One monitor for the whole farm

ThomRuley · 2003-07-25, 20:34

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

Complex33 · 2003-07-25, 22:10

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. Check out newegg...

Prime Monster · 2003-07-25, 22:21

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

Xyzzy · 2003-07-26, 00:55

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

2003-07-26, 04:45

Thanks Xyzzy :(

ThomRuley · 2003-07-26, 21:02

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

QuintLeo · 2003-07-27, 20:14

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.

helgen19 · 2003-08-01, 07:34

[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?!?

ThomRuley · 2003-08-01, 13:21

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.

QuintLeo · 2003-08-01, 13:36

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

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

helgen19 · 2003-08-01, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuintLeo

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

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

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

2003-07-25, 20:34	#1
ThomRuley May 2003 3·97 Posts	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

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2003-07-25, 22:10	#2
Complex33 Aug 2002 Texas 5×31 Posts	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. Check out newegg...

2003-07-25, 22:21	#3
Prime Monster Aug 2002 404₈ Posts	You can also do it with software. Do a search for VNC.

2003-07-26, 00:55	#4
Xyzzy Aug 2002 2·7·13·47 Posts	Or, if you are running Windows XP, you can use "Remote Desktop"... (It is built in!)

2003-07-26, 21:02	#6
ThomRuley May 2003 100100011₂ Posts	Thanks guys, that really helped. I thought I was going to have to solder something together and it would be really messy and ugly. :)

2003-07-27, 20:14	#7
QuintLeo Oct 2002 Lost in the hills of Iowa 2⁶×7 Posts	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.

2003-08-01, 07:34	#8
helgen19 Feb 2003 A₁₆ Posts	[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?!?

2003-08-01, 13:21	#9
ThomRuley May 2003 3×97 Posts	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.

2003-08-01, 13:36	#10
QuintLeo Oct 2002 Lost in the hills of Iowa 700₈ Posts	Something like 25, once I get them all back up and running. I've been doing some remodeling on my computer/library room....