project - piKvm diy
Intro
If you need out-of-band management/IPMI (Intelligent platform management interface) for a custom server build, look no further than the piKVM.
Typically IPMI costs a pretty penny (see server grade motherboards) but with this solution, no crazy additional costs are necessary. Just slightly more responsibility and care is needed with this solution i.e. maintaining the pi + software updates
For this instance, the SBC necessary will be a Raspberry pi 4 - 2gb
Items required
| No. |
Item |
Name |
Price |
Bought |
Vendor |
| 1 |
SBC |
RPI4 2GB |
76.76 |
TRUE |
amazon |
| 2 |
USBC Splitter |
|
16.95 |
TRUE |
amazon |
| 3 |
HDMI to CSI2 adaptor |
|
35.99 |
TRUE |
amazon |
| 4 |
sd card 32GB |
sandisk ext. plus 32gb |
23.00 |
TRUE |
jb_hifi |
| 5 |
usbc to usba |
|
14.95 |
TRUE |
amazon |
| 6 |
usbc to usbc |
|
14.95 |
TRUE |
amazon |
| 7 |
usbc female to usba male |
|
17.00 |
TRUE |
jb hifi |
| 8 |
pc/laptop |
| 9 |
terminal |
| 10 |
instructions |
see docs.pikvm.org |
|
Item |
Price |
| Total |
10 items |
199.60 |
| Actual product |
PiKVM V4 Plus |
594.95 |
Procedure
- Depending on video platform, download the correct files
- Within your terminal, unpack files
xz --decompress v2-hdmi-rpi4-latest.img.xz
- Ensure your sd card is connected to your machine
- Utilizing dd, input the following command to prepare your sd card for booting
sudo dd if=v2-hdmi-rpi4-latest.img of=/dev/mmcblkX
- Once completed, perform tests with rpi4
Notes
- If using hdmi-to-cs2 bridge, ensure that cable is connected correctly (review images online for reference)
- https://github.com/pikvm/pikvm#diy-getting-started for more relevant information
- Limitations in components and the device itself make framerate not the best but it is definitely manageable
- The device needs an IP address and the piKVM gui is accessible over the browser
- May be handy setting a dns name and static IP instead of DHCP'ing it
- https://docs.pikvm.org/v2/#setting-up-the-hardware - Necessary in procedure
- Ensure you select the correct files to proceed, separation by DIY and full product, as well as with: hdmi-to-cs2 and usb based hdmi video
- This device is called a DIY PiKVM V2
- The official device sold by pikvm has additional features but not 100% necessary. Also costs a lot more.