How long can KVM cables be before an appreciable loss in quality/probs result?

[MichaelD]

My server box is almost complete. I am strongly considering putting it in my bedroom closet. I have a KVM switch that I will be using to "see" the box from my main PC/monitor.

I am estimating that it's approximately 30 feet from where the box will sit in the closet, to the KVM switch on my desk (running the wires along the baseboards, around the perimeter of the room.

I have seen 25-foot KVM cables in a local store. I am thinking of getting two of them and some adapters and making a long cable.

I am not too worried about visual qualtiy, as the server box will be just that. FTP server/storage/backup images/etc. No gaming.

I just don't want to damage my KVM (or anything else attached to it, like my main rig) by having too high an impedance due to long cables, etc.

Anybody doing something similar to this? I.E. long runs of KVM cables? Thanks.

 

[Slapstick]

25 feet is a pretty long run for a KVM cable let alone hooking up 2 through an adaptor. To be truthful I don?t know the answer but I may have a better solution since it?s a server that doesn?t need access all the time. I suggest you try VNC (a free program) to access your server over your network. I use it to access a shared file server over my home network and a friend uses it to access his FTP server. Great little program that may fit your needs.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, Slapstick. Someone else had suggested this proggy to me as well, and I read up on it. According to some reviews, the program is bug-laden. Is this true? Does it work well for you and your friend?

This box is going to be an FTP server/fileserver/backup. Possibly (maybe) used as a gameserver for UT/SS/etc. What do you think?

 

[MCS]

Hi MichaelD

I think VNC is a great little utility, it's very small and it's completely free! I use it to remote control a Windows box and a Linux box on the same PC. I have also connected from work to home across the internet. I have seen nothing to suggest it is "bug-laden". It basically does what PC Anywhere does but without the bloat, and I like the way it forces you to use passwords

 

[kgraeme]

I've hooked up a 100-foot video cable to my KVM. I don't recommend it. The bigger problem is really the PS/2 or USB cables. PS/2 is good to about 25-feet while USB is good to about 15 or 20-feet.

I'll wholeheartedly agree with the remote desktop option. Whether you use VNC, PCAnywhere, or 2000 Server/XP Remote Desktop they are all essential. Heck, if you use the MS Remote Desktop and have a PocketPC, you can actually control your computer from a PocketPC.

 

[MichaelD]

MCS! My long-lost bud from across the pond! How are you? Nice to see you around. Thanks to you and kgraeme for the replies.

I guess I'll give the VNC thing an honest try. I'm a little intimidated...it looks kinda Unix-y...I need to learn a little of it anyway.

I was not crazy about the long-KVM cables idea, anyway...prolly wouldn't work and they are expensive.

Thanks much, guys.

 

[Slapstick]

MichaelD

I never had a problem with VNC nor has my friend, it's easy to set up and run. The perfect little app for accessing remote PC's. The only thing that may or may not bother you, (depending on the remote PC's screen resolution and background), it can be slightly sluggish redrawing the screen. Nothing that's going to effect it's usefulness just something that may take a few minutes getting used to.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Slapstick
MichaelD

I never had a problem with VNC nor has my friend, it's easy to set up and run. The perfect little app for accessing remote PC's. The only thing that may or may not bother you, (depending on the remote PC's screen resolution and background), it can be slightly sluggish redrawing the screen. Nothing that's going to effect it's usefulness just something that may take a few minutes getting used to.

Hey Slap!! (just wanted to say that...)

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to give it a shot. Hopefully, it doesn't slow down my main rig too much. My main box is pretty robust, but I do high-res gaming on it quite a bit...don't want to lose any "juice" you know?


I was reading the VNC FAQ and it mentions a lot about sluggishness if the remoted PC's desktop is "busy" or high-bit colors (I think I read and worded that correctly...) it mentions using only 16 or less colors if possible.

That's entirely possible, b/c even though the server will have a GF2 videocard in it, it won't be connected to a monitor, or gamed on. It may however, be used as a UT server for LAN gaming. Do you think that will be a problem.

 

[Slapstick]

I'm going to give it a shot. Hopefully, it doesn't slow down my main rig too much. My main box is pretty robust, but I do high-res gaming on it quite a bit...don't want to lose any "juice" you know?

It wont slow down your main rig at all, just load the viewer app when you want to access your remote PC. On the remote PC the server app sits back and listens for the viewer to connect before coming to life, very little resources are used.

That's entirely possible, b/c even though the server will have a GF2 videocard in it, it won't be connected to a monitor, or gamed on. It may however, be used as a UT server for LAN gaming. Do you think that will be a problem

Shouldn't cause you any problems.