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Networking

Cracking open a KVM switch

By Erik Eckel September 21, 2007, 6:26 AM PDT

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Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin KVM

Belkin KVM

ntKeyboard-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.
nt
ntBelkin’s OmniView E Series KVM Switch (model number F1DB104P) supports connecting four computers to a single keyboard, mouse and monitor.
nt
ntCable 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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Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin OmniView Side View

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin OmniView Back Panel

Belkin OmniView Back Panel

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin OmniView Console PS/2 Ports

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin OmniView Bottom View

Belkin OmniView Bottom View

The OmniView’s underside is plain and pedestrian.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin OmniView Ports

Belkin OmniView Ports

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin OmniView Top View

Belkin OmniView Top View

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

Opening The Belkin OmniView KVM

Opening The Belkin OmniView KVM

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

Opening The Belkin OmniView KVM

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin Rear Cover Removal

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

The Belkin Rear Cover

The Belkin Rear Cover

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

KVM Switch Minus Rear Cover

KVM Switch Minus Rear Cover

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

Disassembling The KVM Switch

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin OmniView Top Shell

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).

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin's Selector Switch

Belkin's Selector Switch

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

The Belkin's Two Circuit Boards

The Belkin's Two Circuit Boards

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin Circuit Boards

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Belkin Circuit 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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Separating The Two Boards

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

The VGA Board

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

VGA Board

VGA Board

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

The PS/2 Board

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

The PS/2 Board

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Removing The PS/2 Board

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

LED Indicators

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

ELAN Silicon Chip

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.

Cracking open a KVM switch

Console PS/2 Ports

Console PS/2 Ports

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

Cracking open a KVM switch

The OmniView E Series KVM Switch

The OmniView E Series KVM Switch

The OmniView E Series KVM switch, disassembled.

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By Erik Eckel
Erik Eckel is a managing partner at Louisville Geek and president of Eckel Media Corp. He previously served as Executive Editor at CNET Networks' TechRepublic. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Louisville and received
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