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DCS FIBRE KVM Switch system

The Thinklogical DCS Fibre KVM Matrix switch offers simple transparent, secure configurable routing of video and human interface device signals from any input to any or multiple outputs in sophisticated video and KVM visual computing environments. The DCS is designed to integrate multiple Thinklogical Extenders and Receivers into a complete switching system with the security and convenience of full fibre connectivity.

The connectivity between systems using the DCS system is simple. The various KVM Keyboard Video Mouse USB Audio and Serial connections are hooked to the transmitter unit using short stand style cabling. The transmitter converts all these signals to fibre optics. By using only one fiber optic cable strand for video and one additional fiber for all of the non-video signals (keyboard, mouse, audio, etc.), the computer interface copper cable management challenges are reduced to routing one or two fibers to the desired destination receiver. At the receiver end the process is reversed and the optical data is converted back to electronics and standard copper cable connections. Copper cables then connect to their associated desktop and display devices.

The need for fibre in kvm extension

Important things to consider when designing a switched environment start with distance. Distance and the physics associated with copper cables is what kills video signals and creates erratic mouse performance, ground loops and innumerable other problems and, in general, creates the need for fiber optic technology to get the job done. The first goal in any video or KVM extension application is to keep the copper cable component of the system to an absolute minimum length. It is important to know that newer, higher speed, digital video technologies, such as DVI, are much more sensitive to copper cable lengths than the traditional analog RGB technologies. Fiber optic extenders from Thinklogical leverage the excellent attenuation, bandwidth and skew characteristics of fiber optic cable to solve the copper nightmare.

Copper cable distance limitations virtually eliminates the prospect of using traditional copper matrix switches due to the physical problem of locating computers close enough to the switch to keep the cable lengths short. If copper cables are used, the diameter of each cable needs to increase as the distances increase. This creates substantial cable management issues at every turn and connection. The DCS is a fiber-in and fiber-out, fully non-blocking, matrix switch with no copper cable connections at all, other than power. The combination of fiber optic transmitters and receivers and the DCS absolutely minimizes the copper issues.

Compatibility of a video source and a display device, such as monitors, projectors, etc. is an age old problem in the audio visual business. There are many companies that exist to convert a video input to a different video output so that the attached displays will work. This is a thing of the past now with the Thinklogical fiber extenders.

There is no more need for sync or format converters, or even video distribution amplifiers. The X-tender line of video extenders assures automatic compatibility. The reason is that all video signals, whether analog RGB of DVI, are converted to a common digital format to facility the trip between transmitter and receiver. Once the signal arrives at the receiver, the signal can be converted back to either analog RGB or DVI, or both (in the case of the Vis-1 and Vis-5). The same concept is true for keyboards and mice. The system transmitter converts every input to a common digital format and then, at the receiver, supports PS2, USB and legacy Sun. No matter what keyboard and mouse the source computer has, it will work with whatever type is on the desktop. All remapping and translations are done in the system.

So, no more worries about compatibility. This is important to remember when sources are switch to a variety of destinations. The DCS does not do any signal processing, translating or conversion (other than optical to electronic to optical). The DCS is a completely digital transparent routing conduit for the attached input and output fibers.

DCS Cable Management

The DCS is chassis based, modularized automated patching device, or matrix switch. All connections to and from the DCS are made through fiber optic LC connectors. LCs allow for excellent port density and have positive latching for retention. For a typical KVM connection there would be two fibers, one for video and one for KMASS (keyboard, mouse, audio, serial and stereographics). The video fiber connects to a DCS video chassis and the KMASS fiber connects to a KMASS chassis. The two chassis are connected to each other and communicate via SNMP allowing them to perform switching functions as one. Cable management is reduced to fiber management and may be accomplished with or without patch panels prior to input connection or after output connection.

Controlling the DCS

The DCS may be controlled from a browser session on a private network or through a serial connection. The switch comes with an installed GUI user interface which allows users with permission to make and break connections, view existing connections and change their passwords. An administrator level access is supported for maintenance of the switch, software upgrades, diagnostic monitoring, port set-up, port editing and port deletions as well as various user and group set-up. Administrators also determine permissions, initial passwords, switch schedules, and port locking and unlocking. For a complete discussion of the administrative scope of the DCS, please contact us.

The complete fibre extension and switching solution

To appreciate the true value of the DCS series of matrix (cross-point) switches, a firm understanding of the complete line of Thinklogical fiber extenders is in order. Thinklogical has eliminated the need for video converter boxes (VDAs), dongles, keyboard and mouse translators, sync converters and splitters. All these things, and more, have been built right into the transmitters and receivers.

Thinklogical has fiber extender models that support both DVI and RGB, just DVI, just RGB, dual-link DVI, dual head, DDC, no DDC, PS2, USB and legacy Sun keyboards and mice, serial and USB devices and so on. No matter what type of computer human interface you need to extend, Thinklogical has a product to do it.

DCS Chassis Images