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Date:      Wed, 17 Jul 2002 23:12:45 -0700
From:      "Michael Wells" <mwvw@adelphia.net>
To:        <Questions@FreeBSD.ORG>
Subject:   Re: When is FreeBSD going to work properly with KVM switches?
Message-ID:  <004301c22e22$2214cef0$0a01a8c0@mswolf>
References:  <20020718060333533.AAA1067@empty1.ekahuna.com@pc02.ekahuna.com>

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Okay.  I was just saying that mine worked, but whatever.

Boldly yours.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip J. Koenig" <pjklist@ekahuna.com>
To: <Questions@FreeBSD.ORG>
Cc: "Michael Wells" <mwvw@adelphia.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 11:03 PM
Subject: Re: When is FreeBSD going to work properly with KVM switches?


> On 17 Jul 2002, at 16:37, Michael Wells boldly uttered:
>
> > > > > I also have the problem that the KVM must be set to the machine
being
> > booted
> > > > > in order for the mouse and keyboard to work properly. This is a
know
> > problem
> > > > > and there was discussion on it. The problem seems to have appeared
> > with 4.2.
> > > > > I saw a fix in the freebsd-stable archives:
> > > > >
> > > > >    FROM: John Baldwin,
> > > > >    DATE: 11/20/2000 16:43:35
> > > > >
> > > > > Basically the proposed solution was to remove the `flags 0x1' from
the
> > > > > atkbd0 device line in the i386/conf/file
> > > > >
> > > > > This fixed the problem I was having with the Omni Cube 4-Port. I
have
> > > > > not checked if this problem still occurs with 4.6.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Actually, if one searches through the archives you'll find the
mouse/kvm
> > > > issue dates back to the 3.x days. Apparently it isn't a high
priority so
> > > > I wouldn't hold my breath for an always working fix.
> > >
> > >
> > > I really really really wouldn't be so quick to assume the problem is
> > > FreeBSD.  In my experience, Belkin's are not very good KVMs, I won't
> > > use them any more, personally.  I've had problems with them not
> > > correctly initializing keyboard or mouse ports with Windows as well.
> > > Never had a problem with FreeBSD and KVM switches, personally.
> > >
> > > If you want a good KVM, stick with either Avocent (my personal
> > > preference - used to be Cybex and Apex), Raritan, Rose, or one of the
> > > companies that OEMs the Avocent switches. (ie Compaq, HP, Dell) The
> > > cheapo KVMs are cheap for a reason.
> > >
> > > (Then you've got "RichardH" saying Belkin's are overpriced, LOL..
> > > well I never tried D-link KVMs, maybe they're OK for a cheapo
> > > model :-)
> > >
> > >
> > I have a Belkin 4 port OmniView that works just fine with FreeBSD and
> > w2k.  I had to add a flag to my kernel to keep things study when
> > switching back and forth, but other than that it's been just fine.
>
>
> If I'm interpreting the "fix" right, what it does is force the OS to
> think there's a keyboard present even if there may not be. (the flag,
> which is not on by default, makes FreeBSD check for a keyboard)
>
> There are 2 primary functions of a KVM from the standpoint of a
> computer's keyboard interface: looking like a keyboard when the PC
> boots and checks the keyboard interface, and maintaining state on the
> keyboard signals so they are restored when that particular PC is un-
> selected and re-selected.
>
> In summary, the whole point of a KVM is to make the connected
> computer see what looks like a regular, connected keyboard.  If you
> have to do anything to the OS to get it to act as it normally does
> without a KVM, the KVM isn't doing its job right.
>
>
> --
> Philip J. Koenig                                       pjklist@ekahuna.com
> Electric Kahuna Systems -- Computers & Communications for the New
Millenium
>
>
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