I have a KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch that I use to switch between my windows and two linux machines. When I switch back to my Linux machine after working on my windows machine, Linux forgets all about the mouse and sometimes the keyboard. I then have to restart my Linux box to use the keyboard and mouse.

I am running red hat 9.0. I guess my question is: Is there any way to get Linux to check periodically (every 5 seconds or so) if there is a keyboard and mouse available and automatically re-connect it in the background if needed?

Not to praise windows, but that seems to be what windows does.

What kind of KVM? My Linksys one works just fine.

Mine is a piece of crap one. I don't see the brand name but it looks loke the old A/B/C switches for choosing printers. It seems to completely disconnect from the computers it is not currently switched to. I hear that some kvms are able to fool all computers into thinking they have a mouse and keyboard connected even though it sends data to only the one it is switched to. Maybe I just need to buy a better KVM.

I am curious though if I can get it to work with Linux. Maybe there is a program in the system that detects the mouse and keyboard that I can call it every so often in a cron.

Oh, I see what you mean, it's a manual switch and the problem is that after you switch you can't use the keyboard/mouse anymore. My guess is that it's a problem with the switch. I bought one of those initially, and when I switched half the time the monitor didn't work, so I returned it and bought this Linksys one (which was actually cheaper because I didn't have to buy cables, they're builtin).

Yah, I was trying to be a little too cheap. What Model do you have? About what price do you think they run?

I avoid kvm by using a program called synergy. See synergy2. I really like what it does for my home use, windowsxp machine with monitor (client) and linux box with monitor (server) and I can move from screen to screen via synergy.

Wow! That sounds cool. I'm going to take a close look at that. Thanks!

That looks like it's only for switching keyboard and mouse, not monitor.

I have this one, and like I said it works great. There's no software involved, you just press scroll lock twice to switch monitors, or you can put it in auto-mode where it switches back and forth every 30 seconds or something. I got it for about $65 Canadian, and the nice thing is you don't have to buy cables because they're builtin. You also don't need a spot for it on your desk or somewhere else where you can reach it, it just goes down under your desk with your cables.

I'm looking into getting a KVM switch for myself next week. I found what appears to be a good deal at newegg. I'm sorry that I have yet to gain any experience in this area and can offer no REAL help. But.... If yours is ancient and you don't mind replacing it then you may want to give this one a gander. It's a trend net KVM that specifies Unix/Linux support and supports 2 boxes. Cost to your door is $28.00. Not bad at all given most of the prices I've seen. It supports PS/2 mice and Keyboard and standard monitors. Here is the product link:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...107-246&DEPA=1

I have no idea if this switch has any negative impact on operation (like gameplay), as my research is not complete. However, this one is currently at the top of my buy list.

A couple things to look for: Does it come with cables? If not, you may be paying more than you expect to get something working. Does it have keyboard and mouse emulation? If not, you may be buying one later like I just did on ebay. If it has the above two features, is sounds like a great deal.

Like I said my research is not complete. I'm currently looking at this Trend Net KVM much closer. It promises Unix/Linux support without the need for software so I'm guessing no emulation. And apparently cables are provided. That was MY first question when I saw the price. I'm still a little skeptical. I'll post what I find.

The Linksys one is only 10 bucks more from NewEgg (here). I'd probably go with that instead.