ATEN CN9850 - KVM switch - remote shared access single port, 4K, HDMI - 4 x KVM port(s) - 1 local user - rack-mountable

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

If you’ve got multiple machines but only one person needs to control them occasionally, the ATEN CN9850 is the kind of “set it and forget it” KVM-over-IP solution that makes sense. The big win here is remote shared access with solid video output, so you’re not relying on everyone being on-site or on messy workarounds like RDP into a machine just to control another server/workstation. For a UK office/IT team that supports labs, broadcast/production PCs, design workstations, or server-adjacent gear and wants a quick, controlled way to share access, it’s a sensible buy—especially if you need something reliable in a rack environment.

That price (£699 ex-VAT) is the catch: it’s not cheap, so I’d only go for it if the use case is genuinely “remote shared single-port KVM” rather than general-purpose switching. If you’re just looking to swap one keyboard/video/mouse between a couple of local machines, there are cheaper local KVM options. Also, if you expect lots of users or heavy simultaneous collaboration, check whether the “single port / one local user” model matches your workflow—otherwise you’ll end up paying for capabilities you don’t fully use. Bottom line: it’s a good value for IT teams that need dependable remote control and want it rack-ready, but it’s overkill for simple desk-level switching.