Remote KVM

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I usually have Linux server boxes with only power and network cables. That works well most of the time, except when:
      1. You need to install the operating system.
      2. You screw up and render the system unresponsive, even after a power cycle.
Then you realize you need to move a keyboard, mouse and display to that machine to see what is going on, and hopefully fix it. Not a big deal if you are in the next room, not ideal if you are in another city or country. 

So after watching Dave's video, I decided it was time to start using these devices for my own good. And I learned a couple of interesting things while reviewing the features:
  1. There is an optional add-on, called Fingerbot, that can be used to act on a push button, like the reset or power button of your server remotely. That way you can even power off a misbehaving server, or power it back on after powering it down. That is especially useful if Wake-On-LAN is not possible at the moment (most computers do not come with that enabled).
  2. The KVM can download a binary file and expose it to the server through the USB connection as a pendrive or  as a CD-ROM. That is great if you want to install an ISO image remotely. 
I have seen cheaper solutions like JetKVM that look good on paper too, but being based in Europe I wanted a solution I could buy locally, without having to worry about customs/tariffs/taxes that could bump up the sticker price significantly, so I settled on what Amazon could deliver within the EU.

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