StarTech CK4-P108C 8-Port Secure DisplayPort KVM Switch

Overview

The StarTech CK4-P108C is an 8-port secure KVM switch built for classified and high-security environments where NIAP Protection Profile 4.0 certification is not optional. Designed to control up to eight DisplayPort-connected hosts from a single console — one monitor, one keyboard, one mouse, one audio output — it eliminates the risk of cross-domain data leakage that standard KVM switches cannot prevent. If you're deploying at a government facility, defense contractor site, or any environment requiring documented isolation between network domains, the CK4-P108C addresses those requirements at the hardware level, not just through software policy.

The metal housing is not cosmetic — it contributes to the physical tamper-resistance required under NIAP PP 4.0 and gives the unit durability appropriate for a device that will be touched dozens of times per day by operators working across multiple classification levels. At 17.0 × 8.7 × 1.8 inches and 6.3 lb, it sits comfortably on a desktop without taking over the workspace.

Key Features

• NIAP Protection Profile 4.0 Certification: This is the current and most stringent NIAP PP standard for peripheral sharing switches. PP 4.0 requires hardware-enforced isolation between ports — no software-only path between hosts. For programs that mandate NIAP-compliant KVMs (federal, DoD, intelligence community), the CK4-P108C meets the requirement. Older PP 3.0 products will not satisfy current procurement standards at many agencies.
• 8 DisplayPort Ports, Single Monitor Output: All eight host connections use 20-pin DisplayPort, so the switch is purpose-matched to workstation environments already running DP-native displays. One DisplayPort output goes to your console monitor, keeping the console side clean and avoiding DP-to-HDMI adapter chains that introduce compatibility uncertainty.
• 4K 30Hz Video: Supporting 3840×2160 at 30Hz, the CK4-P108C is viable for operators who need high-resolution workspace on modern 4K monitors — useful in intelligence analysis, geospatial review, or any role where display real estate matters. Note that this is 30Hz, not 60Hz — operators running high-frame-rate content should factor that in.
• Dual USB 2.0 Type-B Per Host (16 total): Each of the 8 host connections provides two USB 2.0 Type-B ports, giving operators clean HID device support (keyboard + mouse) on every connected system. Combined with 3 USB 2.0 Type-A ports on the console side, peripheral management stays simple across all eight hosts.
• Per-Port 3.5mm Stereo Audio: Eight 3.5mm stereo female jacks on the host side plus one on the console side mean audio is fully switched alongside video — no separate audio matrix or manual cable swaps needed when changing active hosts. Useful in environments where audio from the active classification level must not bleed to adjacent positions.
• Maximum 19.7 ft (6 m) Cable Length: Supported cable runs up to 6 meters give enough flexibility for most operator station layouts without requiring signal amplification or active cable extensions. Plan cable routing before deployment — longer runs than 6m are not supported.
• Metal Housing: The all-metal enclosure is a NIAP PP 4.0 requirement, not a cosmetic choice. It resists physical tampering and meets the form-factor expectations of secured facility deployments. Plastic-chassis KVM switches are not compliant with current NIAP standards.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F): Covers standard indoor office and operations center environments. This is not a ruggedized unit for extreme-temperature deployments — if your installation is in an unconditioned server room or field enclosure, verify ambient temps stay within range.

Integration and Compatibility

The CK4-P108C (often searched as CK4 P108C) integrates into any workstation environment running DisplayPort-native video outputs. The console side presents three USB 2.0 Type-A ports for keyboard and mouse, plus a single DisplayPort output and one 3.5mm stereo audio jack — no proprietary console cables required. Sixteen USB 2.0 Type-B ports across eight hosts support standard HID peripherals on every connected system simultaneously. Because NIAP PP 4.0 mandates hardware-level port isolation, verify that your host systems are configured for the correct classification domain before cabling — the switch enforces isolation but cannot compensate for misassigned host connections on your end. The 3-year manufacturer warranty provides coverage appropriate for a government-facing deployment lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What NIAP certification level does the CK4-P108C carry?

A: The CK4-P108C is certified to NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Switches version 4.0 — the current and most stringent standard. This is a hardware-enforced isolation certification, not a software policy. It satisfies NIAP PP 4.0 requirements for multi-domain peripheral sharing in classified environments.

Q: Does the CK4-P108C support 4K resolution?

A: Yes. The CK4-P108C supports 4K (3840×2160) at 30Hz via DisplayPort. It does not support 4K at 60Hz — if your operators require 60Hz refresh at 4K, this unit is not the right match.

Q: How many hosts can the CK4-P108C connect simultaneously?

A: It supports 8 host systems, each connected via one 20-pin DisplayPort Female connector, two USB 2.0 Type-B ports, and one 3.5mm stereo audio jack. Only one host is active at the console at a time, with hardware isolation between all ports.

Q: What is the maximum cable length supported?

A: The CK4-P108C supports a maximum cable length of 19.7 feet (6 meters). Runs longer than 6m are not supported — plan your operator station layout accordingly.

Q: What is the warranty on the CK4-P108C?

A: StarTech provides a 3-year manufacturer warranty on the CK4-P108C.

Q: Is the CK4-P108C suitable for use in a standard office environment?

A: Yes — it operates between 0°C and 40°C (32°F to 104°F) and stores between -20°C and 60°C (-4°F to 140°F), covering conditioned office and operations center environments. It is not rated for extreme-temperature or outdoor deployments.

Eden Phillips

The CK4-P108C is one of the few desktop KVM switches that actually clears the NIAP PP 4.0 bar — not PP 3.0, not a vendor self-attestation, but full Protection Profile version 4.0 certification with hardware-enforced isolation between all 8 ports. If you're sourcing for a program that specifies current NIAP PP compliance, that distinction matters at procurement and at audit. The 4K 30Hz DisplayPort output is genuinely useful for analysts working at high-res workstations, though I'd flag the 30Hz ceiling clearly to anyone coming from a 60Hz display environment.

Technical Highlights:

• NIAP PP 4.0 Hardware Isolation: Port-to-port isolation is enforced at the hardware level across all 8 hosts — this is what separates a certified secure KVM from a standard switch with a marketing sticker.
• 16 USB 2.0 Type-B Host Ports: Two USB ports per host means keyboard and mouse are both handled cleanly on every connected system — no peripheral sharing conflicts across classification domains.
• Metal Enclosure, 6.3 lb: The all-metal chassis is a NIAP PP 4.0 structural requirement. At 6.3 lb it is desktop-stable without being a handling burden for install teams reconfiguring operator positions.

Deployment Considerations:

• Cable runs are capped at 6 meters (19.7 ft) — measure your operator position-to-host rack distances before specifying. If host systems are in a remote equipment room beyond 6m, you'll need a different architecture.
• The operating temperature ceiling is 40°C (104°F) — standard for a conditioned ops center, but worth confirming if this unit will be deployed in a space with intermittent HVAC or high rack density nearby.

The CK4-P108C is the right specification for a multi-domain operator workstation in a government or defense facility where NIAP PP 4.0 is a hard procurement requirement and hosts are running DisplayPort-native video at 4K 30Hz or below. It is not the right fit for high-frame-rate display environments or cable runs beyond 6 meters.