Control Rackmount pc

[flimsy888]

I want to put my parents next pc in a Rackmount in the garage, I was wondering how i could control it from inside using only a keyboard, mouse and monitor, I've heard you can do this over Ethernet, but how?

[rufee]

KVM over ethernet. Its basically a box that you plug into the network and plug a monitor, mouse, keyboard wires to the pc so you can control it. Though they are not cheap.

[Guest]

RDC if the OS supports it? 

[flimsy888]

RDC if the OS supports it?

I'm not remotely connecting....just having the keyboard mouse...ect far away.

[Guest]

I'm not remotely connecting....just having the keyboard mouse...ect far away.

Being on a local network, there won't be much difference between KVM and RDC. 

[legopc]

eh i think a kvm would work or a VERY long keyboard mouse and monitor cable  

[onionring]

what os does that comp run?

if it s a windows os you could use a remote management software on the server like splashtop (free) and control it with another comp/cellphone.

understand that this is free and does have inconvenients compared to server grade hardware.

[Crion]

The solution you're probably thinking of is called PCoIP or PC over IP.  It's the solution used in many enterprise environments but it doesn't work exactly how you think.  The technology is usually based around a VM Cluster of some kind running something along the lines of VMWare View.  This is way out of any one person's price range to set up unless you've got more money than you know what to do with.

[megadarkwood]

Remote desktop connection is built into windows...

[IdeaStormer]

RDC has video limitation, then again so do cheap KVM's but I know from experience you can't use all the apps via RDC (I forget which ones won't run). Get a KVM if you want full compatibility but expect to pay a good chunk of change if you want a very stable KVM and with high resolutions.

[parker955]

I'd personally recommend doing something with remote desktop in windows. Have a small thin client in the area where you want the monitor, keyboard and mouse. Use that thin client to initiate the remote desktop session. Will be cheaper than using an IP KVM. Most IP KVM's I know are meant for enterprise networks where you may need quick and easy access to a server so video quality isn't always the best