CHAPTER 2: PRODUCT OVERVIEW
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2. Product overview
The Black Box
®
ServSelect IP VM appliance integrates analog and digital keyboard,
video, and mouse (KVM) switching technology with advanced cable management, access
for two or four simultaneous users, and a user interface. The appliance has USB and PS/2
®
ports on the rear panel that support all major target device platforms.
2.1 Glossary
The following words are used throughout this documentation:
• appliance - equipment that provides KVM connectivity to attached target devices
• SAM - a Server Access Module that, when attached to the appliance and a target
device, provides additional functionality such as virtual media sessions
• switching system - a set of appliances and attached target devices and SAMs
• target device - equipment such as a server or router that is attached to an appliance
• user - a KVM connection from a port on the appliance
• virtual media - a feature to allow a USB media device to be attached to the appliance
and made available to any target device that is connected to the appliance
2.2 Features and benefits
• The ServSelect IP VM is a rack mountable KVM switch configurable for digital
(remote) connectivity. It features High-Speed Rack Interface (AHI) ports for
connecting servers and serial devices via SAM modules.
• Supports Universal Serial Bus (USB) virtual media.
• Video resolutions are supported up to 1280 x 1024 for remote users.
The ServSelect IP VM appliance includes up to four digital port sets for KVM-over-IP
access, 16 target device interface ports for connecting SAMs and target devices, and
virtual media capability for one local user and up to four remote users.
The ServSelect IP VM switch has user peripheral ports for PS/2 and USB keyboards and
mice. Additionally, virtual media such as generic removable media and CD drives can be
connected to any one of four USB ports.
The appliance works over standard LAN connections. Users can access target devices
across a 1000BASE-T LAN port that is used to establish an Ethernet connection, or
directly through a local port.
The IP-based appliance gives you target device control from anywhere in the world.
Intelligent cables
You can use the following Server Access Modules (SAMs) with the appliance.
• PS/2 VM SAM - PS/2 and VGA connectors
• USB VM SAM - USB2 and VGA connectors
NOTE:
PS/2 VM SAM and USB VM SAM are required for virtual media connections.
• SERIAL SAM - Serial connectors
