News and New Products

Device enables remote computer control and management

By Margery Conner, Technical Editor -- EDN, 10/16/2009

IT support for computers in remote locations, which include areas as diverse as test equipment, desktop applications, and shopping-center kiosks, often requires the ability to take control of the application’s computer over the Internet while maintaining a secure environment. Addressing that requirement, Lantronix has introduced its IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)-certified SpiderDuo KVM (keyboard/video/mouse)-over-IP product. The device provides secure, real-time control of GUI (graphical-user-interface)-based computers, allowing authorized users to perform file transfers, system upgrades, and other tasks and the local port to control local tasks through the computer’s keyboard, video, and mouse.

An optional power-control unit provides the ability to remotely control the power to the attached PC, allowing authorized users to initiate system reboots over the network. The power-control unit can put the PC in sleep or power-down mode to save energy, a feature not available with software-only controlling devices. SpiderDuo sells for $380.