ATEN CS1708i

Computers: 8 direct, up to 128 via daisy chain

Port selection: OSD/GUI, hotkey, pushbutton

Local video: up to 2048x1536, DDC2B

Remote video: 1920x1200 at 60Hz (FHD version), 1600x1200 at 60Hz (non-FHD)

Architecture: single bus, local and remote share access

Users: 64 accounts, 32 concurrent logins

Network: 1x RJ-45, 10/100 Mbps, IPv6

Security: TLS 1.2, RSA 2048-bit certificates; RADIUS, LDAP, LDAPS, Active Directory

Clients: browser, WinClient, JavaClient

USB: 1x front Type-A peripheral port

Power: 5.3V DC, 7.67W

Size: 43.72 x 15.96 x 4.40cm, 2.81kg, 1U

ATEN lists the switch, KVM cables (one VGA/USB and one VGA/PS/2), a console cable, a firmware upgrade cable, a mounting kit, a power adapter and documentation.

Two KVM cables for eight ports. You need six more ATEN SPHD KVM cables to fill the switch, in the USB or PS/2 version each server needs. If you want them bundled, the 16-port CS1716iUKIT ships with a full set.

ATEN quotes remote video at 1920x1200 and 60Hz over a 10/100 network port. Here is the gap compression has to close.

1920x1200 pixels at 24-bit colour is 55.3 Mbit per frame. At 60 frames that is 3.32 Gbps raw. The port carries 100 Mbps.

That is at least 33 to 1 compression, before any other traffic shares the link. A static server console compresses easily, so admin work looks fine. Scrolling logs and video will not hold 60 frames.

Also check the label. ATEN sells FHD and non-FHD versions, and the non-FHD one stops at 1600x1200 remotely.

Thirty-two people can log in. They all look at the same server.

Single bus means one video path. When the local admin switches to port 5, every remote user goes to port 5 too. Two people cannot work on different servers at the same time.

For a small team where one person handles the rack at a time, that is fine. If two admins regularly need different servers at once, you need a dual-bus switch, not this one.

ATEN's CS1708i page lists no virtual media. You can see and type into a server remotely, but you cannot mount an ISO from your laptop to reinstall its operating system.

For reboot-and-check work that does not matter. For full remote recovery, the ATEN KN1108v lists virtual media and Gigabit networking in our catalog.

Panel array mode shows several servers on one screen, each in its own panel. It is the fastest way to check all eight at a glance remotely.

Use the Windows client on Windows machines and the Java client elsewhere. ATEN says the Java client runs on all operating systems.

Set server console resolutions at or below 1920x1200, or 1600x1200 on the non-FHD version, so the remote image is not rescaled.

Broadcast mode sends the same keystrokes to every selected server. Useful, and dangerous. Double check the selection before you type.

ATEN CS1716iUKIT: the 16-port version with 16 USB KVM cables bundled. Winner for a full rack.

ATEN KH1508Ai: 8-port Cat5 IP KVM, 10/100, 32 remote users and power control per our catalog. Winner if servers sit far from the switch and need Cat5 runs.

ATEN KN1108v: 8-port IP KVM with Gigabit, virtual media and dual redundant AC power. Winner for remote OS recovery.

Raritan Dominion KX III DKX3G2-108: 8 ports, virtual media and power control, one user. Winner for enterprises already on Raritan.

ATEN CL5808N: 8-port local LCD drawer, no IP. Winner when nobody works remotely.