Slats Setup (5x Hardware Multibox)

[Slats]

**Updated 11/01/08

Main View of my Setup


My four other PC's sit next to my desk:


I use 6 mice to control my setup, 1 main one, 1 that controls all 4 clones at once, and 1 for each clone:


These are how I broadcast my keyboard and how I switch between PC's:

[CPTMuller]

So, my first post, I was wondering; Why not use something like the C2D e6320 and OC?
Also, how do cool the room? I use 2 computers an a laptop and my room gets pretty warm during the summer, and I am right under the first AC duct.
Finally, how do you clone the HDD of the first one. Would something like norton ghost to clone the HDD and then copy it work, or did you install with a raid 0 for data backup and use that to put it on the other 3 drives, I want to put together 3 cheapish systems and it seems like it would be incredibly tedious over time.

[Ellay]

For cloning images I would suggest using Acronis Trueimage, it beats ghost hands down.

[Slats]

For some reason the noise is extremely quiet and heat is not an issue.

All machines have plenty of space and are well ventilated though.

My friend had some kind of Linux Cloning Program in his CD Wallet - its called Clonezilla.

Since I had 4 identical size hard disks, I installed and updated XP on one machine, then did a hdd copy, put the copie hard disk in machine 2, changed its machine name, copied 1 -> 3 then did the same thing.

[Bradster]

Nice job. I really like the monitor mounts, and how they match the Alt LCDS.

Nice powerful Alt machines I just say. Plenty of Go juice thats for sure! Now I have one question. Is that two Muticasters I see there? Or perhaps one of those is one big KVM? If so my god man that's awesome and how much? I one day want to switch to that.

Pimp status imo 8)

[Bradster]

ahhh minus -5 for rolling alliance!

[Bradster]

For cloning images I would suggest using Acronis Trueimage, it beats ghost hands down.

I've used ghost since 98. Never heard of Trueimage. I'm always for trying something new. What's some of the things you like about trueimage? I use ghost daily at work. If I could be using something better I'd like to know what you know

[Slats]

I am going to roll a horde team also Bradster on Magtheridon - its just I have alot of support on my server + a Level 70 mage for water/ports on another account my friend doesn't use anymore.

Plus had farmed gold for them all while I was waiting etc. So for my first team I want to stay as motivated through the levelling process as possible and then do a horde team on rested.

Both the boxes are Vetra's, one is an 8 Port KM, and one is an 8 port broadcaster. They work extremely well.

I bought the same mice you have and they work flawlessly, synch up just fine.

I made the mistake of buying newer mice with those little USB wireless dongles. Logitech are phasing out the 'synch/connect' button and using little usb sticks that have the frequencies done in such a way they wont interfere with another mouse.

So I bought 4 mice that was a copmlete waste of money. Well at least my gf has a new mouse. =)

The lastthings I need to finish off my system are 4 more PS2 cables, an 8 port switch (I'm using a 24 Port 3COM Managed Switch and its noisy as hell hehe) and a real PS2 mouse as the Vetra doesn't seem to like KM switching a PS/2 --> USB Adaptered USB mouse.

Either that or that paticular USB cable is broken.

-Slats

[Bradster]

I was always interested about USB Adaptered Mice and Keyboards, how that works across KVM and Muticasters.

Before the one here at work went bad I tried using a adaptered keyboard. Didnt work with the KVM. No g15 Keyboard for me it seems Even so I'd just spill tea in it anyway :?

[Slats]

I think the G15 draws 3x as much power as a normal device as its actually three usb devices in one.

But my mouse didn't work either however it did power up so not sure. :/

Though it powered up even though it wasn't 'switched' to anything as well.

I spill drinks all the time I go through about 5 keyboards a year.