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Mutant USB K(V)M Switches?

Posted by Cliff on from the portable-devices-for-multiple-platforms dept.

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?

3 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. USB Switch by telamon2 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I ran into this problem a while back. I have a multimonitor setup on my primary machine, but wanted to control my laptop that was sitting next to all the monitors. So I really didn't need a K V or M. Just USB switching.

    So I got myself just a plain 3 position USB switch and some long USB A to B cables. I feed my usb keyboard and trackball into a hub and then into the switch. The switch itself is $25. Problem solved.

    Here's the switch I use:

    http://www.cablesnmor.com/usb-switch-box.html

    I also use win2vnc from time to time, but it's lack of wheel support, ALT-TAB support and misunderstanding of multimonitor can make it very confusing to use.

  2. belkin soho by Sleepyguy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    i have a belkin soho four port, does one monitor usb and keyboard/mouse as well as mic and line out.

    its pretty sweet.

    --
    b
  3. I've thought about this issue too by Strog · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I have a couple USB Macs, PCs and an ADB Mac too. I've thought about different KVMs and adapters but decided to build a new desk instead. I built a decent corner desk with wings on the sides. I put my main PC in the middle and keyboards and monitors out on the wings. I often use X2X, X2VNC, VNC, X, etc. but sometimes it's nice to have a local connection.

    This all was working good until last night when my brother-in-law told me his boss is thinking about giving me one of their old O2's. Where the #*^%$*$ am I going to put a SGI box now? It's a problem that I'm happy to try to figure out. The Old World Mac is slowly becoming a file server and I can free up some space but I would have to start over if I picked up an Alpha and a Sparc. Oh to be a geek