several comps 1 keybord + mouse

[opengswede]

Didn't know where to put this since we don't have a software section, except for games (maybe something to consider?).

If you're (like me) using multiple computers all at once, then you might consider synergy (http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/) a small server/client model that works like a software kvm-switch (ie one keyboard and mouse to controll several computers).

My current setup involves one server (which is run on linux, Debian) and two clients (WinXP) connected to the server using SSH tunneling for encryption.

All neat and beautiful, including cross-platform copy/paste abilities. Setup-instruction ssh-tunnel: using putty in windows (http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/0.58/htmldoc/Chapter3.html#using-port-forwarding)

if you want to run the server on windows, use OpenSSH (http://www.openssh.com/) server.

refs:
synergy (http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/)
putty (http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/)
OpenSSH (http://www.openssh.com/)

not very moddy tips, but may give someone some ideas.

best
-.erik

[simon275]

Eh a big ass hardware KVM would be better you can get pretty cheap ones that handle four computers these days.

[opengswede]

synergy => current limit of computers is 256, not that that would be easy to handle...

in addition, kvm == money. synergy is free, which openssh and putty is too.
all you really need is a local network. and who hasn't these days.

the only thing i miss, which i could use vnc for is file transfer.

-.erik

[Airbozo]

In my experience, Any software type kvm (including vnc) does not work very well with many graphics programs. There are many glitches or hiccups involved in most of those sessions, and there is even moderate graphics corruption. If you use it mainly to just monitor and control simple programs then it works great, when you start pumping hi-res graphics across your network there will be slowdown and even some crashes.

That said I do use TightVnc here at work and the great thing about it is that I can control my sgi systems from my pc or visa-versa.

[simon275]

For graphics intensive stuff a hardware KVM is good.

Does any one know about a reverse KVM where I can have multiple screens a keyboards around my house for the one computer with on just one user no need for mulitple users. I know ther are thin client PC's but I just want a screen keyboard and mouse and I will use long cables. Also how far until the signal starts to go on DVI or VGA cables.

[Cevinzol]

Do reverse hardware KVM's exist?
I have one machine that I would like to access from 2 places in the room.

[simon275]

I reckon if you had enough electronic know how you could make one but it would just be a box into it goes vga and usb and then there is a nob or swtich on it that chooses which output and there are like any number vga and usb outs. It could be done but when you wanted to change computer you would have to go and turn the nob.

I reckon I could build one would need all the plugs and switches though.

[Airbozo]

Carefull with using common knob switches. The problem with most rotary switches is the noise they produce when switched. This can potentially ruin the video card and/or the monitor(output device).

These devices do exit, they are called matrix switches and get used at tradeshows and I had one installed in my old lab.
http://www.sgi.co.jp/reality_center/images/reality_home.jpg
(japanese site because that is the only image that shows the whole desk)

There is a control panel to switch the keyboard and video from one machine to the next or from one output source to another or even all on or off. It gets pretty confusing when 2 people in 2 different rooms try and work on the same system so we wrote a c program to operate the switcher and lock the configuration if a system was in use.

http://www.barco.com/events/en/products/product.asp?element=3012

[simon275]

Thanks for the advice.

The MatrixPRO 8 X 8 DVI looks good but it probably costs like $5000. I'am amazed that it does it both ways multiple computers on 1 screen of 1 computer of many screens.

[chedabob]

im looking for a kvm for my 360, and my pc. damn its tough to find ones with audio, and usb keyboard support :P

[OvRiDe]

If you want to see it in action, Hak5 (http://www.hak5.org/episodes/) just did a review on it in their last episode (2X01). I use it quite a bit, and I must say it works very well. Most of our programming staff is using it as well now, and they love it.

Seems a bit overkill to use puTTY and OpenSSH. Although it is not encrypted, most likely you would be using it on your local lan, and on a switched network nowadays. Unless you are worried about your little brother doing a "man in the middle" attack on your traffic, you are probably safe :D. I guess I could see it maybe on a wireless network.


Eh a big ass hardware KVM would be better you can get pretty cheap ones that handle four computers these days.
That may be the case if you only have 1 monitor, but if you need to keep any eye on, and interact with multiple machines, the functionality in this beats it hands down. Just the fact that you can copy and paste from one machine to another blows a kvm out of the water, not to mention you don't have to slow down and use some sort of keystroke to switch from machine to machine. With synergy its all transparent.


...the only thing i miss, which i could use vnc for is file transfer.If you are using OpenSSH couldn't you use sftp or scp? I use WinSCP on XP and in linux if you are using KDE the fish (\\fish: ) works great in Konquorer. Not to mention good old SaMBa :D.


Do reverse hardware KVM's exist?
I have one machine that I would like to access from 2 places in the room.
You could probably do that just by hooking up a usb keyboard and mouse along with a ps/2 keyboard and mouse.

It's definately worth a look!

[opengswede]

Seems a bit overkill to use puTTY and OpenSSH. Although it is not encrypted, most likely you would be using it on your local lan, and on a switched network nowadays. Unless you are worried about your little brother doing a "man in the middle" attack on your traffic, you are probably safe :D. I guess I could see it maybe on a wireless network.

Nope, using it at my workplace, which is a Swedish uni. The connection here is completely open. I have numerous attacks (mostly ssh-bashing) to my server (i'm running sshd and httpd on standard ports). So, yes, since I want to send passwords between the different computers I do need encryption.


If you are using OpenSSH couldn't you use sftp or scp? I use WinSCP on XP and in linux if you are using KDE the fish (\\fish: ) works great in Konquorer. Not to mention good old SaMBa :D.

Yes, and I do, but it would still be neat with a drag and drop interface. Not using samba though, tried it didn't like it (but that was ages ago...).

I've also tried TightVNC and i like it. But it works the wrong way around (ie server on the windows machine) which means that I have to run OpenSSH servers on each machine that I want to access from my linux-machine, which already is running a ssh-server. So, lazyness in setup is why I go with synergy.

-.erik

[OvRiDe]

...using it at my workplace, which is a Swedish uni. Nuff said. I totally understand now.. :D

but it would still be neat with a drag and drop interface. I agree that would make it the totally killer app!! Its still pretty new.. maybe in a future release.. (fingers crossed!!)

[opengswede]

Hm, maybe I'll brows the source tree and their project plan and see where they're going if I get the time. Might even put some effort into it myself. It shouldn't be too hard, a file is a file. Transfer rates might be an issue though.

-.erik