OSD

On-screen display (OSD) is a visual list of ports (or other options) that gets invoked by the user and shows up on the screen superimposed over the displayed video.

Typically used on KVM switches, OSD is invoked by hitting a specific keyboard sequence (such as tapping the 'Shift' key twice in succession).

OSD on a KVM switch typically allows the user to assign names to each port (in order to be able to identify the connected computer by name).

To switch to a certain computer – the user invokes the OSD and selects the desired computer (by name) in order to switch to it.

OSDs supporting a long list of computers (many ports on the KVM switch) may also feature sorting the list and providing the user with the ability to search for a name on the list.