Question 1

How to build a PiKVM with Raspberry Pi 4?

Accepted Answer

Follow the V2 DIY instructions on docs.pikvm.org, which require an HDMI-to-CSI bridge, ATX controller circuit, and flashing the pre-built OS. It's the most feature-rich DIY option, supporting mass storage emulation and H.264 video.

Question 2

PiKVM vs commercial IP-KVM: which is better for a small business?

Accepted Answer

PiKVM is ideal for cost savings and customization, offering similar features at a lower price, but commercial KVMs provide out-of-the-box reliability and vendor support, which may be critical for production environments.

Question 3

Does PiKVM capture audio from the host computer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only on V3 and V4 platforms; DIY V1 and V2 do not support HDMI audio capture or microphone emulation, as highlighted in the feature comparison table in the README.

Question 4

Can PiKVM control multiple servers at once?

Accepted Answer

Not natively; for multi-port control, you need the PiKVM Switch add-on, which transforms it into a multiport device, but this adds extra cost and setup complexity beyond the base DIY build.

Question 5

How to set up virtual CD/DVD on PiKVM for remote OS install?

Accepted Answer

On supported platforms (V2, V3, V4), upload ISO images via the web UI to emulate bootable media, with storage options like NFS for larger images. This enables full remote OS installation without physical media.

Question 6

What Raspberry Pi models work with PiKVM?

Accepted Answer

PiKVM supports Raspberry Pi 2, 3, 4, and Zero2W, but not Pi 5. Different models correspond to DIY versions (V1 for Pi 2/3, V2 for Pi 4/Zero2W), with varying feature sets.

Pi-KVM

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