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KVM Switch

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  • K Offline
    K Offline
    Kevin Marois
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Can anyone recommend a KVM switch supports 5 computers and both mac and windows via USB3?

    If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

    R 0 R R M 5 Replies Last reply
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    • K Kevin Marois

      Can anyone recommend a KVM switch supports 5 computers and both mac and windows via USB3?

      If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

      R Offline
      R Offline
      Ravi Bhavnani
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      TrendNet seems to be a popular brand.

      • Trendnet TK-803R 8-Port USB/Ps/2 Rack Mount Kvm Switch[^]

      /ravi

      My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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      • R Ravi Bhavnani

        TrendNet seems to be a popular brand.

        • Trendnet TK-803R 8-Port USB/Ps/2 Rack Mount Kvm Switch[^]

        /ravi

        My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

        D Offline
        D Offline
        Dan Neely
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        That's a VGA only model though. X|

        Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

        R 1 Reply Last reply
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        • K Kevin Marois

          Can anyone recommend a KVM switch supports 5 computers and both mac and windows via USB3?

          If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

          0 Offline
          0 Offline
          0x01AA
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Azure?

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • D Dan Neely

            That's a VGA only model though. X|

            Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

            R Offline
            R Offline
            Ravi Bhavnani
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Dan Neely wrote:

            That's a VGA only model though.

            Sorry, my bad.  Here's a 4 (not 8) port one I'm about to buy.* GREATHTEK KVM Switch HDMI 4 Port[^] /ravi

            My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 [Home](https://ravib.com/) | [Articles](https://www.codeproject.com/script/Articles/MemberArticles.aspx?amid=191) | [My .NET bits](https://ravib.com/dotnetbits/) | [Freeware](https://www.ravib.com/freeware.htm) ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
            
            D K 2 Replies Last reply
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            • R Ravi Bhavnani

              Dan Neely wrote:

              That's a VGA only model though.

              Sorry, my bad.  Here's a 4 (not 8) port one I'm about to buy.* GREATHTEK KVM Switch HDMI 4 Port[^] /ravi

              My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 [Home](https://ravib.com/) | [Articles](https://www.codeproject.com/script/Articles/MemberArticles.aspx?amid=191) | [My .NET bits](https://ravib.com/dotnetbits/) | [Freeware](https://www.ravib.com/freeware.htm) ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
              
              D Offline
              D Offline
              Dan Neely
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              This is the 4 port one I bought 3 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CPLB6Y1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1[^]

              Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

              R 2 Replies Last reply
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              • R Ravi Bhavnani

                Dan Neely wrote:

                That's a VGA only model though.

                Sorry, my bad.  Here's a 4 (not 8) port one I'm about to buy.* GREATHTEK KVM Switch HDMI 4 Port[^] /ravi

                My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 [Home](https://ravib.com/) | [Articles](https://www.codeproject.com/script/Articles/MemberArticles.aspx?amid=191) | [My .NET bits](https://ravib.com/dotnetbits/) | [Freeware](https://www.ravib.com/freeware.htm) ravib(at)ravib(dot)com
                
                K Offline
                K Offline
                Kevin Marois
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                That says USB 2.0. Is there a USB 3.0 version? Also, I need dual monitor support.

                If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

                P C D 3 Replies Last reply
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                • D Dan Neely

                  This is the 4 port one I bought 3 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CPLB6Y1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1[^]

                  Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

                  R Offline
                  R Offline
                  Ravi Bhavnani
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  That's helpful.  Thanks, Dan.  I especially like it because it also handles audio. /ravi

                  My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                  1 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • K Kevin Marois

                    That says USB 2.0. Is there a USB 3.0 version? Also, I need dual monitor support.

                    If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

                    P Offline
                    P Offline
                    Paul Sanders the other one
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Why do you need USB 3? Are you an incredibly fast typist? Paul Sanders http://www.alpinesoft.co.uk

                    K 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • K Kevin Marois

                      Can anyone recommend a KVM switch supports 5 computers and both mac and windows via USB3?

                      If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

                      R Offline
                      R Offline
                      Rage
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      You mean, a KeVin Marois switch ?

                      Do not escape reality : improve reality !

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • R Ravi Bhavnani

                        That's helpful.  Thanks, Dan.  I especially like it because it also handles audio. /ravi

                        My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                        1 Offline
                        1 Offline
                        1650
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Not to sound like Spok, but the HDMI switches all handle audio through the HDMI spec anyway, however a seperate additional audio port may prove beneficial -- one cannot have too many ports -- additionally, I found none that handle USB 3 at the time of my search, but also later found it was not really as necessary as I had first thought ~John

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • K Kevin Marois

                          That says USB 2.0. Is there a USB 3.0 version? Also, I need dual monitor support.

                          If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

                          C Offline
                          C Offline
                          CodeZombie62
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          TESmart makes a 4 PC, dual monitor version. They have an HDMI and a display port version. Sorry, but as far as I can tell I don’t think they make a USB 3.0 version. Not sure why you need 3.0. I have their 2 PC, dual monitor version. One of the laptops I have connected to it is using only USB 3.0 ports and I have had no issues with it.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • K Kevin Marois

                            Can anyone recommend a KVM switch supports 5 computers and both mac and windows via USB3?

                            If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

                            R Offline
                            R Offline
                            Robert Bolin 2022
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            If all are Windows-based systems, why not just use RDP?

                            D J 2 Replies Last reply
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                            • R Robert Bolin 2022

                              If all are Windows-based systems, why not just use RDP?

                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              Dan Neely
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Has MS dropped the requirement that the computer on one end, IIRC being connected to, be running a pro version of windows? Because pro licenses are more expensive than KVMs. Edit: Also, the OP said he needed both Windows and Mac support.

                              Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • K Kevin Marois

                                That says USB 2.0. Is there a USB 3.0 version? Also, I need dual monitor support.

                                If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

                                D Offline
                                D Offline
                                Dan Neely
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Dual monitor and USB3 KVMs do exist, but you're going to pay a large premium for the privilege of needing something much fancier than the baseline models. CS1944DP - 4-Port USB 3.0 4K DisplayPort Dual Display KVMP Switch[^]

                                Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • R Robert Bolin 2022

                                  If all are Windows-based systems, why not just use RDP?

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  jsc42
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  Robert Bolin 2022 wrote:

                                  If all are Windows-based systems, why not just use RDP?

                                  Windows Home can connect to RDP, but cannot be RDP'd to. Some Linux (e.g. Debian) can RDP to other places (but Debian has a nasty habit of not connecting unless you have 'native' access to it first, which rather defeats the purpose). You can ignore the rest of this comment / response because, by drawing the diagram, I have realised that a solution to my KVM problem could be a single 4-Port HDMI KVM as I am not actually using the VGA slots as I am directly connecting the VGA to the monitor, bypassing the VGAs on the KVM. I'm looking for a KVM that supports mixed HDMI and VGA input devices (o/p not such a problem as my monitor is switchable between HDMI and VGA) as I have 3 PCs, one of which does not have HDMI. I know I can use HDMI to VGA converters and use a VGA-only KVM, but that would lead to a loss of resolution. Currently, I have 2 Two-Port KVMs (one for HDMI and one for VGA) which I have daisy-chained USB Ins to USB Outs, as per the diagram below.

                                                                         \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
                                  

                                  +-----+ +-----+ / \ +-----+
                                  | | | | | Monitor | | |
                                  | PC1 | | PC2 | | | | PC3 |
                                  | | | | \ __________/ | |
                                  +-----+ +-----+ HDMI . . VGA +-----+
                                  . | . | . . . |
                                  . | . |_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ . |
                                  . | . . . | . |
                                  . | ......... .......... ..................... |
                                  . |_ _ _ _ _ . . | |
                                  . | . . | |
                                  ......... | . _ _ _ . _ _ _ | |
                                  . | . | . | | |
                                  . | . | . | | |
                                  +------------------------------+ | +------------------------------+
                                  | HDMI USB HDMI USB HDMI | | | VGA USB VGA USB VGA |
                                  | IN IN IN IN OUT | | | IN IN IN IN OU

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • K Kevin Marois

                                    Can anyone recommend a KVM switch supports 5 computers and both mac and windows via USB3?

                                    If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.

                                    M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    Member 14913875
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Take a look at PI KVM PiKVM - Open and cheap DIY IP-KVM on Raspberry Pi[^]

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • D Dan Neely

                                      This is the 4 port one I bought 3 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CPLB6Y1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1[^]

                                      Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

                                      R Offline
                                      R Offline
                                      Ravi Bhavnani
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      I think I might order this for myself.  How's this unit working for you, Dan?  Do you find it reliable?  Have you encountered any issues or is there anything you don't like about it? Thanks, /ravi

                                      My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                                      D 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • R Ravi Bhavnani

                                        I think I might order this for myself.  How's this unit working for you, Dan?  Do you find it reliable?  Have you encountered any issues or is there anything you don't like about it? Thanks, /ravi

                                        My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                                        D Offline
                                        D Offline
                                        Dan Neely
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        I've had no major complaints with it; but I'm also not using it to its fullest capacity. I'm not using the audio out feature, hooking the speakers connected to 1 system to it instead and changing audio to hdmi out would help with cable management a bit but's never gotten to the top of my todo list. I'm also not running it at full resolution (1680x1050); but in that case I didn't think saving a few dollars for a lower end model was worth it. The ancient screen I'm using will get retired someday. The only annoyance I have is that I hear USB dis/connect tones from the PC with the speakers attached when I switch. That might go away if I was using the audio support, but I've never gotten around to trying.

                                        Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

                                        R 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • D Dan Neely

                                          I've had no major complaints with it; but I'm also not using it to its fullest capacity. I'm not using the audio out feature, hooking the speakers connected to 1 system to it instead and changing audio to hdmi out would help with cable management a bit but's never gotten to the top of my todo list. I'm also not running it at full resolution (1680x1050); but in that case I didn't think saving a few dollars for a lower end model was worth it. The ancient screen I'm using will get retired someday. The only annoyance I have is that I hear USB dis/connect tones from the PC with the speakers attached when I switch. That might go away if I was using the audio support, but I've never gotten around to trying.

                                          Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius

                                          R Offline
                                          R Offline
                                          Ravi Bhavnani
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Thanks again.

                                          Dan Neely wrote:

                                          I'm also not running it at full resolution (1680x1050)

                                          The product details indicate it supports a resolution up to 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz.  I intend to use it with an ultra-wide (3440 x 1440) panel.  Perhaps your model is an older variant that max'd out at 1680 x 1050? /ravi

                                          My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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