The CS1708A KVM allows access to 8directly connected computers, and through Daisy chain architecture as many as 256total servers may be controlled from a single keyboard, mouse and monitor. To simplify installation and to keep track of so many servers a custom ASIC (patent pending) provides an auto-sensing function that recognizes the position of each KVM station in the chain. A front panel USB port provides server access to USB devices such as Hard Drives, or CDROM s, eliminating the need to physically connect a storage device to a server to install patches or updates.