[geeks] Odd KVM question

[Lionel Peterson]

The mechanical switches are OK, but Sub-optimal.

A KVM has logic, and that logic needs power, absent a host PC to siphon power
off of, where will it be powered from?

There are 'brain dead' KVMs that have USB connections that MIGHT work fine if
the USB connector is plugged into a USB power brick (like for a cellphone).
The brain dead ones have a physical switch, they don't have 'hot keys'.

Lionel

> On Feb 19, 2019, at 8:46 AM, Fred <fred at miser.misernet.net> wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> I am familiar with KVM's (and use them) in the sense they usually share
> keyboards, displays, and sometimes mice.  Can be USB or PS/2 (and perhaps
> others on the "newer" KVM's I'm seeing.  They usually gather their power
> via USB, PS/2 or sometimes from the wall.
>
> I have an oddball situation that I don't know how to solve.  In an effort
> to save space, I have two text terminals (a VT525 and a CLI 5250 terminal)
> stacked on top of one another.   One LCD on top that likes the refresh
> rates of both terminals enough to be readable.
>
> I'd like to share just the LCD between the two terminals without having to
> swap the actual VGA cable.
>
> I've always been taught/told that those old school beige A/B
> "ker-chunkers" violate the laws of nature and will blow your equipment up.
> This seems to be a cheap option (probably can get the switch box, but
> it's not cheap if it blows my terminals up.
>
> Just looking for some wisdom so I don't try to reinvent the wheel. :)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Fred
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