Bob, I do not use a KVM switch. The one I mentioned from IOGear is a "KMP" switch only (Keyboard, Mouse, Printer -- or anything else that connects with a USB port, including flash drives). My Dell monitor has two HDMI input ports, two DisplayPort input ports and one DVI input port, so I have my desktop and home laptop connected to the monitor via separate HDMI cables and my work laptop connected to the same monitor via DisplayPort cable. The monitor has an on-screen function and physical button (well, really a "button area" on the lower-right bezel) that allows me to switch between all of the monitor inputs.
I use the IOGear "KMP" switch to move my keyboard, mouse and printer between the machines. Like I said, lots of cables but it all "just works". An experience I had with a true KVM switch years ago kind of put me off that solution, because the video switching was sometimes flakey, and my work does not allow me the luxury of anything flakey. Plus that was in the days od DVI connections only for CRT monitors and separate cable types for keyboard and mouse, and the DVI cables were really bulky and hard to manipulate. Plus printers were PC "parallel port" connected, and that required its own separate (and bulky) switch. Much easier now to have a multi-port monitor with its own switching capability. Not cheap mind you, but much more reliable. HTH Peter -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List <IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU> On Behalf Of Bob Bridges Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2020 1:46 PM To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU Subject: Re: OT: Mandatory Work From Home at my company EXTERNAL EMAIL There was a time when I had three laptops (two of them issued by clients), and space was getting tight. I thought then about buying one of those switches, Peter. A "KVM" switch, is that what it's called (keyboard, video, mouse)? I don't remember for sure. The situation improved before I got around to it, but I'm thinking about it again now. How did it work for you? --- Bob Bridges, robhbrid...@gmail.com, cell 336 382-7313 /* The creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times. -Poor Richard */ -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU] On Behalf Of Farley, Peter x23353 Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 13:01 FWIW, my WFH setup for many years now includes an MS Natural keyboard and a comfortable Logitech gaming mouse that I use a USB3 switch to change between my small work laptop, large home desktop and medium-sized home laptop. IOGear makes the USB3 switch, which can handle up to 4 inputs switched among up to 4 CPU's. My 27 inch Dell monitor has multiple HDMI and DisplayPort inputs so I can switch the screen among all my machines. Lots of cables of course, but it has been well worth it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
