How to connect two computers to one monitor? Can I connect two system units to one monitor?

In sci-fi films, remotely resembling reality, and various pictures about hackers, quite often the theme flashes when one user uses several displays for different tasks. This form of communication between a person and a computer is almost familiar to everyone and is quite common in the real world. But there is another side of the "medal" - a connected one monitor for two system units. Why do this? What will it give? And most importantly, how to connect two system units to one monitor? The answers to these and other questions we will consider.

To connect or not to connect, or the Modern Serpent-Gorynych

Without understanding the goals and objectives of this type of connection, it makes no sense even to think about how to connect two computers to one monitor. And even more so to start something to do. Simultaneously connect two computers to one monitor to display graphic, textual and other useful and useless information makes sense with a server and, of course, another computer.

What is a server and what does it eat?

Server - the concept of "by ear". Usually, it is represented as a large, powerful computer, similar in appearance to a cabinet with light bulbs. And only large companies, corporations, banks, factories and other large structures use it.

Actually this is not true. In the common parlance the servak is the service staff. The service computer provides services to other machines connected to it. Such collective activity unloads the computers connected to the server, and increases the overall productivity of labor. The speed of data processing also rises, and such a useful option protects the nerves of users. There are several types of servers, each of which performs a certain type of tasks.

Applications of the server a lot, there would be a fantasy ...

Having installed the server at home, a regular user can conduct many interesting experiments, for example, with programming. It is very convenient to receive feedback from your personal server, to see the intermediate result without thinking about connecting to the hosting. To check up working capacity it is possible directly on the server, for this purpose the special software

And in general, if you have an additional computer at hand, you can feel a lot of nice bonuses: store on it extra or educational information, books, movies, use under storage, put torrent downloading, game server, mail server, perform parallel calculations for complex tasks. There are many applications, there would be a fantasy. One monitor is also more profitable in terms of money. It is more convenient for perception, switching from one station to another. Eyes and nervous system are loaded less.

The best option

One way to figure out how to connect two computers to one monitor is to use KVM. This strange abbreviation in English means keyboard-video-mouse. And in Russian - an object connecting input devices (mouse and keyboard) and output (display) between several computers. That is, the control is made by one keyboard and mouse. Quite convenient. There are KVM and up to 12 objects, but not about them. In principle, it is possible to connect the workstation and the server in other ways, but this one has some advantages that advantageously shade the rest. KVM allows you to perform almost any operations with the server, including the BIOS, without being distracted by the operating system, and as a result, it is possible to install any programs and OS on the second computer through the device. Very convenient one-button operation. Pressed and work.

Divide and rule

Having dealt with the goals and tasks, we will start to step-by-step consideration of the question of how to connect two computers to one monitor.

On the KVM device, there are ports for the video card, keyboard and mouse. There are inputs for both incoming and outgoing signals. Connect to the socket with the sign OUT monitor, mouse and keyboard. The OUT symbol is located only on one side of the switch. In principle, it is difficult to make a mistake. There is a KVM for PS / 2 ports (standard), there is for USB. Now the most common USB-outputs, but if you want, you can find models with old inputs or buy adapters.

The KVM switch still has one side for incoming signals. On this half of the device there are ports for the first and second system. We connect them to the keyboard, mouse and video card from one workstation first, and then a similar operation is performed for the server. Or vice versa. The change in the places of the terms does not change the amount.

We check the correctness of the connection

Carefully check: in the port for the keyboard should stick out the output cable for the keyboard. Input ports should contain cables from the system units. A weekend - from the monitor - and nothing else, if you do not want to repeat the entire procedure anew, but, most likely, already with new equipment. A couple of minutes to test will save both strength and money and time.

Run the system

So, everything is ready, tested, rechecked. We connect the KVM-device. We do not forget, of course, to include both computers in advance. And now, to switch from one station to another, it is enough to double-press the NumLock button and the number 1 or 2. The number indicates the position of the computer in the system. If the number of the computer, according to the user, does not match the key on the keyboard, then this misunderstanding can be corrected. In order to set up a convenient switching for us, the KVM manufacturers took care of the software, using which it is possible and necessary to program the required buttons for the corresponding block. So, the main goal - how to connect two computers to one monitor - is achieved!

We are working!

Well, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to connect two computers to one monitor is given. Now it became clear how to implement this, and why you need such a "double" connection, as well as what benefit it can bring to the average user. The proposed method is not the only one for connecting two workstations to a monitor. There are alternative methods. We considered the method using the KVM switch, since it is simple and intuitive. And to cope with it can both an advanced user, and a novice user.