Mutant USB K(V)M Switches?

Zwack asks: "I was wondering about a KVM switch capable of handling both Macintosh and Linux like computers. I would prefer the V part to be optional as I use multiple screens, but I prefer to use a single keyboard and mouse. Ideally there would be an open design out there that I could adapt to my needs. I've worked with large commercial products before with mixed results, but the prices seem exorbitant for my limited home use. I've searched google without any real success. Does anyone know of any low cost products or open designs that they would recommend. Initially PC/Mac support is all that is required, longer term I may want to add Unix workstations into the mix (I used to own Sun and SGI boxes, and I work with a lot of HP and IBM equipment)." The "mutant" part comes from the fact that the switch itself has to offer an easy way to adapt to the different platforms it will connect to. Such a switch might use special cables: a custom connector to the switch, but the opposite end will connect to whatever machine you like, be it a PC, a Mac, a workstation or even a TV. Something like this would strike me as a very useful portable device, has anyone developed something like this yet?

Comments

a lot of hard work, for what?

[tps12]

Ideally there would be an open design out there that I could adapt to my needs.

What needs? If it switches the KVM, what else do you need? I guess given a choice, open beats closed. But I don't see the utility here.

I've worked with large commercial products before with mixed results, but the prices seem exorbitant for my limited home use.

"Limited home" users shouldn't buy KVMs. What I mean is that rack-mounted servers are also "exorbitant for...limited home use." They're not targetted at home users. If you want to use them, you pay the price.

The "mutant" part comes from the fact that the switch itself has to offer an easy way to adapt to the different platforms it will connect to. Such a switch might use special cables: a custom connector to the switch, but the opposite end will connect to whatever machine you like, be it a PC, a Mac, a workstation or even a TV. Something like this would strike me as a very useful portable device, has anyone developed something like this yet?

Why has no one developed an adapter that will let you put any engine into any car? This is a ton of work, and it's not the kind of adaptation that can be performed without sticking a real CPU in there with every different kind of interface. It's a lot trickier than just shifting wires around. The end result would be an expensive device that no one would pay for: someone would want it for the SGIPC translation but not want to pay for the HP, Mac, etc. translations in the process! This is best accomplished, IMO, by finding converters to whatever format you can (serial, e.g.) and then getting a switch in that protocol.

Re:a lot of hard work, for what?

[ahfoo]

I beg to differ and I think the original post is apparently fishing around without having actually tried using a KVM.
I build my own open air racks and I have no problems and they're actually cheaper and run cooler than cased PCs as well as being much easier to diagnose when problems occur. How is it more expensive to put four boards on a rack I build myself for thirty bucks than it is to buy four cases? It saves space too. I don't see the down side.
As for using a KVM in a mixed environment, I've never had a problem using the most generic PS2 KVM in a mixed network with two or three Linux distros and few versions of Windows. The only time I get problems is when a machine on a switch goes down while the switch is pointed at it, it can take out the mouse functionality on all the machines on that switch. But if the machines are network servers or running dedicated tasks as you'd expect in a rack mount situation, then they shouldn't be going down all the time and this won't be a big problem. Also, losing the mouse despite being inconvenient and requiring a reboot to fix doesn't mean your servers crash.
I keep two separate KVMs. One is for the boards I'm playing with and one is for the machines that are supposed to be stable. That works quite nicely. And once you try this, you realize you can add board, CPU, RAM units for such little cost your network starts to grow quickly. And why not, for the cost of a Dell PC you can add three or four boards/CPUs.
And all this functionality is from no-name totally generic beige KVM boxes with A,B,C,D on the front that cost about twelve bucks. They're availalbe in USB, or AT + Serial or whatever brightens your day. I don't see why you'd need a name brand or something specifically tailored for multiple OSs. Just buy one and try it, they're quite cheap.
And while you're at it, build your own racks and screw the cases. You don't need to encourage bad design work from Taiwan. I live in Taiwan and I can tell you that the people here are capable of making beautiful designs that put the Japanese to shame, but they go where the money is. If people keep buying these ugly cases, they'll keep making them. If the demand drops maybe they'll start making cool curvy home rack mounts. I say buy the ugly KVMs for now and ditch the cases. Maybe later we'll see both in designer styles at the right prices.
This isn't as far fetched as it may seem because if they were selling OEM designer home racks instead of cases, a KVM would be an obvious vlaue added feature.
And, there is an adaptor for swapping engines between cars, it's called a torch. If you keep the engine with a matching tranny all you have to do is shorten or lengthen the drive shaft to make it fit and possibly bang on some sheet metal and screw with the mounts, but it's not that big of a deal if you're swapping motors anyway.