A BRAND NEW Console for my Server Rack

[@nekonikku]

Replacing worn jank with new not jank always triggers the endorphins. Then you realize just how much patience you had tolerating the old setup. Nice bat’leth btw, I never noticed that before.

[@Eric_Wolfe-Schulte]

Getting rid of the mental noise associated with tolerating jank solutions is so liberating!

[@SupremeRuleroftheWorld]

pretty sure every home rack has a batleth nearby in case of emergencies, its the law.

[@ElementalITcc]

purchased before the video was over. I never buy based on advertisements - and very rarely based on videos. I think I have made more purchases based on your videos than any other.... anything. You are costing me lots of money, lol.

[@Monarchias]

11:07 I love how Jeff gently clears off some minor dust from the new KVM, but not using the opportunity, to clean off that equipment top from the though dust whilst it's ready to reach. I know, the dust or no dust subject, which might trigger Jeff. I started to keep my servers a little more clean with a little more often cleaning, while dust only accumulated on front of the intake fans. It keeps my fans more silent, compared to let the dust pile up - and more accumulate inside - for longer time.

[@ICanDoThatToo2]

I love those Swiffer sheets, I leave one near every workstation so I can clean it whenever the dust annoys me.

[@Anaxel]

Ya, that was bugging me, too... Come on, Jeff, clean that dust, lol.

[@DangoNetwork]

There are alot good KVMs on ebay with KVM switch in the back. Those normally around 150 for use and 200-300 for brand new. MSRP on those are about 1000-2000. I got mine MKD6117 many years ago for about 300. 17 inch IPS with 8 ports. Love it a lot

[@ShawnDude2005]

I bought this same console a week ago and it is great. One thing I noticed is that there is a purpose of the two extra USB cables. When I looked on their website looking for some info, I found a similar console that had two USB pass-throughs to the front left of the unit. I flipped my console over to see the bottom and sure enough, there are two USB A connectors in the back and in the front of the unit. I removed the screws on the bottom and back of the unit to verify and was able to see they were indeed there. The only thing was the plastic case does not have holes cut in it to all access to the ports. Not sure why they would include the electrical hardware for them and not provide a proper case. If I can figure out a clean way to make the holes, I will cut them out. But I haven't came up with a good idea on that yet.

[@jeremymiller9832]

I saw these several months ago and wondered how quality was. Glad it worked well for you!

[@ToddSchuldt-ng6xd]

Even new, that particular HPE model you replaced would not last us more than 5 or so years in our datacenter. We went to several crash carts stored in the war room, paid for advanced iLO and then pulled all the KVMs all out.

[@1leggeddog]

New idea for you to sell as part of Craft Computing: Rack-mounted cup holders😎

[@acubley]

Needs a Klingon stein with a shelf under the bat'leth.

[@TheFlatronify]

Lovely console, we have these old HP consoles at work, they are hit or miss and the rainbow mode seems to be built into it from the factory ;) Beer inside the rack? Classy, cheers!

[@criostasis]

Im glad i didnt get that same hp one you did! I got the uptyma one you just got over a year ago for $100 with $20 shipping on ebay. Been a great addition to my small 15U office rack when i need to manage my web server.

[@Henk717]

Congrats on your brand new beer holder! (That got me so nervous at the end of the video)

[@adamgarlow5347]

Installed mine today. It's absolutely fantastic.

[@marcogenovesi8570]

"not that it was horrible when I bought it, but it became horrible 2 years later". Classic HP (now HPE) product

[@JohnDoe1999-lg7mh]

Good inexpensive solution. A couple of months back I did bake my own system. Used a INNOCN 15.6" monitor with HDMI. Then used my 8 port HDMI KVM (TESmart) and some VGA to HDMI adapters. I have enough room to keep the monitor in the normal viewing position. Not as slick as a fold away unit, but works for me.

[@Dmitriy.0]

I bought a used 1U KVM with built-in 8-port switch about 4 years ago for $100 even (picked up locally), and it died a month ago or so. Since then I've been making do with a basic 4-port KVM switch with an old monitor and wireless kb/trackpad and it's been a pain. Perfect timing of this video! Ordered.

[@KiraSlith]

It's been lovely seeing really nice rack and server hardware come down to affordability despite everything else in life becoming distressingly expensive.

[@heartlessdeathx]

I bought one right away - I watched the number sold jump from 3 to 38 because of your video.

[@Hako_exe]

I have been looking for a console for my rack and haven't found anything that great UNTIL TODAY! Thanks, Jeff for a SOILD video!

[@Acece665]

For a glass holder on the server rack harbor freight has magnetic ones for their standing toolboxes. Stick one right on the side of your enclosed rack.

[@thebasset]

loving the klingon batleth on the side of the rack.... that is cool as hell dude

[@ShaunMcCloud]

I'm glad you posted this, I need to get one for work because we are migrating our servers to a data-center.

[@Gastell0]

4:47 - That big enter, that's a UK layout, Google Engineers all over Europe except for Ireland and UK hate it xD

[@ericjodoin7682]

The keyboard layout if Canadian Bilingual (EN-US and FR-CA combined) - the FR-CA is for Quebec, since we use QWERTY but with different special characters

[@808jpm]

The HP has USB, the two ports unused seen in the video are pass through and USB composite for mouse/keyboard. I bought one of those new old stock for cheap on eBay after seeing your install video. It was a bit of a pain - the VGA cable was too short to reach my KVM and routing all the cables on the arm was a chore and the rails don't slide very smoothly. If that was the worst of it I'd be happy - but in my case Ubuntu server consoles use a resolution where I always loose about 2 lines of text. In some cases it stops working and I have to restart my KVM.

[@FarrellMcGovern]

What a killer product idea! A rack mountable cup holder!

[@greenprotag]

For a server rack cup holder, I strongly recommend a strong magnetic cup holder. I have one attached to my desk.

[@mjmeans7983]

It looks like the cable management arm will bend the VGA and USB cables too sharply at the connection point to the KVM. Each time you bring out the console it will bend a very sharp nearly 90 degrees and back again when you are done. This will stress the cable. For longevity, I prefer the Z style cable management arms especially when repurposing already old or used cables. (Like the Seagate STDP402, not specifically this brand, just this general design that allows the cable bends to be more relaxed).

[@danw1955]

I've been looking for a better solution for accessing my rack stuff, like forever! I currently have a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse (and a 5 port KVM switch) taking up precious desk space on what was supposed to be the corner for my HAM radio stuff.😝 This would be a cheap solution to what would normally cost hundreds of dollars, and literally includes EVERYTHING! I went to E-bay and put it in my watch list. Hopefully they won't run out of them before the beginning of next month, when I have some spare cash!😄 Thanks Jeff!!😉👍👍

[@ivanmaglica264]

Beats my rack console - a VGA USB capture dongle that I hook to my notebook and use it as a webcam source :)

[@TheRogueBro]

Can't wait for my Axe Effect to come in!

[@yourpcmd]

Apparently, every listing of the Uptyma has been relisted and now shows Open Box or pre-owned. Also, none are under $150. There is one listing for a new one with 59 available for $549

[@EpicKittyXP]

How hard would it be to make a temperature sensor that exports via Prometheus instead?

[@CraftComputing]

I can't promise anything, but it's definitely on our radar. Won't be a day-1 feature of the final version, but might eventually hit via software update.

[@electrohacker]

I finally got my server rail mounted (it used to just sit in a rack shelf), I think a console is amongst my next few upgrades.

[@DelusionalChicken]

Those usb cables that you didn't use are for the 2 usb ports hidden (not properly molded) in the front and back of the console. I had gotten this console and noticed the weird, out of place, ss on the back and ended up cutting the plastic around it

[@CraftComputing]

I noticed there were USB-SS emblems on the rear, but no ports cut out. How strange.

[@David_Ladd]

@CraftComputing Great video as always! As far as the old KVM goes. The screws problem I for sure can understand that. As far as the sync issues goes and some of the other strange issues, could be the EEPROM that is inside the unit that could be having some bit issues. The other issues could be possibly caps going out. I was given a couple monitors that found out the caps were showing signs of needed to be replaced. Once the caps were replaced both monitors worked fine. I know a lot of people don't like getting that low level of repairing stuff, but for some of us not having much money it is way better to repair the stuff. Plus it keeps the stuff out of the landfill too :D

[@David_Ladd]

Nice Bat'leth on the side of the your rack too!

[@ShcherbynaM]

Regarding loosing color channels or desync, probably cable in that hinge is broken. I've had same problem with HP Omnibook xe3 laptop, and I rewired manually all wires that goes through the hinge. It is a tidious job, but my laptop is more a memory than a server or computation unit (833 MHz Pentium 3), I've started learning programming languages on it when I was 10.

[@mamdouh-Tawadros]

Nice console, congratulations 👏. But dust the servers, as those fans can bring anything to the rack. Thank you for the video.

[@ChrisRider]

Wow. My KVM is about 5 years old and is janky. It only displays red and green, has a moire pattern, and defaults to a strange keyboard. I put a post it note on it to make it ascii. So, I’m going to get one of these. Nice to have.

[@shaunlavoie6183]

That's a smoking deal on a console with cables, rails etc!

[@pinsandscrews6459]

I haven't seen it mentioned yet, might have missed it, Loctite is not meant for use with plastics, it tends to cause the plastic to become brittle. IF you were using it for metal on metal, and it came loose, then, you might want to figure out what the hell is vibrating that hard, or, if there is an excess of heat in that area.

[@CraftComputing]

The majority of the screws are metal on metal, either directly into the frame or with threaded inserts.

[@fancyhandlegoeshere]

I could really go for an affordable HDMI remove KVM switch. 4 ports would be ideal to keep the cost down. Alas, I think I may have to buy a bunch of piKVMs or something because I cannot seem to find anything decent that doesn't break the homelab budget. Congrats on the console, I will definitely be looking into it.

[@TyroneKlassen]

I love when low expectations are exceeded.

[@marcogenovesi8570]

I remember the video where you changed the console like it was yesterday. Time flies

[@CptPatch]

You know, I'm surprised you DON'T have a rack mount cup holder by this point.

[@the_thunder_god]

I've been needing a KVM for my rack. Right now I got a simple shelf with a failing monitor and keyboard and mouse right underneath the panel. The monitor, like 1 other just like it on my gaming rig, is losing it's backlight. It's the worst of the 3 of those I have. Yeah I need me one of those. Edit: Picked one up in the second round when they started putting up for sale items instead of auctions. I tried to get one via auction as well as OBO but failed to get the cheaper price. Oh Well...arrives soon. Will be nice to replace the monitor with the failing backlight.

[@TheRickJames]

I have a much newer HP kvm like that and its a piece of crap, i had to repair the hinges also. And i have to unplug it every time I change imputs. Nevermind the DP port never working and the same weird display scaling issue you mentioned. 😅

[@shaunerickson2858]

The most harrowing part of this video is watching you wildly wave your hand around, after placing the beer on the console, and just waiting for you to knock it over onto the keyboard and fry it ... :) Be careful with that Bat'leth - a couple of days before September 11, 2001, I was cat-sitting for a vacationing coworker, and was playing with his Bat'leth. To make a long story short, I was playing around with it, as if I were some bad@ss Klingon, unaware that it had a sharp edge. I ended up in the hospital, shortly thereafter, as I had nearly amputated my right hand, about 3" above the wrist. I have quite a scar, as a reminder. I will never live it down. :)

[@gutter_onion7855]

Is that a Klingon Bat'leth hanging on the side?

[@CraftComputing]

Yes it is.

[@TheNetGuy]

Cover is on the circuit breaker panel. Byte my bits wouldn’t be proud 😂

[@CraftComputing]

No smoke either

[@damouze]

I've been looking for an affordable KVM console myself as well, so this looks interesting. Most of them are top-dollar brand new and still rather expensive second-hand. UPDATE: I ordered one from a EU based ebay seller, for around the same price, but mine came without the PSU, the cable management kit or the rack mount kit, so I have to sort things out with the ebay seller. I also noticed that there is an Amazon listing for the same unit, but its price is around $600, so maybe this was too good to be true, at least in my case?

[@justinnamilee]

These are actually the videos I live for because they guilt trip me into doing maintenance on my own rack. :S

[@Husky_Mountain_Productions]

I've been meaning to find a kvm that was inexpensive, and this would be perfect and cost is great!!!

[@Psikeomega]

The only thing that beats the feeling of powering up a used piece if hardware for the first time is powering up a new piece of hardware.

[@ahuesphoto]

Here is an idea: 3D print a Craft Computing coaster out of ABS + TPU; then sell it to us! (Consider beer can or glass or coffee mug at the very edge of a desk…)

[@MelroyvandenBerg]

Could you explain all the hardware items in your rack? Can you go in details about your rack?

[@waregeeksny]

Get a few magnet cup holders and attach them to the server racks, etc, for your beer. Lol.

[@johnboyboy919]

Yes, I will comment about the dust. No, you cannot see my setup 😅 but i promise it is pristine clean.

[@Phaxmohdem]

Definitely curious to see if the UK layout gets on your nerves over time. I think that would be a dealbreaker for me, haha.

[@paulstubbs7678]

Looks nice, just slightly concerned with the keyboard, as in the layout and having to fiddle with keyboard settings. I'm wondering about the concept of using one of these outside of a rack, in a situation where you would use a laptop, that never actually moves, it's always there, one of these would look identical, but then linked to a computer elsewhere giving you full desktop performance, i.e as a second screen/keyboard in a 'family area', or workshop etc.

[@mito-pb8qg]

...the prices for those things are absolutely criminal

[@knghtbrd]

1U beear holder? The most Oregon thing ever thought of.

[@ZarMariano]

Great change!

[@RealVercas]

Do you know if the rails have their own part number? At least in Europe, the console itself is not too hard to find, but it doesn't come with a rail kit from most shops that sell it at a decent price.

[@DanielFSmith]

Harbor Freight will sell you a magnetic beer can holder for $11.99.

[@LouisCYUL]

Regarding the layout: it isn't European, but French Canadian - I'm pleasantly (and very) surprised someone made a rackmount console in it.

[@MatthewHill]

Damn, I really need to get one of those... bat'leths. My server rack is very bat'leth deficient.

[@stonent]

What? 2 Hands to install locking rails? I can do Dell rails one handed! (I'm just messing with you, but I can do them one handed.)

[@TheSolidSnakeOil]

ISO keyboards are always a no-go for me. It took me a few weeks to get used to a 65% keyboard and having the pipe key elsewhere on top of it would completely throw me off.

[@njbrad007]

I wonder how long it will take for that yellow cable to get snagged on the display, now that you can move the console in and out.

[@spudmonk13]

Magnet drink holder on the side of the rack!

[@ws_stelzi79]

The thing is that these Consoles are generally more expensive than the better gaming monitors. So only 130 is basically a steal for one of these. 🤑🤯

[@paulumz]

Very good value for money indeed!

[@danagoyette7932]

The biggest question I have with a device like that: can you disable tapping on the touchpad? Any touchpad where you can't disable tapping is a touchpad that's worse than useless to me. Many KVM console touchpads pretend to be standard PS/2 or USB mice, and don't support things like scrolling and disabling tapping.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

You know the dirt is real when you've just installed the brand new console, pulled it out of the drawer a few times and there's dirt already caked on the lid.

[@AlistairBrugsch]

Love the Batl'eth

[@pyroslev]

Oh get yourself a magnetic cup holder like my dad has on his lawnmower. It's got a magnet that will hold up to the biggest single can of beer you can get from most gas stations.

[@Dwarg91]

So it seems like even enterprise grade equipment is safe from HP’s infamous Hinge Problems!

[@vojtas_cz]

Why not to clean the dust that sits on the below server? It hurt my eyes.

[@SteelRatVT]

Those KVM consoles start at 600$ on Amazon. Why so expensive?

[@TheComsicCurator]

I know you've answered this before but how are you maintaining thermals in your garage especially in the summer?

[@CraftComputing]

Tripp Lite SRCOOL7KRM rackmount air conditioner.

[@919stephenp]

just got a netshelter cheap at an auction, one of the boxes i want to put on a rack shelf needs hdmi or dp ... any suggestions on those

[@darrenoleary5952]

$130 - WTF??? I can't find anything on eBay or Amazon here in Australia for anything less than $1500.

[@ghohenzollern]

I don't suppose they make any with a serial port that can also be used as a dumb term?

[@CraftComputing]

They used to, but they're exceedingly rare.

[@ConnerWithAnE_]

I’m wondering, what’s happening with the new studio? 👀

[@masterbond9]

why cant HP get hinges right?

[@IamDoQtorNo]

What kind of rails are those? Is there a link to them?

[@bulcub]

does this attach to a separate kvm switch to work?

[@ed0c]

virtual kvm with idrac is the way to go my friend!

[@CraftComputing]

That's great for one server at a time, if your hardware supports it. I often have servers without IPMI, so physical access is the only way to install a new OS or troubleshoot them.

[@brians8664]

I refuse to buy servers without good IMPI now. I don’t care how much of a deal it is, no/terrible IPMI is a dealbreaker.

[@Natsumidragneelkim]

I wonder if they make a a console with a built-in fingerprint reader

[@DiyintheGhetto]

What temperature sensor are you using on the sensor board? Some are really good and accurate. And there are a lot that are not.

[@CraftComputing]

Bosch BME280

[@reviewaccount469]

I'm sold. Now I just need to move 5 servers to install it.

[@camjohnson2004]

ordered one myself

[@IamDoQtorNo]

Did you do a video on the sponsored item? Would like to see what it does

[@squirrel_ca9745]

Kyle here from South Africa. I tried buying one of those HP TFT 7600, however when it arrived it was just the bottom half, monitor was missing. I would love to buy yours from you if you looking to part with it?

[@alex.prodigy]

Howdy, Any particular reason you are not shipping to EU/ROU ?

[@joshua7551]

I just moved one of those TFT 7600s from one rack to another at one of my sites. And all I have to say is fuck whoever designed those things.

[@CraftComputing]

They are the ABSOLUTE WORST rackmounted equipment I've ever dealt with.

[@Ocatio]

8-port KVM Amzn link goes to a very different product.

[@CraftComputing]

....that is weird... Fixed in the description. Here's the correct link: amzn.to/3VDXvXf

[@MartinHiggs84]

Just add a 1U KVM to switch between servers 😊

[@WassaWaterline]

Would have been funny if he tipped over his beer in the end and fried the console.

[@jh491]

Hey Jeff, any chance you'd be willing to part with the rails from your 7600?

[@tanmaypanadi1414]

I think you will most likely get a reply via Discord compared to YT Comment