I tested every IP KVM in my Homelab

(jeffgeerling.com)

38 points by vquemener1 hour ago

4 comments

gruez7 minutes ago
How's the video quality/latency on all of these? RDP or parsec are probably the gold standard, but I doubt cheap arm SOCs can implement either properly.
- geerlingguy0 minutes ago
 On some the latency is within 45-60ms (that's the best I've tested, under pretty strict LAN conditions), but average is more like 100-200ms. Not good enough for gaming, but fine for things like watching video, if you really want to do that.Most employ heavy compression by default, and it looks a little more pronounced with motion. A few have 'high quality' mode, but especially on the Pi-based KVMs this eats up more CPU, so I don't use that.It's on the whole best for use cases where you just need to log into remote servers and check on things, or reinstall/re-image something. I don't think I'd like using any of these for a constant remote session for daily work. I do use Screen Sharing on macOS for that sometimes, and it works great in its low-latency mode. None of the KVMs I've tested are quite to that level.
ectoloph20 minutes ago
I have a mild distrust of some of the cheap IP KVMs. I don't think vendors are malicious, but I don't expect they get it right every time either.Admittedly, I haven't looked at any open-sourced firmwares either which could have improved things.I have found the Sispeed USB KVM very useful, the convenience is well worth the $50 it cost me. The UX isn't great but you don't really need it to be. It works (most of the time) via WebUSB for the keyboard mouse.
- xxpor18 minutes ago
 Part of the problem is the absolute crap that most vendors throw on an AST2600 is even worse.I will say iDRAC has been a lot more reliable for me, but the chance I'll ever buy a Dell server for home use is basically 0.
 - geerlingguy7 minutes ago
 Always a fun adventure when you buy an old server motherboard to see what state of disarray the BMC is in. Or if you have to patch the license on older boards just to get into it. Usually I just ignore the BMC on any hardware more than 5 years old.
Barbing21 minutes ago
Neat, someone mentioned these when I proposed a ludicrous anti-fingerprinting strategy <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44549352">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44549352</a>Jeff Geerling rocks
steele8 minutes ago
Another vote for JetKVM. Tailscale support is great. I'm glad to see audio is in the works because a Mac mini screaming from separate room during a remote session is disappointing.