KVM OVER IP CHEAP AND EASY DIY
It’s the piKVM. With this little thing, you can remote control any computer on bios level, even a computer which is not connected to the network!
While there are many KVM-over-IP solutions out there, this one is fun and cheap.
To build this handy tool, you will need to get some parts, I put a list in this video description.
First we unpack the Raspbery Pie 4 Model B with 4 gigabytes of ram. Although, 2 gigabyte version is fine too.
Then, we unpack the Geekworm KVM-A3 kit, it has everything that you need to turn this raspberry pie into a fancy KVM-over-IP, except the power adapter, which I had to purchase separately from aliexpress, because for some reason its very hard to find European power adapter on amazon.com .
Ok, now lets stick these cute little heatsinks. Then, plug in this wide cable.
Now take the X630-A3 circuit-board and screw in a couple of these screws.
Go ahead and attach the two boards together.
Attach the little HDMI-in board and screw it in place with some screws.
Then gently plug in the other side of the wide cable. Seriously, be careful, it’s very delicate.
Unpack the little LCD screen and plug it into the board.
Tighten up the LCD screen with these 2 screws.
If you have CR1220 battery around, you can plug it in now, it can ensure that the device
clock will not reset when it loses power, but this battery is totally optional.
Now you stick some stickers and screw a couple of more screws, until you got this nice little box assembled.
And now the software part.
You need to get an SD card and download 2 things, the piKVM Software image and the Raspberry Pie Imager software.
Run Imager tool and select the custom image file you have downloaded to write onto the SD card.
Once done, insert the SD card into the piKVM. Now connect the piKVM to your target computer, you will need to connect the HDMI cable, USB cable, network cable and power cable.
If you have done everything correctly, your piKVM should automatically boot up when powered and display it’s IP address on the little LCD screen. Now we can connect to it via putty and change some settings.
The default username and password is root and root. To make any changes to the piKVM Operating system, you will need to run the RW command, then use the RO command to revert it back to read-only mode. Now we can change password, set the clock, setup wifi and modify many other settings.
After changing the password, you can open your browser, hit-in the piKVM IP address and enjoy setting up bioses and installing operating systems and recording nice videos of it all from far away.
Overall the piKVM is easy, fun, and practical project. There are many ways to customize and improve it with added functionality, but that is for you to discover.
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: https://amzn.to/4e8t8yH
Geekworm KVM-A3 Kit for Raspberry Pi 4: https://amzn.to/3Z4NwMI
Sandisk MicroSDHC V30 Extreme Pro: https://amzn.to/3z4TvXh
Xiaomi Mijia Electric Precision Screwdriver Kit: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_De8...
AC 100-240V DC 5V 3A Power Supply: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DC2...
KVM Switch 4 Computers: https://amzn.to/3AIQdcB
Where to download PIKVM V3 software:
https://pikvm.org/download/