This review is part of a KVM switch grouptest

Fujitsu supplied a Fujitsu Servis KVM FS-1008MU for our KVM switch grouptest. It is an eight-port switch from its Servis KVM family, a range which also includes four-port and 16-port models.

Rack-mounting brackets are an optional extra on the eight-port Servis switch we tested. This sports both USB and PS/2 connectors for the local console connection, plus a set of custom ports to connect to the servers. The cables required are available in 1.8-metre, 3-metre and 5-metre lengths, with a choice of PS/2, USB or Sun connectors, as required. The integrated DIP switches are only used to enable or disable the default hotkey settings, and to set the country and power modes, meaning that in most cases they can be left alone.

When the servers are powered up, the Servis KVM switch will also power up automatically. Simple LED indicators at the front show which ports are active and which one is being managed. Buttons underneath can then be used to select a specific port. Hot-key selection and a menu-driven, on-screen display are also available.

All work well enough, and the Servis KVM operated faultlessly in our tests, providing quick switching between servers with varying video resolutions and colour depths. That said, the menus were fairly basic compared with most of the other products we looked at. Names can be assigned to individual ports, making it a lot easier to know what is attached, but there are no facilities to define users or set up access passwords.

Documentation is adequate and although Fujitsu does not offer IP support, an optional Cat5 extender is available to allow the master console to be located up to 300 metres from the main switch.