November 1998

Network Technologies, Inc.
1275 Danner Drive
Aurora, OH 44202
Ph: 330-562-7070; Fx: 330-562-1999
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.networktechinc.com

Price: ST-4U (4 ports): $740.00; ST-8U (8 ports): $1,000.00; ST-12U (12 ports): $2,115.00; ST-16U (16 ports): $2,490.00; ST-24U (24 ports): $4,615.00.

RATINGS (0-5)
Installation: 4
Documentation: 3
Features: 3
GUI: N/A
Overall: B

For anyone who must use multiple computers simultaneously, it is often necessary to employ a switch - or console, rather - to save space and money. This is definitely true in the CTI field. For example, when we test CTI products, we often find ourselves working simultaneously with a server running one application and a client workstation running another application. In fact, we recently had to test some Internet telephony gateways that were residing on SUN workstations. And, at the same time, we needed to use some Windows stations running different applications.

One company that provides solutions for handling such situations is Network Technologies. When we investigated this company's offerings, we decided to take a closer look at its NTI Universal KVM Switch - specifically, the ST-8U version. It allows a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse to communicate directly with PC, MAC, and SUN workstations.

INSTALLATION/DOCUMENTATION
The ST-8U eight-port model is a compact box with an eight-way switch on the front panel. The unit comes with a variety of cables to establish connectivity between the switch and the corresponding port computers.

Armed with a simple fold-out pamphlet, we connected the different PCs to the switch. As the pamphlet instructed, we powered down all the PCs. Then, we connected a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the appropriate ports on the back of the switch. After we had connected the computers and peripherals to the switch, we turned on the unit on and commenced testing.

FEATURES
The unit allows one keyboard, monitor, and mouse to control up to eight PC, SUN, MAC computers. By cascading multiple units, the user can connect up to 128 computers. The switch translates key codes between different platforms and simulates the presence of the keyboard, monitor, and mouse to all computers. Any of the different types of computers cam be connected to any of the different peripherals on the switch, just by using the supplied cables.

The unit had some interesting control features in addition to establishing a multiple platform switch setup. By touching any button on the front, the user can connect to any PC. Furthermore, holding any button for two seconds cycles the selected PC though Scan, Broadcast, and Command modes. The Scan mode allows the switch to cycle through all powered PC ports. The Command mode allows the switch to be controlled by an attached keyboard. Finally, the Broadcast mode allows the user to send keyboard commands to all computers simultaneously.

OPERATIONAL TESTING
As we mentioned in the introduction, we had a specific use in mind for the ST-8U. We were working with two SUN-based Internet telephony gateways, and we needed a switch that would allow for multiple platforms (PC and SUN). We connected the SUN stations to their corresponding ports on the ST-8U. We also connected a computer running Windows NT and a computer running Windows 95 to the PC ports on the switch.

Sure enough, we were able to switch from computer to computer by pressing the corresponding buttons on the ST-8U. When we depressed the keys for several seconds, we watched as the LED cycled through the various combinations. We found scan mode to be quite useful. In addition, we enabled Command mode and used some of the keyboard commands.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
The unit works just fine, but it should be easier to work with. The unit needs to be more user-friendly; it needs a better display. Actually, such displays are available on some consoles, but usually as an option that costs extra. Regardless, a better display, even a simple LCD display, would be an improvement.

In addition, the keyboard control option is a nice thing to have, especially if the keyboard is somewhat removed from the console. However, some of the keyboard commands can be cryptic. Some users might prefer a GUI interface.

Finally, it concerns us that using the Broadcast mode invites danger, as the documentation makes clear with its stern warnings. Evidently, entering the wrong keyboard command for a computer could be disastrous. If would be a benefit to all users if NTI could find a way to make this feature foolproof.

CONCLUSION
The ST-8U did what it needed to do: It managed multiple computers without failure. More to the point - for our purposes - it enabled the simultaneous use of PCs, MACs, and SUN workstations. However, this functionality, useful as it was, didn't make the switch an award winner. We think the switch could be more usable, specifically through better displays. Even the introduction of an LCD display for the channel numbers would go a long way toward making the switch more user-friendly.