Re: Using a KVM switch to connect 3 computers at once

On Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:10:35 -0500, micky <[email protected]> wrote:

> Running two computers at once.
>
> It happened sort of by accident but now I'm runing my laptop and my
> desktop all the time.  And I have a spare computer I really should set
> up.
>
> To use just one mouse and one keyboard and switch them from PC to PC, I
> need a KVM switch, but it seems that those that supply more than 2
> computers all have HDMI outputs.   And maybe I should get HDMI just
> because it's newer than USB. But my laptop and desktop inputs are all
> USB.   I gather someone like me is supposed to get an HDMI to USB cable,
> but that seems to connect only the mouse OR the keyboard, not both?   So
> what am I to do?
>
> I don't want to use only one monitor. It's good to be able to look at
> both so easily .

Instead of a hardware approach, I use a software/network approach.
https://symless.com/synergy

Part of it is open source, so for linux user's it can be installed without
having to buy it. It has to be configured by manually editing the text
configuration files, or you can buy the commercial software that includes a
graphical interface to simplify the configuration.

I still need a local keyboard to login to each computer, but once logged in
I use one keyboard/mouse for both systems, each of which has it's own monitor.
As I use a wireless keyboard/mouse combo, I can just move the usb dongle
temporarily when booting/logging into the the other two systems.

I only use linux, so likely can't help with configuration for windows.

It works well on my three linux systems. No flashing or other unwanted
artifacts.

Regards, Dave Hodgins