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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: ironcoder on Sun, 14 June 2009, 05:38:27
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Hey do any of you guys have a KVM that you really like? I guess my setup here is out of control and it's also throwing a lot of heat on my workspace so I'm going to move all the cases away from me and try to run a 4 port KVM. I guess I save money now since I only have to buy one keyboard (groan).
I want to run dual head but I'm going to have to play some games to make it happen because all my video cards have DVI and VGA out (I don't have dual DVI, dammit).
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You can always use a software KVM like Synergy (http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/) if you don't need 3D acceleration on more than one machine.
But if you need a real KVM solution, the best ones out there that aren't rackmount are IOGEAR. This one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817107454) is a dual VGA one - you can just use DVI->VGA converters on your graphics cards and run dual VGA instead of dual DVI.
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ATEN do some nice switches. The trouble is once you're talking DVI and dual screen the price shoots up. It might be cheaper (and more functional) to buy 2 KVMs. I would do that but my Dell 2405 screens switch between DVI and VGA easily enough, and I switch keyboards and mice through a Belkin F1U400 4x4 USB switcher.
(VGA at 1920x1200 works surprisingly well if connected directly, but when I connect it through an old KVM the ghosting is awful.)
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I have the ATEN CS1764 which is a 4-port KVM with DVI and USB support. The cables in the box only support DVI-D, but you can use your own standard cables with DVI-VGA adapters with it if you require VGA over the DVI connector (and it works well with no noticeable blurryness or ghosting even at 1920x1200 VGA) and it uses standard USB cables between the KVM and PC.
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Thanks alot guys. I'll look for some of the stuff you mentioned. Manyak I looked at that IOGEAR but it uses USB and I prefer all PS/2 stuff. I'll see if they have a PS/2 version.
I don't really want to go the DVI -> VGA conversion route. I'll have to see what else I can do.
Are there any good shops that ship overseas? I can't order from newegg, the bastards.
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Thanks alot guys. I'll look for some of the stuff you mentioned. Manyak I looked at that IOGEAR but it uses USB and I prefer all PS/2 stuff. I'll see if they have a PS/2 version.
I don't really want to go the DVI -> VGA conversion route. I'll have to see what else I can do.
Are there any good shops that ship overseas? I can't order from newegg, the bastards.
Just an FYI, but if you get VGA cables that are rated for 75ohms you'll get a perfect signal at reasonable distances:
The max length of DVI cables is 16 feet by spec, 25 feet normally, while the max legnth of decent VGA cables is over 100ft before any noticeable data loss.
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IOGear made a Dual-DVI KVM+audio+USB that I coveted for a few years; now I can't seem to find it even for window shopping.
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Just an FYI, but if you get VGA cables that are rated for 75ohms you'll get a perfect signal at reasonable distances:
The max length of DVI cables is 16 feet by spec, 25 feet normally, while the max legnth of decent VGA cables is over 100ft before any noticeable data loss.
Thanks Manyak. I don't have to run too far, I should be able to stay within the DVI minimum no problemo.
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I can get the LEVEL1 brand locally, anyone ever heard of it?
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I have a LEVEL1 network switch with magnets on the bottom. I usually end up sticking it to the side of one of my servers.
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Where would you stick it if it didn't have magnets?
In all seriousness, is it any good?
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It worked reliably and i think it's pretty well constructed. Im accumulating more servers now. need to bring it out again.
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Thanks.