APC KVM 2G Server Module - KVM-DVIVMCAC

APC by Schneider Electric KVM-DVIVMCAC 2nd-Generation DVI-I KVM Server Module

Overview

The KVM-DVIVMCAC is APC by Schneider Electric's 2nd-Generation KVM server module designed to connect individual servers into a compatible APC KVM switch infrastructure. If you're managing a rack of servers and need a tidy, centralized way to access each machine without running separate keyboard, video, and mouse lines to a console, this module is the connection point that makes it work. Each server in the rack gets one of these — it plugs into the server's DVI-I video output and a network port, then communicates back to the KVM switch over a single Cat5/Cat6 cable run. No additional power supply required at the module level; the form factor is compact at 125 mm × 125 mm × 14 mm, which means it parks neatly behind 1U servers without blocking adjacent ports or creating cable management headaches.

The KVM-DVIVMCAC (often searched as KVM DVIVMCAC) targets IT administrators and data center engineers running mixed server environments where DVI-I video output is standard — common in older rack-mount servers and workstation-class hardware that hasn't migrated to DisplayPort or HDMI outputs.

Key Features

• DVI-I Video Interface (1 port): DVI-I is the dual-link connector that handles both analog and digital signals, so this module works with servers outputting standard DVI digital or legacy analog VGA-equivalent signals. One port per module means one server per module — straightforward one-to-one topology that keeps your switch port counts clean and predictable.
• RJ-45 Ethernet Connection (1 port): The module communicates to the KVM switch over a standard RJ-45 Cat5/Cat6 cable rather than a proprietary dongle cable. That means you can use existing patch cable inventory for the server-to-switch runs, and you're not hunting for specialty cables when you need to extend or re-rack.
• Compact 125 × 125 × 14 mm Profile: At under 15 mm tall, this module won't intrude on the rear of a 1U chassis or block neighboring cable trays. For dense 42U racks where rear clearance is already at a premium, that slim profile matters more than it sounds.
• Operating Range 0–50°C: This covers standard raised-floor data center environments and typical server closets without issue. It's not rated for outdoor or uncontrolled environments — keep it in a conditioned space and it will perform within spec across the temperature band.
• TAA Compliance: The module carries Trade Agreements Act compliance, which is a procurement requirement for U.S. federal agencies and many state/local government contracts. If your IT environment is subject to FAR 25.4 or similar acquisition regulations, TAA compliance on every component in the KVM chain matters — including the server modules.
• Multi-Regional Certifications (FCC Part 15 Class A, CE, C-tick, ICES-003, VCCI Class A, UL 60950-1): Class A certification means this module is cleared for commercial and industrial environments — not restricted to residential use. The combination of FCC, CE, C-tick, and VCCI covers deployment in the U.S., EU, Australia/New Zealand, and Japan without re-certification. UL 60950-1 is the safety standard for information technology equipment; it confirms the module has passed electrical safety testing.
• RoHS Compliance: Restricts hazardous substances including lead, mercury, and cadmium. Relevant for organizations with environmental procurement policies or those operating in jurisdictions where RoHS compliance is a procurement requirement.
• Storage Tolerance: -10 to 60°C / 5–95% RH (non-condensing): Wider than the operating range, which gives you flexibility in warehouse or staging environments before installation — modules can be stored in a non-climate-controlled staging area without risk of damage, provided there's no condensation.

Integration and Compatibility

The KVM-DVIVMCAC is designed as a component within APC's 2nd-Generation KVM switch ecosystem. It is not a standalone device — it requires a compatible APC KVM switch to function. Before ordering server modules, confirm your KVM switch model accepts 2G (2nd-Generation) modules, as APC's 1st and 2nd-generation modules are not interchangeable. Each physical server that you want to manage through the KVM switch requires one KVM-DVIVMCAC module. For environments already standardized on APC by Schneider Electric rack power and management infrastructure, this module integrates cleanly into an existing APC KVM deployment. If you're building out a new KVM switch infrastructure or expanding an existing one, pair this server module with the appropriate APC KVM switch for your port-count requirements. For guidance on structuring KVM access layers in larger data center environments, review resources on data center management best practices. Complementary infrastructure to consider alongside this module includes APC rack PDUs for managed power delivery to the same servers you're connecting to the KVM fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the KVM-DVIVMCAC TAA compliant?

A: Yes. The KVM-DVIVMCAC carries TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliance, making it eligible for U.S. federal and government procurement contracts subject to FAR 25.4 acquisition regulations.

Q: What certifications does the KVM-DVIVMCAC carry?

A: The KVM-DVIVMCAC is certified to FCC Part 15 Class A, CE, C-tick, ICES-003, VCCI Class A, and UL 60950-1. It is also RoHS compliant.

Q: Does the KVM-DVIVMCAC work with 1st-generation APC KVM switches?

A: The KVM-DVIVMCAC is a 2nd-Generation (2G) server module. APC's 1st and 2nd-generation KVM modules are not interchangeable. Verify that your KVM switch is 2G-compatible before ordering.

Q: What video connector does the KVM-DVIVMCAC use on the server side?

A: The module uses a single DVI-I port to connect to the server's video output. DVI-I supports both digital and analog signals, covering standard DVI-D and legacy analog-equivalent outputs.

Q: How does the KVM-DVIVMCAC connect to the KVM switch?

A: The module connects to the KVM switch via a standard RJ-45 Cat5/Cat6 cable. No proprietary cabling is required for the server-to-switch run.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for the KVM-DVIVMCAC?

A: The module operates from 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F), suitable for standard conditioned data center and server room environments. Storage temperature range is -10°C to 60°C.

Eden Phillips

The KVM-DVIVMCAC earns its place in government and regulated-sector data centers specifically because of TAA compliance — when your procurement office flags a KVM server module for FAR 25.4 compliance, this is the part that passes that check without a waiver. I've seen deployments stall because one component in a KVM chain lacked TAA status; the KVM-DVIVMCAC closes that gap for APC 2G switch environments.

Technical Highlights:

• DVI-I Interface: Handles both digital DVI-D and analog signals from a single connector — useful in mixed-generation server environments where some machines output true DVI-D and others output analog-equivalent signals through the same DVI-I port.
• 125 × 125 × 14 mm Form Factor: At 14 mm depth, this module fits behind 1U servers in high-density racks without creating rear-clearance conflicts. In a fully populated 42U rack, that 14 mm profile is the difference between a clean cable run and a cabinet door that won't close.
• Multi-Regional Certification Stack (FCC/CE/C-tick/VCCI/UL 60950-1): A single SKU clears regulatory requirements across the U.S., EU, Australia, and Japan — relevant for multinational enterprise deployments where standardizing on one part number across regions simplifies procurement and sparing logistics.

Deployment Considerations:

• The KVM-DVIVMCAC is generation-locked — it works only with APC 2nd-Generation KVM switches. Confirm your switch model before ordering; mixing 1G and 2G modules in the same deployment is not supported and will result in non-functional server connections.
• Operating humidity ceiling is 95% (non-condensing). This is fine for controlled data centers but rules out deployment in uncontrolled environments like outdoor edge enclosures or humid industrial spaces without active climate control.

The KVM-DVIVMCAC is the right call for U.S. federal agency IT shops and defense contractors standardizing on APC 2G KVM infrastructure — TAA compliance is non-negotiable in those environments, and this module delivers it without any procurement exception paperwork.