KVM Switch with Ethernet

[Mcintosh85]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum, and hoping this is the correct place for this question.

I am trying to find the best solution for using 2 laptops with peripherals, but also with Ethernet connection.

I would like the internet (ethernet) to work on both laptops simultaneously, but the other peripherals (monitor, mouse etc) only when switched.

Is this possible with a KVM switch? If yes, any recommendations? If no, what is the best solution for this? To minimise cables/clutter.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mcintosh85]

You just need a basic switch.

A basic KVM switch?

What about the ethernet?

 

[Mcintosh85]

Just get a basic network switch for your ethernet. Run your connection into both PCs simultaneously.

Ok. I could do this, but was hoping there was a tidier solution.

Laptops don't have ethernet connection, so would need an additional ethernet to usb for each too.

 

[Mcintosh85]

first off this is after 10mins googling, I haven't used KVMs in over 20 years so please take this as suggestions for further research.

just getting a basic switch will not suffice if you want to have a single ethernet cable shared between laptops, the available laptop connections will dictate what solutions would or would not work for you.

some things to consider

1. can your laptops connect via usb c
2. do either have ethernet ports?
3. do your laptops have hdmi or dvi or both for video output
4. what connections does your monitor have? dvi/hdmi/vga

One ethernet KVM switch would be

MKAN-SG3114​

a HDMI KVM Switch With Ethernet Port allowing for up to 4 computers to connect viua hdmi and usb 3.2 and audio, i suspect this would not be cheap

I can't find anything suitable on ocuk unfortunately for a KVM but a simple ethernet switch with a standard KVM without ethernet could be the cheaper option

edited to help without linking to competitors sorry

Thanks for the reply.

I actually have a ethernet switch downstairs, with multiple outlets. One goes to a garden room, and one to my main office.

It is in the main office that I would like the optimised 2 laptop setup. Would I have to run 2 ethernet cables to the office from the ethernet switch downstairs (approximately 25m run), to service both laptops? Or could I have the current 1 cable routed, then a splitter in the office, to service both? If a splitter is possible, is this likely to affect the network performance?

 

[Mcintosh85]

WiFi

Seriously, good WiFi is actually good and no wires required.

You may be over thinking this one and you'll want your computers permanently connected to the network and only switching your peripherals.

Unfortunately Wifi is not good for some of the work required, even at high upload/download rates.

I wouldn't use a splitter personally. I'd have the cable that goes to the office plug into a 4 port switch in the main office with the laptops both plugging into that, this will allow both laptops full speed access then a KVM connected to the kb/mouse/monitor and laptops.

if you wanted to remove the cost of the main office switch then yes run a second ethernet cable to the downstairs switch, depending on your floorplan and how you currently run the cables this might be a more labourious method and the time and effort could be more than the cost of a switch.

For example I've run all my cabling under the flooring and i cut channels into the brickwork for ethernet ports in the relevant rooms, to add another cable to my office would take me several hours of removing carpeting, flooring, channeling then run the cable and replacing everything. Why do this when I can get a 1gbe switch for less than £20

Ok, So its acceptable to have more than one ethernet switch in the line then? Setup would look something like this:

Router ------> Ethernet Switch -------> ethernet cable to office --------> 2nd Ethernet Switch --------> 2 x Ethernet cables to the laptops

As long as performance is not affected this would be ok for me.

 

[Mcintosh85]

Ok, a second network switch it is then.

The switch I currently have is a TP Link TL-SG108. Probably a bit overkill to get another for the office locations. Recommendations for a suitable one? Or really doesn't matter?