[bjames]

Just curious what you guys that have many sgi systems if you have all them connected and ready to run at any time or use kvm switches or do you set up one system (as the system of the month) and store the others. My wife has reduced my sgi space to one sit/stand desk and I have been obsessing weather I set up a single system and store the others in the back room ( I have a large storage rack that I use for all my sgi gear and monitors). Or display all the systems and kvm to a single 23” monitor or 2 sgi18” monitors and split a few machines to each monitors.  The stressor for me is I would rather use the 23” monitor for the Octane2, and use either the 1600sw or sgi f181 for the o2, Indy etc.  

I can’t seem to settle, I wish I had multiple desks to set up each workstation. 

Anyone know a good psychiatrist?

[Raion]

I haven't really settled on a solution in the 10 years I've been part of the hobby.

A partial reason is that I've been forced to move around a lot especially in the last year or so, another reason though is because I can't find a setup that really forms to what I need.

Historically I used synergy. But not all versions of it are created equal and I can't get it to compile cleanly using my toolchain. I've also tried barrier but I'm not very keen on using the RSE method. I want to run IRIX, not IRIX with half of Fedora stuffed on top of it.

Outside of those I've mostly never been able to get a KVM that is able to work. One of the biggest troubles is the difference between USB and PS2 not being reconcilable. Another problem is the variety of inputs and outputs I use. So for the most part I have settled for physical switch outs which appear to be the best option for me at the moment.

[weblacky]

Right now I have a series of shelves next to a work table with all my SGIs. So they display like a collection, but take one down, pass it around, use the nearby work table, then put it back on the shelf. SGIs are getting so hard to find locally these days that my collection is a badge of honor to local buys. It's my hobby and I sure as sh*t would not let anyone tell me what goes in my work/play space. They aren't big iron and don't run or make noise when not in use...they stay.

Tezro & Fuel are the outliers due to DVI, everything else uses the same interface (less Octane DCD) so they are all go on an SOG tolerant Dell Monitor (I have several in inventory). I only have one O2 capable of 1600SW, but don't own that special LCD monitor anyway.

I don't ever start more than one system at a time unless I need two units for something...

Save the money for a psychiatrist and buy another SGI, it's always worked for me ;-).

[Trippynet]

I only have three systems, but generally I have two of them (Indigo2 and Fuel) connected via a KVM to use a single monitor/keyboard/mouse whilst my O2 sits in my cupboard - essentially in "storage". I never really have multiple systems on at a time, system usage depends on what I'm wanting to do at any one time.

Should add that my KVM for the SGI systems is also connected up to the docking station for my work laptop, hence whenever I'm working from home the monitor can be used for work alongside my other two screens. I like this as it means that extra screen on my desk isn't just for the SGI systems, it has other uses too.

[jan-jaap]

I have some 25 SGI systems and in my current computer room, I took the "everything is ready to run at all time" route. With that many systems it escalates quickly:

1. Power. SGI systems consume a decent amount of power even when powered down. Multiply by 25 and it will cost you. Also, I believe that having that many systems that are that old permanently connected to power is a fire hazard. So I can switch power to each remotely using PDUs.
   
2. Network. In my case both ethernet and fiber (FDDI). Storage (FC). Serial console. The amount of cables is enormous. I've got nearly a kilometer of network and glas fiber cable in my computer room. If you don't want to trip over bundles of cable the size of your fore arm you have to plan this properly. Browse THIS thread to get an idea.
   
3. Keyboard/video/mouse. I haven't even solved this one yet. I have a "workstation" rack with a lot of my systems on the shelves. They range from a Personal IRIS 4D/35 to a Fuel, which means I'd have to deal with "4D" serial keyboard/mouse and PS/2, and analogue and digital video signals using at least two or three different sync methods. While keyboard/mouse adapters for the old systems exist, my experience with those in combination with a KVM has been disappointing
   

In my old computer room (and when I had less systems), I would simply pull the plug on systems I didn't use. I had them clustered on/below a desk, and if you group them a bit by age then sharing a keyboard/mouse/screen isn't too complicated.

[Nichosen]

I've got seven systems but only two of them hooked up and ready here at the office.
But I do have two, almost prestine, teal and purple, Indigo2's standing on their feet in the living room as conversation pieces.
My wife wasn't all that happy at start but now she's fine with it.
The rest are tucked away here at the office until my bookshelf at home is finished.

[Irinikus]

I usually only have the Tezro hooked up in Pretoria and the O2 in Cape Town. I hook the rest up as required!

[vishnu]

Mine are all hooked up and ready to go, I have three SGIs (one of which is two NUMA-linked Onyx4s), one Sun Micro (Blade 2500), and five Intel-based PCs. I also have two more PCs, eight or ten disk drives, and an untold number of power supplies, all of which are completely crapped out, that I haven't hauled off to the electronics scrapper yet. There's always tomorrow... 😁

[bjames]

Thanks guys, i find it very interesting reading all the different ways everyone is enjoying the hobby. Keep ‘‘em coming.

[indigofan]

I swap cables (monitor and keyboard/mouse) between an Indigo, Fuel and Onyx 2, not enough room for yet another monitor until I get a larger desk to figure out a multi-monitor/mouse/keyboard setup.