How to remote keyboard & mouse, not video?

Eric Elliott · 05-19-2008, 06:57 PM

I probably just do not know the names to search for, so maybe I only need a few words of reply.

What I want to do is control & use my computer while it is 20 feet away, behind the large video display. All hardware will be behind monitor, about 20' from keyboard & trackball.
How can this be done? Can a second computer host trackball & keyboard and connect via Ethernet or 802.11 without also hosting video display?

theNbomr · 05-19-2008, 09:42 PM

There are KVM switches that also include extension capability. You might look for one of those, and just use only the K & M components (you might want to check whether that has any effect on the operation of the switch).
--- rod.

jay73 · 05-19-2008, 11:36 PM

Doesn't your distro have the synergy package (8.04 has)? It does more or less what a KVM switch does but then entirely in software.

Eric Elliott · 05-20-2008, 05:37 AM

Thanks, Jay. Synergy is what I need. Description of Synergy is perfect for one user, multiple computers.
Rod, KVM hardware adds problems and more cables to handle. I had already bought & returned two KVM units for lack of Linux compatibility. Using a laptop as remote control to computer across room is much better.

Thanks.