topic Re: What is KVM Switch? in Switching

What is KVM Switch?

subarayarsooper — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 07:19:22 GMT

Need to know what is KVM Switch?

If Cisco Has KVM Switch please share the part number and State the usage of it.

@everyone

Re: What is KVM Switch?

M02@rt37 — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:06:52 GMT

A KVM switch, which stands for Keyboard, Video, and Mouse switch, is a hardware device that allows a user to control multiple computers or servers using a single set of peripherals (keyboard, video monitor, and mouse). This is particularly useful in situations where you have multiple computers or servers but don't want to have a separate set of peripherals for each one. By using a KVM switch, you can switch between the connected computers easily.

To my knowledge Cisco has never made a KVM Console switch.

Re: What is KVM Switch?

Joseph W. Doherty — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:35:49 GMT

BTW, the most place I've seen KVMs deployed has been for devices (often servers) in a rack.

Also BTW, some newer technologies have reduced the need/usage of KVMs.

Re: What is KVM Switch?

subarayarsooper — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:47:48 GMT

Then, What is that Nexus switch is for?

Re: What is KVM Switch?

Rich R — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 18:48:19 GMT

Nexus switches are ethernet LAN switches - nothing to do with KVM.

Re: What is KVM Switch?

subarayarsooper — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 23:38:48 GMT

Nexus switch for kvm is what?

Re: What is KVM Switch?

Richard Burts — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 02:57:43 GMT

What have you got that makes you think that Nexus is/has KVM?

Re: What is KVM Switch?

M02@rt37 — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:11:03 GMT

@Joseph W. Doherty
wrote: Also BTW, some newer technologies have reduced the need/usage of KVMs.

Totally agree! The rise of virtualization technologies allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical machine. This reduces the need for physical hardware switches like KVMs, as administrators can manage multiple virtual servers or desktops from a single console. Also with the widespread adoption of cloud computing, many services and applications are now hosted in the cloud. This eliminates the need for local hardware management, as cloud providers often offer web-based interfaces for managing resources.

To my knowledge Cisco has never made a KVM Console switch.

Re: What is KVM Switch?

Rich R — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 12:45:23 GMT

Are you referring to Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for KVM ?
First of all that is not a KVM switch - it is a Nexus switch for KVM and in this case KVM is not Keyboard, Video, Mouse it is Kernel-based Virtual Machine - a virtualisation technology for Linux.
The Nexus 1000V Switch for KVM provides a virtual switch for Linux KVM - in other words it's simply a software component emulating a switch under the KVM Hypervisor.

Note that Nexus 1000V Switch for KVM is end of life - Cisco stopped selling it in 2018 and it goes end of support in a few weeks time (11 Dec 2023).
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/nexus-1000v-kvm/eos-eol-notice-c51-741341.html

Reviewing your original question now that we know what you are referring to (it would help everybody if you are very clear what you are asking about - especially with an ambiguous acronym like KVM):
> If Cisco Has KVM Switch please share the part number and State the usage of it.
The answer is no, they do not. They used to have the Nexus product but that is end of life now and there is no direct replacement for it. If you read the EOL notice linked above you'll see:
Product Migration Options
Customers are encouraged to migrate to Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure.

If you're looking for a virtual switch for KVM then take a look at
https://kb.novaordis.com/index.php/KVM_Virtual_Networking_Concepts
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/linux-on-z?topic=sc-kvm-guest-virtual-network-configuration-using-open-vswitch
https://www.redhat.com/sysadmin/libvirt-open-vswitch
https://wiki.libvirt.org/VirtualNetworking.html
https://computingforgeeks.com/use-open-vswitch-bridge-on-kvm-virtual-machines/

Re: What is KVM Switch?

MHM Cisco World — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 12:46:27 GMT

Friend'

VM need SW to interconnect between app install in VM'

This SW is called vSwìtch

KVM is term of vSwitch use by vendor.

So if you want to know about kvm switch search about vSwitch and you will get alot of info about it.

Re: What is KVM Switch?

Richard Burts — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:17:01 GMT

@Rich R We have not yet heard from the original poster, but I believe that you have answered my question about what he has that indicates that Cisco has KVM. A set of initials with 2 different meanings. So thank you.

In terms of Keyboard, Video, Mouse I agree that Cisco has not produced a KVM switch. There are several Cisco devices that can be used as terminal servers and their functionality is pretty similar to KVM.

Re: What is KVM Switch?

subarayarsooper — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:22:48 GMT

Thanks for the replies
I thought there would be a replacement for that Nexus switch. So that Nexus
switch is not a KVM (Keyboard video Mouse) Switch as you stated.

Re: What is KVM Switch?

MHM Cisco World — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:30:47 GMT

KVM is VM

Nexus 1000V is vSwitch