KVM extenders help separate staff from patients

In the current time of Corona virus crisis hospitals need to ensure that they take all possible precautions to protect staff and patients and minimize the spread of infection inside the building. Failure to do so can lead to contamination of treatment areas that must then be put out of action for cleaning and critical front-line staff becoming ill and unable to work.

Social Distancing through remote monitoring

A sensible measure that can help reduce the spread of the virus is to displace or replicate bedside and ward monitoring equipment to areas well away from patients with symptoms of the disease. Thus allowing nurses, doctors and specialists to monitor patients from a distance and reduce the need to continuously approach them; without affecting the level of personal care given to patients.

Centralized patient monitoring through KVM system

To achieve the connection between units requires signal extension of the audio and video data from monitoring equipment to external displays. This extension can easily be achieved using KVM extenders.

KVM extension and switching can also be used to transmit signals back to centralized care stations so that wider monitoring can be achieved centrally.

Functional Diagram: KVM System at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Integration of special equipment and cameras

All types of remote devices can be deployed, including video cameras, so that the greatest level of personal care may be given to patients in these sad times whilst keeping care-givers safe.

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Broschure: KVM in Medical & Healthcare

Broschure: KVM in Medical & Healthcare

Case Study: Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Case Study: Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Remote computer access for safe working at a distance during the Covid-19 crisis

The Covid-19 Coronavirus crisis has focused attention on the need to provide safe and secure working conditions for essential workers. Many industries and services have to continue to operate effectively during the pandemic even with reduced staffing levels and with social distancing measures making it harder for colleagues to cooperate closely with each other.

  • In healthcare, risk of infections prevents staff moving as freely as usual and they cannot access important computing and equipment resources so easily or quickly. The constant need to disinfect and clean contaminated areas also reduces access to devices.
  • Essential utilities, such as electricity, transport, water and gas that are normally managed from centralized control rooms may be short-staffed or the control room itself may be compromised should any workers fall ill and be unusable for a short period of time for deep cleansing.
  • Other important services like broadcasting, air traffic management and general commercial and industrial organizations also have to continue to operate, sometimes with reduced staff.

The need for resilient remote computer connection

All these activities highlight the desperate need to provide a highly secure, totally reliable and effective connection between remote workers and their computer systems upon which so many mission-critical services rely. Whether they are located in an adjoining hospital room, on a different floor or building or even many miles away if the operator is working from home or in a back-up facility.

Draco vario Secure IP Remote Access Gateway (SIRA) – a complete solution

One of the most effective, secure and reliable ways to make these connections is through KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) interconnection over an IP-network. IHSE’s IP module SIRA (Draco vario Secure IP Remote Access Gateway) provides that solution.

Unlike virtual TCP/IP interface systems that require software installation, introduce processing delay and are prone to cyber-attack, SIRA connects between the video and HID ports and transmits just the video and interactive commands (mouse movement and keyboard keystrokes) between the user and the computer, thereby forming a direct user connection to the device. It completely overcomes the complexity and security issues associated with virtual systems.

Simple implementation and operation

It is essential for any solution to be implemented quickly and easily – often by staff with limited facilities and computer expertise, such as those working from home.

Security and access control

Control of the operator equipment and access to sensitive computer systems is maintained by the system administrator at the central computer end to ensure total computer security and restrict user access.

Point-to-point connection

The simplest connection uses a point-to-point infrastructure that allows a single operator to access a dedicated computer.

SIRA: Direct Connect Setup

Multi-computer setups

Individual users can be given access to up to eight separate computers – either by individual switched connection or multiview layout on a single screen; making the system even more flexible and convenient.

SIRA: Multi-Screen Setup

Flexibility for temporary and short-lived situation

We all hope that the Covid-19 crisis will pass quickly and that these measures will only be needed for a short period of time. IHSE’s IP module SIRA offers a highly-effective solution for the current crisis that can be used to solve these short-term issues.

 

IP connectivity enables remote access to secure KVM systems

In these unprecedented and uncertain times, businesses and public sector organizations are focusing on how they can continue to operate and remain effective in times of crisis and ensure their survival in the future.

Enterprises are built around people who have a need to access data, communicate with each other and perform activities and tasks. People across the globe are currently being asked to work remotely and many jobs are being undertaken in this way. Remote network access to computers, video communication and conferencing is enabling viable and effective working.

However, many tasks cannot be carried out from a distance simply because robust and resilient technological infrastructure is not in place to support them. Examples are technical support jobs that need low-level computer access and control room operations that rely on absolute data integrity and instant access to process control systems. Current and common technology is not up to the demanding performance levels required to fulfil these tasks.

Fully efficient and secure home office

A solution to this is offered by IHSE’s IP module (Draco vario Secure IP Remote Access Gateway; short: SIRA) which overcomes the problems associated with security, accessibility, immediacy and image quality of traditional packetized remote IP-connection to distant computers using client-server models.

SIRA’s premise is simple and straightforward. It provides KVM extension over an IP network by extending keyboard, mouse, USB, embedded audio and video signals; in the same manner that IHSE’s traditional KVM extenders transfer signals. It means that a remote operator can access any desired computer, at any distance away, using a keyboard and mouse as though they were physically located alongside that computer.

The signals passed between the operator and computer retain full integrity, have the highest possible transmission rate with least network load and complexity and can be switched on demand. Crucially, total system security is maintained: data transferred over the network can be restricted to visual images and USB commands, making it impossible to mount cyber attacks that take operational control of computers or plant malicious software.

Die zwischen Anwender und Computer übertragenen Signale behalten ihre volle Integrität, haben die höchstmögliche Übertragungsrate und können bei Bedarf umgeschaltet werden. Entscheidend ist, dass die vollständige Systemsicherheit erhalten bleibt: Die einzigen über das Netzwerk übertragenen Daten sind visuelle Bilder und USB-Befehle. Daher ist es unmöglich, Cyber-Angriffe zu starten, die die Kontrolle über den Betrieb von Computern übernehmen oder bösartige Software installieren.

Backup for evacuation scenarios

Functional Diagram: SIRA (Secure IP Remote Access Gateway) offers flexible and secure KVM access from anywhere

The SIRA IP Gateway not only enables workers to continue working in the most secure and effective way whilst isolated at home but permits secondary back up facilities to be created for use should the primary center be compromised in any way. In the current situation this may be when an operator falls ill and the whole control area needs to be evacuated and cleaned before it may be used again.

SIRA can be incorporated into an existing IHSE KVM system or included as part of a remote operating facility as a point-to-point extender; allowing essential workers to access crucial systems with maximum security, wherever they happen to be. And ensure that their organization remains operational now and viable in the future.