If you are a computer nut like me, one computer is not enough for you. I have several systems at home and even a couple at the office. What starts to be come an issue is how to deal with multiple systems while stull maintaining a place to work with (gasp!) pen an paper!
I thought that I would share with you how I have set up my system and give you a bit of insight into the tricks that I have used. Now, I think that there is room for improvement with this system since there are a lot of different things that I have not incorporated (such as audio, etc.) but I think that this is a really good starting point for many people.
Configuration Overview
My system consists of two tower computers (Computer 1 and Computer 2), each with two 17″ flat panel monitors (Monitors 1-A & 1-B and Monitors 2-A & 2-B) with built in USB hubs. Computer 1 is my primary system for daily work and Computer 2 I use for testing and monitoring. These computers are part of a TCP/IP based network.
On Computer 1, I also have an external IEEE 1394 (FireWire) DVD±RW drive, an external USB media reader, and a bluetooth (wireless) keyboard and mouse.
I also use a program called Synergy to share the keyboard and mouse between the two systems so that I do not have to clutter my desk with multiple keyboards and mice.
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February 19th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
So my question is how well does Synergy work with Beryl and AIGLX? My desktops are Windows XP and Ubuntu… so I haven’t tried Synergy yet.
February 19th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
ChamPro: It should work fine at Synergy works independent of the desktop interface and hooks into the mouse, keyboard and clipboard. I have two Synergy setups, one at home and one at work.
My home is Ubuntu Edgy with Beryl/Nvidia/OpenGL(Desktop) with Ubuntu Feisty (laptop) and it works lovely.
February 19th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I’ve used synergy with ubuntu (but not beryl) I would expect it to work as faultlessly as described in this article.
February 19th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
If you use Windows in the main computer you can also use WIN2VNC. It’s a VNC client that works like Synergy but you can connect to whatever other machine that has a VNC server installed. Ideal if your other machines already have VNC server running. Everything works fine, any OS is ok, because it only needs a VNC install.
Anyway, Synergy is superior, IMHO.
February 22nd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
That’s real cool. I assume each computer needs a dedicated local IP?
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
This is very interesting. Pardon my ignorance, but what type of connection cable is needed between the pc’s then?
And once its hooked up, its just a matter of using the synergy software?
Thanks.
April 5th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Thank you so much. If I set up USA operations, you´ll be someone I have to look up. I´ve seldom seen such an intelligent and thought through description with added information and exactly what I was looking for (I have several KVM´s). Great job! Since I´m in Germany it´s hard for me to buy you a cup of coffee. If I have a project in the USA I´ll be happy to ask you to join in.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 am
i would like to inquire if you have any idea how to install multiple computers having only one cpu but having different workstations… i mean, only one CPU but can manage to have different users or user account and rights… 1 cpu that can have different users with no CPU but monitors only… please help
February 13th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I tried Synergy between a Windows Vista 32 bit and Windows 7 64 bit and it would not work. Any ideas?