USB over Ethernet

[mao91]

So, a bit of an odd inquiry, but an important one for what I do. I need to be able to run a mouse and keyboard over ethernet to control my PC. Think of it as a sort of reverse-kvm situation. Instead of using one mouse and keyboard to control several computers, I need multiple mice and keyboards to control one computer from various locations. 

1) Can it be done?
2) How.

[Windows7ge]

If network access is available you can't use Teamviewer or VNCViewer & TightVNC? it sounds like it'd be more appropriate if you need to control the computer from various locations.

[mtz_federico]

There is an app that linus did a video about that was able to do this but I don’t remember the name

 nevermind I tought you wanted multiple pcs one mouse and keyboard

 

the app was https://symless.com/synergy

[mao91]

28 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

If network access is available you can't use Teamviewer or VNCViewer & TightVNC? it sounds like it'd be more appropriate if you need to control the computer from various locations.

So, here are the specifics of the situation surrounding my need for this. I'm an audio engineer and my studio spans two floors; the control room (PC, interface, reference speakers, etc.) is upstairs, while the live room is downstairs, with an audio snake running upstairs to the interface. I'm looking to set up a secondary control station in the live room so I can be present with clients while they are recording, instead of running back and forth. To do this, I need to set up two monitors, a mouse, and a keyboard in the live room to control the PC upstairs. The keyboard and mouse are critical, as I use a lot of macros and hotkeys to streamline the recording process.

[Windows7ge]

Something like RealVNC & TightVNC should still work for this though you'd be limited to one monitor. It'd send all your function and ctrl hot keys over the network to the rig upstairs and start all your recording things, etc.

 

Alternatively there's a few products that allows for the use of display, mouse, & keyboard via a fiberoptic cable. Been around for a few years now. Really expensive though.

 

You'd need a:

thunderbolt fiberoptic cable

A thunderbolt card in your PC

and a Thunderbolt hub

 

How much will that cost? About $500~600

[brwainer]

RDP supports dual monitor control, so you could set up a passively cooled silent PC with barely enough power to run an OS at your live room, and use RDP to control the main PC.

 

if your monitors are VGA there’s this option:

https://www.amazon.com/USB-Console-Extender-over-CAT5/dp/B009ACPEIC?th=1&psc=1

Sadly the digital versions (DVI, HDMI) aren’t available as dual monitor.

 

there are dual display KVM over IP options, but those are very costly.

 

EDIT: If you’ve happy to have a large number of cables between the two rooms, then there is also this: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Extender-CAT5E-Connection-150ft/dp/B003L14ZTC/ref=pd_aw_fbt_147_2/141-8481704-2332028?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003L14ZTC&pd_rd_r=b7151176-7b1d-11e9-aae6-5da153af3a65&pd_rd_w=9n8ix&pd_rd_wg=LAUPJ&pf_rd_p=3ecc74bd-d08f-44bd-96f3-d0c2b89f563a&pf_rd_r=HMZEE24QMJJTGKF6RT0C&psc=1&refRID=HMZEE24QMJJTGKF6RT0C

and if you used that I recommend these cables: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HEM653S?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1

[mao91]

2 hours ago, Windows7ge said:

Something like RealVNC & TightVNC should still work for this though you'd be limited to one monitor. It'd send all your function and ctrl hot keys over the network to the rig upstairs and start all your recording things, etc.

 

Alternatively there's a few products that allows for the use of display, mouse, & keyboard via a fiberoptic cable. Been around for a few years now. Really expensive though.

 

You'd need a:

thunderbolt fiberoptic cable

A thunderbolt card in your PC

and a Thunderbolt hub

 

How much will that cost? About $500~600

$600 is how much I have budgeted for this project anyway. However, Teamviewer/any remote over network won't work. I need real-time response and feedback, especially when it comes to keeping a tab on levels. Can't have any delay.

Also, I've already dedicated a thunderbolt card in my PC for my interface. Otherwise that would be a brilliant and simple solution!
 

2 hours ago, brwainer said:

RDP supports dual monitor control, so you could set up a passively cooled silent PC with barely enough power to run an OS at your live room, and use RDP to control the main PC.

 

if your monitors are VGA there’s this option:

https://www.amazon.com/USB-Console-Extender-over-CAT5/dp/B009ACPEIC?th=1&psc=1

Sadly the digital versions (DVI, HDMI) aren’t available as dual monitor.

 

there are dual display KVM over IP options, but those are very costly.

 

EDIT: If you’ve happy to have a large number of cables between the two rooms, then there is also this: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Extender-CAT5E-Connection-150ft/dp/B003L14ZTC/ref=pd_aw_fbt_147_2/141-8481704-2332028?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003L14ZTC&pd_rd_r=b7151176-7b1d-11e9-aae6-5da153af3a65&pd_rd_w=9n8ix&pd_rd_wg=LAUPJ&pf_rd_p=3ecc74bd-d08f-44bd-96f3-d0c2b89f563a&pf_rd_r=HMZEE24QMJJTGKF6RT0C&psc=1&refRID=HMZEE24QMJJTGKF6RT0C

and if you used that I recommend these cables: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HEM653S?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&th=1

Yeah, the budget includes mouse, keyboard, two new displays, and the adapters/cabling back and forth. A second PC is out of the picture, even if it is just to control the main PC..

I've done a touch of digging and this is what I've found. Thinking I may give this a whirl. Looks like I should be able to do two displays with dedicated HDMI over Cat6 runs for each, mouse and keyboard over Cat6 with a dedicated run for the USB adapter, including Cat6 spool, adapters, extra cables, and the works for under $600.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016YS99X0
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017Q8ZX1O/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075ZWY1SK/  (x2)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075SY8XRM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076QX3NTJ  (x2)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0148NNKTC  (x2)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013VP3372/

 

Here's how I'm planning to set it up now:

 

Since I have GTX 970SC, I have two DVI, one HDMI, and one DP out on it. Currently, the monitors in my control room are running DVI out of my card. I'll switch over to using the DP and HDMI ports instead, running those into splitters. One side of each splitter will go out to the control room displays, the other side will link into the HDMI over Cat6 adapters to go downstairs. Each display will have a dedicated Cat6 line. The USB will also have a dedicated Cat6 line. For what I'm doing, a mouse, a keyboard, and maybe a usb controller should all be able to over a single Cat6 line no problem. 

Alternatively, I could eliminate the HDMI splitters if I can find a software solution for that part that doesn't induce lag.