Middle Atlantic Legrand-middle Atlantic RCK Accories Rckmnt Comp Keyboa - Rm-kb

Middle Atlantic RM-KB Rackmount Keyboard Tray with Integrated Keyboard

The Middle Atlantic RM-KB is a 1U rackmount keyboard solution designed for network operations centers, server closets, and AV/security equipment racks where a dedicated, always-accessible input device is needed without consuming multiple rack spaces. The RM-KB ships with the keyboard included — no separate procurement required — and installs into any standard 19-inch EIA rack using four mounting points.

Overview

Rack-mounted keyboards solve a specific problem: technicians need periodic access to a local console without the clutter of a loose keyboard on top of the rack or the expense of a full KVM drawer. The RM-KB (often searched as RM KB) addresses this by combining a keyboard and a sliding tray into a single 1U assembly. At 19 inches wide and 20 inches deep, it occupies exactly the footprint of standard rack equipment — no overhang, no improvised shelving.

Adjustable mounting depth is the mechanical detail that matters most here. The RM-KB accommodates rack depths from 17 inches minimum to 25 inches maximum, which covers most two-post open-frame racks and the majority of four-post enclosed cabinets in the 24- to 40-inch depth range. If your rack is shallower than 17 inches or deeper than 25 inches, verify clearance before ordering — this is the one dimensional constraint to check against your specific enclosure.

Key Features

• 1U Height (1.75 in / 4.4 cm): Occupies a single rack unit, preserving adjacent U-space for switches, patch panels, or NVR equipment. In a fully loaded 2U-per-device rack, every unit saved is real estate.
• 19-Inch Standard Width (48.3 cm): Fits any EIA-compliant 19-inch rack without adapters — the universal form factor across network, security, and AV infrastructure racks.
• Keyboard Included (Style: Keyboard Included): Ships as a complete assembly. No separate keyboard sourcing, no compatibility questions about key travel clearance inside the tray — the keyboard is matched to the drawer dimensions at the factory.
• Adjustable Mounting Depth (17 in minimum – 25 in maximum): Telescoping rear support rail adjusts to fit two-post relay racks at the short end and deeper four-post cabinets at the upper limit. Measure your rack's usable interior depth before finalizing the order.
• 20-Inch Tray Depth (50.8 cm): The keyboard platform extends to 20 inches — enough to keep the keyboard stable during use without the tray rocking or flexing under normal typing loads.
• Four Mounting Points: Four rack-ear fastening points (versus the two-point mounting on lighter-duty shelf products) distribute load and eliminate the side-to-side flex that can develop over time on equipment that gets opened and closed repeatedly across multiple shifts.

Integration and Compatibility

The RM-KB is a mechanical product — it integrates into any Middle Atlantic rack or third-party 19-inch EIA enclosure. It is not dependent on operating system, software platform, or network protocol. Connect the keyboard via USB or PS/2 to whatever server, NVR, or workstation requires local console access. For security operations centers running network video recorders or video management servers, a rackmount keyboard like the RM-KB is the standard way to provide direct local access without relying on remote desktop tools when the network is unavailable or under maintenance.

Pair the RM-KB with a rackmount monitor directly above or below in the rack for a complete local console station. If the installation includes a rack accessory layout review, the single-unit height of the RM-KB makes it straightforward to slot into otherwise unused U-spaces between active equipment.

For installations with multiple servers or NVRs requiring shared access, consider a dedicated KVM switch alongside the RM-KB — the keyboard connects to the KVM, and a single tray provides access to all connected devices without changing the rack footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What rack depth range does the RM-KB support?

A: The RM-KB adjusts to accommodate rack mounting depths from 17 inches (minimum) to 25 inches (maximum). Verify your rack's interior usable depth before ordering — racks outside this range will not be compatible.

Q: Does the RM-KB come with a keyboard, or is it a tray only?

A: The RM-KB includes the keyboard as part of the assembly (Style: Keyboard Included). No separate keyboard purchase is necessary.

Q: How many rack units does the RM-KB occupy?

A: The RM-KB occupies exactly 1U (1.75 inches / 4.4 cm in height), fitting any standard 19-inch EIA rack without consuming additional vertical space.

Q: How many mounting points does the RM-KB use?

A: The RM-KB uses four mounting points, providing more secure fastening than two-point designs — important for equipment that sees frequent daily use in high-traffic operations environments.

Q: Is the RM-KB compatible with third-party racks, or only Middle Atlantic enclosures?

A: The RM-KB is 19 inches wide and conforms to standard EIA rack dimensions, so it installs in any compliant 19-inch rack regardless of manufacturer, provided the rack depth falls within the 17–25 inch mounting range.

Q: What is the overall tray depth of the RM-KB?

A: The tray itself is 20 inches (50.8 cm) deep, which determines the keyboard platform length when the drawer is extended.

Jerry Tildsen

The Middle Atlantic RM-KB is the kind of product that looks simple until you're in front of a rack that's 26 inches deep and you realize the tray won't reach — the 17-to-25-inch adjustable mounting depth is the spec that actually qualifies or disqualifies this unit for your installation. In a typical 24- or 25-inch four-post cabinet it lands cleanly; in deeper data-center-style 40-inch cabinets, you'll want to measure the usable interior depth (not the cabinet's external dimension) before committing.

Technical Highlights:

• 1U Footprint (1.75 in): Single rack-unit height means you're not sacrificing 2U or 3U of active equipment space for keyboard access — in a 12U wall enclosure with an NVR, switch, and patch panel already installed, that distinction matters.
• Four-Point Mounting: Four rack-ear fasteners versus the standard two on basic sliding shelves. On a keyboard tray that gets pulled out and pushed in multiple times per shift, the extra mounting points prevent the lateral rack-ear flex that eventually loosens two-point designs.
• Keyboard Included: The keyboard ships matched to the tray — the key clearance, cable routing, and travel distance are already accounted for. Sourcing a third-party keyboard and discovering it doesn't clear the drawer front is a field problem this eliminates.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm the rack's usable interior mounting depth — not the cabinet external depth — falls between 17 and 25 inches. A 25-inch deep cabinet with internal cable management trays eating 2–3 inches may push you below the minimum mounting depth on the rear rail.
• The RM-KB is a mechanical-only product with no KVM switching built in. If you need access to more than one device from this single keyboard, add a KVM switch between the keyboard and your connected equipment — the tray itself does not handle multi-device switching.

The RM-KB is a reliable fit for security operations rooms and IT closets where a dedicated local console is needed in a 19-inch rack that's within the standard 17–25-inch depth range — particularly in NVR and VMS server rack builds where remote access tools are a complement to, not a replacement for, direct local console access.