One monitor for the whole farm
 

I am looking for a way to use one monitor on two computers. Is there some way to do this without unplugging and replugging the monitor each time? I would really like to be able to save some money here (less on monitors, more on CPUs ) :D Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Gratuitous dancing :banana:

You can do this easily with a KVM (Keyboard, Viedo, Mouse) box that will allow you to use one monitor, keyboard, and mouse for multiple computers. They come in a variety of configurations. [url=http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=&order=PRICED&submit=Go&description=kvm&searchdepa=0&Order=rating]Check out newegg...[/url]

You can also do it with software. Do a search for VNC.

Or, if you are running Windows XP, you can use "Remote Desktop"... (It is built in!)

Thanks Xyzzy :(

Thanks guys, that really helped. I thought I was going to have to solder something together and it would be really messy and ugly. :)

For point of reference, I'm currently running one set of 6 machines on one monitor/KB, another set of 16 machines on another monitor/KB.

I've got a FEW Belkin OmniView / Aten (?) Masterview 6-port KVMs - they "stacK", meaning you can run them at more than one level of KVM.

Basically, you can run these particular units (and the 4-port versions) in up to 3 levels of KVM, allowing up to 216 machines to be controller by one KB/monitor.


Other folks make similar units, but these tend to be some of the lowest-cost per port units on eBay - and they use STANDARD monitor/KB/mouse cables, which are easy and cheap to find and help KEEP the cost low per port.

I think Belkin still has the 6-port units in production, but discontinued the 4-port version.

[quote="QuintLeo"]For point of reference, I'm currently running one set of 6 machines on one monitor/KB, another set of 16 machines on another monitor/KB.

How many boxen do you have?!?

I just have one right now, but I am planning to add another in the next few months and I was wanting to find a way to get around having to buy a monitor for it too.

Something like 25, once I get them all back up and running.

I've been doing some remodeling on my computer/library room....

[quote="QuintLeo"]Something like 25, once I get them all back up and running.

I've been doing some remodeling on my computer/library room....[/quote]

May as well rewire while you're at it. How many amps do you draw in the library? Must be close to 20