[rescue] Avocent AMX KVM Sun Modules

[Michael Dombrowski]

 Hi Ian,Agree 100%. I've been on a KVM odyssey for the past year and it is challenging to find an ecosystem that checks all of the boxes. There is also very little information out there comparing the systems, especially when considering legacy hardware.
I've tried several options:Dominion:
-Modules (including Sun) are easy to find and inexpensive-Loud!
-KX3 - expensive, did not work with Sun modules, my unit died after a brief period of ownership so I don't have extensive experience. I would try again if I can find a replacement for reasonable price. HTML viewer seemed to work well.-KX2 - Cheap and readily available. Java viewer is a pain. Latency and support for multiple keypresses at the same time are downsides. 

Avocent Autoview-Affordable-Loud, but not as bad as KXes-Java viewer is a pain
-Modules not as easy to find as Dominion, but not impossible and are inexpensive-I ran into trouble with compatibility with my legacy workstations - it simply would not work with a SGI Octane and HP 712.
Avocent AMX-Inexpensive-Quiet-No remote viewing that I am aware of. 
-Limited module selection beyond PS/2 and USB. Sun modules exist, but as my original email notes, are impossible to find-I really like the architecture with a central hub and then remote box which connects to the monitor/keyboard/mouse. The above systems connect the user peripherals directly to the main unit (unless you buy a user workstation, which can be expensive)-Lowest latency of the three systems I have tested, with good support for multiple keypresses. 

I'm going to go with the AMX for now. As you suggest, using separate converter modules is the best way to get Suns hooked up. I'm paring down my active Sun systems to use the available converters I have. I may look into getting a PiKVM/JetKVM/etc to bolt on network connectivity. It would require a second user station and VGA->HDMI converter
You point about remote viewing and mouse support is spot on and is a problem across platforms. Using a USB module and absolute mouse positioning solves this issue, but is not universal. 

mike



    On Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 03:22:15 AM CDT, silcreval via rescue <rescue at sunhelp.org> wrote:  
 
 Hi Mike

I've put together a rack of Sun's in an old 19" rack I had in the workshop, and after quite a bit of research I went with standard HP KVMs. There are quite a few variants of these and they are 'fairly' cheap on eBay these days. 

Unfortunately as you've found - the Sun dongles are hard to find. I use a modern USB dongle for the newer Suns which captures most of what I need for general use. I also have some old Belkin Sun keyboard -> PS/2 adapters which I use with HP PS2 dongles. It's not ideal.

One advantage of the HP KVMs is that you can open multiple sessions, and I have a console switch which allows 4 simultaneous sessions. You can run the remote HP 'viewer' on an older Windows box. I use Windows 7 and its works OK. 

The main issue I find with Sun's is the mouse handling is not 100%, and you get lag if you are using the remote viewing. Using the console directly with a monitor plugged in works fine.

- Ian
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