Using PiKVM Switch with PiKVM v3

PiKVM PiKVM Switch
1

I want to use a PiKVM switch and PiKVM v3 together. I have managed to use the same switch with a PiKVM v4. What should I do to make the PiKVM switch show on the PiKVM v3?

If I plug in a switch to the PiKVM, the PiKVM v4 detects the PiKVM switch.

# pacman -Q | grep kvmd-platform
kvmd-platform-v4plus-hdmi-rpi4 4.190-1
# lsusb
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2109:3431 VIA Labs, Inc. Hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 2e8a:1080 PiKVM Switch
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub

If I plug in the same PiKVM switch to the PiKVM v3, the PiKVM v3 does
not detect the switch.

# pacman -Q | grep kvmd-platform
kvmd-platform-v3-hdmi-rpi4 4.190-1
# lsusb
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2109:3431 VIA Labs, Inc. Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub

After getting the above result, I tried updating both the PiKVM
operating system and the PiKVM switch firmware. I did the following.

  • With both the PiKVM v3 and the PiKVM v4, I flashed the SD and run pikvm-update.
  • With just the PiKVM v4, I ran “kvmd-update-switch --do-the-thing” with the switch connected.

The flashing and updating did not change the result.

2

You need the USB-C to USB-C connected to the OTG port of the switch, and a USB-A to USB-C from a USB-A port on the v3 to the CTL port of the switch. Try a couple ports on the v3 because one for DIY/v3 models may default to mapping for USB video capture instead, this shouldn’t block the switch from working, but weird stuff happens.

I’ve used a switch with a v3 and DIY, so know it does work. Have you confirmed the v3 direct to a target is still functional? I’ve had the OTG port/board on the v3 HAT go bad on one or two.

3

I have tried different USB ports, and it still does not work. Do you have further suggestions?

4

Can you show some photos of the setup?

The thing to make sure is uplink goes to the PiKVM, the downlink is for additional switches, and you need the 12v plugged in to one of the ports on the switch since it doesn’t get power from the v3.