What is PiKVM?
PiKVM is an open source IP-KVM (keyboard, video and mouse over IP) built on the Raspberry Pi. It lets you view and control a server or workstation over a network, whatever the state of its operating system. You can reach the BIOS, reinstall an OS, or fix a boot problem using a virtual CD-ROM or flash drive. The project is documented at pikvm.org.
Key Features
PiKVM supports Raspberry Pi 2, 3, 4 and Zero 2 W. It has FullHD video through an HDMI-to-CSI bridge or a USB capture dongle, with low latency using MJPEG or H.264/WebRTC. It emulates a USB keyboard and mouse, and it can control server power through ATX functions. A VNC server allows access with a standard client.
The project has two DIY platforms, V2 and V1, and two ready-made devices, V4 and V3. V2 is recommended for Raspberry Pi 4 and Zero 2 W and supports the mass storage drive feature. V1 is designed for Raspberry Pi 2 and 3 and does not support mass storage.
Typical Uses
-
Remote management of servers in data centres or offices
-
Recovering unresponsive machines without a site visit
-
BIOS configuration and OS reinstallation on remote systems
-
Maintaining headless workstations
Thinvent Products Featuring This Technology
The Thinvent range does not include PiKVM hardware. Thinvent's Industrial PCs, Mini PCs, Thin Clients and All-in-One PCs are complete computers, not Raspberry Pi-based KVM devices. For remote access to Thinvent systems, the range has Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, such as the Industrial PC IPC5 with Intel Core i5-1240P, the Industrial PC IPC3 with Intel Core i3-1215U, and the Industrial PC IPC5 with Intel Core i7-1255U, all with up to 32GB DDR4 RAM and up to 1TB SSD storage. The Treo Mini PC with AMD Ryzen 5 7430U and the Thinvent Micro 5R Thin Client with ARM Cortex A53 are also available.
