home > Internet > Synergy - control multiple PCs from one keyboard. Instead of KVM: an overview of three software solutions Manage two computers with one mouse

Synergy - control multiple PCs from one keyboard. Instead of KVM: an overview of three software solutions Manage two computers with one mouse

My next offtopic will be about computers again. This time I'll tell you how I screwed one set of mice and keyboards to two computers, plus combined sound. But I won't go into the details of why I did it ...

Until today, I actually already use one keyboard and mouse for two computers. To do this, I used the Synergy software solution, but this method had a place to let me down at the most crucial moments. For example, sometimes, at the time of network rendering, it was impossible to do anything at all with both computers.

In the end, I decided on a hardware method using a KVM switcher. And I also decided to combine the sound of two computers, but first things first...

To implement my plan, I needed the cheapest KVM switcher with two USB ports.

The presence of an audio channel in it does not mean anything, since I was not even going to use it!

To implement the idea with sound, two audio laces were purchased

and the cheapest USB sound card(if it can be called a map at all, of course).

After experimenting with the connections, I found that the switcher I bought works fine with the USB triple, so I also connected the extended Razer Nostromo keyboard here, which is very convenient to use in Final Cut.

After making sure that everything was working correctly, I fixed the resulting garland of wires under the table.

Switching between computers can now be done either through a given key combination or using a small button.

Now it's sound time...

Everything turned out to be not simple, but very simple. My poppy determined the connected sound without any drivers.

It only remained to connect the line output of this whistle to the line input of the second computer, and the line output of the latter to the line input of the whistle. I also needed to set up mixing so that all channels work at the same time.

And lo and behold, here it is happiness and expanse! One click of the button and I'm already driving Windows, one more click and I'm back on the poppy.

And yet, you probably noticed that I have a new animal - the mouse CYBORG R.A.T. 7

I'll tell you about it as a bonus.

After this mouse, my favorite Apple mouse became flawed and retired.

The box that comes with this beast contains all sorts of elements for transforming this modest device.

For example, instead of the standard side trim,

you can put one on which you can fold your unused fingers.

The length of the mouse can be adjusted to fit a small hand

and under the big one.

In general, everything is spinning, moving and transforming. Among other things, the weight of this mouse can be adjusted to suit yourself, there are special weights for this.

Well, seven programmable buttons are just a blessing, especially considering that the mouse has several switchable profiles and macro support ..

True, I will not tell anyone that after I connected it, it did not work for me at first. As it turned out later, it was necessary to rip off the red sticker.

That's all for today, now to sleep, but in four hours you will have to wake up for work ...

Imagine a situation where you have a laptop and a regular desktop. Here they stand side by side, turned on and you need to work on two at once. Every time you need to do something on a laptop, do you have to move your hands to its keyboard and touchpad? no way!

Synergy- a program that makes it possible to control two or more computers using one mouse and one keyboard.

How?

All computers that we will manage must be divided into two groups: clients and server. The server is the computer whose mouse and keyboard we will be using.

You can use to set up configuration file or add-on with GUI. But first you need to install the program itself (deb).

And yes, Synergy will work for a Win, Lin, and Mac computer.

1. Config

Create a synergy.conf file (no matter where, you can specify the location of the file at startup) with the contents (example for two computers, computer2 is located to the left of computer1)

Section: screens Comp1Name: Comp2Name: end section: links Comp1Name: left = Comp2Name Comp2Name: right = Comp1Name end
In the first section, all computers are configured: a colon at the end of lines is required, options can be specified after it. The second section is setting up the position of computers by specifying a neighbor.

It should be noted that computer_name is the name of the computer, not its IP address (your-desktop instead of 192.168.0.103).

Run the following command on the server computer:
synergys -f --config synergy.conf
The server started working (or gave an error message if something was done wrong).
On client computers, run:
synergyc -f IP_address
Here you must already specify the IP address of the server. An example of a config file and launch commands for two computers can be viewed here.

2. Add-on

Now that you understand how it all works, you can move on to a more “human” setting.

Download and install QSynergy, a graphical configuration utility (deb). We open, we see the main window:

On the server, put the second checkmark (“Use this computer to control others…”). On the clients, set the first checkbox and write the server IP address in the “Name of the server” field (if you don’t know, you can click Help → About in the main window and find out).

Now about configuring the server: you can use an existing config file for configuration (see point 1) or configure everything from scratch. Select the second, click "Configure Server ...".

On the first tab, the location and names of computers are configured. You can add a computer by dragging the icon from the upper right corner to the desired grid cell. To rename, double-click on the icon of the desired computer.

There you can also configure "dead corners" - corners from which it will be impossible to switch to another screen (do not forget to specify the size of the corner). This can be used when you accidentally navigate to another screen because you are trying to close a window.

On the second tab, you can configure keyboard shortcuts. On the third - additional server settings.

Click "OK". Then "Start" on the server computer and "Start" on the client computers.

The question of how to connect two monitors to one computer today is no longer difficult. To do this, there are a lot of software and hardware tools and, as a rule, a regular video card on a modern PC supports this mode of operation. Everything about it can be found.

We will consider another case - when you need to connect one mouse and one keyboard to two computers.

As a rule, such a need arises when working with a laptop and a home computer or two laptops. The difficulty lies in the fact that there is a cascade of mice at hand and you have to shift your hands from one keyboard to another.

You can solve this problem using the utility.

Synergy - a compact utility (~900Kb) is distributed under the GNU license, i.e. completely free. In addition, the utility is cross-platform - it works under Windows, Linux, MacOS and Unix. In most cases, the utility does not require anything other than a connection between computers, for example, via local network.

The utility works in two modes: server and client. The server is the computer to which the mouse and keyboard are directly connected. Any other machines can act as a client. Switching between screens is done by simply moving the mouse from the edge of the screen of one computer to the screen of another. At the same time, the operation of the mouse and keyboard on client computers is not blocked. When working, the clipboard is merged. By copying text in the editor on one screen, you can paste the text in the editor on the screen of another. In addition, the program allows you to synchronize screensavers so that screensavers run simultaneously on both computers.

The disadvantages include the impossibility of configuring after starting the utility. To make changes, you must close the program and start it again. When you start the application, the system freezes for a few seconds. If the cursor is on the screen of the client computer, then it is impossible to change the keyboard layout, for this you need to return the cursor to the screen of the server machine. Also, some problems were noticed when working in different OS, related to interface differences, function keys and etc.

Download latest version can

How-to: Setting up Synergy

For example, let's take the standard case of combining a desktop computer with a laptop. The server will be a desktop computer, to the right of it is a laptop that will be a client.


Name: notebook IP address: 192.168.0.2	Name: desktop I P address: 192.168.0.1

Server side setup

First, install the program on the server computer, run it and select the “server” mode of operation.

To configure, select "Configure". In the first section “Screens”, you need to add all the screens that will be used, in this case 2. It is desirable that the screen name matches the name of the computer.

Next, you need to define screen-to-screen transitions in the “Links” section. The transition rule looks like the computer name side goes to computer name. In this case desktop is on the right and notebook left. Therefore, it is necessary to set 2 sequences of transitions: from desktop to notebook and vice versa.

0 to 100% of the left of desktop goes to 0 to 100% of notebook
0 to 100% of the right of notebook goes to 0 to 100% of desktop

Using screen side percentages, you can optionally customize transitions if screen sizes or resolutions do not match.

If necessary, you can set automatic download applications in the "AutoStart" section.

Start the server by clicking on the “Start” button.

Client side setup

Setting up the client is outrageously simple. After installing the program, you must select the client operation mode and specify the IP address (192.168.0.1) or server name (desktop) and launch it with the “Start” button.

When the server connects successfully with the client, the tray icon looks like

Original blog post

Logitech Flow technology appeared a year and a half ago. The manufacturer came up with universal remedy interactions of several computers with the same manipulators. the site got acquainted with the performance of the macOS, Windows bundle, the MX Master 2S mouse and the K780 keyboard.

Logitech Flow

The Logitech Flow feature is a suite of multi-computer connectivity features. The most frequent action is the use of a single mouse, which can be moved between different computers as if they were multiple monitors in the same workspace.

To further eliminate isolation, the developers have added cross-platform copy and paste of text and files. The set of these features is sufficient to comfortably use two operating systems. The only thing missing is impossible things, like moving program windows between systems.

The mouse acts as the master device, but the keyboard also switches with it. Accessories must first be connected manually to all computers.

The link will only work for PCs used on the same local network. Connect to the same WiFi networks won't be a problem since the computers are nearby.

Switching between different computers

The cursor is transferred between several computers (two or three), and without reference to the OS. But for Flow to work, you need to install Logitech Options proprietary software, so there is an actual limitation on macOS and Windows.

To move, you need to move the cursor to one of the edges of the screen. To which one, it is configured in the software:

Switching is immediately available only in cases when you touch the face with Ctrl pressed. The latter excludes random movements, but violates the perception of space as a single one.

Switching from Windows 10 to macOS occurs with a barely noticeable delay. Almost the same as moving the cursor from a connected additional monitor on a laptop. Only it can be two different laptops.

The reverse process was not so "seamless": you have to wait a second and a half until the pointer moves from macOS to Windows. Initially, it may seem that the function works only in one direction, but if you do not pull the mouse, but leave it motionless at the edge, everything will work out.

Copy and paste

Heavy objects are not copied as fast as we would like. But the process does not distract the user: he moved the cursor, clicked "Paste" and then you go about your business.

The copying process does not interfere with moving the cursor back and forth and inserting new folders or files. The system does not use a queue, but transmits all inserts at the same time. Therefore, forced copying of a huge project will not interfere with the transfer of small documents.

Pasting text is perfect, this is the best universal clipboard..

Disadvantages and features

It's possible to wake up macOS by dragging the mouse from an active Windows machine, but it won't go back until you enter your password. If you place the cursor on a Windows laptop and then close it, you won't be able to drag the pointer to macOS.

The process of switching between devices in the case of a mouse and keyboard gives a different delay. The keyboard follows the mouse, which creates additional micro-lag.

The pause is enough to put the cursor in the input field on another computer and start typing, but never see the text. Or see, but on the previous computer, if there the cursor just stood in the text input field.

Dragging (Drag'n'Drop) does not work in principle. It does not pull on a big inconvenience, but if it is more customary to work with a graphical interface, it will be annoying.

Alternatives

You can replace Flow by manual switching. Individual manipulators offer a quick source change function. But every time you change from one PC to another, you will have to press additional key. Also, copying will not work.

Software replacements exist, but they work with varying degrees of stability. No wonder: given that you have to work with different generations of manipulators and communication protocols.

A popular alternative at the software level is Synergy with a similar feature set to Flow. Functionality is not tied to specific device, switching between systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) works instantly. The software costs from $30, and a second version is created in parallel, which was first released and then returned to beta testing due to bugs. the site does not recommend spending money until the developers bring Synergy 2.0 to mind.

The best example was the free Microsoft without Borders with a huge difference - it only works on Windows. And you can’t copy and paste many files at a time, there is a limitation maximum size file (100 MB), but the switching speed is a little higher. The manufacturer does not guarantee operation with any manipulators, but modern devices usually function without problems.

Support

If you need to interact with different operating systems or don’t want to put up with copying restrictions, but don’t want to retire old software that is about to retire, you will have to fork out for Flow-enabled Logitech devices. Official list has seven mice and five keyboards:

MX Master 2S - 3999 UAH
- 3799 UAH
MX Anywhwere 2S - 2899 UAH
M585/M590 Multi-Device Silent - 1199 UAH
M720 Triathlon - 1999 UAH
Craft-3999
K780 Multi-Device - 3599 UAH
K375s/K380 Multi-Device - 1399 UAH
MK850 Performance (mouse and keyboard) - 3699 UAH

In reality, almost all new manipulators support the technology. Including unusual.

The principle of operation is the same in all cases, it is worth choosing based on which controller you liked. The manufacturer does not limit specific pairs - any mouse works with any keyboard and vice versa. Of course, if you choose from the list above.

Formally speaking, one can do without special keyboard, and switch only the mouse. It will be appropriate for a bunch of a computer and a laptop. The keyboard is usually already connected to the first one, while the second one has it built in.

Ordering in an American store, especially during the discount season, will save you a lot. And if it's a good option for a mouse, you should not forget about the keyboard that the buttons will almost certainly not have a local layout. On the other hand, this is a good reason to master touch typing.

conclusions

Logitech Flow was accompanied by various program issues. A small selection of devices and their high cost only exacerbated the situation.

Now the technology hardly fails, it is really convenient and does not require complicated settings. The range of supported devices would like to be wider, but almost any consumer will find an option for themselves. You just have to deal with the prices.

It is unlikely that many people need to work on several computers at the same time. But if you're one of them and ready to use Logitech accessories, Flow seems like the best option.

Software alternatives are good too, but only Synergy will pose a real threat when it deals with new version. Until then, anyone looking for convenience should go to Logitech. They were able to implement effective work with two operating systems at the same time.

The main advantage of laptops lies not only in portability, but also in complete independence from peripherals. The mouse in laptops replaces the touchpad, while they have their own keyboard, which is in no way inferior to external keyboards for working on ordinary desktop computers.

However, in practice, most laptop users prefer a plug-in touchpad. USB mouse. Why? The answer to this question is known to everyone who at least once tried using the touchpad to perform some skill-requiring action. For example, draw an arbitrary figure in a graphics editor.

The built-in keyboards are much less of a problem, but still not as convenient as external controls. The best option at home is to use an external mouse and keyboard. The only inconvenience is that if you use two or three computers in your work, the cables between the machines will have to be constantly switched.

Save you from all these inconveniences special program Synergy. This utility allows you to manage multiple computers using a single mouse and keyboard. In this case, one computer plays the role of a server, and additional computers are his clients. To determine which computer will be the server and which client, you can configure during the installation of the utility.

You will also need to add to the list of programs client computer(Configure Server button).

The server starts first, and after a message about connection readiness appears, the client starts (you also need to specify the network name of the server in the client settings).