Mutated PC

[LeftEyeNine]

Is it any possible ?

We have a terminal computer of which connection can not be multiplied due to technical and legal reasons in our office. However two colleagues have the need to be able to use that terminal. Therefore I am curious whether it would be possible for a single PC ("case", tbp) to be connected two monitors, two keyboards and two mice.

I, myself, am using one USB and one PS/2 mouse connected at home, which I can prefer using any of them. So we can "check" the "two mice" requirement already however I wonder if two keyboards and two monitors (which we already know to be working) would be usable on one PC.

A further question: Do the two monitors have to act as different desktops or can they be used to duplicate the image ? We'd need that certain program to be viewed and controlled by two colleagues, so duplication of the desktop into two monitors is a must before anything else.

What about the monitor connection ? Are there any adapters which can duplicate the VGA/DVI port or do we have to renew the video card as well ?

Footnote: I already know that two commands on the single instance of the program can not be executed -they will not use the program simultaneously (which is impossible anyway). I just want such arrangement in order to prevent the colleagues from having to leave their desks for the terminal computer.

Thanks in advance.

[Beskar]

You have the server, and you have the client systems which connect to the server and use it.

[Tellos Athenaios]

E.g. a remote terminal over SSH.

It's how I tell my desktop to run a software update from my laptop: being too lazy to pick up the mouse & keyboard.

[LeftEyeNine]

Sorray ?

[Tellos Athenaios]

What exactly is the type of work you are doing on the terminal anyway?

Also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiseat_configuration

But really, SSH seems like the easy solution to me.

[LeftEyeNine]

There is a certain network that connects all airports open to international traffic as well as Flight Information Centers and central authorities (such as ours). We receive (and send) any kind of flight-related messages, may it be a distress message or, as most are, flight clearance request messages via that network. Since we can not multiply connections we have as a certain number assigned , whereas we have more people (although def'ly insufficient) than such number, I want to "mutate" one or two of the PCs like that.

So, any idea now ?

[pevergreen]

Do they need to use it at the same time?

I don't have a lot of fancy remote experience, but a simple KVM switch (if it had the ports [2VGA, 4USB])

I spent a few minutes trying to work it out in my head, and it would require two KVM's? one at each of the guys computers?

[LeftEyeNine]

Isn't KVM switch for using multiple PCs with a single set of input devices ? Or doesn't Wikipedia say so ?

They need to be able to reach the terminal without having to leave their desks, that's the point. They don't have to be able to use it at the same time. One can do his job from his end, finish, and the other one can take control from his desk. Colleagues are located close to each other so communication is not a problem.

[Beskar]

Basically like using Windows Remote Support to connect to the computer via the network?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_desktop_software

There are programmes all over the place for doing that. Unfortunately, I can't give you names.

[pevergreen]

That would work, but if thats not allowed.

My KVM idea wouldn't be the best, but it would work.

Person X and Y, with their computers, X and Y, and the third computer Z.

At computer X and Y there is a two way KVM (so two KVMs) which has their own terminal and leads going into computer Z. Would require two moniter out on Z as well as 4 USB ports (2 keyboard and 2 mice)

Would basically mean that person X and Y just hit the switch on the KVM at their terminal when they needed to control computer Z or their own. Roundabout but software free way of doing it.