KVM Switches

KVM Switches Buying Guide

A KVM switch lets you run two or more computers from one keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Press a hotkey or a button and you're working on the next machine, with no cables to swap and no second desk to walk to. IT teams use them to manage server racks, traders and developers use them to keep separate systems within reach, and government offices use secure KVM switches to move between networks that must never touch.

KVM Switches for the Desk

At a desk, the goal is one clean workspace for every computer you use. Two and four port KVM switches from StarTech, IOGEAR, TRENDnet, SIIG, and Eaton Tripp Lite connect over HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C. A dual monitor KVM switch keeps your extended desktop across both screens when you switch, and StarTech makes triple and quad monitor models for trading and design desks. Hybrid USB-C models let a laptop and a desktop share the same monitor and peripherals, and cable KVMs build the host cables into the switch for a tidy, bus-powered setup. Match the switch to the video connections on your monitors before you buy.

Rackmount KVM Switches and Consoles for Server Rooms

In a server rack, a KVM switch replaces the monitor and keyboard you'd otherwise need for every server. Rackmount models from StarTech, TRENDnet, and Eaton Tripp Lite connect eight or 16 servers to one console, with on-screen menus for picking the right machine. When there's no room for a separate screen, a KVM console folds an LCD, keyboard, touchpad, and built-in KVM switch into a single 1U drawer that slides out when you need it. Consoles from Vertiv Avocent, StarTech, IOGEAR, and Eaton Tripp Lite handle eight or 16 servers, and models with daisy-chaining let the setup grow with the rack. Both mount alongside your equipment in standard 19 inch rack cabinets.

KVM over IP for Remote Access

KVM over IP puts the server console on your network, so you get full keyboard, video, and mouse control from anywhere, right down to the BIOS. You can watch a hung server reboot and fix it without driving to the data center. Vertiv Avocent AutoView and MergePoint Unity switches and Eaton Tripp Lite NetCommander and NetDirector models manage eight to 32 servers, with encrypted sessions, local and remote users working at the same time, and CAC smart card login available for government sites.

Secure KVM Switches for Classified Work

When one desk spans a classified network and an open one, a standard KVM switch isn't enough. Secure KVM switches from Vertiv Avocent Cybex, Belkin, and StarTech are certified to the NIAP Protection Profile 4.0. They isolate each connected computer and force data to flow one way, so nothing crosses between networks. Look for CAC reader support if your site requires smart card login, and anti-tamper protection that shows if a unit has been opened. TAA compliance is listed on each product page for government purchasing.

KVM Switch FAQs

What is a KVM switch?

KVM stands for keyboard, video, and mouse. A KVM switch connects two or more computers to one set of those peripherals and lets you choose which computer you're controlling.

How many ports do I need?

Count the computers you want to control today and leave room to grow. Two and four port switches suit a desk, while eight and 16 port rackmount switches and consoles suit a server rack.

Do KVM switches need special cables?

Some switches include cables or have them built in. Others use KVM cable sets that combine video and USB for each computer. Check the product page, and shop KVM Cables for replacements and longer runs.