Networking

Cracking open a KVM switch

By // October 5, 2007, 5:04 AM PST // erikeckel

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  • Belkin KVM

    Keyboard-Video-Monitor switches enable many technology professionals to share a single keyboard, mouse and monitor among multiple computers. Learn how one popular Belkin model is put together as we take it apart.

    Belkin's OmniView E Series KVM Switch (model number F1DB104P) supports connecting four computers to a single keyboard, mouse and monitor.

    Cable connections for the four computers, and the video port for the console's display, are located on the back of the unit. The console's keyboard and mouse PS/2 ports, meanwhile, are located on the device's front face.

  • Belkin OmniView Side View

    The OmniView's right-side casing contains a reset button for the KVM switch, as well as a 9-volt DC port.

  • Belkin OmniView Back Panel

    The Belkin OmniView's back panel contains the ports for connecting computers to the KVM switch.

  • Belkin OmniView Console PS/2 Ports

    Although the console's video port is located on the rear of the OmniView KVM switch, the PS/2 ports for connecting the mouse and keyboard are located on the front of the device.

  • Belkin OmniView Top View

    The top of the OmniView E Series KVM switch enables simple switching between connected systems.

  • Belkin OmniView Bottom View

    The OmniView's underside is plain and pedestrian.

  • Belkin OmniView Ports

    Each of the OmniView Series E's ports are clearly labeled.

  • Belkin OmniView Top View

    Four LEDs indicate which computer is currently being controlled, while the Select button enables simple switching between connected computers.

  • Opening The Belkin OmniView KVM

    Before the KVM switch's plastic cover can be removed, these two gray plastic tabs must be depressed.

  • Opening The Belkin OmniView KVM

    Several of the bolts used to secure VGA connections must be removed to enable separating the OmniView's two plastic halves. In this image, the left bolt for the console's VGA port has already been removed.

  • Belkin Rear Cover Removal

    Once the two plastic tabs are depressed and the VGA connecting bolts are removed the rear cover slips off the unit.

  • The Belkin Rear Cover

    Here's how the Belkin's rear cover removed from the KVM switch.

  • KVM Switch Minus Rear Cover

    Here's the Belkin OmniView KVM switch without its rear cover.

  • Disassembling The KVM Switch

    At this stage of disassembly, the KVM switch's top and bottom halves must be rotated to provide access to two Philips head screws that connect the VGA circuit board to the unit's other circuit board and bottom plastic shell. Here you can see the screw has been removed.

  • The Top Cover

    Once the two Philips head screws are removed, the Belkin's top plastic shell pulls easily away from the rest of the unit.

  • Belkin OmniView Top Shell

    Here's another view of the Belkin OmniView's top plastic half (after being removed from the rest of the unit).

  • Belkin's Selector Switch

    Here's a close up of the Selector switch used to switch between systems connected to the KVM device.

  • The Belkin's Two Circuit Boards

    Setting aside the top plastic half reveals the two printed circuit boards, shown here.

  • Belkin Circuit Boards

    Removing the single Philips head screw that connects the Belkin's two circuit boards (one processes VGA signals while the other manages mouse and keyboard input) enables separating the two boards.

  • Belkin Circuit Boards

    Here's one last look at the Belkin's two circuit boards (VGA on top and PS/2 controls on bottom) before they're separated.

  • Separating The Two Boards

    Before the two boards are separated, the power connector that links the top (VGA) board with the main (bottom) board must be disconnected.

  • The VGA Board

    Once the VGA board is disconnected from the main circuit board, it can be removed from the unit.

    Note, the reason five VGA ports appear on this four-port KVM switch is one VGA port is required for powering the user's monitor.

  • VGA Board

    Here's another view of the VGA board once it's been removed from the KVM switch.

  • The PS/2 Board

    The PS/2 Board, once separated from the VGA board, is still connected to the KVM switch's bottom plastic case.

  • The PS/2 Board

    Here's a top-down view of the OmniView's PS/2 board, which manages the keyboard and mouse responsibilities of the KVM switch.

  • Removing The PS/2 Board

    To remove the PS/2 circuit board from the KVM switch's bottom casing, two Philips head screws must be removed.

  • LED Indicators

    Here's a close up view of the LED lamps that indicate which of four connected systems are currently being controlled by the OmniView switch.

  • ELAN Silicon Chip

    This ELAN Microelectronics Corp. 8-bit microcontroller assists in enabling users to control the mouse and keyboard inputs of four different computers using a single keyboard and mouse.

  • Console PS/2 Ports

    The console's PS/2 ports are physically connected to the main printed circuit board, as you can see here.

  • The OmniView E Series KVM Switch

    The OmniView E Series KVM switch, disassembled.

Belkin KVM

Keyboard-Video-Monitor switches enable many technology professionals to share a single keyboard, mouse and monitor among multiple computers. Learn how one popular Belkin model is put together as we take it apart.

Belkin's OmniView E Series KVM Switch (model number F1DB104P) supports connecting four computers to a single keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Cable connections for the four computers, and the video port for the console's display, are located on the back of the unit. The console's keyboard and mouse PS/2 ports, meanwhile, are located on the device's front face.

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By Erik Eckel

Erik Eckel owns and operates two technology companies. As a managing partner with Louisville Geek, he works daily as an IT consultant to assist small businesses in overcoming technology challenges and maximizing IT investments. He is also president o...