Advantages: Easy to use, easy to install Disadvantages: closeness of the ports.
Netgear are well known for their networking equipment and it is for this reason I want to tell you about a great piece of kit. The 24portswitch.
24ports of networking capability.... But what does that all mean???
Ok, let me tell you about what a network is.
Even the internet is just one big network. it is simply just a collection of computers that are connected together and can communicate. Simple!
But, how do you connect them together? Its not like they shake hands and have a chat is it?
Well in a way, that is what they are doing but using some extra hardware to do this.
To put a computer on a network, it needs a Network interface card or NIC. This plugs into your computer's motherboard. Its basically similar to installing a graphics card or sound card. You then need to connect the computer via the NIC card to ...
Advantages: Excellent quality. loads of features, easy to install Disadvantages: None
Netgear are well known for their networking equipment and it is for this reason I want to tell you about a great piece of kit. The 24portswitch.
24ports of networking capability.... But what does that all mean???
Ok, let me tell you about what a network is.
Even the internet is just one big network. it is simply just a collection of computers that are connected together and can communicate. Simple!
But, how do you connect them together? Its not like they shake hands and have a chat is it?
Well in a way, that is what they are doing but using some extra hardware to do this.
To put a computer on a network, it needs a Network interface card or NIC. This plugs into your computer's motherboard. Its basically similar to installing a graphics card or sound card. You then need to connect the computer via the NIC card to ...
Advantages: Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution Disadvantages: No manual overide or audio support
stops autoscanning and lets you use the currently selected PC.
The Belkin claims support for scrolling mice but I did find sometimes one PC would start up without recognising this facility if it wasn't the currently selected one when booting up and in extreme cases, wouldn't recognise the keyboard and mouse at all. Previous KVM's I've used send the PC fake 'There's a keyboard and mouse here' messages when not selected and it seems this unit does not, which is a pity.
Conclusion
The Belkin 2 port KVM is a well built unit that works nicely and provides a great way to save desk space and the cost of a second monitor, keyboard and mouse. The long leads are useful and despite the niggles with scrolling mice and the lack of manual switch. I'd say this unit is worth considering at this price if you can live with those shortcomings ...
Full duplex capability, auto-sensing per device, trunking, ISL support, manageable, firmware upgradable
Expansion / connectivity
Interfaces
1 x management - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
1 x management - RS-232 - RJ-45
1 x USB
24 x network - 8Gb Fibre Channel - LC
Expansion Slots Total (Free)
40 ( 16 ) x SFP (mini-GBIC)
Miscellaneous
Encryption Algorithm
SSL
Authentication Method
RADIUS, Secure Shell v.2 (SSH2), LDAP, DH-CHAP
Compliant Standards
CE, CSA, TUV, GOST, NEMKO, CB, UL 60950-1, IEC 60950-1
Power
Power Device
Power supply - hot-plug / redundant
Installed Qty
2, 2 (installed) / 2 (max)
Voltage Required
AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Power Consumption Operational
91 Watt
Software / system requirements
Software Included
Brocade Advanced Zoning, Brocade WEB TOOLS, Enhanced Group Management
OS Required
UNIX, IBM AIX, SunSoft Solaris, Linux, Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows
Environmental parameters
Min Operating Temperature
0 °C
Max Operating Temperature
40 °C
Humidity Range Operating
10 - 85%
Manufacturer's product description
The Brocade 5100 Switch is designed for rapidly growing storage environments - combining 1, 2, 4, and 8 Gbit/s Fiber Channel technology in configurations of 24, 32, or 40 ports in an efficient 1U form factor. Designed for a broad range of SAN architectures, the Brocade 5100 consumes less than 2.5 watts of power per port for exceptional power and cooling efficiency. It also features consolidated power and fan assemblies to improve environmental performance and reduce overall ownership costs.
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