KVM switch and usb hub

[wildgoose1uk]

Hi

What I want to do is have my main puter (c2duo), a secondary puter (P3 1gig) for messing around with Linux, various third puter's which I mess around with rebuilding for friends and a usb hub built into my monitor all using the same monitor and keyboard.

I have never used kvm switches before but it would save time and inconvenience unplugging bits form one pc into another. Is is possible to do all this through a kvm switch? the usb hub built into my monitor is handy as that is where the wi-fi stick is.

if it is possible what sort of kit do I need and how much will it cost?

Thanks in advance.

[peterb]

Not sure about the USB hub in the monitor - but switcvhing using a KVM switch is possible - I use a Belkin device http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=298802 They do a two port version of this, as well as ones that can be controlled from the keyboard.. One thing to watch is that if you boot the machine, then switch to another while the first is booting, it might fail if it can't detect the keyboard, or if you ait until after post, you might find the video system swiches to a lower resolution as it can't detect the monitor. However, once the machine(s) are booted - you can swich at will.

They come without cables - the cable sets (for the one I linked to) cost about £7 per PC. Shop around.

Google is your friend - there are loads of KVM mfrs out there.

[wildgoose1uk]

Thanks for the tip. I have seen some with usb hub but they seem to be a lot more expensive - so maybe i will just get a couple of usb extension leads.

[kmac]

I use an Avocent KVM switch at home which has build in USB switching as well. However, it doesn't seem to work well for USB switching. The monitor/keyboard/mouse switching works fine however

The Avocent I have is a four port DVI version and they are quite expensive. However, for what it is, I don't see why they cost as much as they do.