Hardware Bistro

Product: CS1642
Manufacturer: Aten
Supplied by: Aten
Price: 399USD/RM1324
Launch Date: Aug 2009

 

Aten is one of the KVM leaders in the market but most of us might not familiar with Aten as their strength is much stronger in industry sector rather than consumer sector. KVM is a powerful device to save the operating cost by sharing one set of I/O across multiple of computers. CS1642 is one of the latest Aten KVM that is able support up to 2 LCDs which is ideal for nowadays computing.

 

Company Profile

For more than two decades, ATEN has earned a sterling reputation for delivering the finest KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) and remote connectivity solutions to manage servers and other network devices. Today we stand as the largest KVM manufacturer in the world.

ATEN has developed over the years a broad range of solutions to meet the needs of key market niches, including small - and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprise organizations through its ALTUSEN line of KVM products. Leveraging its leading-edge ASIC technology and VSE patents, ATEN's KVM and remote connectivity solutions offer the most comprehensive features and functionality than the competition. The ASIC chip is one of the company's unique differentiators, as it drives the product line's capabilities, and ensures reliability and quality.

 

Features

- 2-port DVI Dual View KVMP switch with USB 2.0 support and 2.1 channel surround sound audio
- One dual-screen USB console controls two dual-screen computers and two additional USB devices
- 2-port USB 2.0 hub built in
- Fully compliant with the USB 2.0 specification
- Full bass response provides a rich experience for 2.1 channel surround sound systems
- Independent switching of KVM, USB, and Audio focus
- DVI digital and analog monitor support - fully compliant with the DVI specifications; also HDCP compliant
- Superior video quality - 2560x1600 (DVI Dual Link); 1920x1200 (DVI Single Link)
- Supports widescreen resolutions
- Computer selection via front panel pushbuttons and hotkeys
- Multiplatform support - Windows, Linux, Mac, Sun
- Console mouse port emulation / bypass feature supports most mouse drivers and multifunction mice
- Video DynaSync: stores the console monitors EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) to optimize display resolution
- Complete keyboard emulation for error-free booting
- Sun/Mac keyboard support and emulation
- Auto Scan Mode for monitoring all computers
- Firmware upgradable

 

Specifications

Package & Contents

 

As usual Aten products are packed very compactly and this is same for CS1621; all the cables and CS1642 are squeezed into a small box but everything is kept securely and safely. Some of the key features of Aten CS1642 KVM are written on the packaging box such as dual DVI view, video dynasync, hi-speed USB hub, multifunction mouse support and so on.

 

In order to brief the overall working procedure of Aten CS1642 KVM, an illustration is printed at the back of the packing box and features are explained in multi-languages as well. The packaging of Aten CS1642 KVM consists of a KVM switch, power adapter, quick reference guide, user's manual, and couple of bulky cables.

 

All the bundled cables are packed with additional plastic bag to protect and manage them in a better way and these cables are two custom USB DVI dual link cable sets, two custom DVI dual link cables, one USB to PS/2 converter, and one firmware upgrade cable.

 

A Closer Look: Aten CubiQ CS1642

 

Industry KVM switch can be bulky and heavy but it is not necessary for Aten CS1642 as it is designed for SOHO users. Aten has done a good job on the design of CS1642 as it looks much better and attractive than previous dull and boring layout. The overall dimension of Aten CS1642 KVM is 26.23 x 7.68 x 4.56 cm (LxWxH) and weight around 560grams which are average size and pretty light.

 

CubiQ is Aten latest SOHO desktop KVM series and Aten has the whole range of KVM models to suit for different kind of usages such as dual DVI view, support 2 or up to 4 PCs, or even HDMI support. In order to provide better accessibility, Aten CS1642 KVM is also equipped by front I/O ports; audio & mic jacks and a USB 2.0 port.

 

Just some historical overview, KVM is also named as KVMP where it stands for keyboard, video, mouse and peripheral. The function of KVMP is to allow multiple PC to share one set of I/O devices like keyboard, mouse, display, printer, scanner and so on while the objective of KVMP is to save the I/O setup cost as well as ease of maintenance.

 

The console panel is for connecting to the shared I/O which includes two DVI connectors for dual display view, USB ports for keyboard & mouse and audio jacks for up to 2.1 audio system. On the right section, the ports are used to connect to the PCs and to enable dual DVI views (dual LCDs), both of the DVI ports of Aten CS1642 KVM have to be connected to both of the DVI ports of the video card. Other ports of Aten CS1642 KVM are firmware upgrade port, power jack and type B USB port for printer.

 

Now let us talk about the cables of Aten CS1642 KVM as it will be quite confusing by these long and heavy cables. The most bulky cables are the cables to connect between the PCs (with type B USB port) and Aten CS1642 KVM (with type A USB port). The length of these cables is exactly 1.8M which is pretty long enough if both of the PCs and KVM are located on the same area (approx. within a 2M long workstation).

 

Another two important 1.8M DVI cables are only required for dual DVI setup. For those are still having older type of keyboard and mouse (PS2) then KVM has included a converter for this but we guess most of us will not need it and PS2 should be totally obsolete within next 5 years. The last cable is the firmware upgrade cable which is a wise choice by Aten as it is always good to update the KVM to latest firmware to ensure the compatible supportability.

 

Installation, Testing & Performance

Here is the clearer setup diagram for those are still not really understand how a KVMP works. Anywa the complete user's manual can be downloaded at here. 

 

For the setup of Aten CS1642 KVM, it is pretty simple as long as you have fully understand how this device works and the whole installation should not take more than 20 minutes or even shorter. Basically there are three switches on the front panel of Aten CS1642 KVM for mode selection. Different kind of mode dialing will allow the KVM switches to the corresponding PC immediately; press once to switch to KVM focus PC, press twice to switch to audio focus PC, press three times to switch to USB focus PC or press & hold port for auto scan mode (detail is written on user's manual in detail).

 

Test Bed A: 

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8300 @ 2.83GHz
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3 (Gigabyte G31M-ES2L)
Heatsink: Noctua NH-C12P
Memory: Kingston HyperX 4GB DDR2 8500
Hard Drive: 250GB 7200RPM 8MB Seagate
Graphic Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX260+
Casing: Thermaltake Element V
PSU: Aerocool V12XT-800
Router: TRENDnet TEW-639GR
Optical Drive: HLDS DVD RW +/-
Monitor: Dell 22" Wide Screen LCD
Speaker: Edifier R501
Mouse: SteelSeries Ikari Laser
Mouse Pad: SteelSeries QcK+
HeadSet: SteelSeries 3H
Operating System: Microsoft XP Pro SP2/Vista Home Premium
Ambient Temperature: 27 Degree Celsius

 

Test Bed B:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 @ 2.33GHz
Motherboard: Asus P5K SE/EPU
Heatsink: CoolerMaster X Dream P775+
Memory: 4GB 800MHz DDR2 Memory
Hard Drive: 250GB 7200RPM Fujitsu
Hard Drive: 80GB 7200RPM Western Digital
Graphic Card: Gigabyte GeForce 9600GT
PSU: Seasonic M12D 850W
Optical Drive : DVD RW HLDS
Monitor: Dell 22" Wide Screen LCD
Speaker: Edifier R501
Operating System: Microsoft Vista Home Premium

 

We have tested this Aten CS1642 KVM with both of our desktops as there is no point for us to test it with a notebook since notebook has already come with a complete set of I/O. Aten CS1642 KVM is working well throughout the entire testing phase and it gives us pretty fast and responsive respond but there is room for auto scanning to grow further. All the connected devices like LCDs, printer, scanner, audio system are working perfectly but too sad 5.1 audio system isn't supported at this moment else it will be a big jump for gamers or hardcore workers. Besides that the hotkeys and fast dialing modes are really awesome as it allows user to switch to the desired PC without much thinking; user just needs to remember the switching/dialing modes. Overall we are quite satisfied with this new generation KVMP switch from Aten; CubiQ CS1642.

 

Verdicts

KVMP switch is not a must device for most of us but it is extremely useful for those are having multiple PCs and it can be used for simplifying the I/O devices as well as huge saving on I/O setup. One of the greatest improvements for Aten CS1642 over its predecessors is the dual DVI view support where it allows the KVMP switch to connect up to dual LCDs for great working space and ideal for designer, gamers and professional users. As usual KVMP switch is not cheap and this is same for Aten CS1642 as it costs around USD400. However if this device is really able to simplify the whole I/O setup over multiple PCs then it is a definitely worth to give it a try.

 

Pros:

+ Support dual DVI display (including analog display)
+ provides 2.1 channel surround sound system
+ superior widescreen resolution & video quality
+ Hotkeys for faster respond & easier mode selection
+ Firmware is upgradable
+ Auto & smart mode scanning & selection

Cons:

- Expensive
- Bulky & heavy cabling

 

Thanks to Aten for providing this sample for us to review.

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