JetKVM is much like nanoKVM but a slightly polised version.
What is JetKVM?
JetKVM is a high-performance, open-source KVM over IP (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) solution designed for efficient remote management of computers, servers, and workstations. Whether you’re dealing with boot failures, installing a new operating system, adjusting BIOS settings, or simply taking control of a machine from afar, JetKVM provides the tools to get it done effectively.
As far as I know, these Jets are not available for retail yet, but can be bought via their kickstarter.
Link to the source code: https://github.com/jetkvm/kvm
Link to their website: https://jetkvm.com/
Link to their kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jetkvm/
Picture of a JetKVM mounted in a homelab, credits to Jeff Gerling.
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It is not just public but Foss as well. It is under the GPLv2 which is even a copyleft license.
That Kickstarter link didn’t work for me, this one does.
Looks like $69 for:
JetKVM is a fast, open-source KVM over IP solution for managing any computer, server, and workstations remotely. Handle boot failures, install new OSes, adjust BIOS settings or simply control the computer without needing to be physically present.
And tech specs:
- Operating System: Linux 5.10 with Buildroo
- CPU: RockChip RV1106G3, Cortex A7 1.0GHz, H264 & H265 hardware encoder
- RAM: 256 MB DDR3L
- Storage: 16 GB EMMC
- Screen: 1.69 Inch IPS, 240 × 280, capacitive touch screen
- Ports: Ethernet RJ45 (100Mbps), USB-C (USB 2.0 480Mbps), HDMI Mini, JetKVM RJ11 extension port
Sorry if this question is easily answerable by reading and I’m just missing it. But I genuinely don’t really understand what this product does or what its use case is. Is it a usb stick that gives you kvm access to a computer from a remote location? Like call up someone in another building ‘hey plug the jet into tower X so I can remote in?’ In which case how is this better/worse/just different from a software solution like Barrier? Sorry if I’m being borderline deliberately obtuse but the website gives no info on the home page at all.
Edit: I think I understand better, digging into it more. But if anyone has an ELI5 I would greatly appreciate it.
KVM also allows access if the machine isn’t booted up, so like mounting remote recovery images, re-installing an OS, and changing BIOS settings and that kind of thing.
@Lemjukes @Sunny It’s a KVM that you access over IP. It’s physically plugged into a machine’s HDMI and USB ports so, unlike software solutions, it can be used to access the BIOS/UEFI and system functions prior to hitting the desktop (like login managers and recovery consoles), and allows you to boot other operating systems and the like. It can also act as a PXE host for loading disk images, issue Wake On LAN to its connected machine, and likely a bunch of other convenience functions.
Ooooooh! Ok that’s really cool. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that!
ELI5:
It lets you remotely control a computer.
It’s different (arguably better) than remote connection software because it is a separate device that basically just forwards your keyboard & mouse inputs. This means that you can control the remote device even if it’s powered off or not able to boot properly, and you can configure the BIOS remotely too.
You could call someone on-site to connect the KVM to a server, but KVMs, while expensive by regular person standards, are pretty cheap as enterprise hardware goes. So some organizations just keep separate KVMs plugged into all critical hardware all the time.
Worth noting here that KVMs are potentially a quite high security risk.
Their website is probably light on details because “KVM” is fairly common industry parlance. If you normally work with this stuff then just hearing those 3 letters tells you most of what you need to know.
Edit: high, not Hugh
Worth noting here that KVMs are potentially a quite Hugh security risk.
You can put them behind a VPN and they should be relatively secure. I definitely wouldn’t expose it on the web directly, however.
Sure, as long as the VPN itself is secure. Strong passwords/keys, etc. A VPN itself can be a potential security risk, as if it’s compromised an attacker can tunnel traffic directly into a network straight past a firewall.
The risks can definitely be mitigated, but if someone’s asking for an ELI5 on KVMs, then it may be best to stay away until they have a better understanding of IT infrastructure altogether.
For me, they’re also useful because a lot of my jobs don’t allow remote software to be installed on laptops, so I use something like this to be able to remote in still.
Like call up someone in another building ‘hey plug the jet into tower X so I can remote in?’
The whole idea is you don’t need anyone local. You leave it plugged in 24/7 so that’s it’s accessible remotely, as needed.
I have a similar project called PiKVM. I can remotely turn on my computer from a full shutdown, navigate the BIOS to select an OS, and log in, after which I typically switch to a software-based Remote Desktop which is more performant. But you can’t power on a computer and navigate a BIOS with a software solution.
wow, really neat design for this price range
Yeah, a bit suspicious.
Honestly I’ve always found the cost of KVM equipment to be super suspicious.
You need to be able to capture HDMI/VGA at very low resolution and refresh, become a USB HID host and provide this data via VNC. It’s not like we need an Elgato 8k stream coming off the hardware.
Last time I went IP KVM shopping for a small server room the prices started at around 10 grand.
They sent out a lot of review samples to different serious tech youtubers like wendal at level1 and jeff geerling. They were all big fans.
Well I know why it opened up today: H264 patents expired
What sort of open source
Gpl Fuck yeah. Thats awsome
Backed this on Kickstarter. Seems honestly too good to be true, so I am antsy to get my hands on it.
I backed it as well. Got my shipping notice a week ago and am looking forward to playing with it.
What’s your backer number? I filled in the survey right as they sent out the link to it and still nothing despite being one of the first 500 people to back this project
I’m popping by to let you know that I received mine today. I won’t have time to play with them until tonight but I did unbox one and they look just as advertised.
- I happened to be in my email when the survey link came through so I had it filled out within 2-3 minutes. BTW I goofed, I got the “reward shipped” email two days ago and not last week. So it’s with China shipping but hasn’t hit a domestic carrier yet.
Poor souls
Why? At worst I’m out a few bucks but I really do expect them to show up. Jeff Gerling has already been playing with them.
Would you need one of these per physical server, or can they connect to multiple ?
I don’t know if the JetKVM supports it, but PiKVM and BliKVM support adding a multi-port KVM switch to it (see: https://docs.pikvm.org/multiport/).
It’s a bit finicky depending on the device you use (some will require custom cables).
It’s for one , but you can use a normal kvm that supports switching with the keyboard
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You lost me at a touchscreen
Primary use case is through terminal/web interface.
Wouldn’t be surprised if the touchscreen was a similar cost to a non-touchscreen at that size and they figured “might as well”.
Oh no, what a dealbreaker
