I use a USB dock for my laptop at work. With the dock, one USB connector handles my mouse, keyboard, ethernet, second monitor, and sound. It's great for heading to meetings.

If server motherboards had this capability built in natively (without requiring drivers to install an OS or go into the BIOS settings), it could revolutionize the market for rack-mount KVMs, reducing clutter and cabling costs. With the convenience of a single connector, you could even get away with using USB ports on the front and do your own ad-hoc cable switching as needed.
-- kevinthenerd, Sep 08 2012

Yes!
-- Lesser Spotted Kiwi, Sep 09 2012


I assumed this was some of feathers/beads swap deal for motherboards yet to experience Western civilisation.....
-- not_morrison_rm, Sep 09 2012


Thunderbolt. It's a comin'.

Motherboards already have support for USB mice/keyboards, and for a KVM switch Ethernet, sound, and so on are all unnecessary (though there's no reason they couldn't be supported by the BIOS—there's just no need to do so). The only other thing then is video (the V in KVM). In addition to being capable of encapsulating USB traffic, Thunderbolt provides OS independent display support as part of the specification.

[marked-for-deletion] WKTE
-- ytk, Sep 09 2012


//The only other thing then is video (the V in KVM). In addition to being capable of encapsulating USB traffic, Thunderbolt provides OS independent display support as part of the specification.

Am I getting old or is that glossolalia?
-- not_morrison_rm, Sep 09 2012


Them there Thunderbolts can be like a hole fer' pluggin' in yer keyberd an' yer mouse, or they can be like a hole for pluggin' in yer TV. Why, even both at the same time, if ya can imagine!
-- ytk, Sep 09 2012


What is the "TV" you speak of?
-- not_morrison_rm, Sep 10 2012



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