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Ethernet KVM`

FrEaKy

FrEaKy

[H] Movie and TV Show Review Guy
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Joined
Jan 31, 2003
Messages
14,173
Does anyone have an ethernet KVM here?

How does it work?

Pictures?
 
I have a Raritan KX216, could work better. In a word, it is buggy. If you switch ports too quickly at the console, you lose mouse and keyboard input. Sometimes it won't register a click until you move the mouse. Web browser remote access is activeX or Java- also buggy. Impossible to syncronize mouse and cursor at any resolution above 320x240. It is useable at the console, all but unusable remotely.
 
Are you looking for a KVM that is remotely administered or a KVM that just uses ethernet cables to connect the KVM box to the machines it is controlling? My experience is with the latter.
 
Kind of want the latter myself, but want the ability to remote in through my system at my desk, across the network to the KVM than to the system I am trying to connect to.
 
I looked into that approach as well. Unfortunately, it was too expensive as this is just a hobby so my budget is smallish. I found that you can get old and cheapish ipkvm units off ebay but they seem to all use their own proprietary software. The units that use your web browser seem to be more expensive as they are all newer. The newer units seem to be available in the $300ish range. Don't forget to take the cost of the cables/modules to connect the ipkvm to the system that is being managed (I almost learned this the hard way).

One solution that I didn't consider till it was too late was IPMI which is built into some of the newer server motherboards. This removes the need for an ipkvm if you have the right motherboard.
 
I have an older Aten CN5000 single port IPKVM that I connect to a regular KVM for my workbench. It works ok, but the interface is a little quirky and mouse sync isn't good. I've been contemplating upgrading it to a newer unit that is a little smoother, but haven't been able to justify the price yet. Belkin has an online demo for one of their units, and it seems to act ok for what I would consider a 'budget' device. The Avocent stuff is great, but pricey.
 
I picked up a Startech SV831HDGB from eBay pretty cheap. The config is managed from a webpage and you connect to the servers using VNC. Startech support was very good on the one occassion I've had to call them, I bought it used and it came with no rackmount ears, called Startech and they sent me some FoC.

For anybody that is having issues with mouse sync on their IPKVM (or sometimes even via IPMI), try disabling mouse acceleration within the OS.
 
I've used two different ones
At work we have a Avocent IP KVM and it works pretty good. Although we don't use it much since most of our servers all have built in IPMI.
I just bought this for home and it works great.
http://www.belkin.com/support/article/?lid=en&pid=F1DE101H&aid=5940
It has keyboard, mouse, video, and it also has two serial ports for bmc management if your upc or server supports it, a usb cable for floppy, disk, and drive emulation and can be integrated with a regular kvm as well. Very cool feature, as you can program in keyboard shortcuts to switch between computers or send commands to the kvm. Also includes all the cables and rack ears new in box.
I bought mine from this guy, he still has one left.
http://forums.servethehome.com/showthread.php?435-FS-miscellaneous-items
 
We use the raritan paragon II system. The only problem I have with them is the Resolution. I tried the Avocent and they are WAAAAWWWFUL.
 
The nice thing about the built-in ones (at least with HP Lights-Out I use at work) are that they allow you to physically power cycle the hardware it if freezes. You can also remotely mount a CD iso image and reinstall the OS remotely if needed. Very handy if your server is 400 miles away.
 
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