KVM

[washod]

Here's the situation: I've got multiple computers and three monitors that I'd like to control with one keyboard/mouse. However, I'd like to be able to control the monitors independently: sometimes computer A uses monitor X, B uses Y, and C uses Z. Other times, C uses Y while B uses or C; or D uses Z while A uses X and Y; etc.

As far as I can tell, though, all the multi-monitor KVM solutions just switch between multi-monitor outputs. (As in, A uses X and Y, or B uses X and Y, or C uses X and Y.) I can think of three solutions:


1) Daisy chaining a bunch of KVM's in some sort of crazy configuration [Expensive, bulky, and just plain inelegant]

2) A server for with some sort of video passthrough hardware, also running Synergy (synergy2.sourceforge.net) for keyboard and mouse [This is my favorite so far, but I'm not really sure how to do the video passthrough, or even if it can be done efficiently enough to be done on a relatively cheap box for three monitors at a time. I also suspect I'll be writing myself a fair amount of code to get it to work.]

3) Some KVM that I'm not aware of that already does this/I'm wrong about how the multi-monitor KVM's work [Convenient, and probably cheaper, but I'm kinda excited by trying to get #2 working.]


Any ideas? Comments?

 

[goodtimetribe]

2) A server for with some sort of video passthrough hardware, also running Synergy (synergy2.sourceforge.net) for keyboard and mouse [This is my favorite so far, but I'm not really sure how to do the video passthrough, or even if it can be done efficiently enough to be done on a relatively cheap box for three monitors at a time. I also suspect I'll be writing myself a fair amount of code to get it to work.]

After searching for weeks (about 5/15/2006) for a suitable product for my situation and not finding anything that sounded appropriate and worked, I have to give you a *HUGE* thanks for the tip on Synergy. It may not be your all in one solution but it very nicely handled my dilemma. I have recently purchased a laptop to go along with my desktop. The notebook has no PS/2 ports, and so I bought some PS/2 to USB adapters hoping they would work with a previously purchased PS/2 KVM switch. I didn't really have a need for the video, but I thought I'd use it. At any rate, it didn't work at all. I'd considered buying a USB hub that happened to have an A/B switch, but ugh, switching would be a pain I was willing to deal with for about $30 bucks. I love my mouse and my keyboard, so I wasn't ready to let go of them, but I considered the IOGear USB KVM with Audio (model GCS632U). I didn't really need audio, cuz with the monitor's built in speakers and the laptops, plus my desktops, I've got plenty of sound options.

As part of my search, I signed up for THG's forums tonight, and I was lucky enough to come across your post that mentioned Synergy. I went to it's home page, checked out the description, and it sounded *PERFECT*. I installed and couldn't get it to work. I noticed that Windows Firewall wasn't prompting me for permission, strangely, so I checked the exceptions and found that neither the server nor clients were in the exception list. I added them and now Synergy has solved my problem.... for free... minus the cost of the minscule resources. I'm so amazed, I almost can't believe it's true.

Yes, I know, I didn't really help you, but I didn't know how else to thank you, other than a big ol' Texas size wish of GOOD LUCK.

 

[hlangston]

I have a simular perdicument. I've got 2 LCD's, a laptop and 2 desktops which I want to run through a KVM. Not sure what I need. Of course I'd like to have all pc's use both monitors. The laptop is usb only for keyboard and mouse.
Thanks for suggestions.
Henry :?:

 

[goodtimetribe]

I have a simular perdicument. I've got 2 LCD's, a laptop and 2 desktops which I want to run through a KVM. Not sure what I need. Of course I'd like to have all pc's use both monitors. The laptop is usb only for keyboard and mouse.
Thanks for suggestions.
Henry :?:

The cheap, easy, and quick solution is Synergy. It will allow you to use all 3 computers and all 3 displays with one mouse and one keyboard. However, you can't share desktops, and you'll be limited to the abilities of your current hardware. If the LCD's have multiple inputs, that's pretty handy with the laptop and/or desktops with multiple outputs.

It's prefect if you've got a display for each computer and just want to control multiple computers using 1 mouse and 1 keyboard. The best part of it (besides the price) is that it doesn't care about USB/PS2.

 

[hlangston]

Please let me clearify. I'm not using the laptop display just the 2 LCD's. Can I use synergy and a KVM?
Thanks for the fast reply.