Aten Technology CN5000 KVM On The Net Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I can't believe I ever got by without this before.
KVM over IP (keyboard, video, mouse over internet protocol) is one of the best admin tools I've used. Far better than a Remote Desktop connection to one machine...I can get a local CONSOLE connection to an entire rack of equipment.
I have one on each rack. In each rack I have a 2x8 KVM (two consoles x 8 servers) for the critical equipment. The second console port is connected to a rack-mounted drawer with a physical keyboard, monitor, and mouse.
KVM On The Net lets me work as if I am standing at the console. I can see boot-up POST, view/edit BIOS settings, send Ctrl-Alt-Del. All without requiring the operating system to be functioning. If Windows crashes, you can't get a remote desktop connection.
With Terminal Server, you can't install software from a remote connection. You must be at the console.
Me? I can be two thousand miles away in my pajamas. (Reality check: I'm only 25 miles away in tattered sweat pant, but let's not get technical.)
Perhaps I'm spoiled, but I use this every day from my desk. I'm only 30 feet and one door away...but I don't have to freeze in the air conditioning, and I don't have to stand up on a hard floor while working.
PROs:
- I can be lazy and productive at the same time.
- local console session beats Remote Desktop for admin functions
- more than one user can access at a time; inter-user chat
- small! use the mounting plate, or just velcro/strap it to your rack
- Windows connection software is fast and reliable
CONs:
- compression leaves significant artifacts; no Photoshop work here!
- once every 6 months it will get buggy or freeze; requires re-boot, which can't always be done remotely
- small! took five minutes for me to walk someone through finding the damn thing to re-boot it for me (OK, this isn't really a bad thing. I just need to label things better.)
- Java client a little buggy, and can potentially leave the unit frozen, unable to login again (require reboot)


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The CN5000 is an IP-implemented KVM solution that allows network administrators to access computers from any station connected to the network, whether from the LAN, WAN, or the Internet. Network administrators can enjoy freedom from being bound to the server room work from anywhere in the office, remote locations, or even from home.You can remotely access attached KVM switches, allowing remote control of the attached servers to perform many tasks with ease and speed, such as installing and running GUI applications, routine monitoring, BIOS level troubleshooting, system maintenance, system administration, and rebooting. It supports 10 Base-T,100Base-T, TCP/IP, and HTTP through the Java Client.

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