Video standards are changing rapidly, from analog to digital. Are you beginning to see more DVI-based monitors in your workplace? What’s the right way to make certain that you’re using this new technology correctly, and getting the greatest advantage from it?

There are some very clear advantages to switching to digital. We can help you make the most of DVI technologies, by providing you with the technical resources to avoid costly pitfalls, and the solutions that enable you to implement DVI to your best advantage.

Digital provides sharper, less vulnerable images
Digital signals are more accurate than analog because the square digital wave shape offers multiple places to read the signal and is more accurate than the sine-like analog signal. Digital signals are also far less vulnerable to EMI and RFI interference, especially when fiber cable is used to transmit the signals.

As a result, all types of systems and KVM switches are moving from HD15 or VGA connectors to DVI connectors. The DVI connectors can support either digital-only or analog-and-digital signals, depending on the pinning. DVI-I supports both analog and digital signals while DVI-D supports digital only.

Digital provides upside for higher resolutions
While it’s true that analog video has been stretched to higher resolutions, the image quality became dependent on many physical factors of the transmission link, and hence more vulnerable to distortion and signal degradation.

Upgrading to digital video brings higher resolutions, usually about 1920 x 1200, at a consistent level of sharpness. Using dual-link video effectively doubles the power of transmission and provides an increase in speed and signal quality. Dual-link video resolutions can display resolutions of 2048 x 1536 or even 2560 x 1600. This resolution is supported on high-definition displays, such as 30″ LCD monitors and digital signage displays.

Digital supports greater distances, too.
DVI-D extenders reach up to 460 feet over CATx cable and up to 40 km over single-mode fiber. These distances will improve as the technology for extending signals improves.

Black Box offers a number of products for digital video extension, including ServSwitch™ DKM switches and extenders the ServSwitch Agility, and the ServSwitch Wizard Dual-Link DVI.

For questions about DVI or making the most of digital video in your KVM environment, talk to a Black Box pre-sales engineer today: 724-746-5500. 

A KVM switch enables you to control multiple servers and other equipment from one keyboard, monitor, and mouse workstation. KVM switches give you the flexibility to access servers that are down the hall or across “the pond.” How you access your servers depends on a number of things. Before you choose a KVM switching solution, you need to consider some important issues…

What type of connection does the controlling keyboard, video display, and mouse have?

Depending on whether they are PS/2®, USB, or some combination of both, your connections determine what type of cabling you need.

If you are using USB devices, like keyboards and mice, make sure to purchase a KVM switch with USB support. Older KVMs usually only support PS/2 connections.

Do your CPUs require keyboard or keyboard and mouse emulation?

Keyboard emulation and keyboard and mouse emulation are enhanced features of most KVM switches. They enable each CPU to communicate with the switch as if it were directly attached to the controlling keyboard or mouse.

What operating system (OS) software do your computers use?

Are all your computers running the same OS? Or, like many organizations, do you have multiple CPUs running different OSs? With the right KVM switch, interconnecting multiple CPUs running different OSs is easy.

How close are your users to your servers?

If servers and users are physically close to each other, an analog KVM system will meet your needs. On the other hand, if users require access from remote locations because they travel, or if an IT manager needs to manage a distant data center, a KVM over IP (KVMoIP) system is going to be the best fit for your organization.

How many ports do you need? What will your future needs be?

It is advisable to purchase a KVM switch with more ports than you currently need. This way, when you expand your server room or add users, you don’t need to completely replace a small KVM switch with a larger one with more ports. Also, although many KVM switches are cascadable, a KVMoIP system simplifies configuration, usually requiring the addition of IP addresses and updating the authentication database. KVMoIP makes adding servers fast and free of complications (to learn how to do more with less, listen to our recorded webinar on KVMoIP).

What are your security needs?

Network security must never be compromised, yet authorized personnel need access. KVM switches use a combination of user authentication, an operating system’s internal security, and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption—among other security features—to ensure that users receive access to those devices to which they are allowed.

We have KVM switches that support both USB and PS/2, as well as USB-only models. We also provide multiplatform KVM switches so you can interconnect multiple CPUs that are running on various OSs.  Pick and choose what you need/want with our KVM Selector. Or, call our 24/78/365 Tech Support.

If you’re sending KVM signals between buildings for an extended distance, in areas supplied by different power sources, in an electrically noisy environment, or where data security is a big concern, you need to use a fiber optic-based KVM extender.

Optical fiber is an ideal transmission medium not only for backbone and horizontal connection, but also for workstation-to-backracked CPU or server links. It works very well in applications where you need to transfer large, bandwidth-consuming data files over long distances, and where you require immunity from electrical interference or data theft.

Before selecting a fiber-based KVM extender, it’s important to know the limitations of your system. You need to know where the couplers, links, interconnect equipment, and other devices are going to be placed. If it’s a longer run, you have to determine whether multimode or single-mode fiber cable is needed.

The most important consideration in planning cabling for fiber-based KVM extension is the power budget specification of device connection. The receiver at the remote end has to receive the light signal at a certain level. This value, called the loss budget, tells you the amount of loss in decibels (dB) that can be present in the link between the two devices before the units fail to perform properly.

Specifically, this value takes the fiber type (multimode or single-mode) wavelength you intend to use—and the amount of expected in-line attenuation—into consideration. This is the decrease of signal strength as it travels through the fiber cable. In the budget loss calculation, you also have to account for splices, patch panels, and connectors, where additional dBs may be lost in the entire end-to-end fiber extension. If the measured loss is less than the number calculated by your loss budget, your installation is good.

Testers are available to determine if the fiber cabling supports your intended application. You can measure how much light is going to the other end of the cable. Generally, these testers give you the results in dB lost, which you then compare to the loss budget to determine your link loss margin.

Also, in some instances, particularly when using single-mode fiber to drive the signal farther, the signal may be too strong between connected devices. This causes the light signal to reflect back down the fiber cable, which can corrupt data, result in a faulty transmission, and even damage equipment. To prevent this, use fiber attenuators. They are used with single-mode fiber optic devices and cable to filter the strength of the fiber optic signal from the transmitter’s LED output so it doesn’t overwhelm the receiver. Depending on the type of attenuator attached to the devices at each end of the line, you can diminish the strength of the light signal a variable amount by a certain number of decibels.

Need help calculating your budget loss? Call our FREE Tech Support. If necessary, they can even recommend a fusion splicing fiber kit, a fiber tester, or a signal attenuator for your specific requirements.

New Black Box ServSwitch KVM Switches Deliver Military-Grade Security to Combat Data Leakage and Electronic Snooping

EAL4+ and TEMPEST certifications ensure superior  hardware-based, port-to-port signal isolation; tamper-resistant casing  and certificate authentication protocol protect against physical  infiltration.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, January 26, 2011 —   Black Box Corporation (NASDAQ:BBOX), an industry-leading provider of voice communications, data infrastructure, and networking products, today debuted its new range of ServSwitch™ Secure KVM switches featuring military-grade security to combat data leakage across  internal ports and to the outside world, protecting sensitive data and  preventing electronic snooping.

Available in two- and four-port desktop models for both DVI and VGA, the ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB provides control and separation of two to four PCs connected to both  secure and non-secure networks through a single keyboard, mouse, and  monitor. Also, two of the VGA models support keyboards with integrated  CAC (Common Access Card) readers, which is unique among KVM switches of  this type, meeting Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12)  requirements.

The ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB uses Black Box’s exclusive hardware-based data isolation to ensure  unidirectional data flow with hardware data diodes to provide robust  security against port-to-port data leakage. Channel-to-channel crosstalk  isolation greater than 80-dB virtually eliminates cross-port signal  sniffing.

“Other solutions on the market use software-based data isolation  technology, which introduces the risk of hacking or malware threats,”  said Mike McCurry, ServSwitch Product Manager at Black Box. “Our  hardware-based technology eliminates the risk of both intentional and  unintentional software corruption that might expose sensitive data.”

Every ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB unit provides high-level, military-grade security, but the switches are  also ideal for any private-sector business with extremely sensitive  intellectual property or proprietary data security needs, such as those  in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, or financial services industries.

The two DVI models are designed, engineered, manufactured, and  shipped pursuant to the international Common Criteria Evaluation  Assurance Level 4 (augmented by ALC_FLR.2 and ATE_DPT.2), and the four  VGA models meet both the Evaluation Assurance Level 4 (augmented by  ALC_FLR.2 and ATE_DPT.2) and TEMPEST USA NSTISSAM Level I and NATO  SDIP-27 Level A performance.

Fail-safe physical security.

In addition to operational security, each ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB unit also comes standard with fail-safe physical security features,  including tamper-evident tape on the casing that reveals a broken seal,  as well as automatic disabling of the unit in the event of a breach in  the physical casing. The carefully shielded metal case features dual  shielding in critical areas and a low-emissions profile to subvert data  snooping through electromagnetic radiation detection.

Each port is independently powered by its own USB connection,  eliminating the risk of shorting or overloading the power supply on one  port to access the others. In addition, the ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB does not support connections to sensitive analog inputs, including  computer microphones, for enhanced crosstalk-leak protection.

Exclusive firmware authentication protocol.

As an added security feature, only Black Box provides a validation  function to check the authenticity of the device on demand. If a breach  is suspected, Black Box will immediately provide an authentication  certificate under secure, separate cover to enable users to validate the  security posture of the device with the use of the front-panel LED  indicators. The protocol is provided only upon request and under  separate cover (not shipped with the device) to prevent a rogue element  from mimicking the sequence to give the appearance of security.

The ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB also comes with free, 24/7 technical support for the life of the unit, and it is backed by Black Box’s two-year warranty.

Black Box currently has a small number of devices available for  evaluation purposes. To learn more about how to get an evaluation unit  or to see how the  ServSwitch Secure KVM Switch with USB can best be used in a particular high-security application, contact Black Box at 1-724-873-6556 or learn more at  blackbox.com/go/ServSwitchSecure.

About Black Box

Black Box is a leading technical services company dedicated to  designing, building, and maintaining today’s complicated data and voice  infrastructure systems. Black Box services more than 175,000 clients in  141 countries with 196 offices throughout the world. To learn more,  visit the Black Box Web site at     http://www.blackbox.com.

Black Box® and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks, and  ServSwitch is a trademark, of BB Technologies, Inc. Any other  third-party trademarks appearing in this press release are acknowledged  to be the property of their respective owners.

Contact: Black Box Corporation
Gary Doyle
Director – Investor Relations
Phone: 724-873-6788
E-mail: investors@blackbox.com

Directors of command and control centers listen up. Now switching between four separate computer systems is as simple as moving a mouse from one monitor to another! The new ServSwitch Freedom™ enables a single user to access information and control operations  across numerous systems and screens. Before, desks were messy and time  was wasted trying to control multiple systems and screens. With just one USB keyboard and USB mouse, it can fulfill functions that previously required four separate sets.

The ServSwitch Freedom features True Emulation technology, which ensures that the full characteristics of the connected USB keyboard and mouse are passed to every system.

This versatile product is also ideal for professionals in command and  control applications, such as those in finance on a trading room floor.  Not only can users switch between several computers just by moving the  mouse with the Glide and Switch feature, they can also simultaneously  access a mix of USB peripherals, including high-speed USB 2.0 devices.

The  keyboard/mouse, audio, and the two individual USB channels can be  collectively or separately switched through to each computer system. You  can, for instance, create e-mails on one system, listen to audio on a  second system, print from a third computer, and scan documents on  another—all at the same time.

Even better, there’s no need to  install any software on the connected computers. Because there is no software involved, security issues are minor, which can be a real  concern for those of you in government, healthcare, and banking industries.