[GLLUG] kvm switch to share peripherals?

[Charles Ulrich]

Hi Ranti,

The easiest solution might be something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817399021

You've probably already seen one of these in your search, but it can
be used as long as you can get your keyboard and mouse going into one
USB port and your printer in another. This way, your keyboard, mouse,
printer, and video can all be switched between the two machines.

If your keyboard and mouse are PS/2, just get a PS/2-to-USB adapter:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817399021

If either your keyboard or mouse is already USB, then you'll need a
standard USB hub.

This doesn't solve the problem of switching audio back and forth, but
maybe an AV input selector with headphone output (plus the necessary
cables) would work:

http://www.amazon.com/Sima-SVS-14-Input-Manual-Selector/dp/B00005NCWK

There's also a software KVM called synergy (http://synergy2.sf.net),
but it's really only an option if each computer has its own monitor.

Finally, have you considered disposing of one computer and running
it's OS inside a virtual machine (VMWare, VirtualBox, etc) on the
other? :)

Charles

On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 3:02 PM, Ranti Junus <ranti.junus at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I have two PCs (debian and linuxmint/windows dual boot) and one laptop
> (windows) and I need your suggestions/advice on KVM switch that allows
> me to share monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer and hopefully also
> headset/audio.  Printer share is more important; I can plug and unplug
> my headset easier than printer.  My printer is HP PSC 1210 (usb,
> non-network).  I prefer to keep using this printer because it works
> just fine for my purpose (I don't print pictures, and I scan stuff for
> archive purpose), although I won't rule out upgrading the printer if
> it makes more sense (or cheaper).
>
> Do you  have any suggestion which product and where to get one?  The
> ones I found so far (Best Buy, Staples) only share the usual
> peripherals (monitor, keyboard and mouse, with or without  headset.)
> But none of them has option to share my printer.  I failed to find any
> from Newegg and TigerDirect as well.
>
> Budget restriction: none (yet.)  In other words, I'd like to see the
> options first. :-)
>
> Thanks in advance on any advice and/or suggestions.
>
>
> ranti.
>
> --
> Bulk mail. Postage paid.
> _______________________________________________
> linux-user mailing list
> linux-user at egr.msu.edu
> http://mailman.egr.msu.edu/mailman/listinfo/linux-user
>