TW201721374A - Over-IP KVM switch - Google Patents

Abstract

An over-IP KVM switch is disclosed. The over-IP KVM switch for managing at least one target computer includes at least one programmable logic element, at lease one matrix switch, a central processing unit (CPU), and a network physical layer. The matrix switch is connected to the target computer. The programmable logic element is connected to the target computer for converting the image signal from the target computer into an image data and encapsulating the image data to a network packet. The CPU is connected to the programmable logic element and the matrix switch for controlling the matrix switch so that the image signal of the target computer can be transferred to the programmable logic element. The network physical layer is connected to the programmable logic element and the CPU. The network physical layer includes a dedicated port for transmitting the network packet from the programmable logic element to a user device via the dedicated port.

Description

Network type KVM switch

The present invention relates to a KVM switch, and more particularly to a network type KVM switch.

The Keyboard-Video-Mouse Switch (KVM Switch) is designed to allow users to control multiple target computers with a single keyboard, screen and mouse. The network-based KVM Switch (IP-based KVM Switch) Or Over-IP KVM Switch) further enables users of desktop or notebook computers to manage multiple remotely located target computers and view images transmitted from the target computer via the Internet. In this way, for example, a manager located in Taiwan can remotely manage servers located in the US computer room through a network type KVM switch.

The network type KVM switch is different from the remote control software (such as VNC). The network type KVM switch is a hardware device externally connected to the target computer, and does not need to be attached to the operating system of the target computer, even if the target computer In the BIOS stage or when the operating system cannot be loaded due to a fault, the networked KVM switch can still capture the desktop image output by the target computer and remotely control the target computer.

In addition, the central control computer will also transmit control signals such as its keyboard or mouse to the network type KVM switch through the network, and the network type KVM switch recognizes the destination of these control signals as the target computer. After that, these control signals will be relayed to the target computer. After receiving these control signals, the standard computer will output the image signal to the network type KVM switch according to these control signals, and then through the image processing of the network type KVM switch, the user of the central control computer will The image output of the target computer can be seen on its screen. In this way, the user of the central control computer can remotely manage and control the plurality of target computers connected to the network type KVM switch. Even if the central control computer is far away from the target computer, the user can still feel as if Directly control the target computer in general.

Although the existing network type KVM switch can connect multiple target computers, it is actually limited by a limited number of image processing channels, and the number of independent images that can be provided to the remote central control computer is much smaller than that of the controlled one. Target computer. Assume that a network type KVM switch has only four image processing channels, so the above image processing can be performed on only four image sources (images output from the target computer) at the same time, that is, the maximum can only be provided at most. The number of 4 independent images is given to one or more remote central control computers. For example, when the number of images requested by the remote central control computer is larger than the number of image processing channels of the network type KVM switch, some images provided by the network type KVM switch to the remote central control computer will be duplicated. .

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional network type KVM switch. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional network type KVM switch 100 includes four image processing channels 102a to 102d, a video matrix 106, a central processing unit 110, a switching hub 120, and a network. Roller 130. The image processing channels 102a-102d can be connected to the target computers 104a-104d through the image matrix 106 for converting the image signals from the target computers 104a-104d into image data. In addition, the image processing channels 102a-102d may be connected to the central processing unit 110 through a PCI-e bus, or may be connected to the central processing unit 110 via a network. The central processing unit 110 connects the image processing channels 102a-102d and the image matrix 106 for inputting from the image processing channel. The image data of 102a~102d is encapsulated into a network packet. Generally, when the user device 150 issues a request to switch the port, the central processing unit 110 issues an instruction to the image matrix 106, and then switches the images of the target computers 104a-104d to the image processing channels 102a-102d. The switching hub 120 is connected to the central processing unit 110 for transmitting the network packet from the central processing unit 110 to the user device 150 via the network 140 and the user device 150 is a central control computer.

Although the image data that can be processed simultaneously can be increased by increasing the number of image processing channels, the conventional network type KVM switch 100 is configured by the central processing unit 110 to encapsulate all upstream image data into network packets. Therefore, when the number of target computers is multiplied so that the image data is more, or when the user device 150 simultaneously requests image data of the target computers 104b to 104d or even more target computers, the load of the central processing unit 110 will be It will become higher, which in turn causes the central processing unit 110 to pack the image data into network packets at a slower speed. Moreover, since the bandwidth of the network port 130 is limited, when the image data is more, the problem of data transmission jamming will be caused, thereby affecting the speed at which the remote user of the user device 150 views the target computer desktop image via the network. .

Therefore, the present invention proposes a network type KVM switch which can reduce the load of the central processing unit and increase the data transmission speed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a network type KVM switch for managing at least one target computer, including at least one programmable logic element, at least one matrix switch, a central processing unit and a network entity layer. The matrix switch is connected to the target computer. The programmable logic component is connected to the matrix switch for converting the image signal from the self-calibrated computer into image data and packaging the network packet. The central processing unit is connected to the programmable logic component and the matrix switch for controlling the matrix switch to enable the image signal of the target computer to enter the programmable logic component. The network entity layer connects the programmable logic element and the central processing unit, and the network entity layer includes a dedicated port for transmitting the network packet from the programmable logic element to the user device via the dedicated port.

According to the network type KVM switch of the present invention, the image data of the target computer is directly encapsulated into a network packet by the programmable logic component and is no longer passed through the central processing unit, thereby reducing the load on the central processing unit and thereby making the data The transmission speed is faster.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description in the description. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be realized and attained by the description of the appended claims.

100,200,300‧‧‧Network type KVM switch

102a~102d‧‧‧Image Processing Channel

104a~104d, 204a~204n, 304a~304n‧‧‧ Target computer

106‧‧‧Image matrix

110,210,310‧‧‧Central processor

120,320‧‧‧Switch hub

130,345‧‧‧Network Information

140,240,340‧‧‧Network

150,250,260,350,360‧‧‧ User device

202a~202i, 302a~302d‧‧‧programmable logic components

206,306‧‧‧Matrix switch

225, 325 ‧ ‧ network physical layer

235, 335 ‧ ‧ dedicated 埠

245,345‧‧‧Network Information

1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional network type KVM switch; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network type KVM switch according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a second diagram of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a network type KVM switch according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; A schematic diagram of a network type KVM switch of an embodiment; and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a display device displaying a plurality of image data in an array mode.

Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network type KVM switch according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the network type KVM switch 200 is used to manage at least one target computer. In this embodiment, four target computers 204a to 204d are taken as an example, but the number is not limited thereto.

The networked KVM switch 200 includes a plurality of programmable logic elements 202a-202d, at least one matrix switch 206, a central processing unit 210, and a network entity layer 225, wherein the programmable logic elements 202a-202d include a field. A programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other similar image processing unit, the network entity layer 225 includes a dedicated port 235. It should be noted that in the embodiment, four target computers 204a to 204d are taken as an example, but in practical applications, the number of target computers connected to the network type KVM switch 200 is usually much larger than the programmable program. The number of logic elements, as shown in Figure 2, is much greater than the number of target logic elements 202a-202d. In addition, in the present embodiment, the matrix switch 206 is used to select four target computers, for example, target computers 204a to 204d, for image processing of target computers 204a to 204n (for example, 40 units), in other words, at most four target computers at a time. The images output by 204a-204d can enter programmable logic elements 202a-202d. Specifically, the images to be output from the target computers 204a-204n to the programmable logic elements 202a-202d are controlled by the central processing unit 210, that is, the central processing unit 210 sends a selection signal to the matrix switch 206. The output images of the target computers 204a-204n can be determined to enter the programmable logic elements 202a-202d.

The programmable logic elements 202a-202d can be connected to the target computers 204a-204n through the matrix switch 206, and after the matrix switch 206 selects the image to be processed by the target computers 204a-204d, The programmable logic elements 202a-202d convert the image signals from the corresponding target computers 204a-204d into image data and package them into network packets, and then transmit the network packets to the user device 250 via the network entity layer 225. The image data includes desktop images, keyboard input and mouse clicks of the target computers 204a to 204d. Further, after the programmable logic elements 202a-202d receive the image signals from the corresponding target computers 204a-204d, the programmable logic elements 202a-202d first perform analog-digital conversion on the image signals, and then compare the two images. The difference in the frame (find the changed part), then the image of the changed part is image compressed (for example, JPEG) into image data, and finally the image data is encapsulated into a network packet.

The central processor 210 is coupled to the matrix switch 206 for controlling the matrix switch 206 to determine which of the target computers 204a-204n to output images to the programmable logic elements 202a-202d. In addition, the central processing unit 210 is connected to the programmable logic elements 202a-202d and the network entity layer 225 for obtaining the network address of the user device 250 via the dedicated port 235 of the network entity layer 225, and notifying the network address. The programmable logic elements 202a-202d are configured to obtain the network address of the user device 250, wherein the dedicated device 235 is connected to the user device 250 via the network 240, and the user device 250 includes a central control computer or a video decoding device.

Since the network type KVM switch 200 of the present invention directly encapsulates the image data of the target computers 204a to 204d into network packets by the programmable logic elements 202a to 202d, and no longer passes through the central processing unit 210, the central processing can be lightened. The load of the device 210, in turn, makes the data transfer speed faster.

Please refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a network type KVM switch according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the difference from the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that the network entity layer 225 further includes a network port 245, wherein the network port 245 is connected through the network 240. The user device 250 is connected. When the central processing unit 210 receives the image data from the programmable logic elements 202a-202d, the central processing unit 210 can encapsulate the image data into a network packet and transmit it to the user device 250 via the network port 245.

According to this design, the network type KVM switch 200 of the present invention has a hybrid network transmission port, including a dedicated port 235 and a network port 245. Therefore, the image data of the target computers 204a-204d can be packaged into network packets via the programmable logic elements 202a-202d and/or the central processing unit 210 according to user operations or settings. In addition, the network port 245 is also variably connected to the other user device 260, so that the user device 250 and the user device 260 can simultaneously receive the image data of the target computers 204a-204d, wherein the user device 260 includes the central control. Computer or video decoding device.

Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a network type KVM switch according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the network type KVM switch 300 includes a plurality of programmable logic elements 302a-302d, at least one matrix switch 306, a central processing unit 310, a switching hub 320, and a network entity layer 325, wherein the programmable The logic elements 302a-302d include a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other similar image processing unit, and the network entity layer 325 includes a dedicated port 335 and a network port 345. It should be noted that in the embodiment, four target computers 304a to 304d are taken as an example, but in practical applications, the number of target computers connected to the network type KVM switch 300 is usually much larger than the programmable program. The number of logic elements, as shown in Figure 4, is significantly greater than the number of target logic elements 302a-302d. In addition, in the embodiment, the matrix switch 306 is used to select four target computers, for example, target computers 304a to 304d, to perform image processing on the target computers 304a to 304n (for example, 40 units), in other words, at most four target computers at a time. The images output from 304a~304d can enter the programmable logic components. 302a~302d. Specifically, the images to be output from the target computers 304a-304n to the programmable logic elements 302a-302d are controlled by the central processing unit 310, that is, the central processing unit 310 sends a selection signal to the matrix switch 306. The output images of the target computers 304a-304n can be determined to enter the programmable logic elements 302a-302d.

The programmable logic elements 302a-302d can be connected to the target computers 304a-304n through the matrix switch 306. After the matrix switch 306 selects the image to be processed by the target computers 304a-304d, the programmable logic elements 302a-302d will be from the corresponding target computer 304a. The ~304d image signal is converted into image data and encapsulated into a network packet, wherein the image data includes desktop images, keyboard input and mouse click of the target computers 304a~304d. Further, after the programmable logic elements 302a-302d receive the image signals from the corresponding target computers 304a-304d, the programmable logic elements 302a-302d first perform analog-digital conversion on the image signals, and then compare the two images. The difference in the frame (find the changed part), then the image of the changed part is image compressed (for example, JPEG) into image data, and finally the image data is encapsulated into a network packet.

The central processing unit 310 is coupled to the matrix switch 306 for controlling the matrix switch 306 to determine which of the target computers 304a 304304 to output images to the programmable logic elements 302a-302d. In addition, the central processing unit 310 is connected to the programmable logic elements 302a-302d and the network entity layer 325 for obtaining the network address of the user device 350 via the dedicated port 335 of the network entity layer 325, and notifying the network address. The programmable logic elements 302a-302d are configured to obtain the network address of the user device 350, wherein the dedicated device 335 is connected to the user device 350 via the network 340, and the user device 350 is, for example, a central control computer or a video decoding device.

Switching hub 320 is coupled between programmable logic elements 302a-302d and network entity layer 325 for receiving network packets from programmable logic elements 302a-302d, and The network packet is forwarded to the dedicated port 335 and/or network port 345 of the network entity layer 325 and then transmitted to the user device 350 via the network 340.

When the central processing unit 310 receives the image data from the programmable logic elements 302a-302d, the central processing unit 310 can also package the image data into a network packet and transmit it to the user device 350 via the network port 345. According to this design, the network type KVM switch 300 of the present invention has a hybrid network transmission port, including a dedicated port 335 and a network port 345. Therefore, the image data of the target computers 304a-304d can be packaged into network packets via the programmable logic elements 302a-302d and/or the central processing unit 310 according to user operations or settings. In addition, the network port 345 is also variably connected to the other user device 360, so that the user device 350 and the user device 360 can simultaneously receive the image data of the target computers 304a-304d, wherein the user device 360 includes the central control. Computer or video decoding device.

5 and FIG. 6, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a network type KVM switch according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display device displaying a plurality of image data in an array mode. schematic diagram. As shown in FIG. 5, the difference from FIG. 2 is that, through the control of the matrix switch 206, the programmable logic elements 202a-202d can respectively connect the two target computers 204a-204h, and add a programmable logic element 202e. And it can be connected to a target computer 204i. For example, the programmable logic component 202a can process image signals from the target computers 204a and 204e, the programmable logic component 202b can process image signals from the target computers 204b and 204f, and the programmable logic component 202c can process the target computer 204c and 204g of image signals, programmable logic component 202d can process image signals from target computers 204d and 204h, and programmable logic component 202e can process image signals from target computer 204i.

According to this design, 5 programmable logic elements 202a~202e can be used to process 9 The image signals of the target computers 204a-204i are sequentially converted into image data and encapsulated into network packets, and then transmitted to the user device 250 via the network entity layer 225 and through the network 240, so that the user The display device 500 on the device 250 can display the desktop images of all the target computers 204a-204i in an Array Mode, as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the divided screens 1~9 of FIG. 6 respectively display a target computer 204a~204i. Desktop image.

Although FIG. 6 shows 9 divided screens of 3×3, it is not limited thereto. For example, the number of programmable logic elements and their corresponding connected target computers can be increased, thereby displaying more desktop images of the target computer, for example, 4×4. 5×5..etc., in order to control more target computers.

In summary, the network type KVM switch of the present invention directly encapsulates the image data of the target computer into a network packet by the programmable logic component and is no longer via the central processing unit, thereby reducing the load on the central processing unit. In turn, the data transmission speed is increased. In addition, by increasing the number of programmable logic elements and their corresponding connected target computers, the network type KVM switch of the present invention can simultaneously display more desktop images of the target computer on the display device of the user device, thereby achieving control More target computers.

Various modifications and changes may be made to the remote server management method and related apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, various modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

200‧‧‧Network type KVM switch

202a~202d‧‧‧Programmable logic components

204a~204n‧‧‧ Target computer

206‧‧‧ Matrix Switch

210‧‧‧Central Processing Unit

225‧‧‧Network physical layer

235‧‧‧Special 埠

240‧‧‧Network

250‧‧‧User device

Claims (10)

A network type KVM switch for managing at least one target computer, the network type KVM switch comprising: at least one matrix switch connected to the target computer; at least one programmable logic element connected to the matrix switch, Converting an image signal from the target computer into an image data and packaging the same into a network packet; a central processor connecting the programmable logic component and the matrix switch to control the matrix switch to enable the target computer The image signal enters the programmable logic element; and a network entity layer connecting the programmable logic element and the central processor, the network entity layer including a dedicated port for the network from the programmable logic element The road packet is transmitted to a user device via the dedicated port. The network type KVM switch according to claim 1, further comprising a switching hub connected between the programmable logic element and the network entity layer for receiving the programmable logic element The network packet is forwarded to the dedicated device and transmitted to the user device via the dedicated device. The network type KVM switch according to claim 1, wherein the network entity layer further comprises a network port, and when the central processor receives the image data from the programmable logic element, The central processor encapsulates the image data into the network packet and transmits the data to the user device or another user device via the network. The network type KVM switch according to claim 3, further comprising a switching hub connected between the programmable logic component and the network physical layer for receiving from the network The network packet of the program logic element forwards the network packet to the network port and transmits to the user device or the other user device via the network port. The network type KVM switch according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit obtains a network address of the user device via the dedicated network of the network entity layer, and obtains the network The address informs the programmable logic component. The network type KVM switch according to claim 1, wherein the network entity layer and the user device are connected through a network. The network type KVM switch according to claim 1, wherein the image data includes a desktop image, a keyboard input, and a mouse click of the target computer. The network type KVM switch according to claim 1, wherein the programmable logic element comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The network type KVM switch of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a central control computer. The network type KVM switch of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises an image decoding device.