So... hardware multiboxing?

[nodoze]

I use Aster to split my PC with my girl friend, the software allows to split monitor/resources/windows user/inputs/sound on the same machine.

Free VM Solutions didn't offer the ease of use / setup and from what I found. (I opted for paid windows instead of free linux so to say)
...
I also just put the VM as a reference, I should have said, multiseat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multis...virtualization

Multiseat desktop virtualization is an entirely new methodology which combines the cost saving benefits and ease of maintenance of server based computing, the time savings of hardware agnostic cloning, and the capabilities of desktop virtualization, with the performance capabilities of real PC functionality. It takes advantage of this fact to enable ordinary users to install a multiseat PC giving 2 "seats" with a dual-core CPU or 4 "seats" with a quad-core CPU. The operating system of this PC is initially installed just like a regular PC. Regular PC users can install and use this type of product without having to install servers, or know how to manage complicated, server based computing or server based virtualization products. It has the combined benefits of a Type 1 hypervisor and a Type 2 hypervisor virtual machine.

It does this with the efficiency of a Type 1 hypervisor while maintaining the portability of a Type 2 hypervisor.

EDIT: HEADS UP THAT MULTIPLE FOLK HAVE HAD ISSUES GETTING THE KOOLERTRON KEYPADS WORKING THROUGH THE SHUONE KM SYNCHRONIZER... IF YOU HAVE A KOOLERTRON YOU SHOULD USE THE AMIOS KM DEVICES (or someone other than ShuOne).

IF YOU GET A DIFFERENT KEYBOARD/KEYPAD WITH HARDWARE STORED MACROS WORKING THROUGH THE KM SYNCRONIZER PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT MODEL(S) YOU FIND ARE WORKING by putting updates into this thread...

Aster is working to 5box WoW for at least one person but another person who tried Multiseat Configuration software (Aster) found it slow for WoW and switched to Virtual Machines (VMs) via VMware (or Virtual Box, etc)...

I think bpkdasbsaum is onto something here when looking at MultiSeat Desktop Virtualization... Full VMs have significantly more overhead and complexity than a Multiseat Configuration (MC) which in some approaches can give multiple unique desktops with only 1 install of the Operating System. VMs are also a fine approach and cheaper than buying separate PCs but just have more overhead than a MC needing more RAM/CPU/storage and typically 1 copy of the Operating System and a full install of WoW per VM...

I need to double-check all of the below when I have more time but this could save folk lots of money so I figured best to get this out here ASAP even if I don't have time to double-check everything...

Those looking at buying 4+ more PCs to do multiboxing may be well served to look into this more. Your current system may already have more than enough resources to do this in most areas and thus could result in both a cheaper outlay of cash and a better experience going forward. This approach may well also save energy/space/complexity/etc...

For example my current system has plenty of RAM and CPU and I am pretty sure my discrete video card natively supports upto 4 monitors and that is before any display port hubs/extensions & not counting the built in graphics on my CPU/motherboard which may be fine to support 1 WoW client "follower" at low settings/resolutions. I am thinking to support 5 MultiSeat Virtual desktops running WoW from my current PC I should at most need to add 1 video card and maybe a USB extender for KM for the desktops.

Target 5box setup (credit most of this concept from bpkdasbsaum):

• Run 5x Windows Desktops on 1 PC via MultiSeat Virtualization (or via regular VMs);
• Each Windows Desktop (or VM) runs one wow client;
• Primary Windows Desktop does Video to Primary monitor;
• 4 other Virtual Desktops do Video to a 2nd Monitor in a quad layout (multiple ways to do this);
• Primary Desktop has dedicated main keyboard+Mouse;
• Use "synergy-like" software to allow your main keyboard+mouse to "float" between all 5 desktops (one at a time);
• Small keypad (or 2nd keyboard) to send game commands to all 5 desktops (1 keypad to control all 5 game clients) via KM synchronizer; Could also have a 2nd mouse here for ground AoE targeting...

I am thinking that many people could do the above resulting in a pretty nice setup leveraging what they have and only spending something like:

• $0: Leverage your current main multiboxing PC as much as possible;
• $0-$99?: VMs or MultiSeat desktop virtualization software (try Aster_here ... There are likely multiple vendors and possibly some decent free Open Source options);
• $0-$?: If current MotherBoard/IntegratedGraphics + Discrete Video Card can't support 5 monitors then you likely will need to add something like a Display Port Hub or a 2nd Video Card. Even a really nice Video card may be better and cheaper than buying 4+ more video cards &/or 4+ PCs...
• $0-$9-$26: I currently have at least 6 unused USB ports on my PC which may be enough... If you don't have enough USB ports you may need to buy an external USB hub/switch OR a PCI card that adds more USB ports...
• $0-$29: Open Source "Synergy-like" Barrier software that allows your main mouse/keyboard travel to all 5 desktops... That or buy the Synergy software; Note that the MultiSeat Virtualization software (Aster?) may have built in tools/capabilities for this.
• $35-$?: KM Syncronizer: Likely needed for either approach. Included cables likely work easier if you are just connecting them all to the same PC...
• $55-$77: 2nd Keypad for KM Syncronizer: Likely something like this 23key-Keypad or this 48key-Keypad would be ideal depending on how many keys you need for all 5 clients to do all the roles (Classic WoW is pretty basic). You should be able to feed this to all 5 Desktops for gaming from one single keypad and just bind different keybinds per wow client*...
• $78: If using Aster 4x1 Quad Multi-viewer to use just 1 monitor to see 4 outputs (if using VMs you can't use this and instead just put the VMs on a 2nd monitor);
• 0$-$79-$?: If you don't already have 2 monitors you likely will need a 2nd Monitor for 4 clients via the above multiview; Obviously you can get bigger/better monitors to your taste at more expense... Some existing monitors can handle multiple inputs or Picture in Picture or Picture by Picture so this all may be do-able in 1 existing monitor...

Rough Total: ~$168 to ~$400 depending on what you already have and can leverage. Does not include cost of a 2nd Video card nor cables if you need them.

That is all I have time for now to spec out but I wanted to put this down ASAP for folk considering buying 4+ small PCs for multiboxing... Even if your existing computers can't handle the extra overhead of multiseat desktop virtualization you may be able to keep your current PC for your main WoW client and just buy a 2nd slightly better PC for less than buying 4 weaker PCs...

*For those not clear what I envision by using 1 keypad for all 5 virtual desktops, the following is a simplified example:

If your goal was to have 3 keys in a row to allow 3 different mages to each shoot FrostBolts, you could configure them as follows and use 1 keyboard to control all 3 and not MultCast even when using a synchronizer:

-Mage 1: Keybind 1 to FrostBolt and unbind keys 2 & 3;
-Mage 2: Keybind 2 to FrostBolt and unbind keys 1 & 3;
-Mage 3: Keybind 3 to FrostBolt and unbind keys 1 & 2;

Similarly, Healing keys would only be bound on the Healer (and the other 4 clients would ignore the key-presses as they don't have that key bound...

Same thing for Tanking keys (if you are not running a 4DPS+Healer team)...