Scaling the PiKVM - Using the Raspberry Pi PiKVM with Multiple Machines

[@TechnoTim]

What's something you NEED remote access to?

[@pabloescobar9337]

My offsite backup server at my parent's house!

[@VoklavTube]

I usually use original second hand servers. And they come with the corresponding IPMI (idrac, ilo, ilom) ...but I have several small machines for which I am considering kvm switch. For now my wife is my kvm switch.

[@cxl520]

Very cool video! As for me, I do not need a KVM yet, one of my powerful machines has IPMI and installed Proxmox VE on it. So I can remote any machine inside the VM. for another physical device, I just set the BIOS WOL enabled, if I want to turn a PC on remotely, I can send a WOL packet with VPN inside my network.

[@Mak100ish]

My gaming PC when I am traveling in work with my macbook :D

[@JamesT65]

Hi Tim, what if you only have serial over USB, some edge devices don't have HDMI? I have two edge devices that I loop between USB to rj45 serial, and it works ok but can get screwed up. Would the eczoo allow me to connect rj45 to serial over USB?

[@davidg5898]

Putting Ventoy on the KVM is one of those "It's so obvious that I can't believe I didn't think of it!" moments. Brilliant and perfect.

[@0ChAnTi]

The fact that you broke down the costs per remote controlled device is honestly the best take away from the video. Thank you for that.

[@GeoffSeeley]

That bootable Ventoy USB trick is pretty sweet...

[@JeffGeerling]

You can buy a Raspberry Pi with this one weird trick!

[@TechnoTim]

ANNNND still cheaper than the scalpers!

[@2x3x7]

I'm shocked because I literally did the exact same setup with PiKVM and Ventoy just a couple of days ago and the exact same mistake where I ordered an incompatible KVM (AIMOS) and then got the EZCOO afterwards, unbelievable to watch your video today! 😂

[@jimconsole2657]

Well done. Filled in a lot of holes in my understand of the actual use case. The Ventoy bit is over the top! Thanks a lot!

[@eherlitz]

What I like about this types of devices is the ability to standardize remote console access. When you run a heterogenous lab-environment with devices from many manufacturers you may end up with a setup that have remote console access but they are all different types, like vPro, iDrac, ILO etc. Great vid by the way, thanks Tim!

[@nmoses1224]

Hey Tim, Thanks for this. I use the piKVM at our small business. I set up 2 "headless" workstations that are used for Drop-Ins when we have contractors come in. To manage the 2 workstations, I grabbed a 2-port HDMI switch with USB support. Unfortunately, you have to physically hit the button to switch between them, however someone in the office can go in our cabinet and hit the switch if needed. The EZCOO would have been so much cleaner! I may have to invest in that in the future. Thanks again!

[@marcogenovesi8570]

I despise wake on lan (flaky at best on so many devices, also cannot force-poweroff something) so I have a ethernet-enabled (has a web interface) relay board that is connected to power button of all machines. I don't have NUCs so I just connect stuff to the atx front panel header. For NUCs you probably need to hook up those contacts from relay to a servo motor that will move its little arm to push the button

[@danielberglv259]

New project. Attach another 4 switches to each of the 4 ports on the one you have, and be able to manage 16 devices. If you manage to get the 8 port switch working, doing something similar, you could have up to 64 devices. And that is with just two layers. Think about a 3 layer setup :O

[@NANA.PANPAN]

I have many IP based HDMI switches and some have a feature to select a specific EDID or for it to copy and send source EDID you should check if the TES has a similar setting, hope that helps

[@davocc2405]

I've had a little to do with this via Novaspirit (Don) a while back, I think I may have been the one who first mentioned the project to him but he picked up the ball and RAN with it. The guy who runs the project is doing an EPIC job, I'd dare say he's "one of us" as in a proper techie who wants the product to work as well as humanly possible. The only reason I wouldn't get the assembled version is if I had to do some odd hardware configuration of my own; otherwise his case and accessory build looks very much on point. Also I love your config there with Ventoy acting as a local ISO storage, etc... The cost that configuration could save is outstanding, the number of unnecessary site visits that could be avoided alone is remarkable. Hell even including setup cost this would probably be paid for with a single site visit charge. I did initially also ask about the use of an external KVM to multi-system the solution, you actually did it - we were toying with modifying a conventional KVM to externalise its input toggle switch to a couple of wires that would plug into the Pi itself. Voiding warranty on the KVM of course but it may allow for a cheap/large rack mount unit to be used; I was thinking of connecting that to the GPIO pins on the Pi but I don't know how his software is configured to trigger the switch (perhaps a 3rd party USB triggered relay?). Run this all though some proper heavy encryption tunnels and it's a vastly better solution overall. Personally I'd prefer if I could have an additional layer to power the entire thing up or down through another means (closing the door on the access mechanism when it's not in use) though you might be able to achieve this through a simpler means network-wise.

[@aflawrence]

So i use the same KVM switcher with TinyPilot KVM (which uses the same base code set as PiKVM) . The key to getting this to work for me was needing to install an HDMI Splitter 1 in 2 Out and powering this with USB power. Evidently this setup allows this particular KVM switch to not poison the video signal to the TinyPilot. It might be worth a try to see if adding the splitter in between would work in your setup.

[@jonathan.sullivan]

Awaiting the arrival of my Pi-KVM 4 units, loved this project from the start and have implemented multiple versions throughout it's lifespan. Great video on scaling, Level1 has similar KVM options that you can scale with a single Pi-KVM.

[@michaelamos75]

I have mine working fine with the 8 port rackmount Teksmart and the pikvm v3. I have the hdmi output of the KVM split into 2. One goes to the pikvm and one to a rack mounted portable LCD. The keyboard out goes to a pi keyboard and trackpad. The USB out goes to the pikvm OTG port. This allows me to switch between all devices while at my rack or remotely. I even have the pikvm hdmi out and USB into the KVM so I can make changes to it locally. Works with Proxmox, Ubuntu, Arch, Windows, Fedora, TrueNAS

[@stankcheezzzzz]

I've had a PiKVM + EzCoo KVM setup running for remote KVM into my cluster of HP Elitedesk 800 G3 mini desktops for a year-ish. Works great, except I had to disable the PiKVM's remote media emulation to be able to use the KVM in the HP systems' BIOS. With media emulation enabled, the keyboard isn't recognized until the OS boots. I also use the PiKVM as my NUT server.

[@MasEffect671]

@TechnoTim - Any chance on an updated video on with the new version of PiKVM you mentioned in this video?

[@joshharding6925]

TechnoTim, AWESOME video and you're timing is insanely good (for me anyway). I've just started investigating a "cost-effective" KVM for remote sites hosting server infrastructure and needing an "Out of Band Mgmt" solution. The PiKVM and Ezcoo KVM looks like an awesome possible solution... however I also would prefer to have an 8-to-1 OoB option. The Ezcoo one shown in your video will be perfect for testing, however, real-world scenarios will more than likely demand more than 4 devices (for myself anyway). An alternative I've been investigating is an Aimos 8-in-1 HDMI KVM switch. This can use a keyboard sequence to change displays. Thanks once again for the excellent video. I'll be ordering a PiKVM and Ezcoo HDMI switcher very soon

[@Knobiks]

Just a side note, Wake on LAN stops working completly when you disconnect the power and reconnect it. Hence i would add a UPS to never lose the "sleep" state of the machines (pci devices like ethernet etc) :)

[@ManuelRodriguez27]

You can also set the bios to power on the computer whe ac power is restored.

[@TechnoTim]

I've documented how to fix that and more here docs.technotim.live/posts/wake-on-lan/

[@alpenhost]

Great Video we are trying to scale our kvm over ip infrastructure right now

[@ExpressITTechTips]

When I can get a Pi4 for a reasonable price again I will be so doing this, I am in need for doing this in my home lab.

[@judenihal]

Use another single board computer

[@DavidEsotica]

Pikvm is incredible. I had an old Zero lying around, bought the required PCB and used cables I own. Got it up and running for

[@mirceanton]

How is the performance on the Zero? I have a few laying around which I could use for this but I assumed the anemic CPU and RAM wouldn't handle it properly.

[@undergroundguy4504]

That's so freaking cool. I need that for Shure in my home lab

[@running11]

Iceland Calling, Wow, "Mr. Yuck" Poison Control Sticker! That is a old school callback if there every was one!

[@Killerman38rus]

Nice, i used PKVM 1 year, job cool. Thanks your video

[@sniff122plays]

Im tempted to see if i can get a pikvm for my work's US office, im at our main office in the UK and theres been a few times where its been a pain guiding staff through stuff to a point where i can remote into the machine. Would be so much nicer to just be able to plug in an HDMI and USB cable and boom i can do everything i could ever need to do

[@kirksteinklauber260]

Thx for the video and I have a similar setup. I also use my PiKVM to control my servers but also I connect USB-to-Serial to the console port of my network switches (Juniper and Mikrotik) so I have an Out of Band solution for my servers and network devices alike!

[@chromerims]

Seems like this video should have 10M views and likes 👍

[@AdmV0rl0n]

All this is real nice! What this needs, is some form of wifi module - that can be attached to the ATX or power switch across several devices. WOL is great, but requires per device and OS setup, and if the device is actually in a real off state (say after a power cut), not having the ability hit the switch may be an issue (although in any home setup its less important! Still nice!

[@scottyz]

I look forward to the update when you have this working 100% as desired.

[@thehybridfriends]

Can you add some kind of cabling schema? I struggle with the ports you used and connected. Cheers, Flo

[@stevendodd6477]

My poor mans KVM consists of a wifi smart plug and setting my computer to turn on in the bios when power is restored - works great 😅

[@judenihal]

It really isn't "poor mans" KVM, computers were never designed for remote access, it was always designed to work with a monitor mouse and keyboard. Nobody ever needed the ability to video stream the computer monitor and remote control via mouse and keyboard. Enterprise servers always relied on the iLos and iDRACs for this. However, more and more infrastructures are becoming a requirement to a stream a computer with mouse and keyboard remotely which makes PiKVM a perfect solution for this.... someday though the input latency can be as good as RealVNC, because it is far from it.

[@compudude]

Still waiting for that PiKVM4 update... :)

[@seanakers8939]

Got the TESMart 8 port KVM myself. Looking forward to seeing if the V4 PiKVM will work with it.

[@naseerfaheem]

Did it work for you? I am in market to find a reasonably priced kvm switch that works with pikvm. I have 6 servers and the ezkvm wont work.

[@DasletzteLP]

I have to say that the only missing thing on the PiKVM project is having a ready made multiple ATX power control extension board. The community has made one already but you have to solder SMD yourself which is next to impossible for at least me...

[@muffinberg7960]

The pikvm v4 is in kickstarter! March 2023 baby

[@marcosoliveira8731]

Great video. It was a good starting point to rethink the way I´m currently working um my lab.

[@vileerdeng]

Actually, the Nuc has an F-Panel connector on the board you can connect it to the ATX control board to power it on/off.

[@primeix]

Legit!! Been wanting to do something like this for a while!

[@dronenb]

Tim, a great video. Nice work

[@StrangerTechnology]

For a while I was studying how to lay out rockchip boards to make hardware that can support multiple inputs, then just port the pikvm code over.

[@ikkuranus]

I wish pikvm would run on competing sbcs that are available to actually buy.

[@laughingvampire7555]

you can also store the isos on the Pi's SD card and simulate a drive with the PiKVM software, but yes, the way you do it is better for multiple machines, I guess I can trust you back.

It would be super cool if they could make those ATX power modules in a way where it could be passed through the other USB port on the KVM switch. WoL is cool, but you won't be able to hard reset a machine if it's locked up or some place in BIOS that doesn't offer you a reboot option. You could also fix it with a smart PDU, but those aren't cheap either.

[@georgioskatsanakis1711]

Just EPIC!

[@jkepps]

Great video! Did you ever get and try the PiKVM 4?

[@TRMartin]

A quick side note on the TE KVM switch. it's input USB stack does not fully support USB hubs. if your keyboard has an internal hub and you want to plug your mouse into your keyboard then run one cable to the TE switch it won't work. you have to plug your mouse into the mouse USB port directly. not a show stopper, but a rather ugly annoyance. found the issue with my Das Keyboard..

[@YeOldeTraveller]

Thanks for the video. I've been thinking about doing something similar when I get my v4.

[@salat]

A bit a stupid question: I have a cluster build from Lenovo ThinkCentre tiny machines. They support intel AMT/vPro and can be remotely controlled (IP KVM) by e.g. MeshCommander. Why didn't you get Intel NUCs with vPro in the first place??

[@salat]

Btw, there's a list of NUCs with vPro at Intels site - just can't post it here because YT thinks its spam :)

[@TechnoTim]

Funny you mention this, this is exactly what I had planned and that's what this video would have been except one thing, I never bought the NUCs with vPro that support AMT 😁 I realized that too late to return them, but then started investigating PiKVM and was glad that I didn't pay more money for vPro to get remote control vs. a solution like this that is agnostic of hardware and will work with my devices in the future. It was a "happy little mistake" :)

[@semperfi894]

Tim, in the video, you said Maxim was going to send you one of the PiKVM v4s, and you would post a video. I know they are in the wild (I have three), but I don't see a video. I'm curious if you were able to get that to work with your 8-port KVM. I also have one connected to the EzCoo 4-port kvm.

[@aaaafaaaaf]

Hi Tim, nice Video, but then again all your videos are pretty informative. I noticed that you have your NUCs in a rack. Can you share the info so I can see about buying one? Thanks,

[@ferd352]

I have a similar TESmart 8port HDMI connected to my v3 PiKVM, connected to 2xWin boxes (Gigabyte/MSI boards) and 3xRPi4 and 1xRPi3b, have no problems seeing the screens although one Win machine won't switch out of 720p video no matter what I try. Then I have an HDMI splitter that sends the output of the KVM to both the PiKVM and a small screen for local viewing. I also have a v4 PiKVM coming when they are ready so I'm hoping it will sort out the video.

[@wayne6220]

Good video, thank you.

[@ernestoditerribile]

Try a weytec keyboard/kvm switch. At my previous job had control over 160 servers that way. At my new job also requested a Weytec keyboard but now with only 10 servers to work on because most programs work in the cloud with them. Once you go Weytec you don’t want any other KVM switch anymore. Fully customizable keyboards with endless programmable macros and an OLED screen

[@Aimtjie]

Hi Tim, what is the rackmount kit you are using for the NUC's?

[@plotikai]

v4 looks to be out now, have you had a chance to review it yet?

[@OnlyTechAndStuff]

Great video! 🎉

[@modem7cyber]

Heya, cheers for the vid! Did the v4 work at all, or are you still awaiting a unit? Thanks!

[@kane587mad]

Daisy chain the two KVM. One for Linux and one for Windows devices. 😁👍

[@TechnoTim]

🤯

[@sparky7635]

Hey TechnoTim, I have two questions to this setup: 1. Did you open a ticket at tesmart to get a fix for the edid issue? 2. One of the best pikvm features is to connect the pi directly to the hosts board to be able to reset or power off/on the system. Can you test this too pls and check if it would be scaleable also? I do not want to control 8 pcs only but also able to realy power them on or off using this setup if possible?!

[@juri14111996]

you can use chap edid emulators to solve the problem of the 8 port kvm switch.

[@GabrielStange0]

Some Aliexpress versions off PIKVM like BliKVM have a side rack mount bracket that works fine. Hope that PiKVM includes something like that on the project later, but it shouldn't be hard to make some new roles on that case to add generic ones.

[@LiebJohnson]

Any updates? Did you find an updated version of PiKVM to work with TESmart Switch? Did you find a larger switch to work with the KVM?

[@amirgbg3175]

How about Intel Management Engine for the NUC devices? I use that for OOB management.

[@ytdlgandalf]

Not to spoil your fun, bc this is pretty neat, but don't the nucs have amt? I'm using amt to do remote which is a bit clunky software wise, but hardware wise it's free and no extra cables. In my case it integrates even with Canonical MAAS so reinstalls are completely automated with amt remote reboot and PXE

[@BraedenOfRhea]

I know it's been about a year since you did this but is there any way you can do an updated & tutorial on home to do that

[@johndroyson7921]

I had the exact same problem with nearly the same kvm switch. I ended up using the ezcoo switch thanks to the recommendation from novaspirittech

[@cbkcc1]

I have a 16 port TESmart and the piKVM working for some time in that fashion, curious what the difference is

[@SinisterSpatula]

Instanity! wow. I find it hard enough to find the time to manage one personal computer, let alone 8. :D

[@choppergirl]

Will this work with the BlikVM HAT KVM over IP instead of the PiKVM?

[@123ftw1]

The V4 Plus is 365 GBP in UK (467 USD). Not sure if it is worth it and it's almost out of stock.

[@johnnygritz2065]

High frequencies in your audio are low in volume.

[@LE8271]

So it is an iLO more than a KVM then?

[@IncendiarySolution]

Since raspberry pis are kind of rare right now, I'm going to be trying to build a budget ipkvm using a virtual machine and some usb peripherals.

[@dontcrossm3]

Little confused you bought the PiKVM but said the price was $295. was that the price 9m ago? @14min. I can only find the PiKVM for Closer to $380+ this can be built for around $210 using kits available now. Did market go up that much. Also found out that it can NOT boot BIOS/UEFI on some Laptops as you lose the BIOS/UEFI due to HDMI accessiblity on boot. Awsome device when finally up and running. I use mine for individual machines and it even passes internet through it as a USB ethernet adapter

[@TylerB_777]

I also found that it can't display the bios on some laptops after trying the geekworm v3 kit on Amazon. It's a real bummer. I was told the v4 plus will work so I bought one... Wish me luck 😅😂

[@TylerB_777]

I'm interested in how you get Internet access to pass through! Is this noted in the documentation anywhere?

[@jochinq3116]

Are there any inexpensive 19" KVM switches that work with the KVM Pi and do not cause any problems? Ah, Tesmart was the not working Switch?

[@7belli]

TLDR: Try 8 EDID emulators. I have a dual kvm switch that I use to control a Windows laptop and a Linux desktop, but I was having problems with Windows disconnecting the display whenever I switch inputs, I ended up buying two EDID emulators to trick the devices to think that I had something connected all the time, maybe you can do that too.

[@SimonHodgkiss]

Where can I find the wake-on-lan stuff? I struggling with my NUC 8's & NUC 9's

[@TechnoTim]

A little behind on docs, working on it now, will reply as soon as it's posted!

[@SimonHodgkiss]

@@TechnoTim THANK you! :)

[@TechnoTim]

Here's the wake on lan doc! Sorry for the delay! docs.technotim.live/posts/wake-on-lan/

[@robertpaisley7563]

Hi TIm loving the videos. I was wondering if you had managed to test the 8 port switch with the pi 4 yet?

[@TechnoTim]

Not yet, it's sitting right next to me! Hopefully soon!

[@Springerr]

@@TechnoTim looking forward to the video! looking to add PiKVM to my rack in the near future

[@lqqkout8214]

Just caught this video after looking into a pikvm - are you still using the 4-port kvm or did you find something rack-mountable with more ports that you're using? Thank you!

[@jonathanhebert2346]

Hi ! Nice video I search for something to manage my server remotely, that's why I bought a PiKVM hat3 just like yours. But I manualy change HDMI and USB everytime for each server. I will go with your solution it's seems just magic ! But one thing I don't really understand, in your doc you give how to have the toggle in the PiKVM (/etc/kvmd/override.yaml) but how did you say to your pikvm. "Use USB (X) to switch HDMI and USB in the EZCOO KVM Switch ?"

[@TechnoTim]

Hi! Just plug in a micro USB into the EZCOO and then plug the USB into the raspberry pi. I will add more pictures to my site tonight!

[@SB-qm5wg]

Where did you purchase the PiKVM assembled?

[@shahinnk]

for typing in remote system do i have to use virtual keyboard ? or i can use my keyboard ? you did not type something in remote system that i can see

[@curmudgeoniii9762]

I bought a KVM from the same guy almost 2 years ago and it has been collecting dust after about a month of non-support from this guy.... and his support channel... was very supported ... listened to a couple of youtube sales computer channels... that were full of it... Just listened to your ditty so will review tomorrow and see if I can get to work.... Thanks for another good video.. how does this compare to using ProxMox et al.????

[@mikenorfleet2235]

any update on the v4 version working with your 8 port kvm?

[@JoeCross13]

@TechnoTim were you able to validate the v4 with the tesmart kvm? Looking hard for a rackmount kvm add on for my v4

[@TechnoTim]

Hey! Unfortunately not yet! I will try my best to do it over the holidays!

[@MadStylesGooffy]

Awesome

[@ncesar]

Is it possible to one person connect to one machine while other person connects to a different machine, all at the same PIKVM?

[@tee-zts]

did you find any solution for this

[@BrooklynBanana]

Ever got around to testing this with the pikvm4? cheers

[@TechnoTim]

Soon!

[@BrooklynBanana]

looking forward to that. appreciate the response too@@TechnoTim

[@BrooklynBanana]

@@TechnoTim don't leave me hanging here mate 🤣

[@StevenTheChiefGaming]

@@TechnoTim Were you able to test this with the pikvm4? Running into issues with the configuration.

[@FatalSkeptic]

So I remember watching this video a year ago when I was looking into KVMs. None of this made any sense to me. Fast forward a year, I was watching your rack tour video because I now somehow in the past year have a TrueNAS Scale powering my homelab and a NUC powering Home Assistant, saw you mention PiKVM in the rack tour, watched this entire video and now I am trying to create problems that I don't have so i can justify getting a PiKVM. Please note, I DON'T NEED THIS. I was considering the Unifi toolless rack but after seeing this video, I'm questioning my decision because "What if I want to expand?" Again, I DON'T NEED TO EXPAND! What have you done to me??

[@TechnoTim]

Sorry! 😅

[@ejbully]

Is it running vanilla arch?

[@T0XicSPlaTTeRz]

What rackmount is this @ 5:52?

[@_andry]

I'm curious: is it possible to take an online call on a work Chrome Book remote controlled via Raspbery which is at home, on my other laptop that I'm taking with me while traveling, while using camera and microphone of laptop thats with me?

[@Vyker]

What can I use for managing just one machine? KVM switches between machines, but what if you just need one?

[@htpc002Weirdhouse]

Directly attach the PiKVM ... ?

[@cassio2999]

I have never been to mirocenter are they expensive?

[@nullstream]

Does this ezcoo thing work with HDMI to VGA dongles (say older servers without ipmi)?

[@Ex_impius]

Are you going to swap to the V4 when it releases? It has 2 versions. A mini and a plus.. I wonder if the plus will do multiple machines out of the box?

[@Ex_impius]

The plus has 2 hdmi outputs, so Im guessing it will

[@Ex_impius]

I should've finished watching the video before commenting lol

[@handspiker1994]

For some reason, I never thought about putting a KVM in front of a PiKVM...

[@magesnz]

any news about your 8 port kvm that messes up?

[@TechnoTim]

Not yet, just released this video 😅