I have used the inexpensive switches that Joe mentions and I found if you have a lot of activity, at least the one I used, didn't last very long. I am using a switch from Apex PC Solutions ([log in to unmask]) with great success.  The 4 port version is $839 and an 8 port version is $995, cables extra.  I love mine!
The points made by Rodolfo could be expanded to include the fact that some pc products will not boot if they don't sense a keyboard, which is a function the Apex unit will provide.  Rose is another manufacturer, but I believe they are more expensive.

-----Original Message-----
From:   Rodolfo Lopez [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Thursday, March 27, 1997 3:06 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Keyboard/monitor switcher?

Hold your horses! ...

Robert Wu wrote:
>
> I have way too many PCs and keyboards sitting in my office.
> I know there are devices that allow me to use one keyboard
> and one monitor while switching between each PC as needed
> with buttons, but I do not know who the manufacturer is.
>
> Suggestions?  Much appreciated.

and Joe Howell replied,

Robert,

I have a simple 4 position switch which allows me to switch keyboard,
monitor and mouse between 4 devices.  There is no label on it, it
simply says "Data Transfer Switch" on the cover.  It looks just like


VERY, VERY IMPORTANT!


If you plan to use a monitor/keyboard switch, be careful to check which
applications you plan to leave running when switching. Some applications
will interact with the keyboard and/or monitor periodically. We have
used two kinds of switches,  a VERY expensive 8 cpu switch (+$2000.00)
from COMPAQ, and a cheapo  (- 500.00) whose brand I can't recall. COMPAQ
has a 4 cpu model that I guess should cost a little above $1000.00.

The important thing is this: COMPAQ's switch has intelligent circuitry
embedded that "fools" the cpu "convincing" it that a monitor and
keyboard are still connected. This avoids system hangs whenever the
application left running tries to interact with the keyboard or monitor.
We have NT server consoles on the COMPAQ switch without any problems. On
the other hand, we tried to use the cheap switch with an application
that controls some equipment and it always hangs.

Maybe another vendor has switches similar as Compaq's.

Rodolfo Lopez