StarTech CK4-D204C 4-Port Dual-Monitor Secure DVI KVM Switch

Overview

The StarTech CK4-D204C is a NIAP PSD 4.0-certified, 4-port dual-monitor secure KVM switch designed for environments where data isolation between connected computers is not optional — government workstations, defense contractor desks, classified network enclaves, and any facility that must demonstrate compliance with NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices version 4.0. It supports two DVI displays per operator position at resolutions up to 2560x1600 at 60Hz, so you are not sacrificing display fidelity to meet security requirements. Manufactured in the USA, the CK4-D204C addresses procurement requirements that restrict foreign-manufactured IT equipment in sensitive environments.

This is not a general-purpose KVM. If your requirement is simply switching between four workstations on a single operator console, there are lighter and less expensive ways to do it. The CK4-D204C exists specifically for multi-domain, multi-classification deployments where hardware-enforced isolation between host ports is a compliance mandate.

Key Features

• NIAP PSD 4.0 Certification: Meets the Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices, Version 4.0 — the current NIAP standard for secure KVMs accepted by DoD, federal agencies, and defense contractors. Without this certification, a KVM cannot be deployed in most classified or CUI-handling environments. The CK4-D204C also satisfies the PP-Modules for Analog Audio Output, User Authentication Devices, Keyboard/Mouse Devices, and Video/Display Devices — covering every peripheral channel in the unit.
• Dual-Monitor DVI at 2560x1600: Two DVI-I console outputs support resolutions up to 2560x1600 at 60Hz, which means 30-inch wide-format displays and high-pixel-density workflows are fully supported without downscaling. The unit provides 8 DVI-I host-side connectors (two per port) to match each computer's dual-display output.
• 4 Secure Host Ports via USB: Four USB-connected host computers share the single operator console. Each host port is electrically and logically isolated — a core requirement of NIAP PSD 4.0 that prevents data leakage from one domain bleeding into another through the KVM switching path.
• USB 2.0 HID Console (3x Type-A): Three USB 2.0 Type-A ports on the console side support keyboard, mouse, and a CAC/smart card reader simultaneously. The User Authentication Devices PP-Module certification means the CAC reader path meets federal authentication requirements — relevant for PIV card workflows.
• Analog Audio Per Host (4x 3.5mm): Four 3.5mm stereo inputs on the host side route audio from each connected computer to a single 3.5mm stereo output at the console. The PP-Module for Analog Audio Output Devices confirms this audio channel meets NIAP isolation requirements — audio paths in secure KVMs must be evaluated independently to prevent covert acoustic channels.
• Maximum Cable Length 19.7 ft (6m): Supports cable runs up to 6 meters between the KVM and connected hosts — adequate for most rack-to-desk deployments in operator workstation environments where hosts are in an adjacent rack or under-desk enclosure.
• Metal Chassis, USA-Manufactured: The all-metal enclosure (4.2 lb / 1.9 kg) meets durability expectations for permanent government facility installations. USA manufacture satisfies TAA and many agency-specific procurement requirements that prohibit equipment assembled in certain countries.
• Operating Range 0°C to 40°C: Rated for standard indoor office and operations center environments. If you are deploying into a hardened facility with elevated ambient temperatures above 40°C, verify HVAC conditions before specifying this unit — it is not rated for industrial temperature extremes.

Integration and Compatibility

The CK4-D204C connects to host computers via USB (Type-B on the host side) and DVI-I video. It does not require software drivers for basic KVM switching — NIAP-certified devices are explicitly prohibited from running software on the host OS as part of the isolation requirement. Any computer with a USB port and DVI video output can connect; the KVM appears as a standard USB HID device. The console side exposes three USB 2.0 Type-A ports, two DVI-I outputs, and one 3.5mm audio output. Keyboard, mouse, and CAC/smart card reader connect directly to the console USB ports. Maximum cable length of 6 meters (19.7 ft) covers the majority of operator workstation configurations. This unit does not support DisplayPort, HDMI, or VGA natively — if your displays or computers use those interfaces, DVI adapters must be evaluated carefully for signal integrity at 2560x1600.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the CK4-D204C NIAP certified, and which Protection Profile version does it meet?

A: Yes. The CK4-D204C is certified to NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices (PSD), Version 4.0. It also meets the PP-Modules for Analog Audio Output Devices v1.0, User Authentication Devices v1.0, Keyboard/Mouse Devices v1.0, and Video/Display Devices v1.0.

Q: What is the maximum display resolution supported by the CK4-D204C?

A: The CK4-D204C supports up to 2560x1600 at 60Hz on both console DVI-I outputs, supporting wide-format and high-density displays without resolution compromise.

Q: Can I connect a CAC or PIV smart card reader to the CK4-D204C?

A: Yes. The console side provides three USB 2.0 Type-A ports. The unit is certified to the PP-Module for User Authentication Devices v1.0, which covers smart card/CAC reader connections in NIAP-compliant deployments.

Q: Where is the CK4-D204C manufactured?

A: The CK4-D204C is manufactured in the USA, which satisfies TAA compliance requirements and many federal agency procurement restrictions on foreign-sourced IT equipment.

Q: Does the CK4-D204C support DisplayPort or HDMI displays?

A: No. The CK4-D204C uses DVI-I connectors on both the host and console sides. Native DisplayPort or HDMI is not supported. If your displays or workstations use those interfaces, verify adapter compatibility carefully — passive DVI-to-HDMI adapters generally work for single-link resolutions, but 2560x1600 requires dual-link DVI and compatible adapters.

Q: How many computers can the CK4-D204C switch between?

A: Four. Each of the four host ports connects one computer via USB and two DVI-I cables, sharing the single dual-monitor operator console between all four hosts.

James Everett

The CK4-D204C is the unit I specify when a project has a hard NIAP PSD 4.0 requirement and the operator needs dual-monitor visibility across four classified or multi-domain workstations simultaneously. The certification stack here is thorough — PSD 4.0 plus all four relevant PP-Modules — which means this passes most agency Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation reviews without supplemental testing. That matters when a deployment timeline is tight.

Technical Highlights:

• NIAP PSD 4.0 + Full PP-Module Stack: Covers audio, video, HID, and user authentication channels independently — each evaluated for isolation. This is what separates a compliant secure KVM from a standard desktop switch marketed as 'secure.'
• 2560x1600 Dual-DVI Console: Two DVI-I console outputs at up to 2560x1600 60Hz mean you are not forced onto lower-resolution displays to hit the security requirement. Analysts working with geospatial or signals intelligence data sets notice the difference immediately.
• USA Manufacture: Satisfies TAA and agency supply chain requirements that cannot be waived — a real procurement gate at many federal facilities regardless of how the rest of the spec sheet looks.

Deployment Considerations:

• Cable runs are limited to 6 meters (19.7 ft) between the KVM and each host. Plan rack and desk layouts before installation — exceeding this distance risks signal integrity issues at 2560x1600 dual-link DVI.
• This unit has no DisplayPort or HDMI native support. If you are procuring new workstations or displays alongside the CK4-D204C, specify DVI-I explicitly — retrofitting with adapters at dual-link resolutions introduces compatibility risk that is difficult to troubleshoot after installation.

The CK4-D204C is the right specification for a four-seat multi-domain intelligence workstation environment — analyst desks in a SCIF, multi-classification SOC operator positions, or any facility where NIAP PSD 4.0 is written into the security requirements document and dual-monitor operator workflows are standard.