Linux

47353 readers

1063 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Is there any way to turn my Linux machine into a docking station? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

34 comments fedilink hide all child comments

The thing is like this: I have a windows laptop I use for work, and a Linux desktop machine. I have a single screen keyboard etc. and I switch between the two using a docking station. But, I wonder if there is a way for me to "cut the middle man" and just plug/unplug my linux machine.

I guess I can use a remote desktop solution approach on my laptop, but I wonder if there is a more "extreme" solution. Mostly since I have only one Ethernet port in my home office.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

Not exactly what you're asking but it could help.

Say you want to always use your desktop as the main device. You would plug everything onto the desktop, and have the laptop only plugged into the monitor (this is easier if you have two monitors so you can make one of them be forever desktop and the other forever laptop, so you don't have to keep switching the monitor inputs).

You will install Barrier on both of them, then configure your desktop to be the server and the laptop to connect to it. So for example suppose you keep your laptop to the right of the main screen, if you configure this properly you will be able to move your mouse from your monitor (desktop) to the laptop screen and click and write there even though the mouse and keyboard are plugged onto the desktop.

From there it's a quick jump to having both plugged onto the same monitor and switching the input and moving the mouse right until it shows up.

Now this is not perfect, but it lets you use both PCs without a KVM. But just so you know I used this for a couple of years and bought a KVM and have never looked back, so since you're already using a KVM this might feel janky or slow, but give it a try.