Cables-to-Go Port Authority 2 USB KVM Switch Review

The Port Authority 2 (USB) KVM Switch is a control unit that affords access to up to four computers from a single console.  But this model of the Port Authority 2 switch, which features an all metal design with rubber feet on either end; has a further innovation; it has an integrated three port version 1.1 USB hub on the front of the unit.

Attached computers can be accessed via a series of silver push buttons on the front of the matt gray unit; a red LED indicates to the user which PC is currently being accessed, while a yellow LED denotes the computer is sharing the USB hub. 

Setup of the Port Authority 2 (USB) is a fast and easy process, but unlike other KVM switches I have used, this unit ships with a power adapter, used to energize the USB hub.  As with most KVM switches Cables-to-Go recommends connecting all of the computers to the unit before connecting the power adapter.  Plug the supplied proprietary KVM cables into their appropriate ports on the back of the unit then connect the (PS/2) keyboard and mouse and VGA monitor in the back, then power on each computer in turn.  There is no software to install or configure. 

Since the Port Authority 2 intercepts keyboard input directly, it works on virtually any hardware platform (PC or MAC) and with all operating systems; e.g. Windows/UNIX/MAC/Linux.  

My Viewpoint

Once I set the Port Authority 2 USB up I was ready to start using the console.  Push buttons below each set of LED's allow you to easily select the computer you want to access.  There are actually two LED's above each push button; a yellow LED tells you that there is a computer attached to the port and that it is ready to use the USB hub; while the red LED indicated which computer is currently being viewed, or being worked with. 

There is also a silver push button on the far left of the unit to initiate the auto-scan mode, which will scan through all of the ports and briefly (5 seconds) stops on each and display what the computer is doing, provided of course it is turned on.  There is an LED indicator light for this as well, and the auto-scan mode comes in handy when I am loading software on several computers at once I want to keep track of the process.  Other LED's include unit and USB hub power.

If you connect a computer to the KVM switch after the unit has been in use, you will need to unplug and then plug in the power adapter in order to get the newly attached computer utilize the switch. 

You can use almost any PS/2 keyboard or mouse (including optical) with the Port Authority 2, including those fitted with a USB connection, if you in turn utilize a USB to PS/2 converter.  The Port Authority 2 will only accept a PS/2 keyboard and mouse connector inputs.  And you can utilize both standard CRT and LCD monitors with the switch, but not DVI video.  There are also a number of keyboard short-cut keys for switching between the computers that are designed to save you time.         

Currently I have three computers connected to the Port Authority 2 USB KVM Switch, all situated on or around a long table.  There are two servers and one workstation currently connected and one open station I use for any computer under repair.  Since all of the cabling to the computers is in the back of the unit, placement is relatively easy.  The addition of the (3) port USB version 1.1 hub only servers to make the unit more utilitarian, but version 2.0 USB port would have been helpful. 

Priced at $95.00 the Port Authority 2 USB KVM Switch is certainly the most expensive KVM switch I have ever purchased for personal use, but I feel the expense was well worth it.  My purchase was made primarily due to my overwhelmingly positive experience with other Cables-to-Go KVM units both professionally and personally; they have yet to let me down and I therefore highly recommend the Port Authority 2 USB KVM Switch.