StarTech RKCONS1708K 17in Rackmount KVM Console

Overview

The StarTech RKCONS1708K is a 17-inch rackmount KVM console that folds a monitor, keyboard, and 8-port KVM switch into a single 1U-drawer footprint. For server rooms and NOC racks where you need local console access without dedicating a full shelf to a monitor, keyboard, and separate switch box, this consolidates all three into one slide-out unit. The RKCONS1708K uses an active matrix TFT LCD panel rather than a passive display, which matters at the viewing angles typical of a rack aisle — passive panels wash out when you're not looking at them dead-on, and that's exactly the angle you're stuck with when the drawer is mounted at chest or waist height in a cabinet.

Key Features

• 17" Active Matrix TFT LCD, 1280x1024 max resolution: Sufficient for BIOS access, server console menus, and most administrative GUIs without the added cost and complexity of a higher-res panel you don't need for infrequent local access.
• 8 integrated KVM ports (USB, VGA): Direct local control of 8 servers from one drawer — no separate KVM switch chassis to rack and cable elsewhere. Each host connects via a standard 15-pin High Density D-Sub VGA connector, so it works with the VGA output still common on rack servers and legacy hardware.
• Console interface: 1x VGA (15-pin HD D-Sub), 2x USB 2.0 Type-A: The console side accepts USB keyboard and mouse plus a VGA passthrough or connection, keeping the interface simple for admins who just need to jump on a server, run a command, and get out.
• 6 ft cable length: Enough slack to route from the sliding rail assembly to the rear of a standard rack without a separate cable management arm.
• Steel construction: Steel housing holds up to repeated slide-in/slide-out cycles better than a plastic-shelled console, which matters over years of service in a shared server room.
• Mounting depth range 22.0" to 35.4": Adjustable rails fit a wide range of cabinet depths, so you're not locked into one rack manufacturer's exact dimensions.
• Input voltage 100-240 AC, 1.5A, 17W consumption: Universal input means it runs on any standard rack PDU worldwide without a voltage-specific model, and 17W is a negligible draw against a rack's power budget.
• Operating temperature 0C to 40C, humidity 10-80% RH: Rated for typical data center and server closet conditions without added cooling considerations.
• MTBF 50,000 hours: A useful baseline for budgeting replacement cycles in a 24/7 rack environment, though actual service life depends on duty cycle and environment.
• Product weight 37.5 lb, 18.9" W x 16.5" H: Plan rail and shelf load ratings accordingly — this is a full console assembly, not a lightweight accessory shelf.

Integration & Compatibility

Because host connections run over standard VGA and USB, the RKCONS1708K works as local console access alongside an existing network switch deployment or server rack build without requiring proprietary host adapters. It's a natural pairing with a broader rack build-out — pull cabinet dimensions from a rack and power planning guide before ordering to confirm the 22.0"-35.4" mounting depth fits your enclosure. If you're standardizing a rack for camera and access-control infrastructure, the RKCONS1708K sits well alongside network video recorders and other rack-mounted gear from the StarTech catalog, giving techs local KVM access without pulling a laptop cart into the server room. For racks needing more than 8 direct-connect hosts, cascade with an external KVM switch rather than expanding past this unit's built-in 8 ports.

What's in the Box

The RKCONS1708K ships as a complete rackmount console assembly with adjustable mounting rails sized for the 22.0" to 35.4" depth range and a 6 ft cable for host connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many servers can the RKCONS1708K control directly?

A: It has 8 integrated KVM ports with VGA (15-pin HD D-Sub) host connectors, so it connects directly to up to 8 servers without an external switch.

Q: What resolution does the display support?

A: The 17" active matrix TFT LCD supports up to 1280 x 1024 resolution.

Q: What rack depths does the RKCONS1708K fit?

A: The mounting rails adjust between a 22.0" minimum and 35.4" maximum mounting depth.

Q: What's the warranty on the RKCONS1708K?

A: It carries a 2-year warranty.

Q: Does the console need a separate power supply?

A: No — it runs on 100-240 AC input directly, drawing 1.5A (17W), so it works on standard rack power without a voltage-specific model.

Q: How much does the unit weigh, and does that affect rail selection?

A: The console weighs 37.5 lb, so confirm your rack's rail and shelf load rating supports that before installation.

Ted Perry

The RKCONS1708K is one of those units that solves a problem every rack build eventually runs into: where does the tech actually plug in when something goes sideways at 2am. With 8 built-in KVM ports on a single 1U drawer, you get direct local access to 8 hosts without racking a separate switch chassis.

Technical Highlights:

• 8-port integrated KVM with VGA host connectors: Covers a small-to-midsize server rack directly — no external switch needed until you exceed 8 hosts.
• 17" active matrix TFT at 1280x1024: Active matrix holds contrast at the off-angle views you get from a drawer mounted mid-cabinet, unlike cheaper passive panels.
• Adjustable mounting depth 22.0" to 35.4": Fits most standard two- and four-post cabinet depths without a custom bracket order.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your rack's rail load rating before install — at 37.5 lb, this isn't a lightweight shelf accessory, it's a full console assembly.
• Host connections are VGA only, so servers with exclusively DisplayPort or HDMI outputs will need an adapter — check your host video output before ordering.

Good fit for a colo or on-prem server room standardizing local console access across a single rack of up to 8 machines, where the alternative is dragging a crash cart down the aisle every time someone needs BIOS-level access.