StarTech RKCONS1908K 19in 8-Port Rackmount KVM Console

Overview

The RKCONS1908K is a 1U rackmount KVM console that folds a 19-inch active matrix TFT LCD, a built-in 8-port KVM switch, and a keyboard/touchpad tray into a single rail-mounted unit. It exists to solve one specific data center and control room problem: you have a rack full of servers or recorders and no desk space to manage them. Instead of dragging a monitor and keyboard to each unit, the RKCONS1908K slides out on rails, gives you a full 1280x1024 desktop, and switches between 8 connected systems from the front panel. For NVR rooms, server closets, and edge computing racks where floor space is scarce, this is the console that gets bolted in once and used for years.

Key Features

• 19" Active Matrix TFT LCD: a full-size 1280 x 1024 native display panel means you're not squinting at a 15" econo-panel to read BIOS text or NVR playback grids during a rack-side troubleshooting session.
• 1000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m² brightness: readable in the mixed lighting of a server room or NOC without washing out — enough punch to see status text under overhead fluorescents.
• 8-bit color, 16.7M colors: full color depth for verifying camera feeds, dashboards, or diagnostic overlays rather than a degraded management-only palette.
• Built-in 8-port KVM switch: manage up to 8 servers, NVRs, or hosts from one keyboard/monitor/mouse without a separate switch box eating another rack unit.
• USB and VGA PC interface: connects to standard server and workstation video/USB outputs without needing a proprietary adapter card at each host.
• Multi-resolution support (1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x1024): matches whatever output mode the connected host is already running, so you're not fighting resolution mismatches host to host.
• 0.264 x 0.264mm pixel pitch: tight dot pitch keeps small text and status icons legible up close, which matters when the console sits directly at eye level in a rack.
• 1.7" folded height (1U): the entire console — screen, keyboard tray, and switch — consumes just 1U of rack space when closed, a real constraint in racks already packed with servers and NVRs.
• Adjustable mounting depth, 23.8" to 35.0": fits both shallow network racks and deep server cabinets without needing a different bracket kit for each rack depth.
• 50,000-hour MTBF: rated for continuous duty in a 24/7 operations environment rather than intermittent office use.
• 0°C to 40°C operating range: tolerates the elevated ambient heat typical of an active server rack, unlike consumer displays rated for office-only conditions.
• Universal 100-240V AC input at 21W: runs on any regional power without a voltage selector switch, and the 21W draw is light enough not to factor meaningfully into rack PDU budgeting.

Integration & Compatibility

The RKCONS1908K's USB and VGA interfaces make it a straightforward front-end for network video recorders and servers in a surveillance rack deployment, giving you local console access for initial NVR setup, BIOS-level troubleshooting, or firmware recovery without pulling a unit out of the rack. Because the 8-port switch handles host selection at the console itself, it pairs well with racks already running StarTech or third-party servers side by side — one console covers the whole row. If you're planning a new rack build, see the rack planning guide for guidance on U-space budgeting before you commit a slot to a console versus a slide-out shelf. For racks needing more than 8 connected hosts, an external cascade switch extends port count beyond what the built-in switch alone provides.

What's in the Box

The RKCONS1908K ships as a complete rackmount unit — LCD, keyboard/touchpad tray, and 8-port KVM switch integrated into the 1U chassis, with mounting rails sized for the 23.8" to 35.0" depth range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many servers can the RKCONS1908K switch between?

A: The built-in KVM switch supports up to 8 connected systems, selectable from the console.

Q: What's the maximum display resolution on the RKCONS1908K?

A: The 19" active matrix TFT panel supports up to 1280 x 1024 native, with 1024x768 and 1280x720 also supported.

Q: How much rack space does the RKCONS1908K take up?

A: It's a 1U unit at 1.7" folded height, 19.0" wide, and 25.3" long.

Q: Will the RKCONS1908K fit my rack depth?

A: The rail system adjusts from a 23.8" minimum to a 35.0" maximum mounting depth, covering most standard network and server racks.

Q: What's the warranty on the RKCONS1908K?

A: It carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Q: What connection types does the RKCONS1908K use to connect to servers?

A: It connects via USB and VGA.

Karl Wilson

What sold me on the RKCONS1908K for rack-dense installs is the 1.7" folded height doing real work in a 1U slot while still packing a full 19" 1280x1024 panel — you're not trading screen size for space.

Technical Highlights:

• 8-port integrated KVM switch: manages 8 hosts from one console, which in a mixed NVR/server rack means one console covers an entire row instead of dedicating a slot per rack.
• 50,000-hour MTBF: rated for the kind of continuous-duty cycling you get in a NOC where the console gets pulled out and used multiple times a day, not an occasional-use office monitor spec.
• 23.8" to 35.0" adjustable mounting depth: covers shallow network racks and deep server cabinets with the same rail kit, so you're not ordering a depth-specific SKU.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 21W draw at 100-240V AC is negligible against a rack PDU budget, so it won't be the line item you have to plan around when sizing power for a new cabinet.
• Watch the interface list — USB and VGA only, no native HDMI or DisplayPort input, so newer servers with digital-only outputs will need a VGA adapter at the host end.

This is the console I'd spec for a colocated NVR row or a multi-server edge cabinet where floor space for a separate KVM cart isn't an option and the rack is already deep enough to use the full 35" mounting range.