Open IP-KVM

This project provides an open-source IP-KVM solution.

Related article:

DIY 一个运维神器 Open IP-KVM

English Version By Google Translate

What is IP-KVM

KVM Over IP (IP-KVM) is a hardware based solution for remote access to your computer or server.

The unit plugs into the Keyboard, Video and Mouse ports of a computer or server and transmits those to a connected user through a network.

IP-KVM vs RD software(VNC/RDP/TeamViewer)

• RD software requires a working OS, and must be pre-configured. It often fails in an emergency situation
• IP-KVM is out-of-band, so it can be used to install OS, setup BIOS or fix low-level issues

Features

Demo Video

• Web browser as client
• 1080P 30fps video stream
• Full mouse & keyboard support
• UI Indicator
• Remote Paste: Input ASCII sequence

System Diagram

Hardware Requirements

• HDMI-USB capture device
  • Recommendation: MS2109 based devices link
  • Input: Up to 4K 30FPS
  • Output: Up to 1080P 30FPS @ MJPEG
• Linux single-board computer
  • Recommendation: Phicomm N1, Raspberry Pi 4 or other models,
  • Recent linux kernel
  • 2+ USB ports
• Arduino Leonardo link
  • Emulate HID (mouse and keyboard)
• Optional
  • USB-to-TTL Adapter
    • If linux sbc has no built-in serial port
    • Recommendation: PL2303HX
  • USB Wi-Fi Adapter
    • If linux sbc has no built-in Wi-Fi

Deploy and Run

1. Prepare Arduino Leonardo

Upload program

1. Download and install Arduino IDE on your PC.
2. Connect leonardo to PC via USB
3. Download arduino code file virt-hid-arduino.ino, Open it with Arduino IDE, then click Sketch/Upload (Ctrl + U)
4. Disconnect leonardo USB

Reference: How to connect serial port

2. Prepare Linux SBC

SSH to linux SBC with your pc.

Deploy App and Dependency on Linux SBC

• Build and install MJPG-Streamer
  • How to build MJPG-Streamer
• Install Node.js 14.x+
  • Install NodeJS on Armbian
• Clone repo and install its dependency
  • git clone https://github.com/Nihiue/open-ip-kvm.git
  • cd open-ip-kvm && npm install

Connect IO and edit config

• Connect IO
  • HDMI-USB capture device via USB
  • Arduino Leonardo via native serial port or USB-TTL adapter
• Edit open-ip-kvm/server/config.json
  • mjpg_streamer.device: path of HDMI-USB capture device
  • serialport: path of serial port

3. Run

1. Connect HDMI output of target computer to HDMI-USB capture device
2. Connect target computer to leonardo via USB
3. Run cd open-ip-kvm && npm run start on linux SBC
4. Turn on target computer
5. Open http://[IP of Linux SBC]:8000 in web browser

How to control

• Mouse
  • Click anywhere to enter pointer capture mode
  • Press ESC to exit
• Keyboard
  • Press Enter to enter key capture mode
  • press Shift + ESC to exit

License

MIT

Credits

mjpg_streamer

For production environment, use Pi-KVM