Working at a University as an IT specialist, I’ll have half a dozen or so computers back at my tech bench on a weekly basis that I need to work on. Whether it’s replacing hard drives or other hardware, to scanning and cleaning spyware and viruses, there always seem to be a computer back at my shop in need of some TLC.

About 75% of the time I am required to work on multiple computers. If it’s not for one of the previously mentioned issues it could be the fact that we have new computer shipments that have to be setup and distributed to our user base. One problem we have as a University as a whole is that space is a premium, and it would inefficient and impratical to have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse setup for each computer that is back at my tech bench

To help me wade through my queue of computers that I need to setup or fix, while trying to minimize the amount of space I need to use, a keyboard, video, and mouse switch, also known as a KVM, is a lifesaving IT tool that I couldn’t live without. The combination of ease of use and functionality has made daily computer work orders much faster and efficient. Using a KVM switch, you can connect just one keyboard, one VGA monitor, and one mouse, to a box that is equipped with ports to support multiple computer connections. The older styles of KVM switches came equipped with a VGA port and PS2 connectors, but the latest KVM models are now offering a VGA port and USB connections.

With my current setup, I have a KVM switch that supports up to 8 computer connections. I have decided to reserve the first connection for my Ghost Server, which is used to send out ghost images or create ghost backups. The other connections, 2 through 8, are used for any computers that are sent back to my tech shop for repairs, cleaning or setting up. With my current KVM setup, I can store computers that need to be looked at on a 4 shelf plastic shelving system, where I can setup 3 computers per shelf. This helps me to save space as well as quickly and easily access the front panels of each computer

Using this setup, I’ve placed the 8 port KVM switch on the top of the shelving system, from there I run all the cables to the proceeding shelves below it. This allows me to number each set of cables as well as each spot a computer can be placed.

Since computers are constantly being sent back and forth from my shop to users, this system allows for quick access to both the cables and computers.

With an 8 port KVM switch, I can easily work on multiple repair projects or computer setups. One example that I run into many times is that I can set a computer to search for windows updates, and then switch over to another computer to start a virus scan or spyware sweep, then switch to a third computer that needs to have Microsoft Office installed (or any other software installation). The beauty of a KVM switch is that it allows me to perform multiple tasks, such as those mentioned above, using only one keyboard, monitor, and mouse. On top of that, I never have to leave the desk either!

For pc technicians and repairs shops work on multiple computers on a daily basis, a KVM switch is a must have piece of equipment that is worth its weight in gold. Whether you only fix a few computers or a few handfuls, you can find a KVM switch that fits your needs. From streamlining your workload to making multitasking so much easier, a KVM switch is definitely a must have.