Re: [Blind-sysadmins] ip kvm switches

7 Mar 2009

      Yeah, but if you have physical access to a server, a USB headset can be a 
great help. We have only linux servers in our server room. They're all the 
rack mounted kind but they all have USB ports on the front. I modified the 
udev configuration to recognize my USB headset when I plug it in and start 
speech. So I can plug in a USB keyboard and my head set and I'm good to go. 
Very cool.

You're right about headsets getting damaged though. I stepped on mine and 
broke one ear piece off. I just clipped the wires and threw it away. The 
remaining ear piece still works though.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew Hodgson" 
To: "Blind sysadmins list" 
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] ip kvm switches
...
Hi,
The USB headsets are headsets with a USB connection, they appear to the 
machine as a USB sound device.
I have had a couple in the past, but in my bag they usually get damaged, 
so have taken to getting a USB device and then plugging a cheap pair of 
headphones into that.
Remember in the KVM the servers may not be near the keyboard physically, 
for example we have a KVM unit in one rack, and servers several feet away 
in another set of racks.  Not sure how easy it would be do get a USB 
device plugged in without a long wire.
If using VMWare also it may be difficult because there is no real console 
on the server - the console is accessed using the Vmware client, which 
again only transfers images of the screen to the machine.
Thanks.
Andrew.
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org 
[mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of 
Philip
Sent: 07 March 2009 18:00
To: Blind sysadmins list
Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] ip kvm switches
can you tell me more about the usb headset?  It sounds interesting.  It
might be something I can use if I need to access the servers directly at
some point.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ryan Shugart" 
To: "Blind sysadmins list" 
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 12:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] ip kvm switches
...
Hi Philip:
       I have to agree with Andrew here, Window-Eyes provides a much
better RDP experience than anything else I've seen, and it really might
not hurt to get familiar with it.  I've never had the need for a KVM of
any type.  All of the servers I manage are in another room, and I've not
had any problem using Window-Eyes's RDP features.  In fact a few times
I've had to remind myself that I'm working in a remote session.  Our
servers are so loud I wouldn't want them at my desk (grin.)  With my new
company, I'm managing some servers that are thousands of miles away, and
again, am not running into any problems.  I have a USB headset for those
few situations I need to use a console or a PC without sound and it works
well as well.
Ryan
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org
[mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of
Philip
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 7:21 AM
To: Blind sysadmins list
Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] ip kvm switches
HI. Thanks for the info.  unfortunately, I am not very proficient using
window eyes as of yet.
What I use currently is a 4 port usb plus audio kvm. We bought it from
dell,
but I think it might be a belkin under the hood.
It has 4 buttons on the front.  I have my work station plugged into one
port, and our 2 servers in 2 other ports.  I use the fourth port when I
need
to work on a computer that someone brings me to reformat or do other
maintenance on.
The switch has the ability of being controlled from the keyboard, but I
have
never gotten that to work.
I use a usb sound device on one server since it doesn't have any normal
pci
slots.  the other machine had one pci slot, so I installed a turtle beach
sound card.
I have my speakers plugged into the kvm switch.  it also supports
microphone, but I have no need of that feature.
hope this helps.
Phil
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Hodgson" 
To: "Blind sysadmins list" 
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 7:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] ip kvm switches
...
Hi,
The ones we have in the server room don't do anything with audio, as 
most
servers don't have soundcards anyway, not sure how easy it would be to
plum all the cables through.
Interested to hear a bit more about your KVM setup you have currently, 
it
sounds quite interesting.
WindowEyes is the king currently with RDP access imho.
Thanks.
Andrew.
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org
[mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of
Philip
Sent: 07 March 2009 02:19
To: blind system admins
Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] ip kvm switches
Has anyone had any experience using ip kvm switch that also passes 
audio?
I need to admin 2 servers from a different building.  I am not impressed
with using jaws and remote desktop.  System access works most of the
time,
but version 3 doesn't play nice with 3rd party screen readers.  I
sometimes need to use the jaws cursor for some tasks, and the virtual
mouse in system access is a joke.
At the moment, i have a four port usb/audio switch on my desk witht he
servers in the same room.  In April, the servers are moving to a
different
building.  The buildings are going to be connected using fiber.  If
necessary, I can have a cat 5 cable pulled too, if cat5 kvm would work.
From the little I was able to find, ip kvm switches seem to send back a
bit map for the video.
Any help will be appreciated.
Phil
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Re: [Blind-sysadmins] ip kvm switches

John G. Heim