KVM Over IP

KVM/IP Overview

Keyboard Video Mouse over Internet Protocol (KVM over IP) extends the KVM concept to the network level, allowing for I/O signalling to be transmitted over longer distances than possible using standard KVM equipment and cabling.

KVM over IP allows multiple computers to be controlled remotely across a LAN, WAN or Wireless link using TCP/IP protocols and a light-weight front-end interface such as a web-browser or Java client. KVM over IP is an out-of-band management technology that allows remote system configuration right down to the BIOS/Firmware level; there is no dependence on the availability of an OS or management client on the managed system. This is a major distinction of hardware-based KVM/IP technology over software-based solutions such as Virtual Network Computer or Remote Desktop Client.

KVM/IP solutions come in two guises. There are the fully switched products that usual have multiple ports to connect four or more managed hosts to the network; and then there are more versatile lower-cost solutions that plug directly into the individual managed servers. The advantage of the latter option being the flexibility of deploying only the precise quantity of ports required at any given time.