Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Connect 10 monitors with keyboards and mice to one server

Aug 13, 2011 1:43PM PDT

I have a challange to connect 10 locations that are in several different rooms and I want one server to serve all 10 location as different users and some cases as one user in more than one room. Since these rooms are very small, I am trying to avoid big CPU boxes. Now, I have heard of KVM switches, but I am not sure if they will work at longer distance for a monitor as far as 70 feet away from server. I also need to know if two persons working on an application at same time accessing it from server, can they save their work on server while other is working from different monitor?
Is there a way to connect all these locations to one server or do I need to place thin client or do I need to have a separate terminal for each location?
Thanks in advance to all who respond.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Do you remember Microsoft's Terminal Server?
Aug 13, 2011 1:55PM PDT

Or are you open to using Linux and terminals?

You didn't reveal if said system had to be Windows or even a GUI!
Bob

- Collapse -
Connect 10 monitors with keyboards and mice to one server
Aug 15, 2011 12:58PM PDT

Thanks for the reply Bob,
I do remember that, I believe that requires terminal on client side (correct me if I am wrong). My friend wants to lose that if possible since there is an issue of small room space (it's a clinic). I am also thinking about way to put keyboard and mouse on a board that will close in wall. I also thought about touchscreen monitors, but my question still stands. How to connect all these locations to server without terminal box or thin terminal (if there is a way I do not know).

BTW, OS will be Windows 7.

Thanks Andy

- Collapse -
Then no.
Aug 15, 2011 3:00PM PDT

Windows 7 kills this idea dead. There is no such thing. Maybe some 99 buck Android tablets and a browser interface to your apps?

In two words? Vertical Integration.
Bob

- Collapse -
How about server 2008??
Aug 16, 2011 11:26AM PDT

How about installing server 2008 on server and use couple PCs with Vista Business? Use couple of 4port KVM switches to connect nearby rooms. I also saw KVM switch online that has 16 ports and can be mounted on rack and monitors, keyboards and mice can be connected through CAT5 or CAT6 cable. Then again I am still unsure about distance. If I am able to connect all monitors with one server, then I may not need server '08 (correct me if I am wrong). Thanks Bob

- Collapse -
I'm still trying to figure out how a KVM
Aug 16, 2011 12:11PM PDT

switch, even one with 16 ports, can connect those 10 users, each with a monitor, keyboard and mouse, to one computer and allow those users to interact with the one computer completely separate from each other.

- Collapse -
Sure you can connect 10 displayt to one PC.
Aug 16, 2011 12:28PM PDT

But this means one of the 10 displays will work at any one time.

Let me share I've been at this since mainframe days. Until you reveal what you need you may continue to try things that will not achieve the goal.

I could be wrong but isn't the goal for all 10 displays and keyboards to work at if there were 10 PCs?
Bob

- Collapse -
did you mean,
Aug 16, 2011 11:10PM PDT

only one of the 10 displays will work at any one time?

That's what I said in my post so I still don't see how a KVM switch would meet the OP's original requirement.

P

- Collapse -
Yes.
Aug 17, 2011 1:18AM PDT

I see you see it too.

My bet is the OP is after some system that you don't use a PC or thin client at each place. Folk have been at this for decades and while we have solutions called terminals the OP wanted Windows working at the other end. That takes a client or cheaper yet, a PC.
Bob

- Collapse -
It fails your requirements.
Aug 16, 2011 12:26PM PDT

When your requirements change then we can tackle his again.

But lets run with your 16 port KVM to one machine. That means you switch to the room that needs service and that one room gets a PC interface.

Seems very expensive.
Bob

- Collapse -
Here is my ultimate goal
Aug 17, 2011 11:24AM PDT

I am trying to connect 10 locations in a clinic. There are three monitors in front. One where a nurse greets you. Second location is for another nurse where she attends patients when they are about to leave (for some paper work). Third location is where an employee does billing and other paperwork.There are six patient rooms where a nurse and doctor will access server to pull patient's records and add more information to his/her records. One more location for doctor's office.
All these locations are using one common software (medisoft). There will be more than one location accessing same application to add information and store it at one designated location (server) where others can access it possibly instantly.
Since patients' rooms are very small, there is an issue of space thus, putting a PC box on floor is an obstacle specially when there is a handicap patient with wheel chair.
My goal is to connect all these locations to one location where all information is saved and can be accessed by multiple locations at same time.

Hope I have made it more clear this time.

Andy

- Collapse -
Then it's simple.
Aug 17, 2011 12:05PM PDT

I can only guess you are new to these systems. Since you want Windows on each screen you find that even with Windows Terminal Server you still need a client.

But today we can go with something more modern. If you put your apps on the web then what is at each station no longer matters as long as it has a web browser. You can recycle any old machine to using some sub 100 buck Android tablet.
Bob