Configure Physical KVM for UCS Rack Servers

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Updated:August 12, 2025
Document ID:223288

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    Introduction

    This document describes the procedure of connecting a physical Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM) to a Unified Computing System (UCS) C series server.

    Prerequisites

    Requirements

    Cisco recommends that you have knowledge of these topics:

    • Video Graphics Array (VGA) connectors
    • DB-9 Serial connector

    Components Used

    The information in this document is based on these hardware components:

    • VGA monitor
    • USB keyboard
    • Either the supported Cisco KVM cable with Cisco Product ID N20-BKVM; or a USB cable and VGA DB-15 cable

    The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If your network is live, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command.

    Related Products

    Cisco UCS C Series Server aka Rack Mount Server. Here, C240 M5 has been taken as example.

    Cable Options/Connectors

    1. N20-BKVM: KVM cable for server console port (reference link)

    KVM CableKVM CableThe KVM cable provides a connection into the server, providing a DB9 serial connector, a VGA connector for a monitor, and dual USB 2.0 ports for a keyboard and mouse. With this cable, you can create a direct connection to the operating system and the BIOS running on the server.

    KVM ConnectorKVM Connector

    KVM connector at number 11. (KVM connector used with KVM cable that provides two USB 2.0, one VGA, and one serial connector.)

    2. VGA DB-15 cable

    VGA VideoVGA Video

    VGA video port (DB-15 connector) at number 9 and USB 3.0 ports (two) at number 7.

    Video shows the connectivity of the VGA port on the back of server to a monitor in order to get the video output from server.

    Connect a USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the server using one of the methods:

    1. Connect an optional KVM cable with Cisco Product ID N20-BKVM to the KVM connector on the front panel. Connect your USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the KVM cable.
    2. Connect a USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the corresponding connectors on the rear panel.

    Once the connection is successfully established, you can perform tasks such as configuring the Cisco Integrated Management Interface (Cisco IMC) and executing troubleshooting steps.

    Related Information

    Revision History

    Revision Publish Date Comments
    1.0
    12-Aug-2025
    Initial Release

    Contributed by

    • Akash Malla
      Consulting Engineer
    • Ajay Kumar M
      Customer Delivery Architect

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