Avocent Corp. has expanded its AutoView line of keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switches for small and midsize data centers that need a solution for managing mixed environments of PS/2, USB, Sun and serial servers.

Administrators can connect up to 16 multi-platform servers to a single switch and configure servers at the rack with an on-screen display. The new AutoView 2020 and 2030 switches feature local virtual media for connecting USB media devices and advanced cabling options.

The AutoView switches' local virtual media support solves the problem of transferring data that is stored on USB media devices, such as CDs, flash memory devices or external drives. For example, administrators inside a data center or server room can connect a USB flash drive to the KVM switch making it available to all targets without having to connect the flash drive to each individual server. This saves time when performing file transfers, applications and OS patches, and diagnostic testing.

The AutoView switches offer connectivity with fixed length integrated access cables, and server interface modules that allow administrators to customize their cable lengths using category 5, 5e and 6 cables. Either option automatically assigns and retains unique server names for each attached server

The AutoView line of KVM switches also includes the AutoView 1400 single user 8-port switch, AutoView 1500 dual user 8-port switch, and the AutoView 2000 dual user 16-port switch. For more information, see www.avocent.com.