A DIY Raspberry Pi-based IP-KVM for remote server management with low-latency video, virtual media, and ATX power control.
PiKVM is an open-source, do-it-yourself IP-KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) device built on Raspberry Pi hardware. It enables full remote management of servers or workstations, including BIOS access and OS installation, regardless of the target machine's operational state. This provides a cost-effective, flexible alternative to commercial solutions for IT professionals and hobbyists.
IT professionals, system administrators, and hobbyists who need to remotely manage servers or workstations, especially for tasks like BIOS configuration, OS installation, and troubleshooting machines that are offline or unresponsive.
Developers choose PiKVM because it offers professional-grade remote management features at a fraction of the cost of commercial IP-KVM solutions, with proven low-latency video (35-50ms), extensive hardware compatibility, and a fully open-source, extensible platform.
Open and inexpensive DIY IP-KVM based on Raspberry Pi
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PiKVM achieves 35-50ms H.264 video latency, documented as the lowest among available KVMs, ensuring responsive remote control for BIOS access and troubleshooting.
At $30-$100 for DIY builds, it's significantly cheaper than commercial IP-KVMs costing $500 or more, making professional remote management accessible to hobbyists and small businesses.
Supports Raspberry Pi 2, 3, 4, and Zero2W with various capture methods (CSI or USB), allowing customization based on available components and use cases.
Includes virtual CD/DVD emulation, ATX power management, IPMI BMC support, and health monitoring, covering essential remote management tasks without proprietary software.
Except for pre-assembled V3/V4 devices, DIY versions necessitate component sourcing, wiring, and OS installation, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors for beginners.
The README explicitly states Raspberry Pi 5 is not supported due to missing GPU video encoders, restricting hardware upgrades and future-proofing for newer Pi models.
DIY V1 lacks mass storage emulation, and V2/V3/V4 have varying capabilities (e.g., audio capture only on V3/V4), requiring careful platform selection that may confuse users.