[ILUG] Linux-compliant KVM

[Michael Watterson]

Vincent Cunniffe wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Anyone here got experience of a Linux-compliant KVM which works with a 
> USB mouse/keyboard, and a DVI video cable with 2560x1600 resolution?
>
> Basically, I want to use my Linux box with my home monitor/mouse/kb, 
> but also have access to a windows box on the same hardware. The KVM 
> solution rather than remote desktop is because I use the Windows box 
> to play games, and when I'm in Linux I want it to be full native mode, 
> not X echoed across a wireless network.
>
> I've heard stories about KVMs which work in theory but cause issues 
> with USB hotplug drivers on Linux, or which do other odd things. So, 
> anything that anyone's actually used in practice and found to work 
> reliably would be good. Horror stories about specific models to avoid 
> also appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Vin
Avoid Belkin and generally be suspicious of cheap ones in PC World/ Maplin.
Look for ones that emulate the Mouse so that if the PC reboots when box 
is on the other PC, the mouse works properly (i.e. middle button/wheel).
Blackbox usually have professional ones. Mostly 4 port. You can ignore 
the extra ports.

I've only used VGA PS/2 & serial. The Dakota Scout I'm using is unusual 
as it supports Serial as well as PS2 mouse & PS2 Keyboard. I'm using 2 
PCs with DVI to VGA adaptors on the GFXs card. VGA handles same or 
higher bandwidth I think. You could have a problem with resolutions that 
need 2 x DVI cables between PC & Display. Can DVI do more than 1920x 
1200 at 85 Hz offically?

With the cheaper ones you need to boot each PC in turn completely while 
it is selected on KVM.

It's more that the emulation (when port not selected)  should match real 
video/mouse/keyboard HW rather than Linux compatibility.
I had a USB mouse that worked with PS2 adaptor (many don't) and 
switching between a Linux server and Windows PC it would stop working on 
a Belkin box (disconnecting at USB point and reconnecting fixed it, 
doing same on PS2 connecion on Belkin didn't). Using a native PS2 
connected "wheelie" mouse was fine. Avoid overly fancy Mice / Keyboards 
that OS drivers/applications  might  configure  directly rather  than 
the driver layer on OS.

-- 
Mike