A KVM That Fits on Your Keychain
Openterface’s KVM-GO is a pocket-sized, open source tool for hardware-level access to headless computers.
A remote shell, like SSH, allows a computer administrator to do just about anything they need to do with a headless machine. Launching applications, monitoring the system’s performance, and installing updates are all just as easy as if the user were sitting in front of the machine with a keyboard and monitor. But these shells have their limits. Tweaking the BIOS settings or installing a new operating system, for instance, are both out of bounds.
When you need the full experience of working directly with the physical hardware, one of the best options available is to use a KVM switch. These tools give full access to a computer’s video output and can send keyboard and mouse inputs even when the operating system is not running.
If you are in need of a new KVM, then Openterface’s KVM-GO is worth a look. It is an ultra-compact KVM that fits on your keychain, and it was just fully funded on Crowd Supply. Pre-orders are being taken now, with prices ranging from $119 to $319, for delivery this spring.
KVM-GO is a tiny block with an HDMI connector (there are also DisplayPort and VGA versions available) that plugs directly into the target machine to eliminate excessive cabling. The back of the device has a pair of USB-C ports. One connects to the target machine and emulates a keyboard and mouse, while the other connects to the host machine the user is working on. There is also an SD card slot available, which is a very nice touch that simplifies the installation of operating systems or other software.
Because this KVM is hardwired to both machines, there is no lag from network connections. This also makes the setup incredibly simple. It just takes a few seconds to plug the cables in, and there are no drivers or other applications to install on the target machine.
On the host side, the Openterface software ecosystem provides a nice interface for working with connected machines. It can render the remote display at up to 60 FPS and apps for Android and iPad tablets are on the way.
Everything from the software to the hardware design has been open sourced by Openterface. Check out the Crowd Supply page for further details.