Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 23:03:32 -0700 From: "Philip J. Koenig" <pjklist@ekahuna.com> To: Questions@FreeBSD.ORG Cc: "Michael Wells" <mwvw@adelphia.net> Subject: Re: When is FreeBSD going to work properly with KVM switches? Message-ID: <20020718060333533.AAA1067@empty1.ekahuna.com@pc02.ekahuna.com> In-Reply-To: <03c401c22dea$ee258a30$0a01a8c0@mswolf>
next in thread | previous in thread | raw e-mail | index | archive | help
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 To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
Want to link to this message? Use this URL: <https://mail-archive.FreeBSD.org/cgi/mid.cgi?20020718060333533.AAA1067>