I have an 8-port KVM that has four computers connected as inputs and a single workstation connected to the console port – it currently connects to one VGA monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I am trying to set up a second station in a different room that shares the KVM output. It was easy to split the VGA output signal to drive a second monitor. I was able to add a USB 2.0 hub to the console keyboard port and route the old console keyboard and the new keyboard into it, so that either keyboard could be used as input. But when I add a second mouse to the arrangement, either via the same hub that has the two keyboards, or via an additional hub connected to the KVM console mouse port, all of the keyboards and mice stop working. As soon as I unplug either mouse, the keyboards and the other mouse start working again. My workaround is to add a 2-to-1 USB switch so that only one mouse is seen by the KVM at a time, but that limits the ease of using either console as needed. The manual says, “A USB keyboard/ mouse combo device that uses a single USB connector may also be used, but must be connected to the USB Keyboard port,” which indicates that the KVM switch firmware doesn’t treat both ports equally.
Is there something in the KVM switch firmware that can’t cope with two mice inputs? Is there a firmware update or a newer product that fixes this limitation? Is there a better way to set up a dual-head KVM?
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After taking some time to review the specifications for the SV831DUSBUK and the manual, it does not appear that this is designed KVM to work with multiple keyboards and mice simultaneously. Honestly, I am a bit surprised that a hub and two keyboards worked ok in your testing.
The SV831DUSBUK supports hotkey switching, this means there is some internal hardware management going on. The KVM itself has some combination of internal hubs to interact with the USB controller on each connected computer. When you added that second mouse it is likely that we hit a USB limit of some sort.
In my experience, this behavior is unlikely to be resolved by a firmware update. Just to sure, I checked our site and some other resources and there are no outstanding updates for the SV831DUSBUK.
If you prefer a more seamless solution you may consider getting a KVM more suited to this sort of configuration. One option is a KVM extender like the one recommended in the accessories for this KVM, product id: SV565UTPU
USB VGA KVM Console Extender over CAT5 UTP (500 ft) - TAA
This KVM extender lets you connect a locally console and a second remote console up to 500ft away over a single CAT5 (or better) cable. This KVM extender is also a switched solution but it has support for auto switching.
I hope that this helps to better understand what is happening with the SV831DUSBUK and gives you path forward.
Please let us know how you decide to proceed or if you have any other questions about this KVM or extenders solution.
Thank you, David! This is a very clear explanation. I guess I overlooked this KVM extender when I was planning this out; it seems like just what we needed.
