Hot-Key Switching

Hot-key switching is a feature typically available on KVM switches and keyboard/mouse (KM) switches that supports switching the focus from one computer to another by means of using a combination of keys (i.e. hot-keys) on the keyboard.

Hot-key switching offers the user a convenient way of switching KVM (or KM) control from one computer to another via the keyboard, being that the user's fingers are typically already hovering over the keyboard. Hot-key switching is especially convenient in case the push-buttons on the front of the switch are not accessible (because, for example, the KVM switch box itself is tucked away from the user's reach), or when a high-density KVM switch doesn't offer push-buttons altogether.

All hot-key operations begin with invoking the Hot-Key Mode by clicking a sequence of keys on the keyboard (e.g. clicking the Ctrl key twice in succession). The invocation sequence depends on the product and the user's preference. Typically there is a factory default sequence and an alternate sequence that the user can select, instead.

Hot-key switching simply involves invoking the Hot-Key Mode followed by clicking the port ID (a character or a number) that the computer you want to switch to is connected to.

Hot-key switching is designed to be used as an alternative to other KVM (or KM) switches' switching methods (e.g. Push-Button Switching; OSD; Cursor Switching; Mouse-Gesture Switching).