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I read an article on using multiple PCs with Ubuntu recently: 5 ways to make using multiple computers and devices more efficient with Ubuntu
And was wondering if there's anything like that in Windows. Like sharing audio, applications and enabling use of 1 KB/Mouse to control multiple PCs with Windows?
JM at Work
Posted 2011-06-03T05:03:51.133
Reputation: 221
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You can use remote control solutions like VNC (free and open source), RDP (proprietary), etc., but these are all software-based solutions that don't always support every platform and won't provide you with access to change pre-boot settings in the BIOS.
I find that the best way to control a number of machines at the same location effectively is to use a hardware solution known as a KVM Switch, which also supports pre-boot and post-boot environments (all Operating Systems and video modes) without the need for any software or drivers.
Pictured here is a 4-port KVM Switch by a company called ATEN. It's an older model (I have the 8-port version of this series, and it has been very reliable for me) that uses PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports. They also have newer models that support USB mice and keyboards, and different video technologies as well:
If you have enough space, you can simply not connect the Video cable to the KVM Switch and just keep each computer directly connected to its own video display(s) instead (which will help to further increase your effective usage), so you do have choices. Having just one keyboard and mouse to control all the machines is a nice convenience though.
Some of these KVM Switch products have IP support and will work over the internet, but the price starts to climb upward very sharply for these types of units.
Randolf Richardson
Posted 2011-06-03T05:03:51.133
Reputation: 14 002
1Many home models also share audio now too. – KCotreau – 2011-06-03T12:07:32.150
+1 for @KCotreau for mentioning that very important bit of information (thanks!) -- the newer models do indeed include audio lines too. – Randolf Richardson – 2011-06-03T18:46:20.217
Windows is capable of everything in that article, though some 3rd party software is required, it is not all native to the OS. – MaQleod – 2011-06-03T05:08:42.700
MaQleod: How does Windows share applications, or are you thinking that using VNC for access to a specific application window would be the way to go? – Randolf Richardson – 2011-06-03T05:21:28.243
VNC and Remote Desktop, though there is the option for OpenSSH as well (though it is not quite the same as it is on Ubuntu), Synergy also works on Windows, ICS and file sharing are native, VLC can share audio and video over a network. – MaQleod – 2011-06-03T05:36:13.420