2026-09-02

If you run headless servers — and most of us do — remote access when things go wrong is non-negotiable. Jeff Geerling has just published a thorough roundup of every IP KVM he could get his hands on, and it's genuinely useful reading before you spend anything.

IP KVMs let you see the BIOS, mount ISOs, and troubleshoot a machine that's completely unresponsive to SSH. They range from budget PiKVM-style builds to polished commercial units from the likes of TinyPilot and Sipeed, and prices vary wildly. Geerling tests latency, video quality, USB passthrough reliability, and ease of setup across the board.

Why this matters for your homelab

For a single node, a cheap HDMI capture card and a keyboard work fine sitting at the desk. But the moment you have two or three machines in a cupboard — or you're away from home — a proper IP KVM saves real time. Getting the right one first time saves you buying twice.

Geerling's comparison is especially helpful because he's honest about the rough edges: some budget options have awful browser UIs, others drop USB HID connections at the worst moment, and a few "enterprise" units are just overpriced for home use.

Caveats

The post is US-focused, so some pricing and availability won't translate directly to the UK. And if you only have one server with IPMI/iDRAC/iLO already built in, you may not need a separate KVM at all.

What to do

Read Jeff's full post before buying anything. If you're not ready for a full IP KVM but still need headless access for quick tasks, our MS2131 HDMI Capture Card – 1080p Video & Audio for Headless Servers paired with a Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard – Wireless Foldable for Headless Servers gets you basic local console access on the cheap. For a proper networked KVM, look at the PiKVM v4 or Sipeed NanoKVM depending on your budget and how polished you need the experience to be.