PiKVM
Contents
Overview
PiKVM (https://pikvm.org/) is a very powerful and Open Source Software which allows for a remote connection via your Raspberry Pi to turn on/off or restart your computer, configure the UEFI/BIOS, and even reinstall the OS using the Virtual CD-ROM or Flash Drive. You can use your remote keyboard and mouse or PiKVM can simulate a keyboard, mouse, and a monitor, which are then presented in a web browser as if you were working on a remote system directly. It's true hardware-level access with no dependency on any remote ports, protocols or services!
The KVM refers to Keyboard Video Mouse. PiKVM is divided into Raspberry Pi 4 version (PiKVM-A3) and Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W / Zero W version (PiKVM-A4).
PiKVM-A3 is also compatible with Raspberry Pi 3 B+ / 3B, but since Pi3 without OTG interface, when PiKVM-A3 is used with Pi3, OTG analog keyboard and mouse cannot be used.
Note:
Please use the supplied USB Type-C to USB 2.0 A-Male Cable only. USB-C to USB-A cable only with DATA lines (for keyboard and mouse emulation), Using other cable might cause instability or damage to either the host PC or the Pi.
We need to ensure you isolate the 5v connection between the Raspberry Pi and host PC to prevent backpower issues that can cause instability or damage to either the host PC or the Pi.
The PiKVM-A3 is composed of follow parts:
- X630 HDMI to CSI-2 Board (for video capture)
- X630-A3 HAT Board (for ethernet, cooling, RTC, ATX Control power in etc)
- X630-A5 Adapter Board (it is installed inside the PC case, and it connect the computer motherboard and IO panel cabe of PC case))
- 0.96 inch OLED (for display, Resolution: 128×64 pixel)
- Ethernet Cable (TIA/EIA-568.B connection, and it's ATX control signal cable)
The PiKVM-A4 is composed of follow parts:
- X630 HDMI to CSI-2 Board (for video capture)
- X630-A4 HAT Board (for ethernet, cooling, RTC, ATX Control power in etc)
- X630-A5 Adapter Board (it is installed inside the PC case, and it connect the computer motherboard and IO panel cabe of PC case))
- 0.96 inch OLED (for display, Resolution: 128×64 pixel)
- Ethernet Cable (TIA/EIA-568.B connection, and it's ATX control signal cable)
Features
- Designed especially for PiKVM ( Raspberry Pi based KVM over IP)
- Fully compatiblie with PiKVM OS
- Control a server and computer using a web browser
- HDMI Full HD capture based on the TC358743 chip
- OTG Keyboard & mouse; Mass Storage Drive emulation
- Hardware Real Time Clock (RTC) with CR1220 coin battery socket
- Equipped with solidstate relays to protect RPi GPIO pins from computer and ESD spikes
- ATX control via RJ45 connector Switch the machine on or off, reset it, and monitor the status of HDD LED & power LED remotely
- Reserves the 10pin SH1.0 connector for future I2S HDMI audio support
- Reserves the 4pin header & spacers for I2C OLED display
How to Power
- Power Input: 5.1Vdc +/-5% , ≥3A (Power Via USB Type-C port of X630-A3 / X630-A4)
Note: For PiKVM-A3, DON'T power via raspberry pi's TYPE-C port, because it is occupied as USB OTG.
How to Cool
- For use with raspberry pi 4, X630-A3 (PiKVM-A3) equipped with cooling fan that cool your raspberry pi;
- For use with raspberry pi zero 2 w, X630-A4 (PiKVM-A4) allow to use C296 aluminum heatsink with your raspberry pi zero 2 w, but user need to prepare 4pcs M2.5*7 screws yourself.
Packing List
PiKVM-A3
- 1 x 0.96 inch OLED: Resolution: 128×64 pixel, with 2 piece of M2*6 screws
- 1 x Ethernet Cable (Cable length: 100cm)
- 1 x X630 HDMI to CSI-2 Module
- 1 x FFC Cable(5cm length)
- 1 x X630-A3 V1.2 Expansion Board
- 1 x USB-A to USB-C OTG Cable (Cable Length: 100cm / 39.37 inch)
- 4 x F/F M2.5*20 Spacers
- 7 x M2.5*5 Screws
- 1 x M2.5*10 Screws
- 1 x X630-A5 V1.0 Adapter Board
- 1 x M3.5*6 Screw
- 4 x 2pin Female to Female Dupont Cables (Cable Length: 47cm / 18.50 inch)
PiKVM-A4
- 1 x 0.96 inch OLED: Resolution: 128×64 pixel, with 2 piece of M2*6 screws
- 1 x Ethernet Cable (Cable length: 100cm)
- 1 x X630 HDMI to CSI-2 Module
- 1 x FPC Cable(8cm length)
- 1 x X630-A4 Expansion Board
- 1 x USB-A to USB-C OTG Cable (Cable Length: 100cm / 39.37 inch)
- 8 x M2.5*3 Screw
- 3 x M2.5X4*4 Spacer
- 1 x M2.5X10+4 Spacer
- 1 x M2.5X15+4 Spacer
- 2 x M2.5x15 Spacer
- 1 x X630-A5 V1.0 Adapter Board
- 1 x M3.5*6 Screw
- 4 x 2pin Female to Female Dupont Cables (Cable Length: 47cm / 18.50 inch)
Matching Case
KVM-A3: Case for Raspberry Pi 4 and PiKVM-A3, not support raspberry pi 3 B+ / 3B.
Hardware Parameters
Connection Diagram
Note:
- The X630-A5 adapter board will be install into the PC Case.
- The wire group ① connect to X630-A5 comes from the PANEL of PC Case.
- The black and red wires(wire group ②) come from X630-A5 accessories.
Wiring of computer front panel IO socket
(Use ASUS motherboard for example, different computers maybe different)
User Manual
Firstly, we recommend carefully reading official documentation from website: https://docs.pikvm.org/faq/.
If you run into any issues you can check the following Q&A. If that still doesn't help you you're welcome to raise an issue ticket at https://geekworm.com/community/forum/topic/78220/pikvm-faq or email to us (support@geekworm.com)
FAQ
Q: How to enable OLED?
A: Run the following command to enable OLED display:
rw systemctl enable --now kvmd-oled ro
Q: How to enable RTC?
A: Firstly, insert the C1220 button battery. run the following command:
rw sudo nano /boot/config.txt #Then change the line: dtoverlay=i2c-rtc,pcf8563 to dtoverlay=i2c-rtc,ds1307 #Test RTC #Display the current time of the Raspberry Pi date #Write the time of Raspberry Pi to DS1307 sudo hwclock -w #Read the time of DS1307 sudo hwclock -r ro
Q: How to switch root user?
A:
su root #default password is root also
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