SmackerNews

JetKVM Mini

jetkvm.com/blog/introducing-jetkvm-mini

571 points · 235 comments · 8 days ago · taubek

jetkvm.com/blog

gregwebs8 days ago
This author has tested a lot of IP KVMs and compares them in this post: https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2026/i-tested-every-ip-kvm...
He likes JetKVM. However, they appear to be sold out. The Mini seems great but I have yet to receive a preordered item on the advertised timeline.
That article pointed to ArkKVM which is a hardware clone of JetKVM but they have now released their own software stack as open source which has Tailscale support
* https://store.arkkvm.com/blog/detail/arkkvm-fully-open-sourc...
* https://store.arkkvm.com/blog/detail/arkkvm-ota-release-note...
Shank8 days ago
I own 3 JetKVMs, of which two of them stopped working, one of which doesn't boot at all and the other that never connects to network. The third I took out of service because the keyboard wouldn't send input when it was connected for more than a couple months. I'm sure the newer hardware is better, but I'm very unhappy with my JetKVMs.
atdt7 days ago
If you have an Intel CPU, there is a good chance you have a KVM built-in (whether you wanted one or not): Intel AMT. Its reputation was tarnished by Intel's dissimulation and opacity about the technology, and a streak of critical vulnerabilities disclosed in late 2017. I chose to take my chances with it anyway for my homelab server. It is secured with a password, mutual TLS (client has to provide a cert), and restricted to the LAN via a physical firewall. It gives me serial console, KVM, and power control.
I like it. It works pretty well. I don't see a reason to trust it any less than closed-hardware, closed-source solutions. I would trust a fully-open-source PIKVM more, however.
The tooling and documentation for setting up Intel AMT via open-source tools is meagre, so I had to roll my own. I only need a small nudge to package it for others to re-use, so reply to this post if you are interested.
mszcz8 days ago
I have 4 of the old ones in service and they're great. Whenever I need to remotely reboot a server those come in handy just great, no more fear of what I'm going to do if the server doesn't come back online.
It also solved the issue I had with entering a password on FDE (full disk encryption) systems. Previously I had to rely on a janky solution with booting into BusyBox so that the system can be accessed remotely and using that to enter the password. Now it's just plain FDE set up during Debian install - I reboot, use JetKVM to enter the password and that's it.
One note though - I don't use their online cloud service access thingy and connect to those using my Wireguard deployment. The hardware is nice, open source is nice, but I wouldn't trust that level of access to any cloud solution by any vendor.
teruakohatu8 days ago
I am amazed that there is an ESP that can handle this and with just 32MB of RAM:
https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-dev-kits/en/latest/e...
theanonymousone8 days ago
It may be worth noting that this is not _that_ KVM, but this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch
I learnt this first myself from HN, a few months ago.
bombela7 days ago
How do you reboot the target machine and stay powered?
I know some ipkvm can interface with the ATX header, but that's usually an extra addon. It also requires have some access to the ATC header during installation.
I have a tiny "NAS" where the mobo is the size of credit card and very difficult to access. The power supply is external. The USB doesn't stay powered when turned off.
I cobbled together a bare NanoKVM running debian, a relay normally closed to interrupt mains power to the target, and a tiny little power supply into a 3D printed case. I have also added a diode so that the ipkvm can also be powered by the target USB for flexibility. Note that the sg200x boots with its pin pulled high with a ~50kΩ resistor (pullup). So you need to pull it down with a 1kΩ resistor. This also renders the system more robust to transient voltages anyways.
https://wiki.sipeed.com/hardware/en/kvm/NanoKVM/introduction...
https://github.com/slcpcom/sophgo-sg200x-debian
doctorhandshake8 days ago
I have an OG JetKVM and it works solidly but the thing that prevents me from using it is no video pass through. The awkwardness of an ‘invisible’ monitor connected to windows at all times is hard to live with - windows and apps open there and I’m constantly having to pull them back to an another monitor. My next KVM will be pass through for this reason, but the consumer ones seem to top out at 4k30, which is not great either.
gainsurier8 days ago
The most groundbreaking aspect of this product is its MCU-based solution, and it uses software encoding on the controlled machine to achieve 4K@60. 4K is not needed in BIOS scenarios.
noelwelsh8 days ago
I have an ATEN KVM [1] that gets a solid "it does the job" from me. Occasionally a connected computer won't pick up the K, V, or M, and I'll have to reconnect a few times.
I use it to switch between my work laptop and my personal PC, and for this situation 4K is a must have. That, and the choice of HDMI instead of DisplayPort, and things that would keep me from getting a JetKVM.
[1]: https://www.aten.com/gb/en/products/kvm/desktop-kvm-switches...
skolos8 days ago
or make one yourself: https://github.com/espkvm/espkvm
hofiflo8 days ago
Wait, do I understand correctly that you can only boot ISOs off a microSD card that I have to pre-load? I can’t just put in a card and load ISOs over the web interface? That makes the use case of full remote control (after plugging it in for the first time, of course) kinda moot… Otherwise, this seems to be a great product for homelab stuff :)
woadwarrior018 days ago
On a related note, I came across this USB-C KVM on pre-order the other day. It ostensibly supports Tailscale, which would be really useful.
https://sipeed.com/nanokvm-go
xd19368 days ago
I might buy one of these for remote family tech support. "Hey $relative, plug the remote support box into the USB port of the computer you're having trouble with so I can take a look"
MayeulC8 days ago
I'm thinking that this would be a great device to hand over to family members for when they need help with their computer. Ask them to plug them in & log-in remotely: may be easier than starting RustDesk, and can help with bios & bootloader options.
The harder part may be networking: it would be harder to ask them to wire it up to the network; but with Wi-Fi, I may be able to pre-fill their WPA key.
LoganDark8 days ago
Are there any good KVMs for gaming? Right now, I use a capture card for video, connect the mouse directly to the destination, and use a piece of software called Deskflow to transmit my keyboard. But Deskflow occasionally crashes, so it'd be nice to have a hardware solution (also that can be used for BIOS/etc). And Deskflow also won't work if I install SteamOS, once Nvidia works.
I looked at making a solution myself, but for some reason, simulating a USB client device in software is extremely annoying, and requires specialized hardware that is also very expensive. So at that point, why not just get a KVM...
I frequently switch between 1080p and 4K for gaming since I don't like resampling artifacts. Never found a KVM that can handle 4K properly even for productivity. The mistake can be as basic as assuming a 100% scale factor.
stock_toaster8 days ago
I'm baffled why so many of these KVM devices don't support PoE.
rcarmo8 days ago
I'm currently playing with the https://linkr.now - which has an API and a set of agent skills. _much_ more useful than other KVMs I've tested in the past, and I published a pi/piclaw add-on here: https://rcarmo.github.io/piclaw-addons/addons/linkr/
stingraycharles8 days ago
What’s a decent quality IP KVM solution that’s not too expensive? We’re looking to put a dozen of mac minis in a collocation, and currently investigating solutions for remote access.
chelmzy8 days ago
Obvious, but don't plug these into your work computer unless you want to get questioned for looking like a fraudulent DPRK/Nigerian remote worker.
tidbeck8 days ago
It is really hard to find on the site what kvm stands for. Guess people going there knows what it stands for but think it could be spelled out once at least.
Fnoord7 days ago
Does anyone know such a device, but for a CUPS/SANE server? It would allow tou to secure a printer/scanner (which often use out-of-date software stacks). I'm currently using a RPi for this, but require partly to use qemu to run this to emulate a x86-64 binary (Brother driver). How did we end up with this mess. TVs and STBs are same story.
snvzz7 days ago
Powered by RISC-V, as it's an ESP32-P4X[0].
0. https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-dev-kits/en/latest/e...
neals8 days ago
The original one is shaped weirdly and hard to use in my unordered stack of machines and wires. I like the new shape here better.
rsync8 days ago
I have one of these that I purchased ~16 years ago:
https://github.com/Retrotink/PockeTerm-II
Very simple serial -> VGA device. Unfortunately no longer in production but the github project contains everything one would need ...
awesomeusername7 days ago
I wish every KVM manufacturer would prominently answer one question: Can't I get it onto tailscale
keriati18 days ago
I wanted to get a JetKVM, however ended up getting kvm extension module for my uConsole instead. In the end it is perfect for my small collection of home servers. I only use it a few times a year, but it's always fun.
hacker_888 days ago
Future Personal computers become unreasonable... Shifts to remote machines, mainframes
rattray8 days ago
I feel like I should know this, but can anyone ELI5 what a KVM is in this context?
mewse-hn8 days ago
This looks excellent, I've been wanting cheap IP KVMs for a while for my workbench at the office and for my NAS server at home - at this price I'd get the three pack and still have a spare.
pyrophane8 days ago
I have a JetKVM and could never get video to work on it despite spending a lot of time on troubleshooting. It may have just been a defective unit but I never got around to trying to RMA it.
nf-x8 days ago
Using one for couple of months so far. I need it once a month for a couple of hours or so, but it saves me 3x more time, so money well spent. But wow, at 3x less price tag it a deal!
[deleted]
pftburger8 days ago
Missed marketing opportunity : Let AI Agents control any computer
cm21878 days ago
Would be curious what the power draw is (in use or idle).
gunalx8 days ago
Bummer to not see the atx control support. Its the main use i have from my ipkvm to do fde decryption and boot the machine once wake on lan fails.
thangalin8 days ago
Tangentially, I tested many KVM models:
https://hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com/questions/18561/kvm-d...
The only one that met my requirements was the UGREEN 8K@60Hz DisplayPort KVM switch:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0CFFFHFJT
Several months in without any major issues.
flaxxer8 days ago
Main issue with these things -- clipboard support?
aetherspawn7 days ago
All the servers I’ve ever bought came with iDRAC or something like it, which has KVM built in.
garganzol8 days ago
Kickstarter = never in stock. What's the point in all these PR pieces when there is no product?
dijit8 days ago
I really just wish I had a USB-C KVM I could use with my laptop (or even better: tablet)...
I can't find much, and what I find is a bit bonkers.
I ended up buying a license to Orion, using USB-C→HDMI capture card with a Startech VGA→HDMI converter (which requires USB-A power)... in order to achieve a semi-passable KVM (but, without the K and the M...).
I paired with a USB-A Hub and a keyboard and mouse and it kinda works but it's an incredibly janky setup...
... the fact that many servers still output VGA is baffling.
schmookeeg8 days ago
This comment thread has made me and my LanTronix Spider feel super old. :D
[deleted]
syngrog667 days ago
on surface I like the design but due to nature of security risk I'd want to know a lot more about the company and how its made.
dtech8 days ago
Not really related to this, but are there good non-IP KVM's left? I'm in the market for one so we can move two home office desks into 1, but all the ones I find seem kinda shit. Asking for USB-C + 2 hdmi or displayports is apparently unreasonable
amelius8 days ago
LTE support?
hermitcrab7 days ago
Love how the home page of the website doesn't say what a KVM switch is or why you would want one.
devops0008 days ago
What is the use case?
snvzz7 days ago
RJ45
Actually 8P8C.
Awful marketing.
TheJCDenton7 days ago
No PoE :(
mickeyp8 days ago
Meh. The challenge is 4k+ at high display frequency that doesn't cost the same as a small boat. There are gazillions of KVM switches that do 1080. That's easy.

news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49681152

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JetKVM Mini

jetkvm.com/blog/introducing-jetkvm-mini

571 points · 235 comments · 8 days ago · taubek

jetkvm.com/blog

gregwebs8 days ago
This author has tested a lot of IP KVMs and compares them in this post: https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2026/i-tested-every-ip-kvm...
He likes JetKVM. However, they appear to be sold out. The Mini seems great but I have yet to receive a preordered item on the advertised timeline.
That article pointed to ArkKVM which is a hardware clone of JetKVM but they have now released their own software stack as open source which has Tailscale support
* https://store.arkkvm.com/blog/detail/arkkvm-fully-open-sourc...
* https://store.arkkvm.com/blog/detail/arkkvm-ota-release-note...
Shank8 days ago
I own 3 JetKVMs, of which two of them stopped working, one of which doesn't boot at all and the other that never connects to network. The third I took out of service because the keyboard wouldn't send input when it was connected for more than a couple months. I'm sure the newer hardware is better, but I'm very unhappy with my JetKVMs.
atdt7 days ago
If you have an Intel CPU, there is a good chance you have a KVM built-in (whether you wanted one or not): Intel AMT. Its reputation was tarnished by Intel's dissimulation and opacity about the technology, and a streak of critical vulnerabilities disclosed in late 2017. I chose to take my chances with it anyway for my homelab server. It is secured with a password, mutual TLS (client has to provide a cert), and restricted to the LAN via a physical firewall. It gives me serial console, KVM, and power control.
I like it. It works pretty well. I don't see a reason to trust it any less than closed-hardware, closed-source solutions. I would trust a fully-open-source PIKVM more, however.
The tooling and documentation for setting up Intel AMT via open-source tools is meagre, so I had to roll my own. I only need a small nudge to package it for others to re-use, so reply to this post if you are interested.
mszcz8 days ago
I have 4 of the old ones in service and they're great. Whenever I need to remotely reboot a server those come in handy just great, no more fear of what I'm going to do if the server doesn't come back online.
It also solved the issue I had with entering a password on FDE (full disk encryption) systems. Previously I had to rely on a janky solution with booting into BusyBox so that the system can be accessed remotely and using that to enter the password. Now it's just plain FDE set up during Debian install - I reboot, use JetKVM to enter the password and that's it.
One note though - I don't use their online cloud service access thingy and connect to those using my Wireguard deployment. The hardware is nice, open source is nice, but I wouldn't trust that level of access to any cloud solution by any vendor.
teruakohatu8 days ago
I am amazed that there is an ESP that can handle this and with just 32MB of RAM:
https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-dev-kits/en/latest/e...
theanonymousone8 days ago
It may be worth noting that this is not _that_ KVM, but this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch
I learnt this first myself from HN, a few months ago.
bombela7 days ago
How do you reboot the target machine and stay powered?
I know some ipkvm can interface with the ATX header, but that's usually an extra addon. It also requires have some access to the ATC header during installation.
I have a tiny "NAS" where the mobo is the size of credit card and very difficult to access. The power supply is external. The USB doesn't stay powered when turned off.
I cobbled together a bare NanoKVM running debian, a relay normally closed to interrupt mains power to the target, and a tiny little power supply into a 3D printed case. I have also added a diode so that the ipkvm can also be powered by the target USB for flexibility. Note that the sg200x boots with its pin pulled high with a ~50kΩ resistor (pullup). So you need to pull it down with a 1kΩ resistor. This also renders the system more robust to transient voltages anyways.
https://wiki.sipeed.com/hardware/en/kvm/NanoKVM/introduction...
https://github.com/slcpcom/sophgo-sg200x-debian
doctorhandshake8 days ago
I have an OG JetKVM and it works solidly but the thing that prevents me from using it is no video pass through. The awkwardness of an ‘invisible’ monitor connected to windows at all times is hard to live with - windows and apps open there and I’m constantly having to pull them back to an another monitor. My next KVM will be pass through for this reason, but the consumer ones seem to top out at 4k30, which is not great either.
gainsurier8 days ago
The most groundbreaking aspect of this product is its MCU-based solution, and it uses software encoding on the controlled machine to achieve 4K@60. 4K is not needed in BIOS scenarios.
noelwelsh8 days ago
I have an ATEN KVM [1] that gets a solid "it does the job" from me. Occasionally a connected computer won't pick up the K, V, or M, and I'll have to reconnect a few times.
I use it to switch between my work laptop and my personal PC, and for this situation 4K is a must have. That, and the choice of HDMI instead of DisplayPort, and things that would keep me from getting a JetKVM.
[1]: https://www.aten.com/gb/en/products/kvm/desktop-kvm-switches...
skolos8 days ago
or make one yourself: https://github.com/espkvm/espkvm
hofiflo8 days ago
Wait, do I understand correctly that you can only boot ISOs off a microSD card that I have to pre-load? I can’t just put in a card and load ISOs over the web interface? That makes the use case of full remote control (after plugging it in for the first time, of course) kinda moot… Otherwise, this seems to be a great product for homelab stuff :)
woadwarrior018 days ago
On a related note, I came across this USB-C KVM on pre-order the other day. It ostensibly supports Tailscale, which would be really useful.
https://sipeed.com/nanokvm-go
xd19368 days ago
I might buy one of these for remote family tech support. "Hey $relative, plug the remote support box into the USB port of the computer you're having trouble with so I can take a look"
MayeulC8 days ago
I'm thinking that this would be a great device to hand over to family members for when they need help with their computer. Ask them to plug them in & log-in remotely: may be easier than starting RustDesk, and can help with bios & bootloader options.
The harder part may be networking: it would be harder to ask them to wire it up to the network; but with Wi-Fi, I may be able to pre-fill their WPA key.
LoganDark8 days ago
Are there any good KVMs for gaming? Right now, I use a capture card for video, connect the mouse directly to the destination, and use a piece of software called Deskflow to transmit my keyboard. But Deskflow occasionally crashes, so it'd be nice to have a hardware solution (also that can be used for BIOS/etc). And Deskflow also won't work if I install SteamOS, once Nvidia works.
I looked at making a solution myself, but for some reason, simulating a USB client device in software is extremely annoying, and requires specialized hardware that is also very expensive. So at that point, why not just get a KVM...
I frequently switch between 1080p and 4K for gaming since I don't like resampling artifacts. Never found a KVM that can handle 4K properly even for productivity. The mistake can be as basic as assuming a 100% scale factor.
stock_toaster8 days ago
I'm baffled why so many of these KVM devices don't support PoE.
rcarmo8 days ago
I'm currently playing with the https://linkr.now - which has an API and a set of agent skills. _much_ more useful than other KVMs I've tested in the past, and I published a pi/piclaw add-on here: https://rcarmo.github.io/piclaw-addons/addons/linkr/
stingraycharles8 days ago
What’s a decent quality IP KVM solution that’s not too expensive? We’re looking to put a dozen of mac minis in a collocation, and currently investigating solutions for remote access.
chelmzy8 days ago
Obvious, but don't plug these into your work computer unless you want to get questioned for looking like a fraudulent DPRK/Nigerian remote worker.
tidbeck8 days ago
It is really hard to find on the site what kvm stands for. Guess people going there knows what it stands for but think it could be spelled out once at least.
Fnoord7 days ago
Does anyone know such a device, but for a CUPS/SANE server? It would allow tou to secure a printer/scanner (which often use out-of-date software stacks). I'm currently using a RPi for this, but require partly to use qemu to run this to emulate a x86-64 binary (Brother driver). How did we end up with this mess. TVs and STBs are same story.
snvzz7 days ago
Powered by RISC-V, as it's an ESP32-P4X[0].
0. https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-dev-kits/en/latest/e...
neals8 days ago
The original one is shaped weirdly and hard to use in my unordered stack of machines and wires. I like the new shape here better.
rsync8 days ago
I have one of these that I purchased ~16 years ago:
https://github.com/Retrotink/PockeTerm-II
Very simple serial -> VGA device. Unfortunately no longer in production but the github project contains everything one would need ...
awesomeusername7 days ago
I wish every KVM manufacturer would prominently answer one question: Can't I get it onto tailscale
keriati18 days ago
I wanted to get a JetKVM, however ended up getting kvm extension module for my uConsole instead. In the end it is perfect for my small collection of home servers. I only use it a few times a year, but it's always fun.
hacker_888 days ago
Future Personal computers become unreasonable... Shifts to remote machines, mainframes
rattray8 days ago
I feel like I should know this, but can anyone ELI5 what a KVM is in this context?
mewse-hn8 days ago
This looks excellent, I've been wanting cheap IP KVMs for a while for my workbench at the office and for my NAS server at home - at this price I'd get the three pack and still have a spare.
pyrophane8 days ago
I have a JetKVM and could never get video to work on it despite spending a lot of time on troubleshooting. It may have just been a defective unit but I never got around to trying to RMA it.
nf-x8 days ago
Using one for couple of months so far. I need it once a month for a couple of hours or so, but it saves me 3x more time, so money well spent. But wow, at 3x less price tag it a deal!
[deleted]
pftburger8 days ago
Missed marketing opportunity : Let AI Agents control any computer
cm21878 days ago
Would be curious what the power draw is (in use or idle).
gunalx8 days ago
Bummer to not see the atx control support. Its the main use i have from my ipkvm to do fde decryption and boot the machine once wake on lan fails.
thangalin8 days ago
Tangentially, I tested many KVM models:
https://hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com/questions/18561/kvm-d...
The only one that met my requirements was the UGREEN 8K@60Hz DisplayPort KVM switch:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0CFFFHFJT
Several months in without any major issues.
flaxxer8 days ago
Main issue with these things -- clipboard support?
aetherspawn7 days ago
All the servers I’ve ever bought came with iDRAC or something like it, which has KVM built in.
garganzol8 days ago
Kickstarter = never in stock. What's the point in all these PR pieces when there is no product?
dijit8 days ago
I really just wish I had a USB-C KVM I could use with my laptop (or even better: tablet)...
I can't find much, and what I find is a bit bonkers.
I ended up buying a license to Orion, using USB-C→HDMI capture card with a Startech VGA→HDMI converter (which requires USB-A power)... in order to achieve a semi-passable KVM (but, without the K and the M...).
I paired with a USB-A Hub and a keyboard and mouse and it kinda works but it's an incredibly janky setup...
... the fact that many servers still output VGA is baffling.
schmookeeg8 days ago
This comment thread has made me and my LanTronix Spider feel super old. :D
[deleted]
syngrog667 days ago
on surface I like the design but due to nature of security risk I'd want to know a lot more about the company and how its made.
dtech8 days ago
Not really related to this, but are there good non-IP KVM's left? I'm in the market for one so we can move two home office desks into 1, but all the ones I find seem kinda shit. Asking for USB-C + 2 hdmi or displayports is apparently unreasonable
amelius8 days ago
LTE support?
hermitcrab7 days ago
Love how the home page of the website doesn't say what a KVM switch is or why you would want one.
devops0008 days ago
What is the use case?
snvzz7 days ago
RJ45
Actually 8P8C.
Awful marketing.
TheJCDenton7 days ago
No PoE :(
mickeyp8 days ago
Meh. The challenge is 4k+ at high display frequency that doesn't cost the same as a small boat. There are gazillions of KVM switches that do 1080. That's easy.

news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49681152