Avocent Introduces First Audio and Serial KVM Matrix Switch

Avocent Corporation (NASDAQ: AVCT) today introduced the AM5130 switch and a range of intelligent cables to the AMX product family. The new AMX offerings provide high quality audio, video and control and are ideally suited for both test labs and data centres where users need to access computers but do not want to be seated in the noisy, cold environments where computers are kept.

"Avocent continues to innovate with KVM, KVM over IP, and wireless KVM, among other technologies," said John Humphreys, research manager at IDC. "This provides yet another example of how Avocent continues to extend the capabilities of its products to provide a basis for growth going forward."

The AMX5130 switch and cables introduce switching of audio, serial, support for dual UTP connections per computer and USB keyboard and mouse support at user locations. The addition of audio and serial support allows stereo sound to be transported from a remote computer to a user location and mono microphone to be transported from the user to the remote computer - all supported in FM quality. It also enables a serial communication port of 38k4 baud between the remote computer and the user station. Support for the cables with two UTP connections enables simplified configuration of a large number of users. The AMX5130 switch also introduces USB keyboard and mouse support at the user stations including full support for PC, Mac and Sun USB keyboards.

In test lab environments, AMX products allow the test computers to be placed in a remote lab. The new AMX5130 switch and cables allow each tester to test the audio to and from the computer and test the computers COM port using serial devices at their desk.

In data centres running traditional analogue KVM, the AMX5130 switch gives a real time, high quality user experience that eases the configuration and re-configuration of the KVM solution. Once installation is complete, the ability to add users, move user locations, add computers and change access rights lowers the maintenance overhead cost. The dual UTP support on the new intelligent cables that connect computers to the AMX switch allows AMX installations of greater than sixteen users to be configured without the need for multiple layers of AMX switches.