Pi-based KVM over IP
If your PC won’t boot to an OS, use your Pi as a remote control.
YOU’LL NEED
• RaspberryPi4orZero • 16GBorlargermicroSDcard
• HDMI-to-CSIbridgeor HDMI-to-USBcapturedongle • USBfemale-to-dualmale
Type-A splitter • USBCtoType-Acable • 5V,3Amppowersupplywith
USBType-Aoutput. You’llbepluggingatype-Acable intoit,sotheofficialRaspberry
Pipowersupplywon’tdo
THOSE WHO HAVE needed to access a PC remotely will probably have tried VPN or other applications such as TeamViewer. However, this kind of software only works within the remote computer’s OS, which means it can’t access the BIOS, reboot, install an operating system or power on the computer. There are several solutions that make it possible for you to remote control a PC independently of its operating system, but using a KVM over IP is one of the most convenient and affordable approaches.
While a store-bought KVM over IP device can be expensive, it’s easy to use a Raspberry Pi to create your own. Developer Maxim Devaev designed his own system called Pi-KVM ( https://pikvm.org/), which he’s planning to sell as a $130 kit. However, if you have the right parts, you can use the software with your Pi, to put it together for far less.
Here, we’ll show you how to build your own Raspberry Pi-powered KVM over IP that can output Full HD video, control GPIO ports and USB relays, configure server power using ATX functions and more. You can control the whole setup via a web browser from another device on your local network.
DOWNLOAD THE IMAGE
First, download the SD card image from pikvm.org. There are different versions, depending on which Raspberry Pi you use and whether you use the HDMI-to-CSI bridge or an HDMI-to-USB capture dongle. The file is bz2-compressed, but Etcher can handle this automatically, so follow the guide from earlier and write it to an SD card.
Next, install the HDMI-to-CSI bridge or USBto-HDMI dongle and prep the OTG USB-C cable.
Connect the CSI ribbon cable from the HDMI-to-CSI bridge to the Raspberry Pi’s CSI camera port. Make sure that the blue marking faces the black clamp. If you’re using an HDMI-to-USB dongle, connect it to a USB port on your Pi. If you’re using a Pi Zero then you’ll need a micro-USB-to-USB Type-A hub.
Disable the 5V pin on one of the USB Type-A male connectors from your splitter. The easiest way to do this is to place a small piece of Kapton tape over the right-most pin. If you don’t disable it, then it will back feed the power from your wall power to the PC, possibly causing damage to its USB port.
Connect the USB C-to-A cable to the Type-A female connector on the splitter. This will provide power to the Pi. Connect the USB-C cable to the Raspberry Pi 4’s USB-C port and connect the unmodified Type-A male to your power supply. Attach the USB Type-A connector and HDMI to the PC that you wish to remote control.
THE PI-KVM SOFTWARE
We’re ready to start using the Pi-KVM. On first boot, it will take longer than expected due to the initial process for enlarging the microSD card. Be patient, it will boot eventually. Navigate to the Pi’s IP address (look it up in your router’s control panel or use Nmap) in a browser on your client computer (the one you’re using to control the other PC). You’ll be redirected to the login page, which you should log into using admin for both username and password.
Click the KVM icon. You should be presented with a screen providing access to the remote PC and a number of other menus. Further options and instructions are available from the Pi-KVM GitHub.