An Idiots introduction to KVM

Hi Guy and Gals,

I’m a new subscriber to the forum and would like some advice.

I am going to be adding 1 or 2 computers in my home. 2 for me, 1 (at least for another individual).

All three computers will be housed in a server rack. So now comes my problem, The single client pc should be close enough to the rack that longer cables should suffice for keyboard video and mouse.

In order to needlessly complicate my life I want to access the two
systems via KVM switch, simple enough. What if I want to setup to client access points to those computers? A KVM client computer to
server on floor 1 and a separate KVM client computer on floor 3.

Is this setup possible or is there a simpler option?

The servers computers will be running Windows 11 on one system and I am considering setting up a Docker system on the other system.

Is virtualisation a better option here? I am a newb, and possibly an idiot as well.

waiting for any serious suggestions.

Plenty of thanks in advance

Mike

What are you planning to run on these?

If its not games you could just use Remote Desktop once set up.

if it is games, you could maybe use combination of Remote Desktop and steam remote play.

KVM is mostly useful if you need remote physical access because the network connectivity broke, but if it’s in the same house just… go check the machine.

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I’m struggling a bit to follow what you’re trying to do, maybe a diagram would make things more clear.

If you’re trying to have multiple sets of mouse/keyboard/monitors on different floors of your house that can all access multiple systems via physical display and usb cables, the this thread from last year would be a useful read for terminology and price ranges.