non video console output

[Tom Metro]

Stephen Adler wrote:
> P.S. I've looked into the kvm over ip and the cost is very high, about 
> $750 for a 4 port unit...

You can cobble together a solution using a KVM ($100) plus a console 
extender, like the IOGEAR PCPortal (GCN1000, $250 ~ $300):

http://www.iogear.com/product/GCN1000/

It's like a VNC server appliance. This gives you the added flexibility 
of upgrading the KVM to one with more ports in the future. The PCPortal 
requires client software on the controlling machine (just like IP-based 
KVMs). They have a Windows version and a Java version, which they claim 
works on Linux. (It also supports multiple users, SSL, and virtualized 
USB (Windows only).)

Though unless you're going to be loading operating systems, changing 
BIOS settings, or troubleshooting kernel bugs remotely, you can probably 
get by with a no cost VNC and/or SSH solution, as has already been 
suggested.

For the home setup you described, you can use a traditional KVM plus a 
passive wired console extender. In fact if you're only spanning 10 or 20 
feet, you don't even need the console extender. But this approach does 
require running K, V, and M wiring, or using dedicated CAT5 wiring with 
converters on either end, rather than your existing Ethernet (wired or 
wireless). For example:

$120 (KVM extender) PS/2 and VGA balun Kit
  Mouse/Keyboard/VGA over Cat5
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/83-11346

That's for analog VGA. There are others that handle DVI.

I noticed in the picture for that device that it looks like the 
converter boxes have two RJ14 jacks, which seems to imply it requires 
two CAT5 cables. I couldn't confirm that from the product description. 
Other devices require just one cable, like this $200 Minicom Mini KVM 
Extender:
http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/0dt23008a.html

You can also pair that up with a "reverse" KVM, that would permit having 
a second keyboard/monitor/mouse next to the server, and not have to move 
cables around:

$73 BELKIN OmniView SOHO F1D201 2-port Reverse KVM Switch
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16817107305

  -Tom

-- 
Tom Metro
Venture Logic, Newton, MA, USA
"Enterprise solutions through open source."
Professional Profile: http://tmetro.venturelogic.com/