kvm vs powered hub properties

  • Thread starter Thread starter anotherpaul
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anotherpaul

Is there any thing unique in a usb kvm vs a powered usb hub, other than
the vga port?

The hub should send all signals to the computer. And isn't a kvm just
a "hub" with a switch?
 
Is there any thing unique in a usb kvm vs a powered usb hub, other than
the vga port?

The hub should send all signals to the computer. And isn't a kvm just
a "hub" with a switch?
Click to expand...

I've never seen a KVM that acts as a hub. They support one outgoing
device per type and switch which machine it's connected to. A hub
would allow connecting multiple devices to a single machine.
 
I've never seen a KVM that acts as a hub. They support one outgoing
device per type and switch which machine it's connected to. A hub
would allow connecting multiple devices to a single machine.
Click to expand...

Isn't a hub bi-directional? If all signals are passed, then either
machine can send to the device. e.g. a printer still can send info on
its status especiall in an usb hub that has all wires connected.

My laser printer is connected to the router & is able to send back
info to a Mac Mini on regarding its make, model & status.

I'm not sure that there is circuitry in a hub or switch that requires
what is labeled as input to be input & the output is restricted to
the ports labeled "out".

Perhaps it is different from audio cables where I've just reversed the
use of the "y" splitter to do what I want as in combining a left &
right rca outs into 1 stereo 3.5 mm plug. There's no "black box"
like hubs & switches, just cables.
 
Isn't a hub bi-directional? If all signals are passed, then either
machine can send to the device. e.g. a printer still can send info on
its status especiall in an usb hub that has all wires connected.

My laser printer is connected to the router & is able to send back
info to a Mac Mini on regarding its make, model & status.

I'm not sure that there is circuitry in a hub or switch that requires
what is labeled as input to be input & the output is restricted to
the ports labeled "out".

Perhaps it is different from audio cables where I've just reversed the
use of the "y" splitter to do what I want as in combining a left &
right rca outs into 1 stereo 3.5 mm plug. There's no "black box"
like hubs & switches, just cables.
Click to expand...

The circuitry in a hub or switch these days is complex.

Also, a KVM is a 1 to 1, it doesn't combine signals. It simply
selects which one is active at any one time.
 
On Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:35:13 +0000 (UTC), anotherpaul

The circuitry in a hub or switch these days is complex.

Also, a KVM is a 1 to 1, it doesn't combine signals. It simply
selects which one is active at any one time.
Click to expand...

Think you're right. Got the powered hub & a usb dual port switch to
switch the hub between the pc & mac.

Installed & it works.... But the switch won't switch unless the
computer is on; i.e. won't switch to the Mac mini as it is totally
off as in no power/signal to its usb port; will switch to the pc
since microshit disabled any way to power off the pc in win7
so that a power/signal is available at the pc usb ports. My passive
hub has an led which stayed on even when the pc is shutdown, a
gotcha after the sp1 install; only way to do a real shutdown is to
pull the plug.

Got the powered hub because those slim dvd writers require a "Y"
usb cable at the computer end for extra power; won't run off a
passive hub as those hubs don't have a 500ma supplied for each
usb port.

Learning more as technology changes.......Apple definitely suckered
people into getting hi-rez monitors when Apple won't allow any
changes to the system font sizes like windows have been able to
do since winxp.

Only way the Macs can have system font increases is to lower the
monitor resolution.
 
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