Complex KVM Question...

[zanthor]

Ok, this isn't Dualboxing related but out of everywhere I've seen you guys know the most about how to set this stuff up!

4 CPU's with Dual Head Video
10 LCD's, 5 Keyboards, 5 Mice

What I need...

Project Workstation
LCD LCD K M

KVM Solution to Tie the above project workstation's LCD's and K/M to the CPU of any one workstation at a time.

Normal Workstations
CPU LCD LCD K M

CPU LCD LCD K M

CPU LCD LCD K M

CPU LCD LCD K M

============================

The purpose here is that we work in a walk-in-support environment but in order to focus on some projects we have aquired a private office that will be shared by 4 developers. Each of us has a different focus and different tools so simply setting up a 5th machine isn't really a good idea (I have Visual Studio on my machine while a coworker has Frontpage... etc).

Any of you know of something that can accomplish this?

[Steph]

I recon you could buy splitters for the video signals of your four boxes and then connect one of the signals per CPU to the decicated screens while connecting the other to a regular KVM switch. You can have one PS/2 keyboard and mouse and as many USB keyboards and mice per system as you want, so using a regular PS/2 KVM switch and USB kb/mouse on the units directly or the other way around but using a USB switch should both work.

I am still non-plussed regarding why you would want to do this. Simply because as soon as the spare display/keyboard/mouse is controlling one CPU while you have someone else work on the box there is a conflict. Since there is the conflict then, I gotta wonder why you dont use the CPU directly. =]

If you want to have all four installations available on demand, you are better served creating virtual machines of each system and putting those on the a separate CPU on the spare. That way you could use five systems at the same time with one being the wildcard/joker system with all the programs of each computer being available in turn.

Hope this helps.

[zanthor]

The main issue is to try and stem the foot traffic/interuptions when working on projects. The issue is 4 techs, 4 workspaces in a common area and no "door" to lock out users.

[Xzin]

Check with Vetra, they have some dual monitor KVM hardware.

[zanthor]

I've got an inquiry in with them, they haven't answered my e-mail as of yet... I don't know what the worlds coming to... four hours without an answer from them!