Reddit reviews TRENDnet 8-Port USB/PS2 Rack Mount KVM Switch, TK-803R, VGA & USB Connection, Supports USB & PS/2 Connections, Device Monitoring, Auto Scan, Audible Feedback, Control up to 8 Computers/Servers

Ha! That's so awesome, you can learn so much from just playing around with stuff at home. Congrats on landing that job before even graduating, you've literally beaten the odds!


So with the power thing, I'd get a rack PDU (Power Distribution Unit) that'll plug into an uninterruptible power supply which will clean the power and act as a backup. You can find rackmount ones on Amazon for pretty cheap. The Cyberpower ones are solid, in my experience. Just remember not to put too many thing on the circuit. Might even be worthwhile to get an electrician to give you an estimate on doing a 20 AMP line, which will give your stuff the ability to draw more power. Just make sure you get a 20 AMP rated UPS and PDU, too!


As far as the router goes, check out Ubiquiti, if you haven't already. They make pretty solid hardware that a lot of IT people seem to use in their home. I've set them up for enterprise clients and they're pretty reliable. Another option is pfSense. Maybe pick up an R210 or some small 1u server and use pfSense as your router. It's a cool bit of software that even lets you integrate intrusion prevention.


You could honestly build a SWEET setup for $5,000 so you're going to be set lol. Something I bet you'd really really like, is hyperconverged infrastructure. It's more expensive to learn and play with because you need 10gb interconnects and a 10gb switch, but if you use, say, Nutanix Community Edition, you could have a 4 server cluster setup with failover. You could literally unplug a server and everything will remain online. It's really awesome.

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So, with the KVM console, I ask the same damn question every time I see the cost of one of those. I'm not sure why they're so costly. I've always liked the idea of them too, but when I actually got one, it was more of a pain than it's worth because I'd rather be sitting at my actual desktop when working on my servers, so I have it setup where I can SSH or remote into all my servers from my computer. Maybe invest in getting an extra monitor or two, too. Another option would be a USB KVM switch that you plug all your servers into, then feed into a monitor and run your keyboard/mouse into it as well. Something like this or this.


Lastly, it's better to have too much space than too little space in a rack, in my opinion. Also, keep in mind that 1u servers are quite a bit louder than 2u servers. They've gotta push a lot of air through a smaller space, so they're not all that quiet.

I'm not sure if I'm understanding your question.

A traditional KVM switch would just be VGA(or HDMI etc.) and USB. You just attach how ever many devices it'll support and you can use keyboard shortcuts or physical buttons on the switch to go back and forth between computers and only use one monitor,keyboard and mouse.

A KVM over IP device is the same concept but you're obviously using the network to then remotely access the switch over the network. This, of course gives you the option to control the device remotely without having to go to the server room.

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Typical traditional KVM - https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Connection-Monitoring-Computers-TK-803R/dp/B000P05FAA/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=kvm+over+ip&qid=1568664421&s=electronics&sr=1-10

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KVM over IP device - https://www.newegg.com/startech-sv841hdie-d-sub-ps-2/p/N82E16817707105?Description=kvm%20over%20ip&cm_re=kvm_over_ip-_-17-707-105-_-Product

Probably look into rack mounted (professional style) KVMs like this one - You have to buy cables separate...They are intended for servers. But it doesn't have audio. So prob pick up some sort of audio switch as well. Something like this maybe. although its only 4 not 6. Or look into a audio receiver with 6 inputs.

My personal favorite is the 2-Port IO Gear KVM for most setups, I use these on 3 of my gaming systems and have never had input lag. I don't use the VGA connect, just the USB and Audio, then I switch video directly on the monitor. I prefer these because the cables are not detachable and you can double tap the "Scroll Lock" key to switch between 1 & 2. TrendNet also has some nice KVM the main difference being the detachable cables.

https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-2-Port-Miniview-Switch-GCS632U/dp/B0001BVXI6/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1511120123&sr=1-3&keywords=KVM&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A5060496011

I have 5 of these 2-Port TrendNet KVM around the main building for various systems, I like them and have never seen input lag. These were purchased by someone else prior to my arrival, but they work great so I see no need to change them out. I usually order the IO Gear, but these are just as solid and reliable, again, personal preference because of the one-piece design of the IO Gear.

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Monitoring-Auto-Scan-Feedback-TK-207K/dp/B000F4C310/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1511120123&sr=1-4&keywords=KVM&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A5060496011

I use 3 of these 4-Port TrendNet KVM for another location. When I arrived there was already 1 on-site, and when I needed more I had no reason not to buy the same brand and style. Great price, very reliable, no input lag, and they have all lasted well over 2 years of constant use.

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Connections-Resolution-Computers-TK-407K/dp/B000JP1TFG/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1511121027&sr=1-2&keywords=KVM&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A5060498011

Now, I do have one of these 4-Port ieGeek KVM for a smaller server setup. I hate it. It just feels cheap, it has a single button that cycles through all 4 connections whether there is anything actively connected to it or not, and the cables are stiff and unwieldy. There is no input lag, the change response is fairly quick, but it doesn't support the double tap Scroll Lock to cycle like the IO Gear or TrendNet models, so I have to make sure it is physically within reach while using it.

https://www.amazon.com/ieGeek-Switch-Monitor-Keyboard-Control/dp/B00J7JGAHM/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1511121027&sr=1-3&keywords=KVM&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A5060498011

I use 1 of these 8-Port TrendNet KVM for one of my workbenches because I still needed PS/2 with the USB when I bought it, but it still works great after 3 years, and again, no noticeable input lag.

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Connection-Monitoring-Computers-TK-803R/dp/B000P05FAA/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1511120407&sr=1-2&keywords=KVM&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A5060502011

I use 1 of these 16-Port TrendNet KVM for another workbench because the 8-Port TrendNet was so reliable, I got this one. I didn't need the PS/2 this time, but it is nice to have just in case I do get any more really old systems in.

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Connection-Auto-Scan-Pluggable-TK-1603R/dp/B000P03EO4/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1511120699&sr=1-1&keywords=KVM&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin%3A5060506011