I used to work for an enterprise data center that had about 3000 servers. We had a discrete management network for remote management and small localized KVM solutions - 1 terminal switches up to 16 servers. This was a pure switchbox approach - no ip network involved. Apparently we could have cascaded up to 64 servers. Anyway, the point I wanted to make is that KVM solutions can be amazingly finicky. Even when they are robust, you still have to deal with operators who might switch cables around and forget to switch them back and before you know it, you have a disaster on hand.
Our solution - a customized version of a folding TFT-keyboard-mouse that fits into 1U. Most rack companies will have this in one form or another, like this HP RKM . We had 5 of these around for emergencies.
Slashdot Mirror
I used to work for an enterprise data center that had about 3000 servers. We had a discrete management network for remote management and small localized KVM solutions - 1 terminal switches up to 16 servers. This was a pure switchbox approach - no ip network involved. Apparently we could have cascaded up to 64 servers. Anyway, the point I wanted to make is that KVM solutions can be amazingly finicky. Even when they are robust, you still have to deal with operators who might switch cables around and forget to switch them back and before you know it, you have a disaster on hand. Our solution - a customized version of a folding TFT-keyboard-mouse that fits into 1U. Most rack companies will have this in one form or another, like this HP RKM . We had 5 of these around for emergencies.