[Info-vax] DS10 mouse/keyboard to modern KVM switches

[Paul Sture]

Galen wrote:

> My DS10 video card has VGA video. Its keyboard and mouse connectors
> are, of course, PS/2 female (And we all know about those DS10 "USB
> ports" don't we? :-)
>
> The KVM I have in mind (but haven't bought yet) is one of the
> ConnectPro MasterIT Plus series. Its host connections use female DVI-I
> and USB B connections.
>
> I'm trying to find cable(s) and other widget(s) needed to connect the
> two. I've tried various Google searches but get way too many hits.

Can you determine where the KVM you are interested in gets its power
from?  I ask because my last KVM took its power from one of the
keyboard to computer cables.  Now that KVM had PS/2 connectors, no USB
support, but if what you buy expects power via the keyboard or mouse
connectors you have the added complication of finding a widget that
supplies power as well as a signal.

> I'm also open to other suggestions as to the particular KVM I should use.
> I chose the ConnectPro because I'd read reasonably good things about
> compatibility with a variety of systems, as well as compatibility with
> Logitech's mice that use their Unifying USB widget.
>
> Any suggestions? 

Are you intending to run X11 on the DS10 with the KVM? There were a lot
of discussions over the years here on comp.os.vms about preserving
keyboard context across KVM switches when X11 on the VMS side was
involved.

> (I'm not too worried about switching the video, as the monitor I'm
> buying will have VGA input as well as DVI.)

Make sure it's easy to select the input source.  A physical toggle
switch will be far less hassle than selection via menu.

-- 
Paul Sture