Patent Application
20090189863
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a console module for a KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) switch, and in particular, it relates to a console module that can act as both a local console for a local KVM switch or a local IP-based KVM switch and a remote console for a remote IP-based KVM switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional KVM switch configuration, one or more consoles (each including a keyboard and/or mouse and a display device) are connected to the KVM switch by cables, and a plurality of computers (e.g. servers or PCs) are connected to the KVM switch by cables. The cables are from a few feet (e.g. PS2 cables) to hundreds of feet (e.g. CAT 5 cables) long. A network-enabled KVM switch (sometimes referred to as an IP-based KVM switch or an IKVM switch, and the technology is sometimes referred to KVM over IP) uses a network protocol (e.g. TCP/IP) as its communication protocol, and can be accessed from any computer on a network such as a WAN, LAN or the Internet. A remote operator can log in to an IKVM switch from anywhere on the network via their browser. Once logged in, the operator can exchange keyboard, video and mouse signals with any one of the computers connected to the IKVM switch. Similar to conventional KVM switches, an IKVM switch typically also have one or more local consoles connected to it by cables.
In conventional KVM or IKVM switch configurations, a conventional console that is used as a local console for a KVM or IKVM switch is connected to the switch by cables; it transmits analog keyboard/mouse signals to the switch and receives analog video signals from the switch. Such a conventional local console lacks a network interface. On the other hand, a conventional console that is used as a remote console for an IKVM switch has a network interface for connecting to a network; keyboard and mouse signals are transmitted as digital signals over the network to the IKVM switch, and video signals from the IKVM switch are received as digital signals over the network. The video signals from the IKVM switch are decompressed and displayed on the display device of the console. Such a conventional remote console typically can only communicate over the network and cannot be connected to a KVM switch by cable and used as a local console. In other words, a conventional local console connected to a KVM switch/IKVM switch cannot be used as a remote console connected to another IKVM switch, and a conventional remote console connected to a KVM switch/IKVM switch cannot be used as a local console connected to another IKVM switch.
The present invention is directed to a combination console module that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a combination console module that allows a console to function both as a local console to access computers connected to a local KVM switch or a local IKVM switch and as a remote console to access computers connected to a remote IKVM switch.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the descriptions that follow and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a control device for connecting to a console, the console including one or more input devices and a display device, the control device including: a control section; an input connection for connecting to the input devices of the console, the input connection being connected to the control section; a video connection for connecting to the display device of the console; a video signal converter connected between the control section and the video connection for converting a processed digital video signal from the control section to a display video signal for the display device; a video switch connected to the video signal converter and connected to an input video signal, the video switch being controlled by the control section for providing either the input video signal or the display video signal to the video connection; and a network interface device for connecting to a network, wherein when the control device is in a local mode, the video switch switches the input video signal to the video connection, and the control section processes a first input device signal received from the console via the input connection to generated a processed input device signal, and wherein when the control device is in a remote mode, the control section processes a digital video signal received from the network via the network interface device to generate the processed digital video signal, the video signal converter converts the processed digital video signal to the display video signal, the video switch switches the display video signal from the video signal converter to the video connection, and the control section processes the input device signal received from the console via the input connection and transmit it to the network via the network interface device.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method implemented in a control device, the control device adapted to be connected to a console and to a network, the method including: (a) selecting a local mode or a remote mode; when in the local mode, (b1) processing a local input video signal and transmitting the processed video signal to the console; and (b2) processing a first input device signal received from the console and generating a processed input device signal; and when in the remote mode, (c1) processing a digital video signal received from the network and transmitting the processed video signals to the console; and (c2) processing the first input device signal received from the console and transmitting the processed input device signal to the network.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer management system, including: a first keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch; at least one first computer connected to the first KVM switch; a second KVM switch; at least one second computer connected to the second KVM switch; a first console module connected to the first KVM switch, the first console module being connected to the second KVM switch via a network; and a console connected to the first console module, wherein the first console module allows the console to selectively control the first computer or the second computer.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a console module for connecting a console to a KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) switch, the console including one or more input devices and a display device, the console module including: a control section; an input connection for connecting to the input devices of the console, the input connection being connected to the control section; a video connection for connecting to the display device of the console; a digital to analog converter (DAC) connected to the control section for converting digital video signals to analog video signals; a video switch connected to the DAC and connected to input video signals from the KVM switch, the video switch being controlled by the control section for providing either the input video signals from the KVM switch or the analog video signals from the DAC to the video connection; and a network interface device for connecting to a network; wherein when the console module is in a local mode, the video switch switches the input video signals from the KVM switch to the video connection, and the control section processes input signals received from the console via the input connection and transmit them to the KVM switch, and wherein when the console module is in a remote mode, the control section processes digital video signals received from the network via the network interface device, the DAC converts the processed digital video signal to analog video signals, the video switch switches the analog video signals from the DAC to the video connection, and the control section processes input signals received from the console via the input connection and transmit them to the network via the network interface device.
The console module may further include an analog to digital converter (ADC) for converting the input video signals from the KVM switch to digital video signals, wherein when the console module is in an intermediary mode, the ADC converts the input video signals from the KVM switch to digital video signals, the control section processes the digital video signals and transmits them to the network via the network interface device, and the control section further processes input signals received from the network via the network interface device and transmits them to the KVM switch.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) switch for connecting at least one console to one or more computers, the console including one or more input devices and a display device, the KVM switch including: a switching section having at least one console signal port and one or more computer signal ports, the switching section switching signals between the console signal port and the computer signal ports; a control section connected to the console signal port of the switching section; an input connection for connecting to the input devices of the console, the input connection being connected to the control section; a video connection for connecting to the display device of the console; a digital to analog converter (DAC) connected to the control section for converting digital video signals to analog video signals; a video switch connected to the DAC and connected to video signals from the switching section, the video switch being controlled by the control section for providing either the video signals from the switching section or the analog video signals from the DAC to the video connection; and a network interface device for connecting to a network; wherein when the KVM switch is in a local mode with respect to the console, the video switch switches the video signals from the switching section to the video connection, and the control section processes input signals received from the console via the input connections and transmit them to the switching section, and wherein when the KVM switch is in a remote mode with respect to the console, the control section processes digital video signals received from the network via the network interface device, the DAC converts the processed digital video signal to analog video signals, the video switch switches the analog video signals from the DAC to the video connection, and the control section processes input signals received from the console via the input connections and transmit them to the network via the network interface device.
The KVM switch may further include an analog to digital converter (ADC) connected to the switching section for converting the video signals from the switching section to digital video signals, wherein when the KVM switch communicates with a remote client on the network, the ADC converts the video signals from the switching section to digital video signals, the control section processes the digital video signals and transmits them to the network via the network interface device, and the control section further processes input signals received from the network via the network interface device and transmits them to the switching section.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method implemented in a console module, the console module adapted to be connected to a console, to a network and to a KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) switch, the method including: (a) selecting a local mode or a remote mode; when in the local mode, (b1) processing video signals received from the KVM switch and transmitting the processed video signals to the console; and (b2) processing input signals received from the console and transmitting the processed signals to the KVM switch; and when in the remote mode, (c1) processing video signals received from the network and transmitting the processed video signals to the console; and (c2) processing input signals received from the console and transmitting the processed signals to the network.
The method may further include: (d) selecting an intermediary mode; when in the intermediary mode, (e1) processing video signals received from the KVM switch and transmitting the processed video signals to the network; and (e2) processing input signals received from the network and transmitting the processed signals to the KVM switch.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method implemented in a KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) switch, the KVM switch adapted to be connected to at least one console, to a network and to one or more computers, the method including: (a) selecting a local mode or a remote mode with respect to the console; when in the local mode, (b1) processing video signals received from a selected computer and transmitting the processed video signals to the console; and (b2) processing input signals received from the console and transmitting the processed signals to the selected computer; and when in the remote mode, (c1) processing video signals received from the network and transmitting the processed video signals to the console; and (c2) processing input signals received from the console and transmitting the processed signals to the network.
The method may further include: (d) selecting a remote client mode; when in the remote client mode, (e1) processing video signals received from the selected computer and transmitting the processed video signals to the network; and (e2) processing input signals received from the network and transmitting the processed signals to the selected computer.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, techniques, systems and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the present invention. The following presents a detailed description of the preferred embodiment (as well as some alternative embodiments) of the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a combination console module that enables a console to be used both as a local console for a local KVM switch or local IKVM switch, and as a remote console for a remote IKVM switch on a network. The combination console module can be implemented in two configurations, as a stand-alone (i.e. external) module or as a part of a modified IKVM switch.
In the first configuration, shown in
In this disclosure, the term “local” refers to devices connected to each other by cables, which may be up to hundreds of feet long, while the term “remote” refers to devices connected to each other by a network, such as WAN, LAN, the Internet, etc. In the system of
According to embodiments of the present invention, the combination console module 12 enables the console 11 to act as a local console for the local KVM switch 13 to control the local computers 14, and act as a remote console for the remote IKVM switch 15 to control the remote computers 18. The keyboard/mouse signals from the local console 11 may be transmitted to the remote computer 18 via several alternative routes (in the expressions below, the symbol “→” represents the transmission direction of keyboard/mouse signals):
(1-1) Local keyboard/mouse→local combination console module→local IKVM→Network→remote IKVM→remote PC
(1-2) Local keyboard/mouse→local combination console module→local IKVM→Network→remote combination console module→remote IKVM→remote PC
(1-3) Local keyboard/mouse→local combination console module→Network→remote IKVM→remote PC
(1-4) Local keyboard/mouse→local combination console module→Network→remote combination console module→remote IKVM→remote PC
The video signals from the remote computer 18 may be transmitted to the display 11c of the local console 11 via several alternative routes:
(1-5) Remote PC→remote IKVM→remote combination console module→Network→local combination console module→local display
(1-6) Remote PC→remote IKVM→remote combination console module→Network→local IKVM→local combination console module→local display
(1-7) Remote PC→remote IKVM→Network→local combination console module→local display
(1-8) Remote PC→remote IKVM→Network→local IKVM→local combination console module→local display
Note that in routes (1-1), (1-2), (1-6) and (1-8), where the keyboard/mouse signals go through the local IKVM switch, a conventional IKVM switch needs to be modified in its software or firmware to support the signal transmission.
All of the above signal routes will be possible if both KVM switches 13 and 15 are IP-based switches and both console modules 12 and 16 are combination console modules with network connections. If not, some of the above signal routes will not be available. It can also be observed that a combination console module connected to a non-IP-based KVM switch can provide network access to the switch, effectively turning that switch into an IP-based switch. For example, if the KVM switch 15 is not IP-based (i.e. has no network connection of its own), but its local console 16 is a combination console with a network interface, then the local console 11 (or any client on the network) can access the remote computers 18 using signal routes (1-4) and (1-5) or using signal routes (1-2) and (1-6).
When several signal transmission routes are possible, the selection of routes may be done by a control center (not shown) by controlling or programming the respective KVM switches or combination console modules. The control center is typically a server or any network node that has access to the various devices (either directly or via the network). The control center may allow a user to request particular route.
The console connected to the combination console module 12 can act as a local console for a local KVM switch 13 to control a local computer connected thereto (not shown in
Additionally, the combination console module 12 can act as an intermediary between the local KVM switch 13 and a remote client (remote console) that is accessing the KVM switch 13 over the network (the intermediary mode). Note that the combination console module 12 can act as an intermediary at the same time it is acting as a local or remote console; in other words, the remote client can still receive video signal from combination console while the combination console is accessing remote IKVM. In this situation, the video signals received from the local computer via the local KVM switch 13 are converted to digital signals by the ADC 103, processed by the FPGA 102 and/or CPU 101 (e.g. video sampling, compression), and transmitted to the remote client over the network. The keyboard and mouse signals received form the remote client over the network are processed by the CPU 101 and/or FPGA 102, and transmitted to the KVM switch 13. As mentioned earlier, by connecting such a combination console module 12 to the KVM switch 13, the KVM switch 13 becomes accessible over the network even if it does not have its own network connection. If the KVM switch 13 has its own network connection, the combination console module 12 can provide an additional network connection between the KVM switch 13 and the network, sharing the load of the network connection of the KVM switch 13.
It should be noted that the ADC 103 is not necessary for the combination console module 12 to perform its function as a local console for the local KVM switch 13 and as a remote console for a remote KVM switch. It is required when the combination console module 12 acts as an intermediary between the KVM switch 13 and a remote client.
In the structure shown in
A user interface (UI) is implemented (either by the CPU 101 or by the KVM switch 13) to allow the user to select the operating mode. The implementation of such a UI is well within the capabilities of those familiar with the KVM and IKVM art. For example, a user may log in to the local IKVM via the local console, and the UI may show the local computers connected to the local IKVM and the remote computers connected to the remote IKVM, so that the user may select a local computer or a remote computer via the UI and then control the selected computer.
As seen from
In a second configuration, shown in
(2-1) Local keyboard/mouse→local IKVM→Network→remote IKVM→remote PC
(2-2) Local keyboard/mouse→local IKVM→Network→remote combination console module→remote IKVM→remote PC
The video signals from the remote computer 18 may be transmitted to the display 11c of the local console 11 via the following alternative routes:
(2-3) Remote PC→remote IKVM→Network→local IKVM→local display
(2-4) Remote PC→remote IKVM→remote combination console module→Network→local IKVM→local display
The modified IKVM switch 23 supports the following functions with respect to each console connected thereto: The console can act as a local console to access local computers connected to the IKVM switch (local mode with respect to that console); and the console can act as a remote console to an IKVM switch on the network (remote mode with respect to that console). In addition, the IKVM switch 23 acts switch as an IP-based KVM switch to allow remote clients on the network to access local computers connected to it (remote client mode). The operations of the various components 201-212 in these three modes are identical or similar to the operations of the corresponding components in
In the modified IKVM switch 23 shown in
If the ADC 203 is not present, the KVM switch 23 can still allow the console connected thereto to act as a local console to the KVM switch 23 or as a remote console to a remote IKVM. The ADC 203 is required in order for the KVM switch 23 to be an IP-based KVM and accessible by remote clients over the network.
The CPU 201 and FPGA 202 may be combined into a system on chip (SOC) device. The DAC 204 may also be implemented as a part of the SOC. The specific implementations of the various components are not critical, so long as the functionalities of the components are implemented.
In the combination console module 12, 12′, 12′ and 23 shown in
In this disclosure, the term “console” refers to a set of devices that collectively allows an operator to interact with a computer. A console includes input devices, typically a keyboard and (optionally) a mouse, and output devices, typically a display screen.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modification and variations can be made in the combination console module of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
