BARRIER
Configure a crossplatform KVM system
Use Barrier to replace a physical KVM switch and enable a keyboard and mouse to be shared between multiple devices. Matt Holder explains all.
Credit: https://github.com/debauchee/barrier
OUR EXPERT
Matt Holder has been a fan of the open source methodology for over two decades and uses Linux and other tools where possible.
QUICK TIP
Documentation can be seen on the project’s website: https:// github.com/ debauchee/ barrier.
How many times have you had multiple PCs, laptops and Raspberry Pis on your desk that all need to be used at the same time, but not the desk space to have a keyboard and mouse for each? And if you do start typing on a keyboard, it’s connected to the wrong device – frustrating, right?
Barrier aims to ease these issues by enabling one keyboard and mouse to be shared between multiple devices. On some operating systems files can be shared between devices by dragging and dropping from one screen to another, as well as being able to share the clipboard. While writing this tutorial it was possible to copy and paste text between a Windows and Linux device. However, copying files between devices didn’t work, either using drag and drop or copy and paste.
The software aims to replicate a hardware device called a KVM (Keyboard, Video and Mouse) switch. This device can accomplish the same task, but would need cables from each device to the switch unit as well as for a keyboard button to be pressed to switch the keyboard and mouse to another device.