Hardware

Hardware Options

When running two operating systems at the same time, you will need a way to control each system with their own dedicated keyboard and mouse; you may also want audio too! Here are some options to try out.

Keyboard and Mouse Options

1. USB pass-through - You can register a USB device in the virt-manager to be passed to the guest. The advantage is that it is simple and quick. The disadvantage is that you will need two keyboards and two mouse (mice? mouses??).

2. KVM switch - You can use what is called a KVM switch to switch USB ports on a single keyboard and mouse setup. The advantage is you will have fluid control over your inputs with a single button (the common button-layout on a KVM switch). The disadvantage is this requires USB pass-through as well, and may not actually work... Some KVM switches (at least from my experience) will re-register a USB device when inputs have been switched. This means the system will recognize the Keyboard and Mouse as a new Device with a new ID. When you pass through a USB device, it has to identify the USB device; and if the device changes its identification, then the host wont recognize the USB as the device you passed to the guest.

3. PCIe USB Controller pass-through - You can use a PCIe USB Controller, and pass then entire controller to the guest OS. The advantage to this is you will have a line of free USBs where you can freely plug-n-play multiple USB devices, including mouse and keyboard. The disadvantage, you will need two keyboards and two mouse devices.

4. (RECOMMENDED) PCIe USB Controller and KVM switch - this is the best option overall, and I highly recommend it. With this setup, you will have a PCIe USB Controller passed to the guest; then two USB connections to the KVM switch will be plugged to both the USB Controller and the host computer USBs. The advantage you have one set of Keyboard and mouse, as well as a fluid switch in inputs between the two OSes. The disadvantage, you will have to pass through the PCIe USB Controller and buy the KVM switch.

5. Synergy - This is the last option (I'm aware of). With this option, you will use a program called "Synergy" that shares input cross-platform. The advantage don't have to buy another keyboard or mouse. The disadvantage: you will be relying on the network, Synergy isn't freeware, and requires additional software to mess around to get to work.

Audio Options

1. GPU audio pass-through - You can pass-through audio from the GPU. The advantage, its convenient as you will already be passing through the GPU to the guest. The disadvantage: requires a monitor to have speakers (or a split cable for the HDMI audio and display signals), the GPU audio drivers can crash or misbehave (happens to me with NVIDIA).

2. USB Sound card - You can pass-though a USB-powered sound card to plug in speakers/headsets and a microphone. The advantage it is simple (especially if you have a PCIe USB Controller passed to guest). The disadvantage, have to buy a USB Soundcard.

Display Options

1. Dedicated monitor for guest OS - Advantage: freely use different monitors for different OSes. Disadvantage: requires another monitor.

2. Build-in monitor display input switch - Advantage: freely switch between inputs. Disadvantage: can only view one OS at a time (might as well dual boot then).

3. KVM Switch (with display inputs) - Advantage: Easily switch between inputs. Disadvantage: KVM switches with display change capabilities can be costly and sometimes do not carry over all of your display data. This can break G-SYNC, lower display quality, slower refresh rates.

Recommended Parts

IMPORTANT NOTE: I have had a lot of troubles with the PCIe USB Controllers using a VIA Technologies chipset (apparent driver issues on Linux). I have success with the USB Controllers using the Renesas chipsets (Renesas uPD720201, at the time this wiki was written, is the latest chipset).

• PCIe USB Controller - Rosewell USB PCIe Card or any USB PCIe Card with a Renesas chipset.
• USB Sound card - Sabrent USB Sound card
• KVM Switch - IOGEAR 4 port KVM switch (IOGEAR makes solid KVM switches).
• KVM Switch (with Display port) - IOGEAR 2 port 4K KVM Switch (NOTE this says support for 4K 30Hz)