Compatible KVM Switch box
 

So I decided since I'd really like to be able to swtich between Windows and Linux easily and quickly I thought maybe just building another PC. I would then be able to switch between both OS's with a KVM switch box so I wouldn't need to get two mouses, keyboards, and monitors. I would also be able to share files, printers, and scanners with some networking (although since I'm sharing files I don't think networking printers and scanners is really necessary), which I'll look into later.

I checked the HCL here and there doesn't seem to be a category for KVM switch box, unless I'm looking in the wrong place. But even then, I'd need to look for the specific model in each manufacturer.

So basically I would like to know if anybody had any successes with certain KVM switch box. I've been thinking maybe the best way to meet my requirements would be to make my own KVM Switch Box (or just keep my current dual boot, single PC set up).

What I would like is to have the KVM switch box to accept DVI inputs and output DVI. I doubt I'll be going dual screen, but just I suppose it wouldn't be doing any harm in just asking for two DVI ouputs. The keyboard and mouse would most likely be USB instead of PS/2, but I would like some flexibility and have an option of choosing either or.

If a lot of people really think this is a bad idea, then I won't go through with it. Right now it's just a thought.

I use a USB KVM switch box successfully with Windows, Linux and Unix type OS's; but it's not without it's niggling problems.

To start with, make sure you get one that supports high video resolutions (e.g. SVGA)

Also on each machine you need to enable USB mouse and keyboard support in the BIOS to be able to use them with things like boot loaders, dos mode (Windows recovery CD), etc. This is required because USB isn't enabled in most OS's until it's kernel or USB driver is loaded; you know it has when you see the num lock, caps lock and scroll lock LED's flash.

I have noticed though that the mouse and keyboard don't always work after a warm or cold reboot, especially with Unix variants; So I have to turn off the PC and sometimes even unplug the KVM. But 90% of the time it works without problems

Also you need to set your video card up to use 60Hz refresh rate with LCD monitors, otherwise I get ghosting and flickering problems.

My KVM is a VGA D-sub connection only, I've never experienced using one that supports DVI.

Another alternative is to use a program such as Synergy

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

This is an excellent program that lets you use one keyboard and mouse to control 2 PC's and 2 monitors. It's compatible with Windows and all Linux/Unix OS's too. It's only software driven and works through your network.

Hmm... The only problem I have with the synergy is would it make anything perform slightly slower? The only reason I have Windows at the moment is because of gaming. Gamers tend not to have wireless mice because there are instances where it does hinder the gaming experience (I've been told). So that's the only gripe I have right now. Although I suppose I could give it a try, and if there are any problems with synergy, I check out KVMs.

Thanks for those tips. They never occurred to me. I've never reformatted my hard drive using a USB keyboard (only USB mouse) thus far.

So far the KVM switch box I've been eying are: http://www.compucable.com/kvms/embed...mdvu_body.html and http://www.avocent.com/web/en.nsf/Co...hViewDVI-2port

I've never noticed any slow down whatsoever!


Unfortunatley, I have found that it's best to turn off Synergy when playing games, as it can get confused and make the mouse behave erratic and sometimes it keeps minimizing the game to the desktop.

I've never come across this. I have used wireless mice since they came out. maybe this happened with some early cheap mice; I always buy Microsoft or Logitech.

They look up to the job to me!

I have used several KVM with linux, and never had problems with any of them.


They are getting REALLY cheap one bay too :)

I was just going to ask a question about KVM switches and here's a thread about KVM switches near the top of the forum.

I've been using a KVM switch for many years, it's an iogear miniview 4-port USB switch. Maybe I should try out a newer one some day. Mine works fine most of the time, but there is an annoying problem that happens occasionally. Sometimes after switching back to one of the computers, the computer doesn't recognize that there is a keyboard and mouse. Sometimes it works to switch away for 10 seconds or so and then switch back, but sometimes that doesn't work either, nor does unplugging the USB cable and plugging it back in. So, I end up logging in from another computer and restarting the machine, which is pretty inconvenient.

Is there a program under linux that can tell the module to try connecting again?

I've too have had that problem occasionally.

If USB support is built into the kernel, then the only way AFAIK is to reboot. But if they are loaded as modules, you could `rmmod` them and then reload them with `modprobe`.

Hmm... then I suppose I'll skip synergy altogether. Ah, thanks for the info on the USB wirelesses. I too only buy mice from Logitech.

Hello,
I use a StarTech sv231uadvi KVM. It is a usb switch box for 2 computers with DVI, it also switches sound. It has a couple of issues with my new AMD690V motherboard and some usb devices under linux only. I have got round this by adding a pci usb card. This doesn't happen with my nvidia based motherboards they work perfectly. It also didn't like my wireless Microsoft mouse but neither did I so that was fortunate.

Phil

I'm using a Belkin 2-port KVM switch but that's a PS2 thingy so you probably won't be interested in this sort of thing; it may be good to know that Belkin too seems to work with Linux. It was quite affordable actually; the only problem I experienced is that my mouse sometimes hangs when switchinf from one display to another (quite a common problem with KVM switches) - solved it by getting a second mouse, now all is fine.

jay, so you don't kvm the mouse? You just got one mouse for each PC?

D-link PS/2 version (exact type unknown). Only problem is that it sometimes does not pass keystrokes for a few seconds. This is, however, not operating system dependent; windows suffers just as much as linux.

[edit]
OOPS
did not read post correctly; this one only does KVM and nothing else
[/edit]

Yes, exactly. LCD, keyboard, speakers and microphone are all connected to the KVM switch but the mice are directly attached to the computers. I might have experimented some more to get it all working but then I had heard so often about kvm/mouse issues that I thought it shouldn't bother. It's not as if a mouse is the most expensive computer part, after all.