APC by Schneider Electric 17 Rack LCD Console with Integrated 16 Port Analog KVM Switch - AP5816

APC by Schneider Electric AP5816 17" Rack LCD Console with Integrated 16-Port KVM Switch

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric AP5816 is a 1U rack-mountable LCD console that combines a 17-inch active matrix TFT display, integrated touchpad, and a built-in 16-port analog KVM switch into a single pull-out drawer unit. If you're managing a dense rack of servers or network appliances and want to eliminate the separate console shelf, external KVM chassis, and cable clutter that come with piecing together independent components, the AP5816 consolidates all of that into one rackmount unit. Explore the full APC by Schneider Electric catalog for complementary power and infrastructure products.

Key Features

• 17-Inch Active Matrix TFT LCD: A full 17-inch panel gives you enough screen real estate to work comfortably with console interfaces, BIOS screens, and terminal sessions — unlike compact 15-inch alternatives that require scrolling or squinting on dense CLI output. No external monitor to rack, no KVM dongle to a separate display.
• Integrated 16-Port Analog KVM Switch: The built-in KVM switch supports up to 16 directly connected computers from a single console, eliminating a separate KVM chassis and its associated rack space. For a 16-server rack, that's 16 sets of keyboard, video, and mouse connections managed from one 1U pull-out.
• 1U Rack-Mountable Form Factor: At 1U, the AP5816 fits standard 19-inch racks without consuming the 2U–3U that a separate LCD shelf plus KVM unit typically requires. Every rack unit saved in a dense data center or server room translates directly to usable capacity.
• Integrated Touchpad Pointing Device: The built-in touchpad means you don't need a separate USB or PS/2 mouse attached to the console — useful in tight rack environments where peripheral cable management is already a challenge. Pair with a standard rack keyboard if your workflow demands it.
• 16 Computer Connections via KVM Ports: Sixteen discrete KVM ports let you connect 16 servers or appliances directly. For larger environments, cascading additional KVM switches off one or more ports can extend reach beyond 16 nodes — consult APC's compatible KVM cable and cascade documentation for port-count expansion options.
• Cable Management Arm Included: The included cable management arm keeps KVM and power cables organized at the rear of the unit as the LCD drawer slides in and out — a practical detail that matters in high-density racks where cable sag or snag can cause unintended disconnects.

Integration & Compatibility

The AP5816 uses analog KVM connectivity, so compatible servers require APC-compatible KVM interface cables (included in the package or available separately). Analog KVM is broadly compatible across server platforms — Linux, Windows Server, and most Unix variants — since it operates at the hardware/video signal level rather than through OS drivers. For rack management environments running mixed vendor hardware, this is an advantage: no per-server agent software required. Review APC's KVM cable compatibility list against your server models before deploying to confirm connector types (VGA, PS/2, USB variants).

What's in the Box

• 1x AP5816 Rackmount LCD Console with Integrated KVM Switch
• 1x Cable Management Arm
• 1x Documentation CD
• 1x Installation Guide
• 1x KVM Cable
• 1x Set of Rack Mounting Brackets
• 1x User Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many servers can the AP5816 control directly?

A: The AP5816 supports up to 16 computers via its 16 integrated analog KVM ports. Cascading additional KVM switches off available ports can extend beyond 16 nodes, but verify cascade compatibility with APC documentation before planning a larger deployment.

Q: What display size and type does the AP5816 use?

A: The AP5816 features a 17-inch active matrix TFT LCD panel. It is a pull-out rack drawer design, so the display slides in flush with the rack when not in use.

Q: Does the AP5816 require a separate mouse or keyboard?

A: The AP5816 has a built-in touchpad pointing device. A rack-mount keyboard is typically used alongside it — the unit is a console drawer, not a full keyboard-video-mouse tray, so confirm your keyboard arrangement when ordering rack accessories.

Q: What rack size does the AP5816 fit?

A: The AP5816 is a 1U unit designed for standard 19-inch equipment racks. Verify minimum rack depth with APC's installation guide, as LCD drawer units have rear-clearance requirements for cable routing and the cable management arm.

Q: What is included in the AP5816 package?

A: The package includes the AP5816 rackmount LCD console, a cable management arm, a KVM cable, rack mounting brackets, a documentation CD, an installation guide, and a user manual.

Karl Wilson

The AP5816 is one of those products I recommend when a data center or IT room operator is tired of managing a separate LCD console shelf, a standalone KVM chassis, and the associated cable runs as three independent components eating rack space. The integrated 16-port analog KVM and 17-inch TFT LCD in a single 1U pull-out solves a real density problem without adding software complexity.

Technical Highlights:

• 16-Port Integrated KVM: Sixteen direct analog KVM connections from one 1U unit — no separate KVM chassis, no additional rack space consumed. For a half-rack of 16 servers, this is the right density fit.
• 17-Inch Active Matrix TFT Display: Large enough to read server BIOS output and terminal sessions without straining — a meaningful step up from 15-inch console drawers that were common in earlier generation racks.
• Built-In Touchpad: Eliminates a dangling USB mouse on the console drawer. Not a substitute for a full keyboard tray, but reduces the peripheral footprint at the rack front.

Deployment Considerations:

• Analog KVM means you'll need APC-compatible KVM interface cables for each connected server — the package includes one KVM cable, so budget for the remaining 15 if you're populating all ports at deployment.
• Verify rear rack depth clearance before ordering: LCD drawer units with cable management arms require adequate depth behind the unit for the arm to articulate without pinching cables when the drawer closes.

The AP5816 is the right fit for a dense 1U-server rack in a colocation bay, server closet, or small data center where local console access to up to 16 machines needs to stay compact and cable-managed — not for IP-based remote KVM-over-IP scenarios where out-of-band network access is the primary requirement.