I Built an IP KVM – BeaconKVM

A programmer and entrepreneur from China, <name> has a background in networking, WebRTC, and audio/video development. Prior to this project, they built a SD-WAN product for the Chinese market. The <name> wanted to create an IP KVM, or "Remote KVM," which would provide direct, secure access to devices without the need for additional VPN layers or compromising stability.

The <name> designed this software from a user's perspective with several key features. First, it includes built-in remote access with no monthly subscription. Second, the device provides full root access, treating it like any other box in a homelab. Third, users can utilize their own remote tunnel if they prefer a different solution.

The most valuable aspect of this IP KVM software is the Remote KVM feature, which addresses the pain points of business trips and remote troubleshooting. The software streams video using either MJPEG or H.264, with MJPEG used locally for smooth, low-latency performance and H.264 used for remote access to conserve bandwidth. The H.264 encoding is hardware-accelerated for optimal performance.

Remote KVM is secured with a login process and assigned accounts. Users can access it remotely without needing to install additional software, connecting through a browser. The software is currently hosted on a Raspberry Pi 4B, but users can build their own IP KVM using the same hardware and find guides on the website. The <name> invites feedback and real-world use cases to improve the software further.