What is a KVM Cable?
A KVM cable is a combination of a USB cable (used for keyboard, mouse signal transmission, and external hard drive data transfer) and a video cable (such as VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort). It is specifically designed for KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) devices, such as KVM extenders and KVM switches, enabling the simultaneous transmission of keyboard, display, and mouse signals through a single cable.
Function of KVM Cables
In data centers, server rooms, financial securities, video editing, and rendering scenarios, multiple servers and computer hosts often need to be managed simultaneously. KVM cables connect the computer hosts to the KVM switch, allowing users to efficiently switch between and manage different computer hosts using a single set of keyboard and mouse along with one or multiple monitors and a KVM switch. This greatly enhances work efficiency while significantly saving space, equipment costs, and time.
Types of KVM Cables
Based on different interfaces, KVM cables are mainly categorized into the following types: DisplayPort KVM cable, HDMI KVM cable, DVI KVM cable, and VGA KVM cable. USB cables are also classified into USB 2.0 cables and USB 3.0 cables based on their versions.
DisplayPort KVM Cable
Typically consists of one standard DisplayPort cable and one USB cable. It offers strong compatibility, supports high resolution, and allows multi-screen display. It is suitable for devices with DisplayPort interfaces, such as high-end workstations and servers.
HDMI KVM Cable
Typically consists of one standard HDMI cable and one USB cable. It is designed for KVM devices and computer hosts with HDMI interfaces, supporting high-definition video signal transmission. Depending on the HDMI version, the cable can be HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, or HDMI 2.1. Common configurations include an HDMI 1.4 cable paired with a USB 2.0 Type-B printer cable or an HDMI 1.4 cable paired with a USB 3.0 data cable.
DVI KVM Cable
Typically consists of one standard DVI cable and one USB cable. It supports both DVI-I (analog + digital) and DVI-D (pure digital) signals. It is suitable for computers with DVI interfaces, primarily used for high-definition display devices.
VGA KVM Cable
Typically consists of one standard VGA cable and one USB cable. It is designed for computers using VGA interfaces, commonly found in legacy devices or certain industrial control computers.
How to Choose the Right KVM Cable?
Understanding the principles above, users can also purchase separate video and USB data cables to achieve the function of a KVM cable. First, determine the interface type of your device. If both the computer host and KVM switch have HDMI interfaces, choose an HDMI cable, then select a corresponding USB data cable. The length of both cables should be the same to facilitate cable management, ensuring a neat and organized setup.