Putting a computer within a computer might seem like something Xzibit did in the early 2000s.but this is a nasty name Blicube BLiKVM PCIe (Pi CM4) PCIe card with Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. (opens in new tab)dig up, tweeted about (opens in new tab) It acts as a remote control unit for your PC.
It’s important to point out right away that the PCIe housing is just a supporting structure. It does not power or interface with the Pi. It’s a neat and inconspicuous way to clean up. The whole works as a KVM unit over IP, allowing another computer on the network or the Internet to have complete control of any connected PC. This includes things like changing BIOS settings and interacting with ATX power supplies.
Powered externally via a PoE or USB-C port, the card is an open-source PiKVM (opens in new tab)Previously covered operating system (Arch Linux with custom repositories) (opens in new tab), connects to a host PC via USB and HDMI outside the case. The only internal ports are an ATX connector and a UART, but there is also a connector for an OLED screen, which seems to be unimplemented. Once connected, it will appear as a USB device to the host and capture video output. The admin can remotely (and securely) log into the CM4 and use it to control the host, utilizing his 1080p stream of video output from the captured HDMI feed.
PCIE cards, usually available as DIY kits, are sold with or without Compute Module 4. The CM4 version appears to the host PC as a USB mass storage drive (probably a partition of the Micro SD card), inserting and removing the drive.
KVM over IP switches often cost hundreds of dollars, but this appears to be a cost-effective and neat way to accomplish common server management tasks. After all, Xzibit would be proud.Units Available from AliExpress (opens in new tab)from about $120 without CM4 or shipping.
