Hardware

Ask something
Discussion Locked

KVM Quandary

0 helpful
23 replies

by Greg Shultz 1 view

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I have an interesting problem that I need to find a solution to.

At one client site, I have two people who are now switching seats so that one person can perform a particually intensive task on the computer hosting the network-based application.

The computers are networked, but the application is DOS-based and there are serious latency issues when running this particular task over the network. Thus the seat switching...

Installing the application on each computer isn't feasable, because the data on the host computer is also being accessed by several other users on the network.

Of course, the seat switching is very inefficient even though the cubicles are located right next to each other.

I'm thinking of using a set of KVM switches to allow them to virtually switch seats, but am unsure if it will even be feasable.

I know that I can use one KVM to allow one person to access the other's computer, but am wondering if I can do use two KVMs or combination of a KVM and a Reverse KVM to allow both people to simultatneously use each other's computer.

Anyone encounter this type of problem before? Any ideas?

23 replies

by Greg Shultz

Chas:

Thanks for the quick response!

While the ServSwitch Multi states that any user can access any attached CPU, it's way overkill at 16 users and way out of price range at $1000...

by Greg Shultz

Chas:

I appreciate your efforts, but these types of KVMs are designed to allow multiple users to access the same set of multiple computers. For example, to allow two admins to simultaneously control the same set of servers.

What I need to do is to connect two computers such that the Keyboard/Video/Mouse on computer 1 connect to the CPU on computer 2 while at the same time the Keyboard/Video/Mouse on computer 2 connect to the CPU on computer 1.

To do so, I think that I'm going to need to use two 2-port KVMs or a 2-port KVM and a 2-port Reverse KVM in some combination.

I was hoping to find someone who had run into a similar situation and had found a KVM combination that would would allow this type of configuration.

by cg it

note Kavoom is Windows 2000/XP/2003 based software. If your running your DOS based program via a shell this might work, if your running strickly DOS, this won't work. Kavoom does so custom KVM switching stuff but, ta da, it's gotta be real expensive.

by cg it

Joe is right about terminal Services Duh me! AND another avenue I completely forgot about is remote assistance on XP. Then theres PC Anywhere that could be used. All provided that your running your DOS program via a shell and not strictly DOS.

by Greg Shultz

Actually running Windows 98 on both systems and shelling out to a Command Prompt via a shortcut in order to run the DOS application. So both KaVoom! and Remote Desktop are out of the realm of solutions.

In any case, both KaVoom! and Remote Desktop are one way solutions.

I'm pretty sure that PC AnyWhere is a one way solution as well.

What I need is a simultaneous two way solution such that the Keyboard/Video/Mouse on computer 1 connect to the CPU on computer 2 while at the same time the Keyboard/Video/Mouse on computer 2 connect to the CPU on computer 1.

by joseph moore

What OS is the machine that runs the DOS app running? If it happens to be Win2K Server or Win2K3, then you could enable Terminal Services, and have the person at the other machine connect over the network via TS. Then in the TS shell, from their desk, they could launch the DOS app.
TS comes with Win2K Server and Win2K3 (and XP Pro), so there would be no extra charge. Just enable it in Remote Admin mode, and hope the DOS app runs OK in the TS shell.

by Greg Shultz

Actually both systems are running Windows 98... so TS wouldn't do the trick...

Can TS be used simultaneously on both systems?

What I need is a simultaneous two way solution such that the Keyboard/Video/Mouse on computer 1 connect to the CPU on computer 2 while at the same time the Keyboard/Video/Mouse on computer 2 connect to the CPU on computer 1.

by thechas

Greg,

Let me think about this, and see what I can come up with.

Like you, I'm sure there is a cost effective way to make this work.

Right now, my thoughts are running toward a configuration of 3 or 4 ganged manual KVM switches.
I just need to think through the connections and any potential issues.

Chas

by tech_wiz03

The networking industry has work through this problem feverishly. In a nutshell the reason for the expensive switches you mentioned at the start is because should both users try and access the same machine with KVM's one or more of the following will result and all are fatal.
1) Loading factors on the keyboard mouse and video ports will easily exceed tollerances thereby damaging the mbo.
2) Conflicting signals at the ports will lockup the pc's in a deadlock requiring a reboot.
3) One machine will rightly decide it no longer has a mouse and keyboard while the other one will decide it has a new device for which it has no known drivers.

Being that your apps are dos based you are left with only legacy solutions and most KVM's offer only the ability to use one person on two machines.

Servswitchmulti and sv4switch are specifically designed to enable platform independant solutions by switching all associated KVM devices while maintaining a static set of siganls while the switching occurs.

regards
rick

by Greg Shultz

Rick:

Thanks for the information.

However, I've discoverd that most KVMs, even a small 2-port KVM, will maintain keyboard and mouse emulation even when switching occurs.

I know that I can't hook two systems directly to two separate KVMs... not enough ports... I think that I'm going to need to use two 2-port KVMs or two 2-port KVMs and a 2-port Reverse KVM in some combination.

However, I'll take your comments under advisement as I continue to search for way to perform this operation.

I'm still hoping to find someone who has actually tried to accomplish this and can speak from a real world experience.

by chris910

Real VNC! http://www.realvnc.com/ It's free.

This solution would work best if you had an extra computer and had your people conect to the shared computer with VNC. Latency is not to bad and the price is right.

by thechas

Okay, I spent some time on this today.

You can build a KVM "X" switch from 4 KVM switches.

KVM switches 1 and 2 could be auto switches, but should have keyboard emulation.
KVM switches 1 and 2 will be connected to the users monitor, keyboard and mouse.

KVM 3 and 4 MUST be simple manual KVM switches that do NOT have keyboard emulation.

User "A" is connected to KVM 1
Connect their "A" output to the "A" output of KVM 3 and "B" output to the "A" output of KVM 4

User "B" is connected to KVM 2
Connect their "A" output to the "B" output of KVM 3 and "B" output to the "B" output of KVM 4

KVM 3 connects to PC1
KVM 4 connects to PC2

Both PCs would always see a keyboard.
Neither PC can be simultaneously connected to both work stations.

KVM 3 and 4, the switch set to "A" is the PC that user "A" can access.

KVM 3 and 4, the switch set to "B" is the PC that user "B" can access.

KVM 3 and 4 switches at "A", user "A" can access both PCs. User "B" has no PC access.

KVM 3 and 4 switches to "B" user "B" can access both PCs. User "B" has no PC access.

I would install KVM 3 and 4 at the workstation of the user who uses that PC the most.

If user "A" uses PC 1 the most, they should have KVM 3 in their work area.

Not as eloquent as the Blank Box option, but a lot cheaper.

Chas

by Greg Shultz

Hey!

Now this sounds very cool and very doable.

Thank you very much for your time and effort here!

I'll be sure and follow up with you once I implement the solution.

by cg it

ought to up the points on this for TheChas. He had to have done some serious hands on work to get to a workable solution e.g. setting up the KVM switches and playin around to get the right combination that worked for your senario.

This discussion is closed to new replies.