Any Suggestions For KVM Over IP?
 

I run a large data center of colocated Mac minis. Once we have the machines connected, ARD or Screen Sharing works wonderfully in connecting and controlling the Mac minis.

However, I'm looking for a way to control the Macs before they are live. I'm thinking this would be a KVM over IP solution, but it doesn't seem there are a lot of tools out there to use for the Mac platform.

(In case you're wondering when this would be useful, consider this: when you install Leopard Server, there are plenty of configuration questions on services and accounts before the server is finally configured and live to connect on. It'd be wonderful to install the OS and then turn the control over to a customer so they can get it set up exactly as they'd like it.)

Has anyone found a good solution for KVM over IP?

Maybe you're thinking of VNC.

Thanks for the reply, VNC is similar to ARD and Screen Sharing. It can't be used until a machine is set up and live.

A KVM over IP solution would include hardware. The client could log into the hardware box which would then relay the keyboard and mouse to the Mac and return the video.

interesting idea you all came up with...
the KVM would only work on the computer side of the setup (if your connecting two computers to one monitor).

Thanks. We have just under 400 minis in there now just humming along. Here is a picture that was taken a few months ago.
http://www.macminicolo.net/i_mini/minisdark.png


As far as the KVM over IP, I've been able to find solutions out there...just none that are compatible with Macs. To give you guys an idea of what I'm talking about, here is one that works with Windows.

http://www.kvms.com/products/0SU70017A.asp

Here's what I don't get: The box clearly must have an ip address, so why not give it to the Mini and use ARD or VNC on it? Why the middleman?

i am thinking the same thing??

See http://www.adder.com/uk/products/IPEPS.aspx will work with Mac no problem. Ignore the pic with ps/2 connectors, they are there for functional reasons, the interface with the computer will be USB and the client software can run on the Mac.

Let me start off with: I don't have any KVM solution for you.


I've never tried to setup minis, but I have set up a number of xserves.

I'll assume that you are setting them up with os X server, and not the client version of the OS.

Am I understanding correctly that you essentially want the customer to run server assistant?

I can see why this wouldn't work over ARD or VNC. While probably wrong, I will assume that appleman_design & cwtnospam haven't set up Server, or at least from the initial install.

It has been a few months since I tried to do this, but I remember that Apple claims that you can set up a default setup file and push it out to servers, but I was never able to get this working. I even ended up talking to Apple Engineers (not AppleCare guys) and they couldn't get it to work. Very frustrating.

What I ended up doing was writing a script that would change the appropriate values in preferences.plist and run that after I had cloned the drive. It worked really well for me. I spent more time on the phone with Apple trying to get their method to work than it took to clone the 39 drives. However, I don't see how you could do this with a mini, as the drive isn't easily removeable.

Perhaps set up a default disk image and boot off of that?

Good luck,
Brett

appleman_design, cwtnospam: Please re-read my scenario in the original post. We certainly use ARD and VNC once the computer is set up. What I'm trying to do is control it before it is set up.

For instance, if a customer wants to boot from CD to d some troubleshooting or HD repair, as soon as the computer reboots then the connection to the Mac is lost and they aren't able to do the troubleshooting themselves. The KVM over IP would be available then to do it.

brettgrant99: I appreciate the well thought out answer. we do use Server Assistant on the XServes and it is a good tool. This setup would be available when the situation is a bit different and server assistant isn't useable.

So basically, all you really need is a PS/2 to USB converter to use that KVM you linked?

Thanks for the link. I'm sure I'll need one of those too.

But, I'm not sure if I can use the one I linked to as it doesn't list Mac OS X capability. I suppose it's possible, but I was hoping to find someone that has used one.

Perhaps Synergy could work. I guess for your purpose it'd have to be pre-configured on the OS X Server image (I assume you're using one). I've not used Synergy for a while...so I'm not sure if it will operate during the initial OS setup.

fat elvis, thanks for the suggestion. I've used Synergy before. I don't think this will work because the mouse sharing is exchanged via TCP/IP and the minis won't be connected in such a way prior to setup or while booted from disk.

I'm almost certain this will take some external hardware.

Have you tried contacting minicom directly?

I found a product on their website that said:

Host Computer: DOS, Novel, Linux, Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP and later
Client Computer: Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP and later, Linux, Internet browser with full Java support 2003 Server MAC, UNIX, SAI

It is not clear if they mean MAC or Mac. I would see if you could get an evaluation box from someone. Are there a lot of server farms in LV? Maybe a supplier could let you hook up and try it.

I was originally assuming that you had the hardware already.

Good luck,
Brett

This one should work. It makes an analog connection to a single computer or through a conventional KVM for multiple computers so, instead of patching BIOS to connect to the computer through Ethernet, it connects directly to the screen and keyboard/mouse ports.

That's what I thought your original linked KVM did but looking it over, it appears that one passes keyboard & display through the ethernet connection.

Ever tried blackbox?

I have this. Though its just between my workstation and the KVM, though I think something like this would be more what your needing.

A hardware device that you plug into the Keyboard Monitor and Mouse on one end, and then you VNC into it or login to it via TCP.

Then you switch the KVM side to another machine, or use a standard KVM to connect the one box to multiple computers.

BTW, the one I have, yes 1000 feet is usable. I took a spool of cat5, and attached plugs to each end, and ran it through it. Got 1280x1024@75hz just fine no artifacts. Picked it up at a used computer store for 20 bucks. Best deal I got that year!

Alright, the great suggestions come rolling in. Thanks guys. I'll check out the links.

Just wondering if you ever got a lead on KVM-over-IP solution that's truly Mac-compatible. Most of the KVM-over-IP hardware I've seen appears to be designed for Wintel / Sun boxes and it's not clear whether it'd handle properly, for example, the Mac keyboard shortcuts at startup time.

rmw, still no experience with them yet. I was trying to get the information for a project in the beginning of the year so I'll hopefully know more than.

It's been so long, but I still get emails about this pretty regularly. So, for those looking for an option, I've written a post here: SpiderDuo: A KVM-over-IP for a Mac mini