The KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) ports provide remote access to the keyboard, monitor, and mouse devices of servers running Microsoft Windows, Sun Solaris and Linux operating systems. Connecting a server to a KVM port allows use of a keyboard, video, and mouse on a remote work station as if it were the keyboard video and mouse of the connected server. When a KVM port is accessed through the Web Manager the AlterPath Viewer appears and displays the video from the connected server. The connected user can launch applications directly on the server.
KVM connections give real-time access to information that is otherwise inaccessible through in-band network interfaces. For example, BIOS access, POST, and boot messages are inaccessible through inband connections but are accessible through KVM connections. In some cases, the in-band network interfaces are not available after the system boot is completed (for example, after a Windows Safe Mode boot) without the kind of out-of-band access the OnSite provides. An administrator can list and manage processes, add and remove users, and address OS problems even if the GUI is locked or the network is not fully operational.