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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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.
@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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Excellent, thanks for the link!
Unless it doesn’t boot.
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.
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.
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.
Which is why adding Tailscale to this KVM is a killer solution
Well I know why it opened up today: H264 patents expired
It is not just public but Foss as well. It is under the GPLv2 which is even a copyleft license.
Backed this on Kickstarter. Seems honestly too good to be true, so I am antsy to get my hands on it.
Me and a coworker got a couple. Going to try to use these on a couple of Dell machines without idracs at work.
Did you receive it? How is it?
It’s quite cool and works like a charm.
My only beef (and it’s a small thing) with the thing is the virtual media. It has the ability to create a virtual CD from an ISO on its local storage. It works great but because the network interface is only 100mbit it does take FOREVER to load something like a 4gb Debian iso into its local storage. So it’s better to do a smaller boot iso and do a network install if you want to use it that way. I’m using NetBoot.xyz. But like I said other than that it’s great. The build quality is astounding. It’s a lot heavier than you think it’s gonna be, which is a very good thing.
We have some machines at work that either aren’t enterprise level machines ( eg. we have a rack mounted Mac Studio) or weren’t ordered with iDRACs (Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller). That’s Dell’s version of basically what this thing does. When they start selling this in bulk, like not a kickstarter, we’re going to buy like 5 or so and 3D print a rack mount from Jeff Geerling. Maybe even put a RPi in there to act like a serial terminal server for some of our lab equipment.
These guys seriously delivered on this piece of tech and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I backed it as well. Got my shipping notice a week ago and am looking forward to playing with it.
Did you receive it? How is 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.
Poor souls
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.
you could at least
Note: here “it would be nice if” is more polite, since the least one could have done is always
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
wow, really neat design for this price range
Yeah, a bit suspicious.
What do you mean by “suspicious”? What are your worries?
Price to performance and (software) support.
According to the Kickstarter schedule, they’re shipping units right now.
The last time this was posted I brought up pricing and schedule as being suspicious.
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.
Well, I’m happy to be wrong in this case.
Have you had time to play around with it? How is it?
Price, too good, to be true.
Similar device the PiKVM, starting at 139.09 USD e.g. PiKVM v3.3 HAT.
Plus cost of Raspberry PI 4.Could be that they are taking a loss on the initial units in order to get going. Once the campaign backers are taken care the product is commercialized and then the price goes up. I’ve seen more than one Kickstart campaign used to launch a company in just this way. (Tempest PWS is another example).
Anyway they aren’t vaporware. I backed the campaign and received my units today.
I’ve got two JetKVM units on the way.
TinyPilot and PiKVM are just way too expensive in Australia. Buying two would cost me about $1000 AUD, but two JetKVMs are only $260 AUD.
Around same price as nonokvm. Don’t know if I should replace mine with these.
How is your experience with NanoKVM?
