Remotely access any system with a PiKVM and Tailscale

Remotely accessing a physical system as if you are there was the reserve of expensive "server grade" gear until quite recently. PiKVM changes that. In today's video Alex will walk you through the process of configuring PiKVM with Tailscale, and show you a neat trick to control up to 8 servers at once.
Personal accounts are always free on Tailscale and can include up to 3 users and 100 devices. Get started today at tailscale.com/yt
Supporting links:
- pikvm.org/
- docs.pikvm.org/tailscale/
- tailscale.com/kb/1292/pikvm
Code snippets:
- github.com/tailscale-dev/vide...
Hardware links:
- PiKVM v4 Official Product - cloudfree.shop/product/pikvm-...
- HDMI CSI Bridge - www.amazon.com/Geekworm-Raspb...
- USB Splitter - www.amazon.com/USB-Splitter-R...
- Raspberry Pi 4 - www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Mode...
- Tesmart 8 port KVM Switch - www.amazon.com/TESmart-Enterp...
===
00:00 - Start
01:47 - PiKVM Overview
05:28 - Installation prep
09:42 - Installing Tailscale on PiKVM
11:37 - Configuring Tailscale
14:47 - Subnet routers and exit nodes
16:43 - Key expiry
17:27 - 8 port switching
21:06 - PiKVM Overview

[@patregan]

I am pretty sure our PiKVM boxes were one of the very first things Brian McMoses and I were excited about loading up with Tailscale. The PiKVM is already such a fantastic piece of gear, and Tailscale makes it so much more versatile.

[@briancmoses]

Absolutely! Remotely accessing PiKVM is near the top of my list of favorite real-world uses for Tailscale.

[@Tailscale]

I want to see that list Brian!

[@kmcdowell111]

Thank you Alex for the video overall, but also for your diligence in covering these nuanced edge-casey issues for specific hardware that would be real sticking points for someone new to doing some of this.

[@anhurden]

Just realised that I have an actual need for this solution, remotely controlling family machines! Brilliant. Thanks as ever for great video.

[@kevinhughes9801]

Excellent video love Tailscale and your videos Alex thanks for detailed breakdown

[@east4ming]

Very interesting usage scenario. GEEK!

[@erbartlett]

This is the setup I’ve been using and it’s great

[@MurrayMcDonald]

Such a bloody good video...

[@leonardobetti8811]

this is gold thanks mate

[@deancc8883]

@Tailscale Good video matey 🤓👏🏼 keep going 🤓

[@tonyweavers4292]

Brilliant video, thanks! New subscriber too, of course.

[@avri210984]

Awesome video!! Hopefully you will do a video about tailscale ssh and acls

[@Tailscale]

ACLs is on the way, and we already have an SSH video out in the wild! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmnGnXlvqNd9aM0

[@cdibona]

Thanks for a terrific post, Alex. I would add the following: run edid dongles to head into the tesmart, it solves so many video problems, and you can even break out to a hdmi splitter for local monitor and control. As you noted, the tesmart is great but configuring it is no fun (get on a 193.168. 1.10 network, etc) . Using wakeonlan and controlling some shelly "smart" plus/hardware switches as a backstop for machines that really dont want to reboot. Finally, stick the tesmaft, pikvm, and a machine or so on a ups and you're really hands on keyboard from anywhere.

[@Tailscale]

I bought a couple based on the TechnoTim video but I haven't needed them yet! They remain safely in the drawer just in case though. -Alex

[@TheoneandonlyRAH]

i've never been able to set up tls certificates! will try to use tailscale serve tomorrow to get them up and running on my pihole and my synology nas

[@fedefede843]

wait, hold on. Is this the Alex from the self hosted podcast? Is i you Alex? My head has just gone to a time space vortex, can't believe it.

[@Tailscale]

Everybody gets a little woozy the first time they go through hyperspace. - Alex

[@guttabacker]

The fact that all of this software is free blows my mind.

[@codeman99-dev]

I'd really appreciate a bit deeper dive into using Tailscale with docker. The existing video is good, but it seems like the shared network namespace is a hard requirement. I'd like to be able to expose more complex docker networks. Maybe have a proxy service like Caddy with domains to expose a Gitea service *and* a Drone CI/CD service?

[@Tailscale]

Does this one cover it? Or are you asking something more specific? We covered Caddy and custom domains in it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKWXgXeLjaeSnMk

[@jefff7316]

Tailscale the everything! lol. Now we just need an easier way to keep it running on the steam deck for some remote gaming 😁

[@LeonardoSkorianez]

I love your videos, how about do Tailscale with OpenWRT?

[@chanhien4000]

For exit node, should I use a Pi 5 or a mac mini m1? Previously I tried a pi 4 as an exit node but it struggled and gave me high latency and packet loss.

[@bartjsmit]

Instead of splitting the USB-C, you could power the Pi with a PoE hat. The utronics mini version keeps the camera connector nicely accessible.

[@Tailscale]

Great idea! Looks to be about $22 or so? Is that the one?

[@bartjsmit]

@@Tailscale £24.90 Inc vat back here. I haven't used it but PiHut is sound in their offerings

[@adv.rameshbabu]

Can you please create a video to install tailscale on blikvm v4 H616?

[@brianmckay1594]

I already have a PiKVM for my unRaid server using the Geekworm kit. It works flawlessly. I have another pi running HassOS and acting as a subnet router so this isn't strictly necessary for me but it's good to know it's an option. Can you post the link to the TESmart switcher?

[@Tailscale]

The links are in the description :)

[@brianmckay1594]

@@Tailscale I think you missed that one. The only links are for the pi and pi accessories.

[@Tailscale]

Oops! Fixed now. Just checking you're paying attention ;)

[@PaulJSchneider]

Is a PiKVM v4 Pro required for anything mentioned in this video or can you achieve everything he demonstrates with the PiKVM v4 Mini? Or even a v3?

[@Tailscale]

v4 pro handles a lot of the weirdness for you. power splitter, atx control and hdmi passthrough would be the big ones to pay attention with a diy approach. but it must be said, the diy approach will get you a very long way for a lot less $

[@tiesmaster]

I'd also pronounce it as system-c-t-l, just like the first time you said it in that fragment ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@flipsideca]

system control

[@adv.rameshbabu]

Can you please create a video to install tailscale on blikvm v4 H616?

[@adv.rameshbabu]

Can you please create a video to install tailscale on blikvm v4 H616?

[@adv.rameshbabu]

Can you please create a video to install tailscale on blikvm v4 H616?