KVM Switchboxes

Emerald is the first Enterprise KVM Extension and KVM Matrix Switching solution that delivers pixel-perfect video with 2K/HD or 4K/60 resolutions at 10 Bit color depth over an IP network.

The flexible and scalable system supports any number of workstations and servers. In addition, it simplifies virtual access, making it easy for you to use any combination of physical and virtual servers.

It provides operators and administrators with fast and easy-to-use access to their target PCs/servers with premium video quality and a rich peripheral set supporting stereo audio and up to any four true emulated USB 2.0 devices including Wacom® tablets. Administrators will like comprehensive management with convenient configuration options in line with high-level network security and reliable 24/7 operation.

An Emerald KVM network may start small, but it's infinitely scalable to meet your expansion needs and future technology path just by adding endpoints, with no additional chassis or cards required.

System by Design

Emerald comprises of a choice of transmitters connecting computers or virtual machines to the system and receivers connecting the user consoles. High-performance Emerald network switches with 12, 28,- 32-, or 48 ports ensure trouble-free KVM over IP extension and matrix switching connections. A range of SFP/SFP+ transceivers proofs best performing video quality and KVM extensions over the required distances.

Use the Emerald transmitter to connect DisplayPort servers with resolutions up to 4K60, transparent USB, serial, and audio to your Emerald System.

Instant access across the entire enterprise

Emerald makes your migration painless, enabling you to scale access infinitely and gradually across buildings, campuses, and the wide-area network, using your existing network infrastructure - with switching between sources at speeds of less than half a second.

Digital video at its best

Emerald is the first KVM platform that supports pixel perfect 4K DisplayPort video at 60 Hz over standard IP network switches. Image transmission with mathematical lossless compression visualizes every single pixel at 60 fps with 10-bit color depth.

If you're not ready for 4K, start with the Emerald 2K options, supporting one or two full HD DVI channels, and migrate to 4K at your own pace by transitioning individual user groups when the need arises.

Virtualization

More and more physical servers are being replaced by virtualization, allowing better performance, availability, scalability, and return on investment. Emerald simplifies access to both physical and virtual servers with virtual machine support for VMware, Microsoft, and Citrix, using RDP 8.1, RemoteFX, and PCoIP, among others.

Fail-safe operation

All Emerald transmitters and receivers feature copper or fiber connectivity through one (HD) or two (4K) flexible SFP+ slots.

Your 24/7 operation requires network resilience. Use the redundant network ports on the Emerald units to provide continuous, uninterrupted operation even if one network link experiences loss-of-service. Connect the endpoints either through two alternative direct links, a direct link, and a network connection or two independent networks.

Network Requirements

For HD video, Emerald requires a standard Gigabit Ethernet network and possibly a 10 Gigabit aggregate switch, depending on how many endpoints you have. For 4K video, you'll need a standard 10 Gigabit Ethernet network with a 100 Gigabit aggregate switch for 20+ endpoints. For both, the network infrastructure required by Emerald can be built with IEEE 802.3 standards-based components from Black Box or other manufacturers.

Emerald is the first KVM platform that supports pixel-perfect 4K DisplayPort video at 60 Hz over standard IP network switches. Image transmission with mathematically lossless compression visualizes every single pixel at 60 fps with 10-bit color depth.

For HD video, Emerald requires a standard Gigabit Ethernet network and possibly a 10 Gigabit aggregate switch, depending on how many endpoints you have. For 4K video, you'll need a standard 10 Gigabit Ethernet network with a 100-Gigabit aggregate switch for 20+ endpoints.

The Emerald 100-Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch, 32-Port works well with Emerald transmitters and receivers to support 4K connectivity to these endpoints. This high-performance Emerald network switch ensures trouble-free KVM over IP extension and matrix switching connections. The 1U-high switch has thirty-two 100GbE QSFP28 ports and two 10GbE SFP+ ports.

Supports Fail-Safe Operation

Redundant power supplies provide fail-safe operation, while fans keep the switch cool. The switch includes two hot-swappable AC power supply units (PSUs) and four hot-swappable fan units. The fans direct airflow from the I/O side to the power supply side.

Ports Provide Additional Functionality

The switch has one Micro USB-B console port, one RJ-45 console port, one 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet management port, one USB Type-A port for more file storage, and a four-core Intel central processing unit (CPU) system with 16 GB SDRAM and 64 GB SSD.

Easy to Monitor

Link/Activity LEDs indicate switch status at a glance. The switch also monitors temperature via a software-readable thermal monitor, has real-time clock (RTC) support, power management monitoring, and mounting holes to accommodate a two-hole ground lug.

Emerald® GE is the latest addition to the Black Box Emerald High-Performance KVM Switching and Extension system. It connects workstations with remote computers, servers, and virtual machines (VM) over an IP network.

Emerald GE introduces a shared mode feature for Virtual Machines, enabling simultaneous connections for up to 8 Emerald users on a single VM. Each Emerald GE unit can service up to 8 VMs (RDP, PCoIP, or PCoIP ultra), allowing for a total support capacity of up to 64 users.

Truly futureproof, Emerald GE is at the forefront of the trend of more and more control rooms adopting PCoIP.

Remote users connected via any type of Emerald receiver unit get a seamless, low-latency desktop experience that is no different when connecting to a physical computer or to a virtual machine.

Emerald GE simply connects to the Emerald IP network giving all Emerald users enhanced connectivity with VM sharing and physical machine access, saving the costs of VM clients

High-Performance KVM

Emerald SE provides users with a seamless desktop experience anywhere on a TCP/IP network while allowing the actual hardware to be housed in a corporate data center or in the cloud. The performance of Emerald SE allows easy deployment on standard corporate networks and even across WANs. The solution enables the same experience of a desktop PC even for media-rich applications, like video and photo editing.

Emerald SE supports DisplayPort video with resolutions up to 1920 x 1200, transparent USB 2.0, and analog audio. Link them in a point-to-point KVM extension over CATx up to 328 ft./100 m or even farther using an IP or WAN connection. Or connect multiple transmitters and receivers to an Emerald or IP switch to create a matrix switching setup.

Virtualization Support

Emerald SE simplifies access to both physical and virtual servers with high-performance connectivity to virtual machines, supporting VMware®, Microsoft®; HyperV®, and Citrix®, using RDP 8.1/RemoteFX.

Limitless Scaling

Your Emerald KVM network may start small, but is scalable to meet your future needs just by adding endpoints. Connect up to 32 endpoints; no additional KVM management appliance, cards, or chassis is required. For larger deployments, use our Boxilla KVM management solution.

A welcome addition to the Emerald product family, Emerald SE works seamlessly with the rest of the Emerald product family and these popular Black Box KVM product families:

• DKM proprietary, direct-connect KVM system
• Freedom II Multi-Monitor Switch with Glide-and-Switch technology
• ControlBridge, our system for one-touch, multisystem control
• Boxilla KVM manager

Industry-Leading KVM

Emerald® PE gives users a seamless desktop experience anywhere on a TCP/IP network with the actual hardware stored in a corporate data center or in the cloud. Deploy PE on standard corporate networks and across WANs, even for media-rich applications, like video and photo editing.

Link TX and RX units in a point-to-point KVM extension over CATx up to 100 meters or even farther using an IP or WAN connection. Or connect multiple TX and RX units to an Emerald or IP matrix switch.

Start small with a point-to-point extension, or scale Emerald infinitely by adding endpoints, with no extra chassis or cards. PE supports up to 32 endpoints. Manage larger systems centrally with Boxilla®.

Easy Migration and Scaling

Scale access infinitely and gradually over an existing network infrastructure.

Outstanding Video Quality

Emerald PE supports pixel-perfect HD DisplayPort video with 1920 x 1080 resolutions, ideal for medical imaging and control rooms.

Virtualization Support

Emerald PE supports VM® and Microsoft®, HyperV®, using RDP 8.1 and RemoteFX.

Simple System Management

Manage bandwidth and user access, deploy new endpoints, update firmware, and more via the RX's OSD or Boxilla, a hardware-based management appliance with a user-friendly, browser-based GUI.

Fail-Safe Operation

Redundant network ports offer 24/7 operation if one network fails. Connect the endpoints via two alternative direct links, a direct link, and a network connection, or two independent networks.

Works with Other KVM Systems

Emerald works with the Emerald product family and these Black Box KVM product families:

• DKM proprietary, direct-connect KVM system
• Freedom II Multi-Monitor Switch with Glide and Switch technology
• ControlBridge, our system for one-touch, multisystem control
• Boxilla KVM Manager