THE ALTUSEN VIRTUAL VNC Console is a thin client device for managing remote computers. This presentation console can output any network-connected computer's display onto a projector or monitor. It provides for connecting a keyboard, mouse, and video display through its VGA output port and two USB ports.
There are two ways to get display output to the console - the direct "Push video" facility from a remote PC, or by logging on to a remote PC's display from the console. Depending on the monitor or projector that you hook up to the console, you can view the remote display at a maximum resolution of 1280xl024.

You can be connected to four remote displays at a time, and monitor them all through a "Panel Array" that shows them all in four tiles. Clicking one of the tiles to make it full screen, enables you to take control of that display. You can still monitor one other computer at a time in "Picture-in-Picture" mode; and switch between the four displays at will. This makes it extremely useful in conference rooms, training / educational setups, and server rooms where a single person might need to keep an eye on a number of computers at once.

You can install the Altusen VNC software either from the supplied CD or download the installer for the same from the console, using a browser. The supplied Altusen software is a VNC server with an intuitive configura tor and simplified settings customized for the company's console; a tray icon and the ability to push video to the console. The software in the package supports all recent versions of Win¬dows. The quick start guide and user manual included in the package are very usable indeed. You could optionally rack mount this device using the kit provided.

When the KE8220 console starts up, a login screen allows you to login with administrator privileges (to be able to change console set¬tings). Also supported, is the creation of upto 64 users who can access the console's primary function that of connecting to remote computers' displays. As you add each new computer and connect to it, its connection details are stored in a list on the console. You can add a maximum of 256 computers, after which you might have to delete some older connections to make space for new ones.

To connect to a remote computer, all you need is for the Altusen software to be configured with a password, and its IP address. One can be seated at the console, and be simultaneously handling a number of machines, easily connecting to whichever one needs attention. For a system administrator, this means a lot more machines than a KVM switch (keyboard, mouse, video display) could ever control.

However, keep in mind that this console works using software, and so will come into play only after your OS is installed and configured. The Altusen software ensures that there isn't a display mismatch, by reducing the resolution of the computer being controlled to the same as what the console can display. Note that unlike Windows' own Remote Desktop, this VNC based console allows both the local user and the remote administrator to view what is happening on the screen.

The console has a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port which can be configured to use its own IP address or to obtain one via DHCP. An 802.11g USB adapter is supplied for wireless connections, which neatly fits into a depressed USB port meant for it. The disappointment here, is that the console supports only the vulnerable WEP encryption over wireless, and not WPA. This is a definite downer, for security conscious businesses. However, the KE8220's firmware can be updated, and Aten's technical support informed us that WPA support will be added in the future, but they could not give any official timelines.