KVM recommendations for 3 computers, Linux + Windows

Framework Laptop 13 Linux
1

Hello.

I’m using:

  • AMD FW laptop 13 with Fedora
  • AMD Dekstop with Nvidia Graphics, and Fedora + Windows dual boot
  • Company’s Windows laptop (Suftace Laptop sudio Pro)

I need a decent KVM switching setup to be able to easily switch between the 3.
For now I have one extra wide monitor, but might add more monitors in the future.

What I’m not sure about: The frame.work laptop with Fedora does not send video output in many situations, for instance to the Lenovo USB-3 dock I have from the company, and to my XRreal One pro, but it does connect to my Monitor’s USB-C port. So I’m not sure what solutions work with it.

I can hack a few things together if needed (like a USB-C switch + Thunderbold docking station), but I prefer to know what is expected to work before placing an order.

Can you please help with info about why FW+Fedora does not output in some situations (keywords, links, explanation would be appreciated), and what are possible setups that go well in your opinion.

I can also keep some things that need special arrangement out of the setup, for instance my desktop can stay connected to my OLED TV directly with the HDMI, so it stays fast for gaming.

UPDATE: Any other create ways to do this?
If all computers were mine, I would use a remore desktop solution, but I don’t want to remote to my personal machines from my work machine due to privacy, and from my local machines to the work machine due to security.

Appreciate your help

2

I think USB 3.0 dock usually uses Displaylink drivers. This is baked into Windows 10+ and is available for Ubuntu, but I don’t think I’ve seen one for Fedora before. Usually, it’s the video part of the Displaylink dock that won’t work w/o a Displaylink driver. There is a Youtuber named Switch and Click that briefly mentioned running into this problem when she switched to Fedora, but I don’t think she presented a fix. I can’t comment on the XReals.

FWIW, I also switch between 3 devices:

  1. FW 13 w/ Ryzen AI 7 350
  2. Dell Latitude Windows 11 laptop (work)
  3. Desktop w/ Ryzen 5600 + Nvidia 1080TI

I have two monitors and 2.4Ghz wireless mouse/keyboard I switch between. I use a combination of a Ugreen Revodok 10 USB-C hub and Ugreen HDMI KVM (Shares Single HDMI and USB 3.0 ports) to switch between them.

  • My laptop(s) connect to the USB-C hub. I only use one laptop at a time.
  • Primary Monitor: 1) Receives Displayport from my desktop’s 1080TI and 2) receives HDMI from the USB-C hub. I use the monitor’s input menu to switch between them
  • KVM: 1) Receives HDMI from 2nd HDMI port of the USB-C hub, 2) Receives HDMI from my desktop’s 1080TI, 3) Connects to my secondary monitor, 4) Connects to my keyboard and mouse, and 5) USB output to the USB-C and desktop USB-A ports

So switching on primary monitor handled by monitor. Switching for secondary monitor and peripherals handled by KVM.

Hope that helps. Good luck on your set-up.

1 Like
3

Thanks @Toby_Lee
This is really helpful.

I’ll do a bit more research to see if a one button switching solution exists.
If not, I’ll go with a similar setup.

Cheers

1 Like
4

Cheers. There are also dual monitor KVMs you can use (including from UGreen), which would eliminate the need to switch within the monitor menu like me. I opted for the single monitor KVM b/c I was cheap :smiley: