I tested every IP KVM in my Homelab
Jeff Geerling reviews nearly every IP KVM device available, comparing prices, features, and security considerations across models.
IP KVMs enable remote keyboard, video, and mouse control over a network when standard remote desktop solutions are impractical, such as during benchmarking or when a computer is locked up or powered off. The article surveys devices ranging from sub-$50 models to $400+ units. PiKVM ($270-$400) offers open-source software and full features but commands premium pricing. Budget alternatives include GL-iNet Comet ($99), Sipeed NanoKVM ($69-$99), and LuckFox PicoKVM ($62), all based on cheaper ARM SoCs. Mid-range options like JetKVM ($103) and LeafKVM ($120) provide polished interfaces. TinyPilot Voyager 3 ($379) targets business users with role-based access control and management dashboards.
Geerling emphasizes security risks: IP KVMs grant remote BIOS access and can harbor vulnerabilities. One NanoKVM unit attracted FBI attention when used in industrial espionage. He recommends keeping firmware updated, vetting vendors, and isolating KVMs on separate networks.
What HN community is saying
Commenters largely affirm Geerling's assessments. Top-ranked feedback highlights that JetKVM and PiKVM deliver the most reliable experience despite higher costs. One user from Revise Robotics documented a USB protocol bug in GL-iNet KVMs that broke ThinkPad BIOS navigation, prompting their switch to PiKVM for consistent USB compliance. Multiple users report running isolated out-of-band management VLANs for security. Concerns emerge around video latency (100-200ms typical, insufficient for gaming) and the market fragmentation caused by clones forking JetKVM and PiKVM software without supporting upstream. A user notes JetKVM hardware revisions lack clear version labeling on retail listings, creating confusion between PoE and non-PoE models.