StarTech RKCONS1716K 17IN 16-Port 1U Rackmount KVM Console

Overview

The StarTech RKCONS1716K is a 1U rackmount KVM console that folds a 17-inch active matrix TFT monitor, a 16-port KVM switch, and a keyboard/touchpad tray into a single steel chassis. If you're running a server closet, a NOC, or a data center cage and you're tired of rolling a crash cart between racks or dedicating a monitor and keyboard to every server, this is the fix — one console, one rack unit, sixteen connected systems. It mounts in a standard 19-inch rack and slides out on rails for use, then tucks back flush when you're done.

Key Features

• 17-inch Active Matrix TFT LCD: a full-size panel instead of the cramped 15-inch units common on older console drawers — easier to read server BIOS screens, hypervisor consoles, and monitoring dashboards during hands-on troubleshooting.
• 16-port integrated KVM switching: connect up to 16 servers directly to the RKCONS1716K without a separate KVM switch box and its own rack space and cabling — the switch is built into the drawer.
• 1280 x 1024 maximum resolution: enough resolution for text-mode server consoles, RAID controller utilities, and basic OS desktops — this is a management console for administrative access, not a design workstation display.
• 1000:1 contrast ratio and 250 cd/m² brightness: readable output in a normally-lit server room without washing out under overhead fluorescent lighting.
• 5ms response time: fast enough that dragging windows or scrolling through log output doesn't ghost or blur on screen.
• 170°(H)/160°(V) viewing angle: useful when the console tray is pulled out at an angle in a tight aisle and you're not standing dead-center in front of it.
• USB PC interface: connects to attached systems over USB rather than requiring a PS/2 adapter chain, simplifying cabling with current-generation servers.
• 1U rack unit height: occupies a single rack unit when closed, preserving valuable rack space for compute and network gear instead of a dedicated monitor shelf.
• 100-240V AC input, 23W power consumption: runs on any standard rack PDU worldwide and draws minimal power — negligible added load on your rack's power budget.
• 0°C to 40°C operating range: rated for standard data center and server room conditions without special cooling accommodations.
• Adjustable mounting depth (22.0in to 35.4in): fits a range of rack cabinet depths rather than locking you into one enclosure brand or size.
• Steel construction, 28.6 lb: a rigid chassis built to survive repeated slide-out/slide-in cycles over years of service, not flexible sheet metal that loosens over time.

Integration & Compatibility

The RKCONS1716K's USB PC interface and VGA video type make it compatible with the wide base of rack servers and network appliances still running VGA output, which covers most current rack-mount server hardware. Pair it with a set of server racks and cabinets that match its 22.0in–35.4in mounting depth range, and if you need to extend management beyond the 16 directly-wired ports, look at KVM switches to cascade additional servers onto the same console. For broader planning on how console access fits into a structured rack build-out, see the network and rack planning guide. The RKCONS1716K is part of the broader StarTech catalog of rack infrastructure hardware, and integrators standardizing on a single vendor for KVM, cabling, and rack accessories can source those alongside it.

What's in the Box

The RKCONS1716K ships with a 6 ft cable for PC connection as documented in the unit's specifications; consult the included quick-start documentation for full connector and rail hardware inventory specific to your rack type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many servers can the RKCONS1716K manage at once?

A: It has 16 KVM ports built into the console, so it can switch between up to 16 connected systems from the single integrated keyboard, touchpad, and 17-inch display.

Q: What resolution does the built-in display support?

A: The active matrix TFT LCD supports up to 1280 x 1024 at a 5:4 aspect ratio.

Q: How much rack space does the RKCONS1716K take up?

A: It occupies 1U of rack space when closed.

Q: What's the warranty on the RKCONS1716K?

A: It carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Q: What rack depths does the RKCONS1716K fit?

A: It supports a mounting depth range from 22.0 in minimum to 35.4 in maximum, covering most standard server rack cabinets.

Q: Does the RKCONS1716K require a separate power supply?

A: No — it runs directly on 100-240V AC input and draws 23W, so it plugs into a standard rack PDU.

Eden Phillips

What sold me on the RKCONS1716K for rack consolidation jobs is the 16-port switch built directly into the drawer — you're not budgeting separate rack space for a KVM switch box on top of the console itself. One 1U slot handles display, input, and switching for sixteen servers.

Technical Highlights:

• 16-port KVM switching: connects up to 16 servers to one console without external switch hardware, saving rack units and cable runs on dense builds.
• 17in TFT panel at 1280x1024: a bigger, sharper viewing area than older 15-inch console drawers for reading BIOS screens and text consoles.
• Adjustable 22.0in–35.4in mounting depth: fits deep and shallow rack cabinets alike, so it's not a gamble against a specific enclosure spec sheet.

Deployment Considerations:

• USB PC interface simplifies connections to current servers, but confirm your older or legacy equipment doesn't require PS/2 before assuming plug-and-play across a mixed-age fleet.
• At 28.6 lb and a 1U profile, make sure your rack's rail kit and cabinet depth (22.0in–35.4in) are confirmed before ordering — this isn't a universal fit outside that range.

This is the right call for a colo cage or server room consolidating rack space where a crash cart or dedicated per-server monitor isn't practical — one RKCONS1716K replaces both the KVM switch and the monitor/keyboard tray in a single rack unit.