KVM extender on the other hand is to extend the video, keyboard, mouse, audio, and USB signals of the system to a remote user station.

Typically, two types of KVM extenders can be found—those that support fiber optic cabling, and others that support CATx copper wire cabling. While all KVM extenders are used to connect users to their computers, there are a wide variety of customer needs and important features to look for when purchasing a KVM extender.

In order to find the best KVM extender for your configuration here are the major questions to consider in advance:. These extenders offer low latency or even real-time transmission without delays and compression artefacts that degrades the high-resolution viewing experience.

They are ideal for applications such as broadcast, high-end medical imaging, interactive digital signage, home theatres, and even industrial automation. Some extenders come with a built-in de-skew option to compensate for skewing effects. Digital KVM extenders are ideal in critical applications where reliable digital image quality and fast switch-over of redundant hardware are required, for example in broadcast playout centres or industrial control rooms.

This helps to access high-performance graphical workstations and critical video processors from secure and temperature controlled equipment rooms while maintaining the same user desktop experience for editors, 3D artists and control room operators.

Find recommendations, suggestions and all the important features you should look for when purchasing a KVM extender. Black Box Network Services offers comprehensive communications and infrastructure solutions.

Find out what we can do for you:. Black Box Network Services is the world's largest independent provider of communications, infrastructure, and product solutions. Sorry, we were unable to sign you in. Please check your email address and password. Remember my loginname. I have forgotten my password Create an account.