Need help scoping a KVM Switch solution

N

npudar

n00b
Joined
Nov 14, 2010
Messages
7
I've done a fair bit of searching on te forum, and can't find a solution to my question, so I'll detail it here.

I have a Dell U3011 monitor hooked up to my desktop computer, and I run it at full resolution (2560x1600) with DVI Dual Link. I also have a separate Dell Latitude E6400 Laptop that has a max resolution of 1440x900.

My desired outcome is to be able to use the full landscape of my big monitor for either computer. And also to be able to use my main computer's keyboard and mouse even when I'm operating the laptop.

My preliminary searching suggested that I need a KVM Switch that can handle the full resolution of my monitor. The one I've been reading more about is the IOGear GCS1782. I contacted IOGear technical support, but was treated rudely, and I did not find it helpful.

I do not understand how the KVM Switch gets its keyboard and mouse information to the desktop and the laptop. For this specific model, I understand that I connect the keyboard and mouse into the "Console Port" section on the back. I also know to connect the DVI cable from the Console Port to the main big monitor. I also see that I connect the DVI Video-out from my desktop to the CPU-Port DVI plug. But I do not know how to connect anything for my keyboard and mouse signals back into the desktop. Does that info travel along the DVI cable?? I can't understand that part. The same keyboard/mouse questino applies to the laptop control.

My second question is how to pass the laptop video to the KVM switch. The laptop only has a VGA connector. So I am assuming that I needa converter. But I'm assuming that the max resolution from the laptop video card (1440x900) is all I will get on the U3011 monitor. I suspect that this will not look very good. But I'm not sure.

Anyway, back to my original objective of being able to use my large monitor for both computers with easy switching -- is there a better KVM Switch option that I should look at? Or is there yet another solution that anyone know of?

Thanks for reading this long question -- I appreciate any help.
Nick
 
You can just install synergy server software (open source) on the main computer, and run a synergy client on the laptop.

Plug the laptop into the VGA input on the monitor and switch between them with the monitor's input selector button.

The laptop may well be able to drive a somewhat higher res than 1440x900, which is just the limitation of its own screen size.

So then when you want to switch between computers, just move the mouse pointer off an edge of the screen or whatever you choose, and switch inputs on the monitor. If you're having problems losing the mouse on the other computer (that you can't see), then lock it in place with scroll lock.

Someone in the U3011 thread just noted that the max res via VGA is 2048x1280. If that doesn't work try 1920x1200.
 
Wagoo,
Sounds like a great alternative. Thanks. I will definitely look into it.
Nick
 
I tried the VGA to Monitor, and then video switching. along with a second dedicated keyboard and mouse. Too much fiddling of technology for my wife, so I think I'll go the KVM Switch route. I still think the IOGear GCS 1782 is the unit I need. If anyone has this device, can you please confirm if I'm thinking about it right? For the CPU connections, there is a B-sized USB connector (square end) -- and I think this is the keyboard and mouse channel that is fed from the device to my laptop that I want to control. then I think I need to use a VGA-to-DVI converter. I am assuming that the max resolution of the laptop video card (2048x1280) will get sent to the main monitor through the DVI cable, and that when it hits the monitor, it will be at the same resolution. then when I switch from the laptop to my main computer, I will get the full 2560x1600 resolution that it is capable of (without having to finesse the resolutions). Can anyone please confirm that I'm thinking about this right?
Thanks,
Nick
 
@npudar - did you purchase the IOGear device? I'm in the same boat as you; i have 30" monitor that i want to connect my pc and my latitude e6400 to. Just wondering if you purchased that kvm yet, if so, how is it working?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top