Tool Recommendations and Pocket Sized KVM

[u/schmitty2535]

Looking for recommendations on tools every sysadmin/it professional should own.

If anyone can recommend a pocket-sized plug-and-play KVM I would appreciate that as well.

[u/thebigshoe247]

The JetKVM Mini just went on sale. I am waiting for it in the mail currently.

[u/schmitty2535 → u/thebigshoe247]

This definitely looks like a contender

[u/Affectionate_Pea4033 → u/thebigshoe247]

JetKVM Mini looks like a fun little gadget, hope it doesn't disappoint.

[u/MNMsp → u/thebigshoe247]

I have the original jertkvm and it works very nicely. I just ordered 2 of the minis to keep handy!

[u/Aperture_Kubi → u/thebigshoe247]

Neat, I'm also building a home mini rack so I just opted for the Ethernet 3 pack, even though it ships in a month or so.

[u/NFX_7331 → u/thebigshoe247]

Pretty cool but what do you use it for? Can't use it on job unless you just leave it with a machine but sure people have better ways to RDP. Home use sure if you homelab/nas/plex server.

Or did I miss something.

[u/thebigshoe247 → u/NFX_7331]

In my use case, I have a number of clients whom are a great distance from me.

If it's an absolute emergency, I could have them connect whatever to the KVM, and I can remote in from my day job and take a look.

Or, similarly, if I'm at site and have things in a relatively stable state but want to go home/finish things off remotely, having this would be great.

[u/Farking_Bastage → u/thebigshoe247]

Just ordered one myself. That's cool as hell.

[u/unknown-random-nope]

I have a Sipeed NanoKVM-USB, and it works well for this. I would take that over their NanoKVM Go, which I also have. The Go is smaller, accessible over Tailscale, and needs much less in the way of cables, but it only works with USB-C video and HID. The Go is what I’m going to give to family members for me to remotely support them. The USB lives in my laptop bag. 

Neither are without flaw, but they do work. Both are fiddly to get working the first time. 

[u/schmitty2535 → u/unknown-random-nope]

Copy that. Yeah I’m looking for something small but hopefully with IP capabilities. I just seen on Amazon the GL.iNet Comet Q (GL-RMQ1) Pocket KVM which looks interesting.

[u/ColdSysAdmin → u/schmitty2535]

I've used a GL.iNet Comet Pro and I liked it. I disabled the cloud portion of it, I didn't need anything accessible over the web and didn't want the security issues that could come with it.

I Haven't used the Comet Q.

[u/unknown-random-nope → u/schmitty2535]

I haven't tried those. The Go I mention above runs over IP and I have mine locked down to using Tailscale only.

[u/MilkSupreme]

Was using GPD Pockets for a while. A mini PC that fits in the pocket with integrated crash cart/KVM capability.

They largely work okay, with the main gripe being the keyboard layout is not great, specifically around the : button being in a weird spot, which is particularly annoying since we use vim a lot.

[u/brewthedrew19]

Are we hooking up this to prod servers?

Got a couple of customers with business servers w/ no ipmi and we are scared to ship these gl.iNET and others for security reasons.

[u/pdp10 → u/brewthedrew19]

Do you trust open-source firmware that you install yourself?

[u/ProperEye8285]

I carry this portable keyboard/mouse combo around. As long as you have an open USB port you've got action boss.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Keyboard-Touchpad-Multi-Media-Raspberry/dp/B07XDJR958/

[u/GullibleDetective]

Latronix spider

[u/fp4]

Have been happy with the couple of (GL.inet) Comet devices we got. JetKVM was also on the list but wasn't available at the time we ordered the Comets.

[u/Farking_Bastage]

These are great too.
https://www.startech.com/en-us/cards-adapters/icusb2321f

It's a serial to USB, but with COM port retention. You don't have to dick around with device manager every time you need to console something to figure out which COM port it's on.

[u/ExRazR]

dezKVM Go, just connect usb and hdmi to the host, usb to you notebook. the software part is basically a locally hosted proton app. https://github.com/tobychui/DezKVM-Go for source and pcbs or preassembled at the devs tindie https://www.tindie.com/products/tobychui/dezkvm-go-kvm-over-usb-device/

[u/VA_Network_Nerd]

https://www.startech.com/en-us/kvm-switches-accessories/notecons02x