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KVM on SGI? - GeekLucanis - 09-06-2018

Does anyone use a PS/2 KVM on their machines? I would like to get my hands on one for my Indy and 02, for just mouse and keyboard. I really don't want to buy a crappy new one, and have it not work. The vga component of the KVM would be nice, but not required at all.

RE: KVM on SGI? - Trippynet - 09-06-2018

Yes, I use an old Belkin VGA/PS2 one. Works fine for everything (including video). Can't easily confirm the model number as it is buried under my desk, but works fine with my Indigo2, O2 and Fuel.

RE: KVM on SGI? - GeekLucanis - 09-07-2018

I'd love to know the model number eventually. but I still have to get adapters for my indy and 1600sw. Is this possibly it? https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Omniview-4Port-Switch-Rackmountable/dp/B00004Z91V

RE: KVM on SGI? - Trippynet - 09-07-2018

Mine is a Belkin Omniview E-Series - https://www.itinstock.com/belkin-f1db104p-omniview-e-series-4-port-kvm-switch-ps2-computer-vga-11148-p.asp

RE: KVM on SGI? - jan-jaap - 09-07-2018

I've got a Belkin OmniView Pro2, 16 ports. I've done some limited testing with a couple of years ago it and it seemed to work with Indys and Indigo2s.

There are a few things that can go wrong with KVMs and SGIs:

1. If it freaks out with SOG on it's VGA ports you're out of luck.
2. SGIs that use ps/2 keyboard and mouse, use the little used scanset #3 mode where almost everybody else uses scanset #2. Again, if the KVM doesn't support that you're out of luck.
3. ps/2 was never meant to be host swappable. Essentially, the system initializes the keyboard and mouse at boot and expects this configuration to persist. So if you start switching a keyboard between systems that use a different configuration, it usually starts to misbehave. See #2 above.

I also have a box full of devices that can 'fake' a keyboard and mouse to a system even when you disconnect them. They are supposed to fix #3, probably by buffering the configuration and re-initializing the device when it's reconnected. I don't recall if I used those with the Belkin.

RE: KVM on SGI? - bjames - 09-09-2018

Ditto for the Belkin omniview pro 4 ps/2 port kvm. The use it to switch between windows 7 pc, Indy, o2 and octane and have zero issues and absolutely no misses when switching.

The only caveat is the mouse and keyboard you use has to be the “newer” style granite or charcole sgi keyboards. I tried using an older granite mouse (came with Indy and indigo 2) and I find that when switching, the mouse looses connection and doesn’t reastablish connection unless you reboot. I’m thinking it may have to do with plug and play circuitry or something like that. Using the newer “sleeker” granite or charcoal mouse does not lose connection at all.

RE: KVM on SGI? - mosiniak - 09-14-2018

I recenly found very interesting KVM (AdderView CATxIP 1000). I bought it for 50 USD. This is single switch with remote (connected using Ethernet cable) computer access modules. The switch has two USB ports (for keyboard and mouse),one VGA port and one audio port (it can transmit video + k/m + audio with single Ethernet cable). There are several types of computer access modules (VGA with PS2 keyboard and mouse, VGA with USB keyboard and mouse and VGA with SUN keyboard/mouse connector). There are also options with audio, but the most valuable functionality for me is that switch can act as a VNC server. You can access each machine using any computer (in my case it is a laptop) with vnc client installed on it. It's brilliant solution for taking print screens (normal print screen instead of photo of monitor). I have tested this with PC computer and will test it with my Onyx and I'll inform You with results.

RE: KVM on SGI? - GeekLucanis - 09-14-2018

Thats a lucky find. A quick google search shows that they sell for about a grand.

RE: KVM on SGI? - mosiniak - 09-15-2018

(09-14-2018, 11:54 PM)GeekLucanis Wrote:  Thats a lucky find. A quick google search shows that they sell for about a grand.

I found it on local Polish auction portal. The price is so low, because for long time no one was interested in it. Maybe you can find similar switch on other smaller (than Ebay) web portals. Anyway it's interesting solution for different machines (new/old/sun). With VNC You can access Your machines sitting on sofa with laptop...

RE: KVM on SGI? - bjames - 01-21-2023

Hi,  thought I would resurrect this thread.
 As I just noticed a glitch using my Starview SV-431 (4 port ps2/serial and vga).  This kvm is very similar to the Belkin Omiview I used to have.  The Starview kvm has no issues switching between octane, o2, Indy and pc.  Even the console keyboard and mouse are hot swappable, even on sgi.  Everything appears to work flawlessly. EXCEPT…

When using Softimage 3d and Maya, sticky keys is flakey.  For example in SI, to zoom, you have to hold down the x key and use left, centre or right mouse buttons.  Same thing for Maya, to bring up the marking menu, you hold down the space bar.  This is where the problem is, holding down ‘any key’ does not work, instead the kvm interperates  this as a series of short key strokes (every 1.5 seconds) instead of a long continuous key stroke.  I confirmed this using the Confidence test for the keyboard.  If you hold down any key, the test shows the key engaged, then off, engaged, then off etc.  if the keyboard is connected directly to the sgi (any system) the problem goes away, meaning the key shows engaged as long as you keep holding it down.

So using the kvm with SI and Maya makes it very hard to execute commands using sticky keys.  

Anyone who has a Belkin Omniview, if you can test your keyboard from the confidence test to see if holding down a key shows continuous or pulse indication.

Thanks