APC by Schneider Electric AP5808 17-Inch Rack LCD Console with Integrated 8-Port Analog KVM Switch
Overview
The AP5808 is a 1U rack-mounted LCD console that combines a 17-inch display with an integrated 8-port analog KVM switch in a single chassis measuring 43 × 483 × 711 mm. If your server room or network closet is running out of space for standalone KVM switches and separate monitors, collapsing both into one 1U drawer is the straightforward fix. This unit targets small-to-mid-size server environments where direct local access to eight servers is the requirement — no IP over-the-network KVM licensing, no network dependency, no latency concerns during a system recovery event.
For integrators building out APC by Schneider Electric rack infrastructure or anyone stocking a KVM switch solution in a rack enclosure, the AP5808 consolidates what would otherwise be two or three separate pieces of gear. The analog architecture keeps the signal path simple: direct PS/2 or USB server connections, no Java applets, no firmware-gated feature tiers.
Key Features
- 17-Inch Integrated Display: A built-in 17-inch LCD panel means you're not hunting for a spare monitor during a maintenance window or emergency recovery. One drawer pulls out, and you have a working console immediately — useful in data centers where monitor carts are a shared resource.
- 8-Port Analog KVM: Eight server ports provide enough capacity for a dense 1U-per-server row without requiring a secondary switch tier. Analog switching eliminates the IP-KVM licensing model — port count is fixed and fully usable on day one with no per-seat fees.
- 1U Rack Form Factor (43 mm height): At exactly 43 mm tall, this unit occupies a single rack unit — critical when every U counts in a full 42U cabinet. The 711 mm depth (approximately 28 inches) is standard for 1U console drawers and fits most mid-depth and full-depth server racks without modification.
- 483 mm Width: At 483 mm, the chassis aligns with standard 19-inch rack mounting — no adapter brackets or custom rails required for typical server rack installations.
- Local Analog Access: Analog KVM means zero network dependency. During a NIC failure, VLAN misconfiguration, or OS-level lockout, the console path remains operational. This is the architecture you want for out-of-band access when the network is the problem.
- Consolidated Cable Management: Replacing a standalone monitor, keyboard, and mouse with a single integrated drawer simplifies cable routing behind the rack — fewer anchor points, fewer cable runs to manage during adds, moves, and changes.
Integration & Compatibility
As an analog rack KVM console, the AP5808 connects to servers via standard KVM cables (typically PS/2 or USB, depending on the cable kit used). Verify compatible APC KVM cable kits for your specific server port types before ordering — analog KVM connections are direct and do not require a network switch, IP address assignment, or VMS software. This unit is suited for environments where a server management appliance handles remote access and the AP5808 handles local physical access as a complement.
ECCN classification EAR99 means no export license is required for most destinations, which simplifies procurement for multi-site or international deployments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many servers can the AP5808 manage directly?
A: The AP5808 integrates an 8-port analog KVM switch, supporting direct local console access to up to 8 servers from the single 1U drawer.
Q: Does the AP5808 require a network connection to operate?
A: No. The AP5808 is an analog KVM console — it operates entirely over direct cable connections to servers and does not require a network connection, IP address, or software client.
Q: What rack size does the AP5808 fit?
A: The AP5808 is a standard 1U (43 mm) unit with a 483 mm (approximately 19-inch) width, designed for standard 19-inch server racks. Verify rack depth compatibility — the unit is 711 mm (approximately 28 inches) deep.
Q: What is the ECCN classification for the AP5808?
A: The AP5808 is classified EAR99, meaning it does not require an export license for most commercial destinations under U.S. Export Administration Regulations.
Q: Is the AP5808 an IP KVM or analog KVM?
A: The AP5808 uses analog KVM technology. It provides direct local console access and does not support remote IP-based access. If remote over-network KVM access is required, a separate IP KVM solution would be needed.
The AP5808 is the kind of unit I recommend when a client needs reliable local console access without the overhead of an IP KVM infrastructure. The integrated 8-port analog switch and 17-inch display in a single 1U (43 mm) chassis means you're not dedicating additional rack space to a separate monitor shelf or standalone switch — both are resolved in one drawer pull.
Technical Highlights:
- 1U Height (43 mm): Fits a standard rack unit without modification — critical in dense deployments where every vertical inch is allocated.
- 8 Analog KVM Ports: Covers a typical single-row server deployment. No IP licensing, no client software required — the port is either cabled or it isn't.
- 711 mm Depth: At approximately 28 inches, verify your rack's usable depth before ordering. Some shorter wall-mount or open-frame racks may not accommodate the full drawer extension.
Deployment Considerations:
- Analog KVM cable kits are typically ordered separately — confirm PS/2 vs. USB server port types before the installation date to avoid a site-visit delay.
- The AP5808 covers local physical access only. If your operations team needs remote out-of-band console access (lights-out management), pair this with a dedicated IP KVM or IPMI/iDRAC infrastructure — the AP5808 does not provide that path.
This unit fits well in a colocation cage or small on-premises server room where a technician is on-site for maintenance windows and needs a clean, space-efficient local console — not a replacement for a full remote-access stack in an unmanned facility.
