Do they make KVMs that are instant?

Red Squirrel

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May 24, 2003
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I have a 3 monitor setup but since I'm in Linux which has poor multi monitor support, and been dealing with it's flakyness I decided what I want to do is have a single monitor for my main, then have the other two monitors driven by a separate Linux machine (it does 2 identical monitors fine, it's when you start throwing in different sizes, and more than 2, where it screws up). Only issue is that either requires me to have two keyboard and two mice, or a KVM. All the KVMs I've used are bloody slow, sometimes even lose connection etc...

Do they make any that are instant, and not flaky? I want to be able to hit a button and immediately the mouse and keyboard works on the other PC. Is there such thing?
 

Broheim

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2011
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I've never come across a KVM switch that was instant, the ones we have at work drive me nuts. Half the time I have to switch back and forth a couple of times before I get a response.

I see no reason why it wouldn't be possible to make them instant, I've just never come across one that is.
 

Vectronic

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Jan 9, 2013
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I don't know if it's even possible for *instant*, hot swapping has increased in speed, but I'd think for a KVM to be instant, it would have to be running an emulator of some kind to keep a sort of idle conversation going so the second/unused computer still thinks the devices are there when they aren't.
 

dawza

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Dec 31, 2005
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I haven't used it for anything other than Windows, but our ConnectPro KVM is blazingly fast when sharing a KB, mouse, and DVI 16x12 monitor between two docked notebooks.

I haven't encountered a peripheral it couldn't handle to date, with all features preserved. This includes Logitech RF mice, an old-school PS/2 IBM Model M (w/USB adapter), various wireless KBs, flash drives, etc. Hotkey or physical button switching takes <1 second-- the rate at which the monitor image can switch is the limiting factor.
 

Phynaz

Lifer
Mar 13, 2006
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Who's paying for it? I use Rose Electronics KVM's, but they are mighty expensive.
 

Red Squirrel

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Why not just use Synergy?

That looks interesting... may have to look into it. I also like that it's free with option to donate. Something I may indeed look at and if I like it I'll probably donate what I'd end up paying for a good KVM.


I don't know if it's even possible for *instant*, hot swapping has increased in speed, but I'd think for a KVM to be instant, it would have to be running an emulator of some kind to keep a sort of idle conversation going so the second/unused computer still thinks the devices are there when they aren't.

Pretty much what I was thinking too. I'm just surprised they don't make them that way. Basically the KVM is sorta like a computer that is just relaying a message from a specific other computer via VGA/mouse/keyboard.
 
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pandemonium

Golden Member
Mar 17, 2011
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Yes. We have these at work and they work instantly.
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817399063