monitor/keybord/mouse sharing

bart11 · #1 27th February 2011, 09:15 PM

I have a netbook that I want to share with my desktop monitor, keyboard and mouse.

I have never used a KVM switch and was wondering what would be a good option for me to purchase?

does anyone have any recommendations on what hardware I should use?

***glennzo*** · #2 27th February 2011, 09:24 PM

Well, I can't reply with authority but I can tell you that I had asked for a KVM for my birthday last year and received one. It wasn't one that I would have bought if I was making the purchase myself and since I didn't ask for a specific brand I ended up with a Trendnet TK-407K 4 port switch. It has been working flawlessly for me since day 1. I have 4 computers attached to it. I think it cost between $20-$30 and came with all necessary cables. The only thing I don't like about it is the fact that cables come out of three sides of the thing. Kind of messy as it sits on the desktop.

#3 28th February 2011, 12:45 AM

I have an IOGEAR - Miniview Extreme 4 port USB PS/2 KVMP Switch, which has been great.

A bit on the pricey side (~$100) but I love it.

bart11 · #4 3rd March 2011, 12:33 AM

thanks for the info.

I am happy with the Trendnet, you are right it is a bit messy.

I have it hidden and only need to use it on a few occasions but it is nice when you need it.

#5 3rd March 2011, 04:20 AM

I took care of my cabling with zip ties. My workspace looks presentable now.

***glennzo*** · #6 3rd March 2011, 08:46 AM

The Trendnet device could be located out of sight if desired. The numlock key toggles between computers so there should be no reason to have to press the buttons on the switch.

bart11 · #7 4th March 2011, 08:42 PM

you mean the ScrLK button right?

the Scrlk button does not work in fedora. Do you know how to get it to work?

it has been a while since I have mapped a key.

---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 AM ----------

your right the num lock button will work.
at the moment I have two pc's hooked up.
I can switch from computer two to computer one.

how do you get from computer one too computer two with the hot-key?

have a good one

jpollard · #8 4th March 2011, 09:14 PM

One added note - you might want one that includes audio I/O (input and output). This would allow you to switch microphones/speakers to the targeted system as well as the keyboard/video/mouse.

Might be useful depending on what you are doing. I don't have one, and kind of wished I did. One place this might be usefull is if you are configuring/testing systems - you could switch to the test system without having to change wiring. It would let you use your regular desktop for conferences as well as switching to a test system.

***DBelton*** · #9 4th March 2011, 11:07 PM

very good suggestion jpollard.

I use a Raritan kvm now, and have a IOGear that I used for 10 years and neither one have audio switching capability. I have wished they did numerous times over the years. (If I had purchased my Raritan, I would have gotten one with audio, but it was a freebie

)

#10 5th March 2011, 03:56 AM

My IOGEAR allows for audio switching but I have never been successful in getting it to work when I toggle to my Fedora box.

bart11 · #11 5th March 2011, 01:24 PM

I kinda wish I had audio switching now but I figured I would not use that feature very much.

I am still having problems using the keyboard to switch displays.

if I use ubuntu I can switch from windows and ubuntu back and forth fine useing the Num Lock key.

if I boot fedora i can only use the keyboard to switch from windows to fedora.
i cant go from fedora to windows.

xev looks about the same for that key except ubuntu says serial 36 and fedora is 33

both use keycode 77

I have no clue why everything would work fine in ubuntu and not fedora.

any ideas?

SiliconSlick · #12 5th March 2011, 05:20 PM

If you boot to a non-GUI run-level (e.g. 1 or 3), or switch to a virtual terminal (<Ctrl><Alt><F2>) does switching work then? If so, then it will be a matter of figuring out how to configure your GUI (Gnome/KDE/etc.) to deal with the key.

Though it confuses me as to why it would matter since the switch sees the keyboard before the operating system does (and therefore it shouldn't matter which OS is running). This page does indicate that the lock keys are special (e.g. requires the BIOS to ack and turn on the LED), but I don't see how the switch wouldn.t see the Num Lock key being pressed. I will be curious to find out what you discover.

As for KVMs, the IOGEAR GCS932U is pretty nice since it has a wired remote that makes for a very small footprint on the desktop (and never gave my boss any problems as she switched between MacOSX/Fedora).

SS

bart11 · #13 5th March 2011, 05:42 PM

if I (<Ctrl><Alt><F2>) switching will work.

when i switch back ( usbhid 3-1.3:1.1: couldn't find input interrupt endpoint ) will be displayed in the terminal.

anyway i can switch back and forth using (<Ctrl><Alt><F2>)

yea i don't get it the switch sees the keyboard first but for some reason it is a fedora thing.

i am at a loss as what to look for next

have a good one

SiliconSlick · #14 5th March 2011, 05:53 PM

I found one thread that implied the KVM might be counting on the LED signal to come back from the system (either BIOS or OS) instead of using the initial keypress from the keyboard (see the keyboard link in my previous post for details). It also offers a possible solution under KDE. Not sure if it can be used (or works) in Gnome. But does help explain what the issue might be.

http://ca.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=9480239

SS

bart11 · #15 5th March 2011, 06:21 PM

yea info you posted looks like the problem but i am not sure how to fix it.

i tried make a new keyboard shortcut.

system/preferences/keyboard shortcuts

in command i put xset led named "Scroll Lock";sleep 1;xset -led named "Scroll Lock"

CTRL+SCRLK for the short cut and it did not work

works fine with ubuntu & mint.