Computer in basement, KV&M upstairs?

[bad_monkey]

I'm getting ready to move to a new house and would like to rackmount all of my gear in the basement and access all of it from an office upstairs without a local device. I am something of a minimalist so I don't want anything cluttering up my desk.

Obviously, I could try running some really long cables to the office for USB and video but I am worried about distance and if I want to access everything I'd need KVM + long cables.

Anyone have some good suggestions on how to make zero desktop computing a reality in the home?

 

[mfenn]

What about when you want to plug in a USB device? Gonna take that drive all the way down to the basement?

I don't really know how long of a run you're talking about, but most video cables (other than VGA, which I doubt you want to use) are limited to pretty short runs.

HDMI is a good bet since you can get 100ft HDMI cables pretty cheaply. Long distance USB 2.0 is very hard, but you can do 1.1 (fine for keyboard and mouse) with a pretty cheap adapter and UTP cable.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would look into an IP KVM (internet protocol, aka a network-based KVM), or just network your machines and look into remote desktop.

 

[ElFenix]

monoprice sells bus powered USB extender cables.

hdmi extension may need to be hdmi over ethernet for the best quality.

 

[mfenn]

I would look into an IP KVM (internet protocol, aka a network-based KVM), or just network your machines and look into remote desktop.

You need an actual computer on your desk to use either of those, which kind of defeats the OP's purpose.

 

[vailr]

I am something of a minimalist so I don't want anything cluttering up my desk.

An iMac (or an equivalent Windows "all-in-one" machine) would accomplish your goal of "clutter free".
You're going to need a monitor, keyboard and mouse at least, yes?
But: why the need for a KVM?
Would need a better idea on the reasoning behind your request, as to exactly what type of machines you were planning to use. And whether maybe just a single machine that could be made into a dual-OS-boot or multi-OS-boot that might be a better design plan.
Are you wanting a totally silent machine? And used for what purposes: gaming, web design for multiple browsers, home theater PC, home server machine, or ?
And maybe: keep the distance shorter by placing the PC in an adjacent closet, instead of a basement location.

 

[piasabird]

So is this for gaming or what? An AIO All In One computer does not do gaming well.
If you are not doing gaming I could see a book sized computer on a bookshelf or on top of a file cabinet and run the KVM down to the desk.

You could just a motherboard like Thin Mini-ITX with an SSD and a Centrino Wireless and mount that on back of a TV/Monitor and use a wireless keyboard and mouse.