Three ways to cover several machines
GL.iNet's FAQ is explicit: Comet, Comet PoE, Comet Pro, Comet 5G and Comet Q each support one target device. Covering more machines means one of the approaches below. [1]
| Approach | Simultaneous control | Main risk | Cost shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| One KVM per machine (e.g. Comet Pro) | Yes, each separately | Price scales with machine count | $179.99 each on GL.iNet's product page [7] |
| Multi-port KVM (e.g. Comet X, four ports) | One at a time [1] | All machines share one device | Check the current price; the docs page lists none [2] |
| Single KVM plus a KVM switch | One at a time | EDID, USB media and hotkey quirks [3] | One KVM plus the switch |
Multi-port devices
GL.iNet's Comet X (GL-RM4PE) docs describe a quad-port remote KVM with PoE, 4K at 30 fps, a 3.69-inch touchscreen and 64 GB of eMMC that holds ISO files. The FAQ adds that you switch between targets with the front-panel button on site or through the remote console, and only one can be controlled at a time. [2][1]
PiKVM recommends its own PiKVM Switch for multiple hosts. It has four ports per unit, and up to five can be chained for 20 ports. It offers ATX control and EDID configuration per port. PiKVM says it works with V4 Plus, V3 and DIY builds, but not with the V4 Mini. [3]
Pairing a KVM-over-IP with an ordinary KVM switch
The idea is simple. The KVM-over-IP feeds one switch input, and the switch fans out to several computers. PiKVM's multiport page is the most detailed vendor record of what goes wrong. It lists switches by status. Some ezCoo and Level1Techs models work. TESmart 8- and 16-port models work through a USB 2.0 hub. Others break absolute mouse or USB mass storage, or need workarounds for HDMI back-power. [3]
How you change inputs matters. PiKVM lists USB control ports, GPIO wiring, and serial or IP control (TESmart) as reliable methods. Switches changed only by keyboard hotkeys may not work with PiKVM's emulated USB keyboard (OTG), because OTG does not fully implement the USB stack. Other KVM-over-IP devices are not covered by that page, so test hotkey switching before relying on it. If your KVM-over-IP cannot drive the switch, you need a switch with its own network or serial control. [3]
- Prefer a switch with a USB, serial or IP control port over hotkey-only switching. [3]
- Confirm virtual media works on every port; PiKVM notes some switches pass mass storage only through hub ports, and a PS/2 switch cannot pass USB media at all. [3]
- Avoid switches PiKVM marks as having HDMI back-power problems unless you plan the workaround. [3]
Video: EDID and the BIOS screen
A switch adds another device between the computer and the capture chip, so display negotiation gets harder. EDID is the data that tells a computer what resolutions a display supports. GL.iNet says its default EDID suits most setups and that custom EDIDs must stay at or below 2560x1440 at 60 Hz. JetKVM's full-size model offers EDID presets from 1280x1024 to 1920x1200, and warns that a wrong EDID can leave the computer with no picture. [5][6]
The BIOS problem also repeats on every port. GL.iNet notes that BIOS output usually goes only to the primary display, which on many desktops is DisplayPort. Check each computer's firmware screen through the switch, not just its desktop. [4]
Power control does not multiply for free
A shared KVM shows one screen at a time, but power control is per machine. Comet Pro's console lets you add several Wake-on-LAN targets by picking devices on the LAN or entering MAC addresses, which costs nothing if each machine supports waking. The ATX board, by contrast, is installed in one case. If more than one machine needs a hard power path, plan an accessory per machine or a switch with per-port ATX control, such as the PiKVM Switch. [8][3]
Worked cost comparison
Take a fictional homelab with four mini PCs. One Comet Pro per machine is 4 x $179.99 = $719.96 before tax, shipping and power accessories, with each machine reachable at the same time. A single KVM plus a four-port controllable switch costs one KVM plus the switch, but you see only one machine at a time and must test every port for BIOS video and virtual media. A four-port device like Comet X sits between the two. Get its current price from GL.iNet, since the docs page we read lists none. [7][2]
| Need | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Two machines may fail at once and both must be fixed quickly | One KVM per machine |
| Rack of similar servers, rarely more than one problem at a time | Multi-port device or controllable switch |
| Mixed hardware with DisplayPort-first desktops and laptops | One KVM per machine, after checking each BIOS screen |
| Tight budget, comfortable testing quirks | Single KVM plus a switch from a vendor-tested list [3] |
Questions before you decide
Can I switch inputs with keyboard hotkeys through a KVM-over-IP?
Sometimes not. PiKVM's multiport page warns that switches changed by keyboard shortcuts may not work with its OTG keyboard emulation, because OTG does not fully implement the USB stack. It recommends switches with a USB, serial or IP control port.
Does Comet X control four computers at once?
It connects up to four target devices at the same time, but GL.iNet's FAQ says only one can be controlled at a time. You switch with the front-panel button on site or from the remote console.
Will virtual media work through a KVM switch?
Not always. PiKVM reports that some switches break USB mass storage, that TESmart models pass it only through hub ports, and that a PS/2 switch it lists does not support USB media at all. Test an ISO boot on every port.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- GL.iNet KVM Docs: Quick FAQs about GL.iNet KVM Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet KVM Docs: Comet X (GL-RM4PE) user guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- PiKVM Handbook: Multiport KVM switches Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet KVM Docs: Remote screen does not show the BIOS interface Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet KVM Docs: How to set EDID for KVM Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- JetKVM Docs: Video Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Comet Pro (GL-RM10) product page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet KVM Docs: GL-RM10 Console Guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.