A Network-Based Software KVM Switch? 60
ScanTron writes "This seems like such an obvious piece of software, but I can't find any implementation. Like many Slashdot users, I have a Windows PC next to my Linux PC. Rather than using a KVM switch, I have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor for each PC. I'm looking for software that would let me use only one keyboard and mouse for both machines. Ideally, moving the mouse to the edge of one PC's screen would move it onto the next, letting me send mouse and keyboard events over the network. There is no reason this couldn't be used for two Linux machines, or even a Linux machine, a Windows machine, and a Mac. Does a similar solution for mouse and keyboard sharing exist?"
Wow. (Score:5, Informative)
If both machines are X-windows, use x2x.
If the master machine is X and the slave is not, use x2vnc.
If you have a different config, google for one of those terms and use the Windows package (I have no experience with it, but I think it's called something creative like win2vnc.)
Re:Wow. (Score:2)
I typically set the X box as master and send VNC events to the Windows box or Mac, though.
Re:Wow. (Score:2)
Another project that i think would be very cool,is the xdmx that tries to unite _different_ X Servers and their screens and make them behave as a single multihead Pc with Xinerama.
http://dmx.sourceforge.net/ [sourceforge.net]
Have not tried it yet since it's quite a download for me. Has anyone tried it? Is it worth the effort?
Re:Wow. (Score:2)
I ran into some issues with unsupported server extensions, if I remember correctly -- but that might have been something else around the same time.
My main issues with it were difficulty of setup (high), speed (medium), and lack of dynamic configurability. That is, it would be more useful to me if I could add and remove displays without exiting my entire X session.
Re: (Score:1, Redundant)
VNC is the choice for me (Score:3, Informative)
I use it to do tech support on remote (east coast-west coast)machines without the airline BS. Small, fits on a floppy small. And it just works.
Synergy (Score:5, Informative)
Works with windows and X-11.
Re:Synergy (Score:5, Informative)
Synergy's a great piece of software, I've been using it for awhile now. On top of the mouse/keyboard support, it also shares clipboards and can sync screensavers across your machines (though I've never setup the screensaver thing so I can't comment on it -- but the clipboards work great!). Anyway, I second the recommendation.
Synergy is KM, not KVM (Score:2, Informative)
The Synergy FAQ said that KVM functionality may be added in the future.
Re:Synergy (Score:1)
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
copypasting text between desktops already makes it worthwhile to use, what even hardware kvm can match that?
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
Let me just say that this revolutionize my life!!
I have twice the desktop space now! Its awsome. Before I had a windows desktop machine, and a linux machine running gnome that I only used for gaim (its also a file server). Every time I wanted to chat in aim, I had to lean forward, and use the other keyboard that is in front of my windows desktop keyboard. NO More!
This made the linux machine a completely usable computer now, I can ha
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
Also, so I can use aim while I'm playing full screen games.
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
Re:Synergy (Score:1)
Synergy (Score:4, Informative)
Synergy (Score:1)
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
Re:Synergy (Score:2)
stupid question but... (Score:4, Informative)
Re:stupid question but... (Score:2)
Re:stupid question but... (Score:2)
Re:stupid question but... (Score:1)
Re:stupid question but... (Score:2)
Re:stupid question but... (Score:2)
If you have two monitors you will be unable to go back to one. KVMs have their place, but if you have two monitors as well as two computers, then KVMs are the wrong solution.
Re:stupid question but... (Score:2)
Re:stupid question but... (Score:2)
It seems to work quote well, except for problems with some keys like Shift+Del/Shift+Ins which I haven't yet resolved (probably a windows problem)
Re:stupid question but... (Score:2)
How about this...two dual-head FX5600 cards and two dual-input 21" trinitrons for a total of $700? With a switch on each monitor, you would have even more freedom. Or you could dump all your money into a 19" LCD panel, and live in the year 1996
Get one of these: (Score:1, Flamebait)
Blackbox provides all!
Dell... (Score:4, Interesting)
pretty common (Score:5, Informative)
Also note that not all Cat5/RJ45 KVM units support KVM-over-IP. Many units simply use Cat5 cable to cut down on cost. (Cat5 plus an adapter on either end is cheaper than long runs of coax for video plus USB or PS/2 cables and repeaters.
unix venders have their own methods too (Score:2)
I wonder if anyone is planning to make a Windows2003 server box with some sort of serial-based mangement system. With web interfaces and microsoft's slightly enhanced command prompt, a person really shouldn't have to resort to using a ful
software for both below ... (Score:5, Informative)
Drives a Windows display (that has a VNC service) from your X display.
http://freshmeat.net/projects/x2x/
Drives another X11 display from your X display.
Each may be attached to any edge of your main display and grab the mouse and
keyboard as it crosses that edge, then driving the other display.
Exactly what you asked for. Very Very Useful.
Go with hardware (Score:4, Informative)
I love the Raritan Dominion KX series, it's both a classic KVM and a IP-enabled KVM:
http://www.raritan.com/products/kvm_switches/domi
If you haven't worked with high-end KVMs before, don't be alarmed by the RJ-45 ports on the Raritan models. High end KVMs use Cat5 cable and adapters, it's quite handy and cheaper than buying thick bundles of coax for RGBHV.
Re:Go with hardware (Score:1)
This is nice... But! (Score:2)
Is there software that when I move the mouse to the edge of the screen takes control of a specific machine AND displays its screen?
Re:This is nice... But! (Score:1)
Too easy.
Sybergy (Score:1)
Re:Sybergy (Score:1)
I agree!
I had never heard of this thing until an hour ago but its a brilliant piece of kit indeed. In one hour I replaced all the crappy hardware KVM's on all the traders machines at my work and they are happy as hell.
Well done to the author.
Extend desktop? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Extend desktop? (Score:2)
Re:Extend desktop? (Score:2)
However, my skills are nowhere near that...
I know MaxiVista [maxivista.com] creates a virtual video card so you can use Windows' native multi monitor support.
As neat as that is, I wonder if that's too complex to start with though (Linux or OSS Windows). Ultimately it would be the best solution though.
Re:Extend desktop? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Extend desktop? (Score:2)
osx2x, x2x, x2vnc, and win2vnc (Score:5, Informative)
All of these let you move your mouse off the side of a screen on the machine running the program, over to another machine.
osx2x [opendarwin.org] - control another machine via X11 or VNC, from a Mac.
x2x [freshmeat.net] (check your OS' package collection) - control another machine via X11, from an X11 host.
x2vnc [hubbe.net] (again, check for packages) - control another machien via VNC, from an X11 host.
win2vnc [hubbe.net] - control another machine via VNC, from a Windows host.
rdesktop (Score:3, Informative)
Like Windows Remote Desktop, but running on Unix. I use it on my home network because I got fed up with all the KVM cables.
Synergy over SSH (Score:4, Informative)
The great thing about synergy is that you can easily tunnel it over SSH, so you are not sending any login/passwd/other sensitive info over the net in plaintext.
to do this:
1. set up the server one one machine, configure, and start ('synergys' from the CL).
2. set up a tunnel on port 24800 from the client to the server ('ssh -L24800:server:24800 you@server' --may vary by SSH flavor. also, 24800 is the default port, you can use another, should you care to, just specify it when starting the client).
3. start the client on the client machine looking for a server on the localhost (synergyc localhost).
4. Enjoy the extra deskspace after stashing the extra keyboards!
hope this helps someone.
Synergy is the best great! (Score:1)