VNC vs KVM ???

[rudiekazu]

Not sure if I’m in the right subcategory...but anyway.... also…I would consider myself a Nube in the realm of VNC & KVM…. I know just enough to be dangerous……ok…I just read a post from '04 with the exact same thread title.....it really didn’t answer my question. I’ve also read all the other threads when I searched out the topic here on Toms .....one point that had been made in the '04 thread was that when using VNC you were not able to see the BIOS of the slave PC.

My issue is this.....I have a home studio....running 3 PC's(all have DVI)....all Dell....2 -Win7 & 1-XP pro ......2 of them are audio pc (Win7 & XP pro) and one is my Surf-box (Win7). I have 4 monitors ....this has to go...it takes up WAY to much desk space. Two of monitors are 24” for the Audio stuff. I’ve searched out KVM’s and to get a 4-PC …dual DVI Monitor, I am looking at what I consider, way too much money……$500 and up.

So my 1st Q is…..the BIOS issue…. today 12yrs since ’04 post ….when using VNC are you able to see the BIOS of the slave PC ???
2nd Q …. are there any other economical alternatives ???
3rd Q …. Is there special software to run VNC other than the MS installed stuff ??? I assume MS has something installed
4th ……I’m shying away from KVM because of the DVI issue…. I would think in the future DVI will go by the wayside just like VGA and everything will be HDMI or the next new fad. Not to mention if I toast a Flat Screen and have to buy new I would be more prone to buy HDMI for the exact same reasons.

ANY input or suggestions will be welcome……thanks.
Ron

 

[getochkn]

1st, why do you need to see the BIOS on a VNC?
2nd, I'm wondering if these PC's are so old that you're running with XP and such that you'd be better off replacing them all with 1 pc instead.

The KM part is easy. I use 1 KM to control 3 PC's in my room with a free software for it, but they all have their own screens. You can remote into PCs but that probably doesn't what you want either.

What are you using these other PC's for that you need them all?

 

[Spectre694]

3rd MS doesn't really have a VNC client but there are plenty of free ones that work just fine. Tight VNC etc.
4th doesn't really matter. DP and HDMI video are both based off DVI's so baring them breaking backwards compatibility completely a 2 dollar passive adapter is all you need to switch between them.

But like getochkn said you can probably consolidate VM's are your friend.

 

[Alabalcho]

1. No (unless you have an expensive business-class server with OOB management). VNC needs running OS, and BIOS screen is ages before that.

 

[rudiekazu]

1st, why do you need to see the BIOS on a VNC?
2nd, I'm wondering if these PC's are so old that you're running with XP and such that you'd be better off replacing them all with 1 pc instead.

The KM part is easy. I use 1 KM to control 3 PC's in my room with a free software for it, but they all have their own screens. You can remote into PCs but that probably doesn't what you want either.

What are you using these other PC's for that you need them all?

Q1.....because all 3 Machines will be running on or thru the Host's Monitors .....if i had to deal with something say on Audio-box 1......i would have to undo the DVI cable from the Host and connect it to that PC
Q2....yes XP is old no doubt......BUT ....i have an older version of Pro Tools(10) that i run on that PC.....without getting into all the details about Plugins and such with PT....suffice it to say its easier to do my work on Audio-Box 2 and bounce it to Audio-Box 1 with the newer version of PT(11).....11 can read 10.......10 cant read 11
Q3....As far as the 3rd PC......its my Surf-box......i dont do anything Web on the Audio PC's......been there done that and paid the price

 

[rudiekazu]

3rd MS doesn't really have a VNC client but there are plenty of free ones that work just fine. Tight VNC etc.
4th doesn't really matter. DP and HDMI video are both based off DVI's so baring them breaking backwards compatibility completely a 2 dollar passive adapter is all you need to switch between them.

But like getochkn said you can probably consolidate VM's are your friend.

I personally like the KVM ......but i pucker up at $550 - $750 ......as i noted in my post.....i would like to stay with dual DVI.....thats where it gets expensive
https/www.iogear.com/product/GCS1644/

 

[rudiekazu]

1. No (unless you have an expensive business-class server with OOB management). VNC needs running OS, and BIOS screen is ages before that.

Thanks for that answer.....thats +1 for KVM.......but a BIG minus on their price tag

 

[getochkn]

I wonder if running VM (virtual machines ) would work for you. Run an XP one to do your older ProTools stuff in, and run one for surfing. Anything done in a VM doesn't escape the VM, so if you did get a virus only the VM would get infected and not the whole PC.

With the right machine, you could run all 3 at once on 1 PC.

 

[Alabalcho]

"Krazy" KVM idea: You can get 2-port HDMI+USB KVM relatively cheap. Pair this with a manual HDMI switch (these are already dirty cheap), and you can get a solution for two of your PCs. Retire that XP box and make it into VM.
DVI-to-HDMI is just a cable, so you should be covered here as well.

 

[Spectre694]

3rd MS doesn't really have a VNC client but there are plenty of free ones that work just fine. Tight VNC etc.
4th doesn't really matter. DP and HDMI video are both based off DVI's so baring them breaking backwards compatibility completely a 2 dollar passive adapter is all you need to switch between them.

But like getochkn said you can probably consolidate VM's are your friend.

I personally like the KVM ......but i pucker up at $550 - $750 ......as i noted in my post.....i would like to stay with dual DVI.....thats where it gets expensive
https/www.iogear.com/product/GCS1644/

You might consider switching to display port then. The only problem is that you would need an active adapter instead to go to dual link so the cost might really be about the same.

 

[rudiekazu]

I wonder if running VM (virtual machines ) would work for you. Run an XP one to do your older ProTools stuff in, and run one for surfing. Anything done in a VM doesn't escape the VM, so if you did get a virus only the VM would get infected and not the whole PC.

With the right machine, you could run all 3 at once on 1 PC.

Thanks again......i replied to Spectre 694 and said......thanks....i'm in between a hard place and a rock.....if i want to really do this the right way i will have to cough up the cash....i found a 4pc - Dual DVI by using Price Watch tonight.....
http/www.macmall.com/p/5912562?dpno=7966677&source=zw...
this looks to be the best solution....i need to research some reviews on this Star Tech stuff though....the other KVM IOGear looks a little better....but of course its more moo-la.....it is what it is......after reading all the suggestions and talking with a couple of Teckie friends......the VNC would probably drive me crazy.....i have enough problems with my Homegroup and Home Network....let alone throwing VNC in the middle of all of it. anyway.....thanks for your help
I think this will be my best option......i just gotta get past the money.....i'll admit it......i'm frugal ...and probably a few other things too.....thanks again