Extending a USB keyboard/Mouse to 8m away

JasX

As part of a bigger job I need to see a USB keyboard and mouse 8-10m away from the unit itself (x3).

Currently they're on a KVM switch with a PS2 keyboard & Mouse plus monitor going via an existing KVM to each old unit (an ageing Dell), the new units presumably doesn't support PS2.

Now my supplier is quoting me over £2,000 :rotfl:to do this via a new KVM setup. I'm thinking this is overkill.

(I've already politely declined the 3 'basic' USB keyboards and mice they wanted £150 for )

I think USB is limited to 5m, anyone recommend something for repeating it to 8m?

Consequences of the link failing are basically zero but I'd like to steer clear of Bluetooth and get something wired and from a fairly reliable/reputable make/source.

Thoughts?

Enterprise_1701C

I don't know about the solution, but I would say we have had two 5m USB leads fail within a few weeks of plugging them in. You can get USB connectors, so I would probably link a series of 2m or 3m cables rather than going for the longer option or you might find yourself constrantly renewing the longer cable. I just checked about the connectors and the ones I found were on Amazon.

Have to admit, no idea what a KVM set-up is, but £150 for 3 keyboards? Would not expect to have to pay more than about £5 for a very basic USB keyboard!

scheming_gypsy

dumb terminal and remote desktop?

or a bit of cabling and

John_Gray

A quick look at BroadbandBuyer shows 4-port KVM switches at rather less than £2K (but you'll have to check if any still support PS/2 connections - this sort of KVM switch was very flaky when last I played with them, 10-15 years ago!)...

PS Do you really trust your supplier to get the best deal for you - or is this an MNO* job?

* Money No Object!

aerostar

You can get USB/PS2 adapters.

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=278486&CatId=747

This is what you want for your new computers IF they do not have PS2 Connections, a lot of new computers still do.


This would allow you to keep your current KVM unit, key board and mouse, the cables from the KVM plug into this, and the USB end into the new computer. Save your £2000.

(KVM=Keyboard Video Mouse switch)

JasX

The bulk of the job is a configuration upgrade job for some specialised software that only this 1 supplier can do..... they just seem to be being rather cheeky around the peripherals.

To clarify:

The PS2 keyboards and mice are no longer needed and are being junked.
I only mention the existing KVM arrangement as the screens ARE needed but already catered for with the existing setup.
The remaining rough edge seems to be essentially "put a USB keyboard and mouse where the old PS2 ones have always been"

If I simply extend the USB cables will they work at 8-10m? I thought they were limited to 5m by the USB specification and unsure if they would work without some kind of 'repeater' or 'USB to ethernet to USB' arrangement..... (but if they will long USB cables will probably be the simplest)

kwikbreaks

The adaptors mentioned above look to me to be the best option for this job but USB isn't limited to 5m if you get an extender. These are just a couple of units - one takes the peripheral and the other goes into the USB port and you link them up with standard ethernet cable. Some claim to work at a couple of hundred feet.

http://www.google.co.uk/products?hl=en&q=usb+extender

JasX

aerostar wrote: »

You can get USB/PS2 adapters.

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=278486&CatId=747

yeah that might well work, seem to be 'plug and play' with default windows drivers too which is ideal.

at £2 each certainly worth giving a try