Aten Unveils New KVM Switch

Aten Technology this week introduced a new enterprise-class KVM solution, which allows up to four users to directly access and control up to 32 servers or PCs simultaneously, and is backing it up with a new channel program.

The new Matrix switches can also be cascaded and daisy-chained to allow up to 32 users to control up to 4,096 computers, said Joseph Zhang, product manager at the Irvine, Calif.-based vendor.

The Matrix switches come in a 1U rack-mount enclosure which houses all 32 ports and supports PCs, Macintosh computers and Sun systems and servers using CAT5-to-PS/2 or CAT5-to-USB adapters, company executives said. Video reception is unaffected at ranges of up to 1,000 feet, they said.

The Matrix switch is available via Ingram Micro and Tech Data and comes with a three-year warranty, Zhang said. List price is $4,000.

Also expected to be available this month is a browser-based KVM, Zhang said. The device will include authentication and advanced encryption capabilities and IP address monitoring to prevent unauthorized use. "If it sees something suspicious, it can lock that person out," he said.All necessary software and software clients will be included with the new KVM, Zhang said.

Aten just introduced what Zhang called an "aggressive" channel program, a hallmark of which is a sign-up bonus of $5,000 in MDFs.