The IP KVM That Never Goes Offline

When the need to remotely administer a server arises, a KVM can be a lifesaver. Whether you need to tweak BIOS settings, install a new operating system, or literally anything else, a good KVM will give you the same access to the machine that you would have if you were sitting in front of it (as long as no screwdrivers are involved, that is). This convenience has saved many sysadmins from a late night drive to the data center.

Considering how critical a production server failure can be, you don’t want to skimp on your KVM budget. You never want to be locked out from fixing a problem because the remote connection isn’t stable. If you want to ensure that access will always be available in one form or another, the new GL.iNet Comet 5G KVM is worth a hard look.

The GL.iNet Comet 5G is an IP KVM that can connect to the internet and make the target machine available from anywhere in the world. Unlike most IP KVMs, this one won’t go offline if your Wi-Fi connection gets flaky. It can switch over to its cellular transceiver and communicate via 5G RedCap (Reduced Capacity). You’ll need a cellular plan for your KVM, of course, but that is a small price to pay when uptime is critical.

The Comet 5G is respectably equipped with a quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 CPU, 1GB of DDR3L RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. There is also a 1Gbps Ethernet port and 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity. An HDMI port captures video from the target machine, and a USB-C port that is capable of emulating a keyboard and mouse is also present. If you happen to be in front of the KVM for local work on a headless machine, a 3.69-inch touchscreen display provides status information.

The Comet 5G isn’t ready to ship just yet, but if you want to be one of the first to snag one when it does, there is a sign-up form for notifications on the product page. The price hasn’t been announced either, but given that the existing Comet Pro (without 5G) sells for $180, it will likely be north of $200.