How To Test A KVM
Testing each KVM was more of a challenge than we first expected. Our normal testing methods used to test other products didn't really apply to testing these KVM units. What we came up with is the "Tom's Hardware KVM Obstacle Course." The KVM Obstacle Course is a series of ten "pass/fail" tests that we tried on each KVM unit to see how it was able to function in several real-world tests. Each test was graded using the pass/fail approach.
A "pass" means that the unit functioned correctly and no problems were encountered. A "fail" means that the unit was unable to handle the same test criteria, or the unit didn't perform correctly in that situation. Because of the differences in configuration in each KVM unit, some units could not complete certain tests. Example: The KVM100SK from Linksys does not support USB so, on tests where the unit didn't support the function because the unit does not offer that feature, we indicated that with a N/A ("Not Applicable") on our chart.
Our Testing Configuration For The KVM Obstacle Course
Common Hardware in this test is defined as the monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
| Common Hardware | |
| Monitor | Mitsubishi 900u Diamondtron NF with a max resolution of 1600x1200 at 75hz NI |
| Keyboard | Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite w/USB or PS/2 Support |
| Mouse | Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer w/USB or PS/2 Support |
| Test System #1 | |
| CPU | Intel Pentum III Slot 1 933mhz |
| Motherboard | Asus P3C-E - Intel 820 Chipset |
| Memory | 2 - 256MB PC-800 Rambus Kingston ValueRam Part #KVR800X16-8/128 |
| Graphics Card | Asus V7700 GeForce 2 GTS 32MB DDR Deluxe |
| Hard Disks | Western Digital WD102BA - 10GB Hard Drive - ATA-66 - 7200 RPM Western Digital WD205BA - 20.5GB Hard Drive - ATA-66 - 7200 RPM |
| DVD-ROM | Asus 12X DVD-ROM Drive |
| CD-RW | Philips PCRW-804 - 8x4x24x CDRW |
| Sound Card | Turtlebeach Santa Cruz Sound Card |
| Network | 3Com 3CR990-TX-97 NIC |
| Other Hardware | Iomega 250MB USB External ZIP Drive |
| Case | Enlight 7237 MidTower Case - 300 Watt Power Supply |
| OS | Windows XP Professional OEM Release Version |
| Test System #2 | |
| CPU | Intel Pentium III Socket 370 900mhz using the Asus 370DL Slockit Card |
| Motherboard | Asus P3B-F Intel BX Chipset |
| Memory | 2-256MB PC-100 RAM ECC - Kingston |
| Graphics Card | Hercules Prophet II MX - GeForce 2 MX |
| Hard Disks | Western Digital AC29100D - 9GB Hard Drive - 7200RPM - ATA-33 Western Digital WD205AA - 20GB Hard Drive - 5400RPM - ATA-33 |
| CD-ROM | Asus 50X CD-Rom Drive |
| CD-RW | Mitsumi 4084TE 4x4x8x CDRW |
| Sound Card | Hercules Game Theater XP Sound Card |
| Network | 3Com 3C905C-TX-M |
| Other Hardware | Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad USB 3Com HomeConnect USB Camera Xircom/Entrega Hub4u - Powered 4 Port USB Hub |
| Case | Enlight 7237 MidTower Case - 300 Watt Power Supply |
| OS | Windows 98SE w/all Windows Updates Applied |
