Can I project a linux machine to my laptop

[nickbeef]

For my work, we service Linux machines that run our proprietary software to control the HVAC. These boxes just run 24/7, and when we have to service them we have to bring a keyboard, monitor, in addition to our laptop.

I would like to travel with less, and at least use my laptop as a monitor (not have to bring a separate monitor) - even better would to be able to view the Linux machine virtually on my laptop and control it with my laptop keyboard as well (no additional monitor or keyboard). I know this may require a separate device (video capture card?) to use my laptop as a monitor, but what about using my laptop keyboard? Is there a device that can do both?

 

[Grobe]

Do you need a graphical user interface or can you do all the work in terminal/shell ?

 

[Nighthawk117]

For my work, we service Linux machines that run our proprietary software to control the HVAC. These boxes just run 24/7, and when we have to service them we have to bring a keyboard, monitor, in addition to our laptop.

I would like to travel with less, and at least use my laptop as a monitor (not have to bring a separate monitor) - even better would to be able to view the Linux machine virtually on my laptop and control it with my laptop keyboard as well (no additional monitor or keyboard). I know this may require a separate device (video capture card?) to use my laptop as a monitor, but what about using my laptop keyboard? Is there a device that can do both?

Have you considered remote connectivity software like TeamViewer. You can try it for free but I would note you would want a paid subscription for commercial use. I believe it supports Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. I've only ever used it on Windows though.

 

[USAFRet]

Have you considered remote connectivity software like TeamViewer. You can try it for free but I would note you would want a paid subscription for commercial use. I believe it supports Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. I've only ever used it on Windows though.

The problem I see is..."Linux machines that run our proprietary software to control the HVAC"

The TeamViewer client, or any other, will be problematic.

 

[nickbeef]

Do you need a graphical user interface or can you do all the work in terminal/shell ?

It's all in the terminal, I guess. No GUI - just typing commands.

My guess is that to get a video signal into my laptop, I would need some kind of video card that converts HDMI signal to USB, and then use a program, maybe like OBS Studio. I do video production, so this is how I would get a live HDMI feed from the camera into the computer, so I don't see why it wouldn't work for any HDMI feed. I wish there was something similar...

...then there's the issue of a keyboard. Any dumb usb keyboard works, so why not use my laptop's keyboard as an input on another computer? Perhaps it just wasn't designed this way? What about using a USB bridging cable? Maybe it's just "too complicated" or "not possible" for me to not just carry around a separate keyboard, monitor, and laptop to connect to the Linux boxes.

 

[doolittle]

sounds like KVM over IP? you can get a device however they are a bit pricey as they are intended for datacenter use... check out PiKVM for an inexpensive DIY solution...

 

[Grobe]

It's all in the terminal, I guess. No GUI - just typing commands.

Ok, then consider using ssh in order to control the other computer:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjFz7Lp8Qjk