Comp for KVM / UPS control

[Koal.T]

Hi,

I just ordered a new KVM switch (http://nti1.com/srvsw-usbvst-u.html) and was wondering if I could do the following things.

I want to get two of these number pads to control the KVM via the serial port.

I have a spare box, so I was wondering how I could set it up so that buy pressing 1-8 on the left keypad, my left LCD changed to input 1-8 respectivly and the right keypad changed the right LCD. I was thinking by setting up these keypads somehow and sending commands via the serial port to the KVM it could control it.

The other thing I want to know is I have a Belkin UPS which has bulldog shutdown software which will shutdown one of my XP computers fine but I was wondering if I could control the same computer for the KVM and get that to tell all the computers on the network (Windows, FreeBSD and Linux) to all shut down in one go. It would hopefully send a command over the network but I could hook all the computers to it via USB or something if needed.

HYCHM,

Koal

[Siliconjunkie]

Not sure what/why you are wanting to do that with the KVM.

On the UPS, Bulldog has network functionality built in and a Linux client on their site. I have 2 of them and they work like a charm doing exactly what you are describing.

I don't think they have a FreeBSD client, but you could write a script to have the Linux box tell it to shutdown via SSH. Or you could try the Linux client and see what happens.

[Koal.T]

Well about the KVM,

It says it has RS232 (read here) control over it.

I want to be able to press say '5' on on of the keypads and have it switch user 1 to CPU5. the other keypad will switch user 2 to say CPU5 or whatever.

I was wondering of how I could get a script that would listen for keypresses on either keypad and then send a message to the KVM telling it to do something like change outputs or whaever.

Koal

[Koal.T]

Hmm.

I cannot work this out. I really want to get both things running on my control box. Do you link it would be better to put Linux or Windows on it?

[Koal.T]

Come on! One of you must be able to help me :-/

[Nighthawk]

All of the KVM boxes I've seen are somewhat dumb, in that you can't program them like you're talking about.

However, I've never used a KVM nearly as advanced as the one you bought. What sort of control box are you talking about? Does the KVM itself run some sort of OS or do you need a dedicated computer to control your KVM?

[Koal.T]

No,

I want to use a dedicated computer for it. The number pad (or pads) would then do some sort of script on the OS (prolly linux) and then send RS232 signals to the box to set it how I want.