Recommended KVM?

[timothykaine]

I need a 2-port KVM for one XP Pro box and one RH 7.2 box. A lot of people have had complaints about mouses going crazy when switching from Windows to Linux on their KVM. Anyone here know of a KVM that NEVER has that problem? Ive heard a couple suggestions like using one with a power supply to fix a mouse that dies on a Linux GUI, and plugging and unplugging, but I dont want to have to go out of my way. Thats the whole point of the KVM, convenience.

Note:
Using generic PS/2 keyboard.
RH 7.2 supported monitor (also can obtain drivers)
Microsoft (lemme alone, its a good mouse) Intellimouse Optical 5 button scroll mouse (USB converted to PS/2)

Anyone using a similar setup that has a problem-free KVM?

[timothykaine]

Also forgot to add:

Ive found this is a very popular item (probably because of its price), but has anyone had any good (or bad) experiences with the Trendnet/Trendware 2-Port KVM?

[techwise]

on boxes with XP and Mandrake.

Mine is a Linksys "Pro Connect KVM Switch".

It have proven reliable and bug free. I use it now on boxes with Win2000 and Mandrake 9.

Stay away from the Belkin units. I have had 2 that did not work well.

MIke

[timothykaine]

Thanks. Ive seen that for some pretty good prices so maybe Ill pick that up. Im poor, so thats one in my pricerange. :)

[Can O' Beans]

I have a 4-port at home that I've never had a problem with. I'll have to check it, then edit this page. Hopefully they'll have a 2-port avail.


- Edit - Well, sorry to say, it has absolutely no name brand listed on it:( and I no longer have the box. It was a cheap one to begin with though.

[techwise]

Then why not try FREE.

Setup your linus system to run an xsession ans load VNC server (free).

Then get the WIN32 VNC Client on your windoze box.

All you need now is a network hub between the two and you have full control of the linux box.

I do this at home and it works very well.

Mike

[timothykaine]

Tell me more, my good man. Im a total newbie. How does that work?

[techwise]

Your red hat may allready have VNC installed and perhaps is in the networking section of you gnome or kde menus.

If it is not there, do a google search for VNC. It is an AT&T labs product, stands for Virtual Network Conection.

Install it on your linus system per whatever instructions you find ther on the VNC site. Run it and select the option to let others connect tou that machine (server).

Now do the same for windoze. There will be a win32 download at the VNC site. When you run it on the windoze pc tell it you want to take control of another machine and you will be prompted with the opportunity to put in an IP address. Do it and like MAGIC. You have a fully functionallinux system.

Just a tip, run your Win machine screen resolution at something larger than the linux box for the best viewing experience.

Good luck.

[cperkins]

I use two. I use a cheapo 8 port that comes with cables for $80. (Don't know the brand, bought it on e-bay. Do a search for 8 port kvm switch and look for the $80 model with the yellow box, several people there are selling them). It works great with my smoothwall, asterisk@home pbx, suse 9 boxes, red hat 9 boxes and my digital unix box. The only thing it doesn't like are my digital 200 and my digital 250 (which run hp tru64), so for those I use a 4 port belkin omni.

[bs_texas]

I have one of these (http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GCS614A&PHPSESSID=b24e68fe1306a3be3876d45239ee7e4b) and it works great. I have it connected to a Windows 2000 machine and 2 slackware machines. Simply hit ctrl-shift-alt-1,2,3,4, each key separately and in that order. No problems.

Edit: Dang it!!! I just noticed that this is a resurrected dead thread. Oh, well.

[psych-major]

For VNC, try TightVNC (http://www.tightvnc.com/), I find it to be a little faster than RealVNC.

As for a KVM switch, I use a Zonet (http://www.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-602&depa=0) one that I purchased from NewEgg for $32.00. It is 4-port, comes with all of the cables, and switches between 2 Windows and 1 Slackware box with zero issues. My wheelmouse even works on all three boxes while switching!

One caveat, I have never had good luck with a USB mouse running through a USB to PS/2 converter on any KVM switch, and on the Zonet, make sure all the cables are plugged in very snugly!

[cybertron]

Originally posted by bs_texas
Edit: Dang it!!! I just noticed that this is a resurrected dead thread. Oh, well.
:D

I'm glad you said something because I was about to reply also.

[psych-major]

Originally posted by cybertron
:D

I'm glad you said something because I was about to reply also.

Looks like it got three of us!

[StarTiger]

This is a newer model of the one i use. It works great. here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107310)

[timothykaine]

Well since its ressurected anyways, maybe youd like to know three years ago when I posted this that I ended up going with an IOGear 4-port mini-view. :p

[psych-major]

Good to know!

I have run across a couple of different iogear switches and they seem excellent.

[JayMan8081]

Yeah IOGear is good. I have a two port KVM from them that was pretty affordable and has served its purpose without any problems. Needed no extra setup under Mandrake to use the extra buttons on the mouse as well (I have same mouse as timothykaine was using).

[Davno]

Originally posted by timothykaine
Well since its ressurected anyways, maybe youd like to know three years ago when I posted this that I ended up going with an IOGear 4-port mini-view. :p

OK, And do you like it ? Cause i am looking for a kvm switch for Linux and Win$ boxes.

[timothykaine]

Originally posted by Davno
OK, And do you like it ? Cause i am looking for a kvm switch for Linux and Win$ boxes.

Worked wonderfully except for one minor irritation.

I switched to a Logitech mouse and keyboard (Mx500 mouse). The back and forward buttons both registered as back. When I scrolled up and down it worked fine, but if I did it for more than a few lines it would trigger a "back" response as well.

In all fairness, I never tried to fix this or program the extra buttons. I dont use a KVM anymore.

[keywi]

I have a belkin omnicube and a logitech mx500 and i have the same problem. logitech said they don't support kvm with there software and on my xp box it would loose its button functions. so i put a regular mouse on the omnicube and used my mx500 via usb connection for my xp box.

DON'T GET THE "CABLES-TO-GO 2 PORT Micro KVM with Audio". They don't work with any kind of machine. They caused problems with Dell, Compaq, HP, and IBM Clones. They are terrible. Sometimes the machine will not even boot or the mouse goes crazy or the sound pops real loud over the speakers.

Anyway, that is my two cents worth.

William

[scinerd]

I had a Belkin kvm for a while and it worked till I got to Fedora and some of the other newer distro's. I'm guessing my driver changed over time.

I switch to a switchview made by Avocent and have not had a problem since. We have a ton of them at work and never had the problems we had with the belkins. The only thing to watch is the 2 and 4 port switches only come with 2 cables so if you buy a 4 port you will also need to order another 2 cables.