Abstract: A KVM switch is disclosed having on screen display (OSD) circuitry coupled to a user workstation for providing a user a convenient interface by which to operate the KVM switch. First switching circuitry coupled to a plurality of computers and coupled to the OSD circuitry allows a user to access any of the computers or the control functions of the KVM switch. Second switching circuitry coupled to switch electrical power to the computers and further coupled to the OSD circuitry allows a user of the KVM switch to selectively control electrical power to the computers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching system for interconnecting a plurality of computer user terminals or workstations each having user interface devices, including a keyboard, a video display unit, and a cursor control device or mouse (KVM), with a plurality of computers in a computer network, allowing a user to access any one or more of said computers from the user interface devices of a single terminal or workstation. It is denoted “high end” because of the potentially large number of computers which may be interconnected with the system.