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A Network-Based Software KVM Switch?

Posted by timothy on from the that-would-take-some-cooperation dept.

ScanTron writes "This seems like such an obvious piece of software, but I can't find any implementation. Like many Slashdot users, I have a Windows PC next to my Linux PC. Rather than using a KVM switch, I have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor for each PC. I'm looking for software that would let me use only one keyboard and mouse for both machines. Ideally, moving the mouse to the edge of one PC's screen would move it onto the next, letting me send mouse and keyboard events over the network. There is no reason this couldn't be used for two Linux machines, or even a Linux machine, a Windows machine, and a Mac. Does a similar solution for mouse and keyboard sharing exist?"

3 of 60 comments (clear)

  1. Dell... by burns210 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Dell has this functionality with their server... Mouse+Keyboard+Video -> RJ-45 dongle plugs into every server/PC... That RJ-45 plugs into a switch, and then some Dell client software auto recognizes the Systems plugged in, and lets you KVM between them, using a simple text popup window... Very badass setup.

  2. Extend desktop? by MadChicken · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Is there some way to use a similar program to display ONE computer's output on BOTH machines, but (not mirroring, of course)? Basically I want to have a dual monitor setup every once in a while by plopping my notebook down beside my desktop. I am trying MaxiVista, which works well, but I wonder if there's something free out there too...

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    SYS 64738 NO CARRIER
    1. Re:Extend desktop? by cosyne · · Score: 2, Interesting

      A cheap hack would be to put a spare video card in the desktop machine. Then if you want more real estate, you enable that, and use the laptop to connect to that 'display' over VNC. If you don't need the desktops to connect, you could start new sessions in X or Windows Terminal Services, but that's probably not what you want.