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submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by Sunny@slrpnk.net to c/selfhosted@lemmy.world

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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[-] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 63 points 6 months ago

It is not just public but Foss as well. It is under the GPLv2 which is even a copyleft license.

[-] CrazyLikeGollum@lemmy.world 52 points 6 months ago

Is there a link to the code? I know I could probably search for it, but if you're going post about the code being public you could at least include a link to it.

[-] Sunny@slrpnk.net 78 points 6 months ago

Ah my bad! Had originally added it but it got overwritte by the image url - whops! Added it now.

Source code: https://github.com/jetkvm/kvm

[-] Septimaeus@infosec.pub 14 points 6 months ago

you could at least

Note: here “it would be nice if” is more polite, since the least one could have done is always

[-] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 36 points 6 months ago

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
[-] Moonrise2473@feddit.it 21 points 6 months ago

wow, really neat design for this price range

[-] lnxtx@feddit.nl 6 points 6 months ago
[-] rumba@lemmy.zip 42 points 6 months ago

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.

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 7 points 6 months ago

There's not much competition, so yeah prices are a bit artificially high. But how big of a server room are we talking? Because brand-name servers already have IPMI (idrac, ilo), and if you can get vPro on Intel boards then you have that built in too (but I've only met one or two people online who said they've deployed it, none IRL).

[-] rumba@lemmy.zip 3 points 6 months ago

re a bit artificially high. But how big of a server room are we talking? Because brand-name servers already have IPMI (idrac, ilo), and if you can get vPro o

Not very big, otherwise 10k wouldn't have been an issue :)

A few nodes were ordered without DRAC options, as well as a couple of pis and some desktop/laptop test/build machines. (I also would have liked to snag the output off a media server) I basically just wanted to get everything in one management console without paying 10k, I already had guac tying all the RDP/VNC together, but I really wanted pre-boot on everything and thought that sounded like a reasonable request. Was expecting 1k for a controller and a $100-$150 per box. Licensing was INSANE.

You can get HDMI cap now for $20 on adafruit. you'd think USB HID host would be either software or super cheap.

[-] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 7 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

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.

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[-] Lemjukes@lemm.ee 13 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

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.

[-] MangoPenguin 27 points 6 months ago

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.

[-] batmaniam@lemmy.world 10 points 6 months ago

I love this. I have a box I've been wanting to move to a family members place because they have fiber and I don't. They're heavy users of the plex server I have on there, so they're happy to host it, but if I ever had issues around anything boot related I'd be down until I could physically get there.

This would also be awesome for troubleshooting some RasPi stuff where I kind of want the DE every now and then but mostly let it run headless.

[-] MangoPenguin 7 points 6 months ago

Yeah it's great for that kind of thing!

Enterprise servers often have it built in, but for everything else this is priced really well.

[-] rhys@mastodon.rhys.wtf 25 points 6 months ago

@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.

[-] Lemjukes@lemm.ee 9 points 6 months ago

Ooooooh! Ok that’s really cool. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that!

[-] monkeyman512@lemmy.world 11 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

As for food functionality it is very comparable to software remote control of a computer. There are 3 key features that stand out:

  • It does not rely on the target machine being booted into the OS. This means you can access it even if it crashes or locks up.
  • It can "push" the power button on the machine. This requires an accessory that plugs into the motherboard. So you can force a machine off or cold boot a system.
  • You can mount a boot ISO. This is like having a bootable flash drive in the target machine so you can install an OS remotely.

Edit: Because this is essentially full access to the machine as if you where physically at it, it should be considered a security risk. Not saying that you need to be scared of it, but you should be aware of the risk and protect it from unauthorized access.

[-] grue@lemmy.world 11 points 6 months ago

If I understand correctly, it's kinda like an add-on IPMI, in the sense that it doesn't rely on the target computer's OS to be running to work.

[-] doggle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

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

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[-] AtariDump@lemmy.world 8 points 6 months ago

ELI5

Remote KVM lets you access the machine as if you’re in front of it, including pre-boot / BIOS / BSoD’s / Etc (when software isn’t / can’t run) because the device (usually) connects to the computer’s USB/VGA port.

[-] WolfLink@sh.itjust.works 7 points 6 months ago

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.

[-] AlecSadler@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 months ago

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.

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[-] KingThrillgore@lemmy.ml 11 points 6 months ago

Well I know why it opened up today: H264 patents expired

[-] kshade@lemmy.world 8 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Their FAQ says that they haven't tested this with KVM switches but that it should work. PiKVM doesn't always work well with switches, hoping this will be better. Because off-the-shelf IPKVM switches all seem rubbish, overpriced or both.

[-] Mora@pawb.social 6 points 6 months ago

Backed this on Kickstarter. Seems honestly too good to be true, so I am antsy to get my hands on it.

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[-] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 5 points 6 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Wow, install Tailscale or Wireguard and you've got a killer remote support solution.

Weird people would downvote this. I usually don't care (still don't, lol) but someone downvoted the idea of installing a mesh VPN on this KVM, yet it's already been done.

[-] OminousOrange@lemmy.ca 8 points 6 months ago
[-] navi@lemmy.tespia.org 13 points 6 months ago

Unless what doesn't boot, the KVM? Isn't the point that this should work even if the host is not working?

As long as the host posts it should work. If it's a hardware issue then it won't help though.

[-] OminousOrange@lemmy.ca 5 points 6 months ago

No, the OS that would be running Tailscale or Wireguard. If the OS doesn't boot, those remote access options don't work, which is where a KVM comes in handy, rather than having to hook up a monitor and keyboard.

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[-] BakedCatboy@lemmy.ml 6 points 6 months ago

If the machine doesn't boot then you can use this to access the bios and boot a recovery environment of your choice remotely using pxeboot.

[-] Cris_Color@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago

Aw neat! Thanks for sharing 😊

[-] mac@lemm.ee 4 points 6 months ago

Would you need one of these per physical server, or can they connect to multiple ?

[-] Pissio@feddit.it 4 points 6 months ago

It’s for one , but you can use a normal kvm that supports switching with the keyboard

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[-] just_another_person@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

No mention of what their actual target hardware platform is, so must be custom. Wonder what solutions their newly opened code can run on. Doesn't look like ESP code.

[-] IllNess@infosec.pub 7 points 6 months ago

What is an "actual target hardware platform"?

I don't exactly know what you mean but here is the OS and CPU they use.

  • Operating System: Linux 5.10 with Buildroot
  • CPU: RockChip RV1106G3, Cortex A7 1.0GHz, H264 & H265 hardware encoder

Are you looking for the reference manual?

[-] just_another_person@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

If you're open sourcing something built to be deployed on an embedded device as pictured, there is a target platform (ARM, Arduino...etc) or reference board. They don't mention specifically what that is, so it's a custom board based on a RockChip. You wouldn't be able to just take this and flash it to a board that doesn't expect their customizations, is the point.

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[-] peregus@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Veeeery nice! I want one! (Well...maybe 2, or 3, or... 😁)

Edit: Do you know about other KVM maybe under those 69$ without screen? Personally I wouldn't need it.

[-] Kushan@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

There's the nanokvm, similar idea but cheaper. I have one and it's okay but a bit sore, I'm hoping the jet is faster

[-] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 3 points 6 months ago

You lost me at a touchscreen

[-] turmacar@lemmy.world 7 points 6 months ago

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".

[-] Cort@lemmy.world 8 points 6 months ago

It's a touchscreen for a smart watch that they reused to save money. Would have been more expensive to design a custom screen when something like this already exists

[-] turmacar@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago

Perfect use case

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this post was submitted on 31 Dec 2024
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