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PiKVM PCIe, PiKVM-A8
PiKVM-A8 Parts
PiKVM-A8 connection digram
X630-A8
X630-A8 Dimension
PiKVM-A8
Difference between X680-A8 cable & X630-A5 cable


Contents

Update History

X630-A8 (The core expansion shield of this kit) was upated from V1.7 to V1.8 in October 2023.

  1. Support WatchDog
  2. RTC function can be used directly, no need to configure.

 

Overview

PiKVM-A8 is a member of the PiKVM [1]family. It only supports Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. It is directly inserted into the computer case as a PCI card. That is, you can put a computer into your computer. It does not require additional cables and is more convenient to use.

The PiKVM-A8 is composed of X630-A8 and X630:

 

  • X630 HDMI to CSI-2 Board (for video capture)
  • X630-A8 HAT Board (for POE, RTC, ATX Control power in etc)

Note: There is no I2S Audio In connector on the X630-A8 for the first production batch, the I2S Audio In connector   was added since March 2023!!!



Geekworm KVM family products:

Model Compatible With Form Factor Max Input Resolution ATX Control RTC Chipset OLED display PoE RS232 Console Ethernet M.2 NVMe Socket Control of PCs USB HUB I2S audio
KVM-A3 V1.6 Raspberry Pi 4 HAT 1920x1080 @50Hz Yes DS1307 0.96" No No 1GbE No 1 No Yes
In-phase I2S wire
KVM-A8 V1.8 Raspberry Pi 4 PCI 1920x1080 @50Hz Yes PCF8563 0.96"
(Equipped with a 2P
wire to connect the OLED)
802.3af No 1GbE No 1 No Yes
Inverted-phase I2S wire
KVM-A4 V2.0 Raspberry Pi 2W HAT 1920x1080 @50Hz Yes DS1307 0.96" No No No No 1 No No
X680 V1.5 Raspberry Pi CM4 Box 1920x1080 @60Hz Yes PCF8563 0.96" No No 1GbE 2280 4 Yes No
X680 V1.3
Updated to V1.5 now
Raspberry Pi CM4 Box 1920x1080 @50Hz Yes DS1307 0.96" No No 1GbE 2280 4 Yes No
X650 V1.3 Raspberry Pi CM4 PCI 1920x1080 @50Hz Yes DS1307 No No No 1GbE No 1 No
X652 V1.0 Raspberry Pi CM4 PCI 1920x1080 @60Hz Yes DS1307 No 802.3af
(POE injector
is required due to
compatibility issues)
No 1GbE 2280 1 No No


How to Power

  • POE power (Recommend, but it's expensive because you need a poe switch, the poe switch must support 802.3af.)
  • Power Input: 5.1Vdc +/-5% , ≥3A (Power Via USB Type-C port of X630-A8)

 

How to Cool

X630-A8 (PiKVM-A8 PCIe version) equipped with a active cooling fan(3007 5V PH2.0) that cool your raspberry pi;

Packing List

  • 1 x X630 HDMI to CSI-2 Module
  • 1 x FPC cable (Length: 5cm)
  • 4 x M2.5x6mm Screws
  • 1 x X630-A8 V1.7 Expansion Board
  • 1 x FPC cable (Length: 5cm)
  • 1 x ATX Control Cable (Length: 52cm)
  • 1 x Motherboard Internal USB 2.0 9-pin Female Header to TYPE-C USB OTG Cable (Length: 50cm)
  • 1 x USB3.0 IDC to TYPE-C (Length: 45cm)
  • 1 x Standard height PCIe Add-in Card I/O Bracket
  • 4 x M2.5x12mm F/F Spacers
  • 8 x M2.5x6mm Screws
  • 1x X630-A8-CAB V1.1 Camera Adapter board
  • 2 x PM3x6mm Screws
  • 1 X HDMI cable (60cm length)

 

Hardware Parameters

 

Installation Video

PiKVM-A8 Installation Video: https://youtu.be/BV8UkSgqWLo

Connection Diagram

Overall connection diagram:

 

Wiring of computer front panel IO socket

(Use ASUS motherboard for example, different computers maybe different)

 

How to connect OLED

 

User Manual

First you need to make sure your hardware connections are correct, please refer to the above video and diagram below.

Important Note: If you receive and are using the black 10pin I2S audio cable, the I2S cable maybe in the wrong wire connection. Refer to below photo. Please do not use the wrong I2S cable for KVM-A8, you need to change the I2S cable to right direction to use or attach order number to contact us via email(support@geekworm.com).

 

OS Download & Installation

1. Firstly, need prepair a micro sd card, a minimum 16 Gb class 10 memory card is recommended.

2. Download an appropriate OS image for the PiKVM, the url link is: https://pikvm.org/download/

We recommend that you use the 'V3 Pre-Assembled' version, and this image includes OLED display configuration.
For Raspberry Pi 4, please use PiKVM V3 platform. Only compatible with PiKVM V3 OS, NOT support V4
 

3. Flash it to a microSD memory card by following the simple instructions or Official installation tutorial

4. Power the device, then open explore to login the pikvm web ui.

Enable RTC

Only need to configure the RTC function for the X630-A8 V1.7 version, X630-A8 V1.8 don't need.

Due to different RTC chips with official PiKVM hardware, you still need to configure RTC to make RTC work normally.

Firstly, insert the C1220 button battery. run the following command in web terminal window:

1. switch to 'root' user

su root

then type the password, and the default password is 'root' also.

2. Switch OS to writable mode

rw

3. Edit the /boot/config.txt file, and change line dtoverlay=i2c-rtc,pcf8563 to dtoverlay=i2c-rtc,ds1307 (due to use the different RTC chip).

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Then save & reboot the device;

4.Test & setting RTC, write&read the time of Raspberry Pi to RTC DS1307

date
sudo hwclock -w
sudo hwclock -r

5. Swith OS to readonly mode

ro

Enable OLED display

Run the following command in web terminal window to enable OLED display:

rw
systemctl enable --now kvmd-oled 
ro

If you are using PiKVM OS V3 Pre-Assembled, the OLED configuration is already pre-installed, you can ignore this step.

Enable hdmi audio

Refer to Enable pikvm hdmi audio

References

  1. PiKVM © belongs to https://pikvm.org

FAQ

Q: Why KVM-A3/KVM-A4/KVM-A8 does not show the video only display No Signals?

A:

  1. Please check the hardware connection. Double-check that the video capture device is connected correctly and tightly.
  2. Make sure you use the original HDMI port. If your desktop only has a VGA display port, there may be no video signal when you use VGA to HDMI adapter, and there is no way to solve this; However, you can try to lower the resolution and restart the PC to test, but the probability of success is very low.
  3. Change the HDMI cable to test.
  4. Test the X630 separately to check if there is HDMI output.
  5. Some laptops do not output any signal until you switch the output (usually via the FN + and an F5 key on the keyboard).
  6. Your computer maybe enter sleep mode, please exit sleep mode.

Q: Which pins are available on the KVM-A3?

A: You only can use GPIO16, 26, 11, 17, 25, 9, 10 pins on KVM-A3

Q: I want to control several pc power. Is it possible with one KVM-A3 and several X630-A5?

A. No, one kit can only control one pc, you can refer to X680 to control up to 4 PCs.

Q: How to do if KVM-A8 hangs up or reboot or has to be started manually?

A. The KVM-A8 hardware itself does not cause the system to reboot, and [[KVM-A8 shield is controled by raspberry pi 4;

Please ensure these keys:

1. The PiKVM OS version is correct;

2. Check & use a high-quality power supply;

3. Whether the raspberry pi 4 temperature is too high;

4. Contact us via email to support@geekworm.com

 

If you find that the color wiring is wrong, please contact us at support@geekworm.com

Q. I want to control several pc power. Is it possible with one KVM-A8

A: No, one PiKVM-A8 can only control one pc. Please refer to X680 4-port IP KVM Switch.

Q. How to login pikvm os?

A: Input the XX.XX.XX.XX ip address on the explorer, then input user: admin, the default password is 'admin' also.

Or refer to GETTING TO KNOW THE INTERFACE

Q: How to connect to wifi?

A: Refer to | Optional setting up Wi-Fi

If you want to connect KVM to a Wi-Fi network, you need to tell the device ESSID and password before first boot. To do this, mount the first partition of the memory card (FAT32) and edit or make the pikvm.txt file there. Do not remove line FIRSTBOOT=1 or FIRST_BOOT-1 for first time booting, just add your wifi settings like this:

FIRSTBOOT=1
WIFI_ESSID='mynet'
WIFI_PASSWD='your password'

There is a possibility that, in countries that support CH13, the device will not connect. You will need to configure your router to disable channels 12-14 or disable Auto scan mode so it will connect.

Save, unmount and follow the next step.

Q. How to switch root user?

A:

su root
#default password  is root also

Q: Will there will be a case for KVM-A4?

A: No, there is no plan to make a case for KVM-A4, the KVM-A4 kit can only use WiFi NOT ethernet, the match metal case will block the WiFi singal.

Q. Does KVM-A8 support passive heatsink such as (P165-A or P165-B etc) instead of fan?

A: You can use the P165 aluminium heatsink or the H402 pure copper heatsink, but must remove the X630-A8 fan and fan connector.

①If use P165-A(thickness 7mm), you can use M2.5*5mm spacer instead of M2.5*12mm spacer to fix it;

②if use P165-B(thickness 11mm), you can directly use M2.5*6mm screws to fix it;

③if use H402(thickness 4mm), you can use M2.5*8mm spacer instead of M2.5*12mm spacer.

You can also use other suitable spacers + screws to fix the heatsink.

 


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Anonymous user #12

one month ago
Score 0  
Hello, can I powered this using original raspberry PI 4 power supply?
 

Lisa

one month ago
Score 0  
Hi,yes,you can use it;please refer to KVM-A8#How to Power
 

Anonymous user #11

3 months ago
Score 0  
Is there a good reason that the pi cannot be powered by its OTG port? Because the 9-pin USB 2.0 header on my motherboard is powered by the 3A 5Vsb rail on my power supply, and since that's what I would plug the OTG port into anyway it seems like a better solution than powering it externally.
 

Harry

3 months ago
Score 0  
Sorry, Don't understand your meaning
 

Anonymous user #10

5 months ago
Score 0  
Are there any heatsinks that will work in place of the fan with enough clearance for passive cooling?
 

Lisa

5 months ago
Score 0  
Hi,You can use the P165 aluminium heatsink or the H402 pure copper heatsink, but must remove the X630-A8 fan and fan connector.please refer to PiKVM-A8#FAQ-Q6
 

Anonymous user #8

9 months ago
Score 0  
Hello together is the fan directly connected to 5V or is there a way to enable or disable the fan. The original fan started making noises, since it is only needed when accessing the KVM it would make sense to make it switchable.
 

Anonymous user #9

7 months ago
Score 0  
I would also like to be able to control the fan. It is currently louder than the PC being controlled.
 

Anonymous user #7

13 months ago
Score 0  

INFO --- => [ERR] [src/audio.c:_pcm_thread:190] == ustreamer/audio -- Fatal: Can't capture PCM f>

Oct 09 04:46:51 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Pipeline closed

Oct 09 04:46:52 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Detected host audio

Oct 09 04:46:52 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Pipeline configured on 48000Hz; capturing ...

Oct 09 04:47:03 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => [ERR] [src/audio.c:_pcm_thread:190] == ustreamer/audio -- Fatal: Can't capture PCM f>

Oct 09 04:47:03 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Pipeline closed

Oct 09 04:47:04 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Detected host audio

Oct 09 04:47:04 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Pipeline configured on 48000Hz; capturing ...
 

Walker

13 months ago
Score 0  
you can contact us via our email: support@geekworm.com we will do our best to solve your problem
 

Anonymous user #7

13 months ago
Score 0  

Is audio over hdmi supported on this model? It is supported by pikvm, and everything looks right but sound doesn't come through. I checked the Janus journal file and noted a repeating pattern of the following:

INFO --- => [ERR] [src/audio.c:_pcm_thread:190] == ustreamer/audio -- Fatal: Can't capture PCM f> Oct 09 04:46:51 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Pipeline closed Oct 09 04:46:52 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Detected host audio Oct 09 04:46:52 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Pipeline configured on 48000Hz; capturing ... Oct 09 04:47:03 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => [ERR] [src/audio.c:_pcm_thread:190] == ustreamer/audio -- Fatal: Can't capture PCM f> Oct 09 04:47:03 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Pipeline closed Oct 09 04:47:04 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Detected host audio

Oct 09 04:47:04 pikvm kvmd-janus[522]: kvmd.apps.janus.runner INFO --- => == ustreamer/audio -- Pipeline configured on 48000Hz; capturing ...
 

Walker

13 months ago
Score 0  
Hello, PKVM-A8 supports audio in hardware, but we have not tested it in software. Although there is an audio interface on x630-A8, the current product list does not come with a matching audio cable.
 

Anonymous user #6

13 months ago
Score 0  
Is there a way to use the NVME X876 module with the KVM-A8 kit?
 

Walker

13 months ago
Score 0  
Hello, we have not tested PIKVM-A8 and X876 used together. You can refer to X652, This product may meet your needs.
 

Anonymous user #5

13 months ago
Score 0  
Anyone know if this device will work with an orange pi 4 compute module? It is far more cost effective.
 

Walker

13 months ago
Score 0  
Hello, KVM-A8 only supports Raspberry Pi 4B and does not support orange pi 4 compute module.
 

Anonymous user #4

14 months ago
Score 0  
Why is the A8 so much more than the A3? It has less parts and no case!
 

Walker

14 months ago
Score 0  
KVM-8 is designed for user convenience, it is directly inserted into the computer case as a PCI card. So, you can put a computer into your computer. It does not require additional cables and is more convenient to users
 

Anonymous user #4

14 months ago
Score 0  
Yes, I can see that - the A8 is the one I'd prefer. But it has less cables, no case, one less PCB, so it's cheaper for you to make... but it's 20% more expensive to buy! It's made me not want to buy it
 

Walker

14 months ago
Score 0  
Hello, KVM-A8 may be different from KVM-A3 in terms of chip and composition. So the cost of KVM-A8 is higher
 

Anonymous user #2

15 months ago
Score 0  

Hello, What is the polarity of the "TO PANEL" connector? Is the pin on the side closest to the board positive or negative?

Sorry if I missed the description. Thanks in advance.
 

Harry

15 months ago
Score 0  

What is the polarity of the "TO PANEL" connector?

Answer: The end of the cable from the PANEL will have an identifier


Is the pin on the side closest to the board positive or negative?

Answer: This depends on your computer motherboard, please refer to your motherboard manual, you can find your motherboard manual on the Internet
 

Anonymous user #2

15 months ago
Score 0  

Harry, thanks for your reply.

I was writing vaguely. I was understanding the polarity of the LEDs on the case. I couldn't figure out which pin of the "TO PANEL" connector on the X630-A8 board should have positive polarity. But it resolved. I looked at the packing list. The polarity was written on the silk on the side that was hidden after assembly.

Thank you.
 

Harry

15 months ago
Score 0  
You are welcome ^_^
 

Anonymous user #3

15 months ago
Score 0  
This was kind of driving me nuts, too. The diagram doesn't really show the polarity. To add what Anonymous user #2 said for anyone who comes here looking for the same thing we were. The top row is positive, and the bottom row is negative.
 

Anonymous user #1

15 months ago
Score 0  

Hello,

In your example with the Asus motherboard the connections with the power switch and the reset switch are reversed. Why?
 

Walker

15 months ago
Score 0  
Hello, we don't know what kind of interface inside the Asus motherboard, this may be related to the type of computer

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