Find your basic mechanical KVM switch technology The original KVM switch is a mechanical one. These simple structures use toggling technology to route between different computers. Many of them only support less than a dozen hook-ups. A problem with mechanical models is that they may not support re-booting for your various stations, where a desktop model may panic if it does not detect a keyboard or mouse connection at reboot. However, for some operations, a simple mechanical KVM switch is sufficient.

I recommend:  Nowadays, you can find mouse/keyboard emulation for even the most basic KVM switch models. Check out the simple, cheap 2-port or 4-port KVM switch models (and mini KVM switch products) available at a reasonable cost at KVMs.com. Some of the KVM models at MonitorMart.com are examples of units with unspecified reboot controls, in case you really don't need to emulate peripherals if a machine gets restarted.

Get newer electric KVM switch models As KVM switch technology leaps forward, newer models include more features for helping out with reboot situations and streamlining the device management that KVM switches do. Large KVM switch distributors have diverse collections of these USB KVM models for easy hook-up.

I recommend:  Check out a lot of KVM switch models at Tripp Lite and browse product features to find what's right for you. A wide array of USB KVM switch products are arranged by port capacity and other features at APC.

Use remote KVM switch technology Other KVM switch vendors can get you products that control your machines remotely. These are perfect for a real 'traveling' situation, the kind of thing there is more and more of in today's business world. Users can control machines while teleconferencing or otherwise AFK (away from keyboard).

I recommend:  Use StarTech port KVM switch products to manage computers from anywhere in the world. Check out Raritan's new remote KVM switch technology for remote control solutions.