Hello,
I am looking to get a KVM switch for my home office, where I would like to set up new dual monitors. I have a Ubuntu desktop, and a Windows laptop I would like to hook up through the KVM. I don't need password protection for any of the machines I'll be connecting. The machines will all be within five feet of each other, and within five feet of the keyboard, mouse, and monitors. The keyboard and mouse both use USB-A connectors. I don't need remote access to any of the machines I'll be connecting.
After reading through lots of materials on KVM switches, I have a few questions I'm hoping you'll be able to help with:
- My existing desktop video card has one HDMI port, and one VGA port. Do I need to use an HDMI cable between that desktop machine and the KVM switch? Or, can I use a VGA connector between the desktop and the KVM switch and run HDMI from the KVM switch to the monitors? Do I need two ports of the same type on the video card at the desktop machine to use two monitors? Or, can I connect a single port on that video card to the KVM switch, and then use the KVM switch to split out to the two monitors?
- The Windows laptop has one HDMI port. Can I use a single HDMI cable from that machine to the KVM switch to enable use of both monitors, the keyboard, and mouse?
- Can USB mouse and keyboard connect to KVM switch using their separate cables, but then KVM switch connect to computer using a single USB cable so that both keyboard and mouse work on it?
- Can you recommend any specific KVM switches for my desired setup?
Thanks very much. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Have a good day -
Jake
I am looking to get a KVM switch for my home office, where I would like to set up new dual monitors. I have a Ubuntu desktop, and a Windows laptop I would like to hook up through the KVM. I don't need password protection for any of the machines I'll be connecting. The machines will all be within five feet of each other, and within five feet of the keyboard, mouse, and monitors. The keyboard and mouse both use USB-A connectors. I don't need remote access to any of the machines I'll be connecting.
After reading through lots of materials on KVM switches, I have a few questions I'm hoping you'll be able to help with:
- My existing desktop video card has one HDMI port, and one VGA port. Do I need to use an HDMI cable between that desktop machine and the KVM switch? Or, can I use a VGA connector between the desktop and the KVM switch and run HDMI from the KVM switch to the monitors? Do I need two ports of the same type on the video card at the desktop machine to use two monitors? Or, can I connect a single port on that video card to the KVM switch, and then use the KVM switch to split out to the two monitors?
- The Windows laptop has one HDMI port. Can I use a single HDMI cable from that machine to the KVM switch to enable use of both monitors, the keyboard, and mouse?
- Can USB mouse and keyboard connect to KVM switch using their separate cables, but then KVM switch connect to computer using a single USB cable so that both keyboard and mouse work on it?
- Can you recommend any specific KVM switches for my desired setup?
Thanks very much. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Have a good day -
Jake