The 2 Gbit/sec Brocade SilkWorm 3250 8-port entry-level fabric switch simplifies SAN deployment and administration - enabling simple, easy-to-use storage networks. Designed for... more
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The 2 Gbit/sec Brocade SilkWorm 3250 8-port entry-level fabric switch simplifies SAN deployment and administration - enabling simple, easy-to-use storage networks. Designed for entry-level SANs, the SilkWorm 3250 switch combines the value of a Brocade enterprise switch with the affordability of a low-cost entry-level switch. Fully compatible with all SilkWorm switches and directors, the SilkWorm 3250 provides flexibility as the foundation for entry-level SANs while enabling a seamless upgrade path and cost-effective migration. The SilkWorm 3250 is ideal for key SAN solutions such as easing e-mail storage growth and streamlining data backup.
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...
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Advantages: Cheap, reliable, simple to use Disadvantages: None.
...I liked this switch so much, I bought two of them.
Netgear have a reputation for cheap and reliable networking equipment, and this 5 port unmanaged switch is no exception.
When I bought my two, they were retailing online for approx £35 each - but these days you should be able to get one for approx £25 (inc VAT.)
The switch is more or less the size of my hand (yes, I have big hands). With 5 ports on the back - all are auto-sensing, as is the gigabit standard, so you don't have to worry about crossover cables if you're daisy-chaining switches... The only other port on the back is for power, which is the usual "wall-wart" plug in transformer you get with most home networking equipment.
Given the switch is unmanaged, you can just plug desktop computers, laptops, XBOXes, network printers straight into the switch, and not worry...
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Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution, audio support Disadvantages: No manual overide
...It's surprising how many people have more than one PC at home although even more surprising is that many of them each have their own screen, keyboard and mouse.
In many cases this makes perfect sense but sometimes, you know you'll only ever use one or the other - perhaps one is your general PC and the other your music workstation. In these situations you can save a lot of space and money by investing in a KVM switch. KVM stands for Keyboard, Video and Mouse and allows you to use one keyboard, mouse and screen shared between two PCs.
This particular unit from Belkin is unusual in that it also includes audio support and also comes with all the leads permanently attached instead of being supplied as a separate cabling set.
Wiring it Up
Installation is simply a matter of taking each of the two main cables and plugging the sets...
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21.03.2007
20.08.2007
26.01.2007
