TK-217i KVM switch

[Red Squirrel]

I bought a TK-217i KVM switch to switch between my Windows machine and Linux machine, which I'm in the process of building. Both machines are in my server room while my keyboard, mouse and monitor is in my office above the server room with long cables. It looks like you need to install a special software for the hot key to work and of course it's Windows or Mac only. It also has a physical toggle button which may be my only hope so I'm glad they included that. Does the KVM perhaps have a default toggle key that's built in? I tried various common ones like scrlk twice, ctrl twice, etc.

Anyone know if there is a way I can get this to work in Linux, does it perhaps use a fairly standard method like a virtual serial port that recieves a command or something similar that I could easily code an app for?

My other option is to extend the physical button, but that would require splicing wire and I rather avoid modifying it if I don't have to. (since the KVM is downstairs with the PCs too)

I imagine my other option is to run more cables upstairs and have the KVM switch be upstairs, then I can use the physical button. Just thought I'd check if anyone has an idea how I can make this work before I take more drastic steps. I'm hoping there's maybe a default hot key or something.

 

[Dahak]

Odd as per the manual it says that Scroll Lock + Scroll Lock is the universal key and should work and work with linux

Universal Hotkey sequence = Scroll Lock + Scroll Lock

* For other operating systems such as Linux, you can still use this
special hotkey to facilitate computer switching. This special
hotkey is not available for Mac. However, you can press push
button switch to switch to another computer.

 Each keystroke within a hotkey sequence should be pressed
within 2 seconds. Otherwise, the hotkey sequence will not be
validated.

It also seems to say that it will not switch if the computer port is empty, so maybe it might be seeing one of the computer as "empty"

Have you tried it at the computers with a standard mouse and keyboard just to see if it works properly? maybe also try swapping the computer, so cable 1 in computer 1 and cable 2 in computer 2, then cable 1 in computer 2 and cable 2 in computer 1

Another thing I can think of is make sure that the usb port that the cable is plugged into is based off the chipset and not a 3rd part controller, ie some usb3 ports.

Just my thoughts

 

[Red Squirrel]

They're both connected, so not empty. I don't imagine it would work with a keyboard plugged right into the computers either, the switch has to actually see the keystroke. Not sure what you mean about the keyboard having to be based off the chipset though, like the chipset inside the keyboard has to be compatible with the chipset of the KVM?

 

[Dahak]

They're both connected, so not empty. I don't imagine it would work with a keyboard plugged right into the computers either, the switch has to actually see the keystroke. Not sure what you mean about the keyboard having to be based off the chipset though, like the chipset inside the keyboard has to be compatible with the chipset of the KVM?

Sorry should have been more clear, I meant using one of the usb ports on the back of the motherboard that are not extra ports from a 3rd party controller.

Usually 4-6 ports are off the main chipset, where as some additional ports may be a 3rd party controller like asmedia, via etc. May have to check the motherboard manual to be sure to see

 

[Red Squirrel]

Ohhh I see, I'll have to check that.

Edit: Tried a few other ports, no go. In both manuals all ports seem to come from the same chip. Intel x79 on one board and Intel z99 on the other board. The CPU hangs off this chip, guessing this is basically the main chip of the motherboard that ties everything together. The Sata ports and such are off that too.

I think I'll just rethink my setup and put the switch upstairs where I can just hit the physical button. Need to buy a few more USB cables and also gender benders as the KVM has it's own cables but need to plug them into the cables that go upstairs.

I was thinking maybe it did not like that the keyboard and mouse were plugged into a "hub" cable (splits in two) but even plugging a keyboard direct to the kvm it wont switch. Maybe the software still has to be active on both PCs for it to work.

 

[mfenn]

They're both connected, so not empty. I don't imagine it would work with a keyboard plugged right into the computers either, the switch has to actually see the keystroke. Not sure what you mean about the keyboard having to be based off the chipset though, like the chipset inside the keyboard has to be compatible with the chipset of the KVM?

What happens is that the KVM actually acts as a USB host controller for the keyboard and the acts as a keyboard device for both the computers. There's no "physical connection" between the keyboard and the host computer per se. It's virtualized though the KVMs little microcontroller.

Your computers have to be up and have enumerated the KVM's virtual keyboard device for it to consider them to be valid targets for the double-tap scroll lock combination to work.