Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations in No, I Will Not Fix Your #@$!! Computer http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20476517 en Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:16:45 EDT Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:16:45 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need recommendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20628042 elias : Are you running the latest PSP? Those always have driver/firmware updates for the built-in video.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20628042 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:06:02 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need recommendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20610972 Packeteers : I know you guys warned me about Belkin, but...

I hooked up 10 servers to the 16 port Belkin KVM,
and one of the older boxes won't display video.
I tried various cables, ports, resolutions,
refresh rates, Mobo Bios, KVM Bios and even XP
Driver updates, and still get the same flipping snow on
my screen even at post. when I hook up the screen directly,
it works fine, I typically use 1024x768x16m resolution,
but even 640x480x256c gives me no joy.

I'm going to have to locate an old PCI card,
disable the integrated VGA, and see if that works.
shame I threw out hundreds of them 5 years ago :huh:

anyone got a cheap circa 2002-2004 PCI (not AGP)
graphics card they can recommend that is rock solid
for server use in an HP/Compaq Proliant running 2003XP?
I'm leaning toward an ATi Rage Pro 128 that typically
sells for under $20 shipped NIB on ebaY.

If you work in NYC, and have something laying around
that's new or lightly used, and you'd rather recycle it
back into use, than toss in the trash, just PM me the
specific make & model and what subway station you're at.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20610972 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:13:22 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20494047 B : But spork, that was my point above -- it shouldn't matter what OS you're running -- the KVM's function is to seamlessly replicate a hardware connection.

If you need to care about an OS, the KVM (or input peripheral!) has already failed.

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20494047 Fri, 16 May 2008 15:54:34 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20494028 sporkme :
said by B See Profile :

Because it "just works" better and more reliably than USB?
Sounds like a windows problem. I've gone PS/2-less for a very long time and find the hotplug-ability of USB mice and keyboards very convenient (and USB KVMs, IMHO seem to work better).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20494028 Fri, 16 May 2008 15:49:09 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20493458 B : Oh I know it's not perfect -- I've seen motherboards blown due to a hot-replugged PS/2 keyboard, but that was a long time ago. Motherboards have gotten a lot smarter.

However, once the KVM properly handles and maintains the PS/2 connection (and many just don't) it's not a problem and it's transparent to the computer. I don't really know if they do the same thing with USB keyboards; I hope it's not a matter of waiting for the OS to keep re-recognizing the thing.

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20493458 Fri, 16 May 2008 14:07:30 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20493298 elias :
said by B See Profile :

Because it "just works" better and more reliably than USB?
How so? In fact, if you replug a PS/2 keyboard it types very slow.
For mice I can go either way (I don't use them much anyhow)
Problem with PS/2 mice is that unlike keyboards they aren't hot pluggable. They stop working until you reboot.
--
My Webmaster Gig | Crunching the Midnight Oil]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20493298 Fri, 16 May 2008 13:38:49 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20492570 B : Because it "just works" better and more reliably than USB?

For mice I can go either way (I don't use them much anyhow) but for keyboards I prefer PS/2.

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20492570 Fri, 16 May 2008 11:30:55 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20492542 elias :
said by Steve See Profile :

If you remotely reboot a Windows machine (via RDP), and that server is not the current selection on the KVM, the computer won't see keyboard/mouse, so you can't drive it even from the console. Have to either hit the reset button, or get in via RDP and reboot again to regain control.

Commonly loses mouse sync when changing between two sessions, so trying to move the mouse looks like a mouse pointer on crack: completely unusable. Have to switch away to some other session and switch back. It's maddening.

At one customer, we so routinely referred to it as "that piece of crap" that the customer put a p-touch label over the model number: "That piece of crap".

These experiences have been so consistent for so long, and with apparent complete unconcern by Belkin, that many will simply never consider Belkin for a KVM. I wouldn't use one even if it were free.

Steve
Which begs the real question... why won't PS/2 just die?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20492542 Fri, 16 May 2008 11:26:26 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20490457 Steve :
said by Packeteers See Profile :

so why do their products make it to your avoid list?
Have never found a Belkin KVM that worked properly - ever.

If you remotely reboot a Windows machine (via RDP), and that server is not the current selection on the KVM, the computer won't see keyboard/mouse, so you can't drive it even from the console. Have to either hit the reset button, or get in via RDP and reboot again to regain control.

Commonly loses mouse sync when changing between two sessions, so trying to move the mouse looks like a mouse pointer on crack: completely unusable. Have to switch away to some other session and switch back. It's maddening.

At one customer, we so routinely referred to it as "that piece of crap" that the customer put a p-touch label over the model number: "That piece of crap".

These experiences have been so consistent for so long, and with apparent complete unconcern by Belkin, that many will simply never consider Belkin for a KVM. I wouldn't use one even if it were free.

Steve
--
Stephen J. Friedl | Unix Wizard | Microsoft Security MVP | Tustin, California USA | my web site]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20490457 Thu, 15 May 2008 23:04:07 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20489268 ke4pym :
said by techjoe See Profile :

Raritan. Expensive but rock solid IMHO. KX232 is what I use the most, but we have a 16-slot'er or two on those same lines.
I'll second these. I've got a Dominion I 64 porter. Dual power supplies, dual NICs. Pretty cool.

We use a 32 Port Dominion I at our DR site. Works like a champ.

The new Dominion II's look REALLY cool. Being able to paste from your remote PC into the console of the server. Well worth every dime if you need IP capabilities.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20489268 Thu, 15 May 2008 19:05:43 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20488134 kpross : We bought the Dell 2161DS-2 which is I believe a rebranded Avocent.

The remote client works pretty well but seems prone to stuttering when typing. Sometimes you ggget extra characters. ;) Not sure if it's packet issues or what, it's just annoying at the moment. Biggest complaint about the terminal is it doesn't relocate the server name label effectively so sometimes you'll get the box with SERVERNAME floating about 1/3 from the top of the screen. We use mostly linux, not sure if it's related to that or the Dell keyboard console we use.

The main attraction was the remote sessions and each expansion module (called a PEM) makes 8 ports out of a single one off the main unit. The unit was...$2500 I think. PEMs are only $100 or so.
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20488134 Thu, 15 May 2008 15:55:18 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20488046 Packeteers : OIC...
even without knowing all those horror stories,
I would not buy Belkin for anything intelligent,
so I mostly get their dumb UPS's and Cables.
I only got this KVM cause someone was blowing
them out brand new on ebaY for Half street price.
I already had a fully populated 8 port, so for a
few hundred dollars I can now grow into this 16.
:p I could not daisy chain my 8 port... DOH!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20488046 Thu, 15 May 2008 15:35:19 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20487443 B : I think it's generally agreed (apparently not ;) ) that all Belkin products suck except for some of their cables.

Lots of us have had bad experiences with their stuff, and there have been other issues.

»yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=···ocomment

»yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid···19619289

I do use them when in a pinch though.

As to KVMs I still have a fondness for the old Apex Outlook models, which I guess are Avocent now...

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20487443 Thu, 15 May 2008 13:48:45 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20486930 Packeteers :
said by Steve See Profile :

Anything but Belkin!
I just purchased Belkin's F1DE216C (2CRTx16CPU)
so why do their products make it to your avoid list?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20486930 Thu, 15 May 2008 12:13:28 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20480670 The Dv8or :
said by techjoe See Profile :

Raritan. Expensive but rock solid IMHO. KX232 is what I use the most, but we have a 16-slot'er or two on those same lines.
They co-sponsored a dinner cruise I was on with CDW. Dinner sucked, but their pens are cool.
--
You're so vain... I bet you think this post is about you.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20480670 Wed, 14 May 2008 11:17:20 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20480653 boognish : We have a cyclades that I have not been very impressed with. I need to look to see if there are some firmware upgrades to fix what bugs me about it. We have had it a couple of years and I haven't looked for updates in about a year. One of the biggest things is with some OSes it is hard to get the mouse to line up on the screen.
--
don't get 2 close 2 my fantasy]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20480653 Wed, 14 May 2008 11:14:19 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20480470 ftthz : Raritan here ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20480470 Wed, 14 May 2008 10:36:20 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20479902 CRCs Reality :
said by amungus See Profile :

Got a "Blackbox" here recently. 24 (ethernet) ports.

»www.blackbox.com/catalog/Detail.···mid=5021

A little pricey, but it is nice!
I have two of these in my DataCenter (although mine are the 16 port version), and love them.. Best KVM I've used.
--
I'm sick of following my dreams, from now on I'll just ask where they're going and hook up with them later. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20479902 Wed, 14 May 2008 08:13:15 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20477024 d0nni3q : The Avoccent KVM over IP switches sucked. We went to BlackBox, just to find out they have faulty power supplies and at times are flakey. But, they're not horrible. Make sure you order the R2 versions.

DQ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20477024 Tue, 13 May 2008 17:54:42 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20476517 amungus : Got a "Blackbox" here recently. 24 (ethernet) ports.

»www.blackbox.com/catalog/Detail.···mid=5021

A little pricey, but it is nice!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20476517 Tue, 13 May 2008 16:19:37 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20476417 Steve : Anything but Belkin!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20476417 Tue, 13 May 2008 16:00:08 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20476075 adamtech78 :
said by Jahntassa See Profile :

Is it the DSR1020 KVM over IP switch?

»www.avocent.com/DSR1020.aspx

I can't find anything on a DS1020..
DSR, that's the one we have.
I'm thinking of going with Avocent Autoview 2015]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20476075 Tue, 13 May 2008 14:56:51 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20476036 techjoe : Raritan. Expensive but rock solid IMHO. KX232 is what I use the most, but we have a 16-slot'er or two on those same lines.
--
Baka wa shinanakya naoranai]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20476036 Tue, 13 May 2008 14:48:46 EDT Re: new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20475389 Jahntassa : Is it the DSR1020 KVM over IP switch?

»www.avocent.com/DSR1020.aspx

I can't find anything on a DS1020..]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20475389 Tue, 13 May 2008 12:48:20 EDT new KVM purchase - need reccomendations http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20475317 adamtech78 : We have an Avocent DS1020 16port at the moment but are replacing two and introducing two more servers.
I'm in need for recomendation for a new solution.

Need to have PS2 and USB connectivity

In a perfect world we would have a KVM unit that would have a few spare ports plus about 4 for a testing environment.

I'm looking at the specs of the DS1020 and can't find info if it can be piggybacked or not.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20475317 Tue, 13 May 2008 12:34:52 EDT