KVM switches

[Tirpitz]

Everybody does not have enough place for another keyboard, mouse and monitor. So the problem can be solved also by KVM switch. It is without any discussion, the video ports must be digital, DVI or HDMI. HDMI/DVI reductions are available without any problem. I think the list of verified KVM switches is also needed. Nobody wants to buy KVM switch which will not work properly.
One example is on this forum, one user has problem with Aten CS1784, so this model don't take.

I looked for some not so expensive KVM switches at a few retailers in my country, I found those types with DVI for 2 machines.
1. Belkin SOHO DVI&USB 2port - http://www.belkin.com/uk/IWCatProductPa ... _Id=461346
2. Aten CS1762A - http://www.aten.com/products/productIte ... no=CS1762A
For completeness exists these two without own power:
3. Aten CS682 - http://www.aten.com/products/productIte ... l_no=CS682
4. Aten CS62D - similar but with old-school PS2s

Something with DVI for 4 machines:
Aten CS1764A - http://www.aten.com/products/productIte ... no=CS1764A

Which experience do you have with some of them? Do you know about some better models?

[tedhale]

I found it much easier to install a VNC server and just us a VNC client to access the Pi. This is especially useful since most of my Pi systems will be remotely located. If you only need command line access, then use Putty and SSH.

[hoojii]

I think the list of verified KVM switches is also needed. Nobody wants to buy KVM switch which will not work properly.
One example is on this forum, one user has problem with Aten CS1784, so this model don't take.

I have had no problems with Aten CS1784, plugged to Logitech G15 and old Microsoft Intellimouse Optical, when using Raspbian. Works like a charm.

[ronaldcole]

I tried an iogear gcs62hu, which is a 2-port hdmi/usb kvm switch and just couldn't get the hdmi to pass through. I tried both the basic setup and the advanced setup with a belkin f5u234v1 4-port usb hub... no luck. I'm going to try iogear tech support on Monday. Does anybody have any suggestions for a usb/hdmi kvm switch that is Pi friendly?

[maxrealism]

Before I get started this isn't for everyone!
The monitor I am using is an HD216D - this has HDMI & VGA inputs.
The RPi connects over HDMI. My gaming PC connects over VGA.
I bought this VGA KVM (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290717435703) which is NOT suited for the RPi, but I wanted to share my success with the forum.

This KVM has 3 USB inputs (Keyboard / Mouse / Printer). You have to supply your own USB A to B connector cables. I have connected my keyboard and mouse to the KVM and then my gaming PC to USB1 and the RPi to USB2 (VGA inputs and output remain unused). Windows 7 loads some drivers and asks for a reboot. The RPi just worked. This now allows me to switch the keyboard and mouse between the two easily, I just have to use the monitor's built in menu to change between the outputs and use the button on the KVM when I want to switch. I know this isn't what everyone is looking for, but I wanted to share this for anyone in a similar situation to me - one monitor, keyboard, mouse (and no spare space for dedicated peripherals). You just have to use what is available to you.

[ronaldcole]

Ok, I finally returned to my iogear gcs62hu, which is a 2-port hdmi/usb kvm switch, determined to get it to work for me. I achieved success. What I had to do:

1. I'm running Raspbian, so I had to edit /boot/config.txt and uncomment "hdmi_force_hotplug=1". Then the RPi and the switch would pass hdmi to my monitor.

2. Configured the gcs62hu in it's Advanced configuration: plugged the keyboard into the switch's keyboard port and plugged a Belkin powered usb hub (F5U234) into the switch's mouse port and plugged the mouse into port 1 on the hub. Then the keyboard was working for me.

3. Disabled mouse emulation on the switch by typing [Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock] [m] [Enter].

It's actually a nice little switch, now that it's working as it should.

[latenite4]

I have new rpi4 with 4G RAM used with 4port KVM/HDMI switch. the manuf and model i have is:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0825 ... =UTF8&th=1

brand name on switch is JideTech

when i have 4 devices connected to KVM (including rpi4), monitor (driven by HDMI) blinks on 5 sec then off 1 sec for each
device. i see the same problem when KVM switch selects any of the 4 devices. when i unplug the USB and
HDMI (for rpi) on back of the switch, the blinking video problem goes away.

i would say that JideTech product is not compatible with rpi4.

Rod

[mminehan]

I was having trouble with an ATEN KVM (KL1508Ai) and associated HDMI adapters (KA7168).
This is an 8 port KVM that uses adapters over Cat5/6. Quite a nice setup with a remote Windows and also Java client. Not as smooth as a direct connection but it does allow a direct connection to various PCs and in our case 2 Pis.

I could not get the HDMI output to function with these adapters. I spent a while reading and experimenting and discovered the issue. By default the Pi (3B+ in our case) has the HDMI port functioning in DVI mode. Changing the setting in /boot/config.txt to force HDMI rather than DVI did the trick.

# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
hdmi_drive=2

Hope this helps some others.