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KVM which also switches ethernet

Hi I am looking for a KVM which also switches the network on the machines. My ideal setup would be that whichever the focused machine was has an ip address of 10.0.0.1 with the unfocused machine being 10.0.0.2 however if need be I suppose they could have the same ip address and simply disable the unfocused machines connection. If this needs to be a seperate box to the KVM then that is fine but Im not sure how you would then say which has focus. A software solution (even if it needs writing in VB) would be ideal too so that then I could tack on some other features with my limited proramming knowledge.

Thanks in advance

moon_blue69

Hi,

KVM allows as to use one key board, mouse and monitor to control another computer.

Cant you just connect network cables to each machine and achieve the same, configure whatever ip address you want to use as long as its not the same.

Cheers

simonwait

ASKER

The problem is that the ip address of the focused machine is crucial to other peripherals talking to it correctly (some stop and start buttons on a control panel use the database in the focused machine to get relevant data). At present if we need to switch to the backup machine we have to manually change the ip address on the main pc, switch the KVM, then address the backup to the original ip. The buttons will only pull data from 10.0.0.1

moon_blue69

Hi

Cant you just use a slitter like this and plug and unplug as required??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-PORT-RJ45-LAN-ETHERNET-NETWORK-CONNECTOR-SPLITTER-/160564454195?pt=UK_Computing_NetworkingTools_Accessories_SM&hash=item2562632333

Please have a look. By that way you can have the same ip address

Cheers

simonwait

ASKER

Nice idea however this is to be rolled out to people who may not think of that bit in the heat of the moment so i am trying to create a one button or one click solution

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moon_blue69

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simonwait

ASKER

Thats more what I was thinking. Yeah if there is one incorperated into a KVM that would be just the ticket

IanTh

a kvm is not designed to change the ip address so I am wondering why your trying to do that

is it to get ronud duplicate ip addresses

simonwait

ASKER

We are running one machine as the main machine with an identical machine as a backup. The backup cannot be the same ip address when ununsed (as it will conflict) but must be the ip address of the original when it is being used

IanTh

so do both the main pc and the backup need to be connected at the same time?

what your attempting is basically a cluster as both machines are on the same ip address

simonwait

ASKER

There needs to be no replugging done at the time of switchover and ideally the backup machine would assume a different ip address when not in use

IanTh

well you can assign multiple ip's to windows

so it can have the right one and the different ip but how will you change the ip when required so it has the proper ip if you see what I mean

simonwait

ASKER

Ideally would have liked a combined solution however this is acceptable