A Console switch, or KVM switch, are devices that allow a single mouse, video monitor, and keyboard to have control of multiple computers. Users should be aware of the common features and compatibility options before purchasing a KVM. Simple two port devices are usually meant for home use, these models are relatively cheap, costing between 20 to 100 dollars.

Four port KVMs can cost from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and they are usually used for corporate data centers and IT departments. There are many different manufacturers who create switching consoles, but some models are better quality than others. Some popular brands are Iogear, Belkin, Raritanm Aovcent, Startech, Linksys, Switchview, and Aten. These brands are known for their high quality switching devices and will guarantee an efficient product.

Remote controlling software like VNC will only work after the computer has been booted up. However, a KVM works at all times, allowing the administrator to remotely change BIOS settings and configure controlling for dual boot computers. A highly sophisticated console switch may have the ability to remotely start up and shut down computers, as well as reset crashed or frozen machines. This can be very useful for a KVM which connects over IPs, when physical access to the server or computer is not available. Other KVMs are able to remotely mount USB DVD/CD drives, providing remote software installation through optical media. Although an administrator can use the CD drive from the computer they are using, booting another computer with a remote drive is generally not supported.

A KVM that supports a USB mouse and keyboards can often be powered from the USB port of a computer. This is a convenient feature because a separate power source is not required. However, certain computer ports do not have the power requires to properly run a KVM. Other computers may need to be tuned on in a special sequence, because the KVM is only drawing power from a single computer.

KVM switches over IP combines the worldwide reach of the internet with remote controlling software. These devices are able to edit BIOS settings, perform dual boots, and turn a computer on and off simply by using an IP connection. The links are password protected and connect by using a protocol encryption like 128bit SSL. Some console switch services will need specialized software for the client computer, which can usually be downloaded from the KVM manufacturer. Although IP KVM can be secure for common use, it will never be as safe as hardware KVM systems so they should not be used for installations that require high security protocols. All contents from the graphics screen also need to be sent over the network, which makes screen updates slower than real-time use.