I had asked this list for comments on keyboard/monitor switches and here's
some of the responses (Thanks again to all of you who responded):
Response 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I use Raritan Master Console switches. I have two eight-ports daisy chained
together. Works pretty good, and has keyboard-key control so you don't have
to punch the buttons to switch. To use it with a Sun, you need a special
converter box for the mouse/video. All this info is at www.raritan.com
One thing I noticed, the video is fuzzy on the machines plugged into the
second box because of the daisy-chaining. I think I'm using a 3 ft. cable,
which doesn't help. It might be better if I used a shorter one.
Good luck, and please post a Summary back to the group. I'm interested in
your feedback as well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I picked up one of the ServSwitch Multi's sold by BlackBox (I believe they're
actually resold). I wanted to have more than one screen/keyboard available as
a console for the systems attached, and this supports up to four
simutaneously. Also supports PCs (VGA), in fact it assumes VGA monitors even
for Sun consoles, so you need to purchase the little VGA to Sun video adaptor
if you are using a Sun monitor. Got a 25% discount for saying that I was a new
customer to boot. So far it's worked just as advertised.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have the serverswitch from lightwave ... It works well
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've used the server switch fro Lightwave Communications, Inc.
(203) 878-9838. It setup easily and worked fine, never a problem.
I have no experience with any other switches...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response 5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
we're using the ServeView series switches from ROSE.
See http://www.rosel.com/ for more information.
The SVE series is able to switch SUNs, PCs and Macs
(up to 16 plus daisychaining = max. 256 CPUs).
They work ok.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response 6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apex PC Solutions also offers a 10-port model called SunDial. Ours is on
order, so I can't speak to how good it is (yet).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response 7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've got a bunch from LightWave Communications that I have no
complaints about. The model is sumthin called "ServerSwitch X"
and runs about $2k with all the cables.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response 8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been looking for some myself, we've been considering Cybex
becasue we've had good luck with their PC switch products (we have several
of their manual & automatic boxes for PCs). Unfortunately, I haven't been
able to test out their Sun stuff yet, but their PC stuff works well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Response 9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for the late response... I've been out of touch with my mailing
lists for a couple of weeks.
I manage a large Sun shop and have had great luck with the ServerSwitch
from Lightwave Communications. Their units are a bit more expensive but
have critical features like the ability to have each Sun CPU operate
independently even though they share a monitor and keyboard. They're also
Sparc Certified.
I had a *horrible* time with a NuData unit that we eventually just tossed
in favor of the Lightwave product. The NuData switch was very
undependable and created an ugly situation where one keyboard plug being
disconnected would throw *all* CPUs on the switch to the eeprom (<ok>)
prompt!
Lightwave has ads in most of the Sun magazines -- like SunExpert, for
example -- and they're at 203-878-9838.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Fri Sep 28 2001 - 23:12:03 CDT