Blikvm PiKVM: Difference between revisions
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This is a Raspberry Pi 4 running the PiKVM software, with a HAT provided by the blikvm project. This fork of the PiKVM has many advantages over the original, for example being rack mountable, and being cheaper than the 'official' PiKVM hat. Mine is attached to an 8 port KVM switch (see below). The Raspberry Pi is powered off POE. | This is a Raspberry Pi 4 running the PiKVM software, with a HAT provided by the blikvm project. This fork of the PiKVM has many advantages over the original, for example being rack mountable, and being cheaper than the 'official' PiKVM hat. Mine is attached to an 8 port KVM switch (see below). The Raspberry Pi is powered off POE. | ||
== Startech 8 port DVI KVM Switch (SV831DVIU) == | |||
Unfortunately my [[Blikvm PiKVM#tesmart|tesmart]] KVM switch broke recently, and it would be too expensive to buy a new (not used) one, so instead I bought this Startech KVM switch. VGA/PS2 KVM switches are common on ebay but 8 port DVI/USB KVM Switches are rarer. I was very lucky in getting this one for £18 (it'd cost hundreds new). I have been impressed with the reliability of Startech KVM switches before so I hope this will be the same. | |||
Sadly, unlike the tesmart, it does require some "quirks" to use nicely: | |||
* Some clients don't seem to work with resolutions above 1280x1024 so it is configured to work with this max resolution | |||
* In order to change the input device, you can use keyboard controls (e.g. <Ctrl>+<Ctrl>+1), but plugging the PiKVM into this port means the USB ISO upload doesn't work. The mouse does work, but.... | |||
* The mouse doesn't work in the default configuration. You have to use [https://docs.pikvm.org/mouse/#dual-mode this workaround]. This means you have to click inside the client which will fully take control of your mouse until you press <Esc>. This isn't as smooth as the default setup, but at least it works. | |||
* I'm working on a project that uses a Raspberry Pi Pico as a virtual keyboard connected over the network to simulate these key switches and allow switching inputs using the UI integrations as nicely as you can with the tesmart. | |||
I am going to write a nice blogpost about this when I'm done because there doesn't seem to be much information about using startech switches with PiKVMs. | |||
== TESMart KVM Switch == | == TESMart KVM Switch == | ||
[[File:Pikvm switcher.png|left|thumb|The KVM switch can be controlled nicely through the PiKVM UI.]] | [[File:Pikvm switcher.png|left|thumb|The KVM switch can be controlled nicely through the PiKVM UI.]] | ||
Formerly, I used this tesmart KVM switch to connect 8 clients until it broke. This KVM switch can have [https://docs.pikvm.org/tesmart/ inputs changed through the network if a static IP is set], and PiKVM has integrations to control it. This is really nice, although I do find it funny that it doesn't have DHCP, so you have to set its IP address through a serial connection (my previous KVM switch was from 2003 and you had to do that). | |||
Latest revision as of 10:36, 18 October 2023
This is a Raspberry Pi 4 running the PiKVM software, with a HAT provided by the blikvm project. This fork of the PiKVM has many advantages over the original, for example being rack mountable, and being cheaper than the 'official' PiKVM hat. Mine is attached to an 8 port KVM switch (see below). The Raspberry Pi is powered off POE.
Startech 8 port DVI KVM Switch (SV831DVIU)
Unfortunately my tesmart KVM switch broke recently, and it would be too expensive to buy a new (not used) one, so instead I bought this Startech KVM switch. VGA/PS2 KVM switches are common on ebay but 8 port DVI/USB KVM Switches are rarer. I was very lucky in getting this one for £18 (it'd cost hundreds new). I have been impressed with the reliability of Startech KVM switches before so I hope this will be the same.
Sadly, unlike the tesmart, it does require some "quirks" to use nicely:
- Some clients don't seem to work with resolutions above 1280x1024 so it is configured to work with this max resolution
- In order to change the input device, you can use keyboard controls (e.g. <Ctrl>+<Ctrl>+1), but plugging the PiKVM into this port means the USB ISO upload doesn't work. The mouse does work, but....
- The mouse doesn't work in the default configuration. You have to use this workaround. This means you have to click inside the client which will fully take control of your mouse until you press <Esc>. This isn't as smooth as the default setup, but at least it works.
- I'm working on a project that uses a Raspberry Pi Pico as a virtual keyboard connected over the network to simulate these key switches and allow switching inputs using the UI integrations as nicely as you can with the tesmart.
I am going to write a nice blogpost about this when I'm done because there doesn't seem to be much information about using startech switches with PiKVMs.
TESMart KVM Switch
Formerly, I used this tesmart KVM switch to connect 8 clients until it broke. This KVM switch can have inputs changed through the network if a static IP is set, and PiKVM has integrations to control it. This is really nice, although I do find it funny that it doesn't have DHCP, so you have to set its IP address through a serial connection (my previous KVM switch was from 2003 and you had to do that).
