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 ...
Product Information for "Nortel BayStack 5520-24T-PWR Power over Ethernet Switch - switch - 24 ports" »
Manufacturer's product description
The way in which businesses use LANs is changing and the performance requirement at the edge of the network is becoming more demanding. IP Telephony and other collaborative applications are driving more traffic to the edge of the network. As file sizes continue to grow, users need more bandwidth. Quite simply, the convergence of voice, video, data, and storage enables users to do more from their desktop. Enterprises need to be able to address today's increased demands and still prepare for the unknown demands of tomorrow. By re-assessing how they're using the wiring closet, they can achieve both goals, and be assured that their investments will be protected for a long time to come. Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology provides power and data connectivity to devices such as Internet telephones, wireless access points, network cameras, security and lighting devices, and access control devices. Part of Nortel Networks BayStack 5000 Series, BayStack 5520 Switches are one rack unit high stackable 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Layer 3 routing switches designed to provide high-density Gigabit desktop connectivity and Power over Ethernet capability to mid-size and large enterprise customers' wiring closets. The BayStack 5520-24T-PWR PoE Switch offers 24 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 ports for desktop switching and four built-in GBIC ports for uplink. Ports 21, 22, 23, and 24 offer configuration flexibility as either a 10/100/ 1000 or a built-in SFP GBIC port. However, power will still be provided from ports 21-24 and can be used to troubleshoot or power any 802.3af compliant device that only requires power and not a data connection. Both BayStack 5520-24T-PWR and BayStack 5520-48T-PWR Switches may be combined in a single stack for maximum flexibility.
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