I have 4 PCs (each have there own functions i.e. one is VMWare server,
one is running appache, etc..) that I plan to rack mount in a closet.
I bought USB extender cables for the mice and keyboards. I bought
extender cables for audio line out and mic and have a switchbox for
them. I also have KVM switches (3 monitors) and I bought RGB and DVI
cables (2 have DVI video cards). The only items that will be on my
desk are the mouse, keyboard and monitors. I may add another USB
extender cable and run it to an external DVD burner that will be on my
desk. I was thinking of mounting the power switches at my desk also and running a wire pair to each PC. But then I was thinking it might be possible to use 12 volt car lock solendoids and 12 volt power adapters to remotely push the power buttons to on (of course this probably will not work for powering down or resetting but I can do that from the keyboard). Then I was thinking
that I have 5th PC that is on practically 24/7 (it's a 5 year old laptop with a dead screen that I use as a Plex media and file server). It would be awesome if I could find some USB controlled switches to switch the 12 volt solenoids and then I could use LogMeIn and I could turn on my PCs even from my phone. The problem is, when I search the Internet for computer controlled switches, USB controlled switches, etc... I don't find anything like what I want. I am a pretty good C# and VB.Net developer and I'll bet I could write a driver for such a device if I could find a company that sold them. Years ago I made an 8 switch paralell port controller with optoisolators that could switch
8 different items on and off and I wrote the program for it in QBasic.
My laptop does not have a paralell port (I'm sure they are quite
obsolete) and I'd like to buy something that is fairly read-made.
Does anyone know of a PC controller circuit/interface that could
handle switching 4 12 volt DC circuits on and off?
one is running appache, etc..) that I plan to rack mount in a closet.
I bought USB extender cables for the mice and keyboards. I bought
extender cables for audio line out and mic and have a switchbox for
them. I also have KVM switches (3 monitors) and I bought RGB and DVI
cables (2 have DVI video cards). The only items that will be on my
desk are the mouse, keyboard and monitors. I may add another USB
extender cable and run it to an external DVD burner that will be on my
desk. I was thinking of mounting the power switches at my desk also and running a wire pair to each PC. But then I was thinking it might be possible to use 12 volt car lock solendoids and 12 volt power adapters to remotely push the power buttons to on (of course this probably will not work for powering down or resetting but I can do that from the keyboard). Then I was thinking
that I have 5th PC that is on practically 24/7 (it's a 5 year old laptop with a dead screen that I use as a Plex media and file server). It would be awesome if I could find some USB controlled switches to switch the 12 volt solenoids and then I could use LogMeIn and I could turn on my PCs even from my phone. The problem is, when I search the Internet for computer controlled switches, USB controlled switches, etc... I don't find anything like what I want. I am a pretty good C# and VB.Net developer and I'll bet I could write a driver for such a device if I could find a company that sold them. Years ago I made an 8 switch paralell port controller with optoisolators that could switch
8 different items on and off and I wrote the program for it in QBasic.
My laptop does not have a paralell port (I'm sure they are quite
obsolete) and I'd like to buy something that is fairly read-made.
Does anyone know of a PC controller circuit/interface that could
handle switching 4 12 volt DC circuits on and off?
