Using MaxiVista As A KVM Switch
The MaxiVista software can do more than just extend the screen of your primary computer to another machine's display. In the Professional version of the program, it is also possible to use MaxiVista as a KVM solution. For this, all you need to do is to right click its icon in the primary computer's toolbar. In the context menu that opens, simply click on the menu item "Activate Remote Control," after which you can use the keyboard and mouse of the second computer to operate the primary computer. However, please note that this really is a KVM solution, not a remote control solution, of which the most famous examples are VNC, TeamViewer, or the built-in Windows Remote Desktop feature.
Connection with Different Subnets
In this context, it should also be mentioned that it is even possible to establish a connection with a computer that is located in a different subnet than the MaxiVista server. This would be of significance in the following scenario: the MaxiVista client program is installed on several desktop computers and the MaxiVista server software on a notebook. The connection between the MaxiVista client and the MaxiVista server is established via WLAN. For security reasons, the WLAN-connected notebook is in a different subnet than the server or desktop computer.
To establish a connection in such a scenario, the connection must be routed through different network segments and, secondly, the ports required for the MaxiVista software to communicate must be open. If these conditions are met, all you need to do is to enter the IP address of the client computer on the computer running the MaxiVista server program. You do this through the task bar of the MaxiVista server computer: just right-click the MaxiVista status symbol and then select ‘Options.’ In the window that opens, choose the tab 'Network,' click on the button ‘Manual,’ and enter the IP address.
More Options
In addition to these features, MaxiVista also offers many settings you can adjust. In the MaxiVista server program, a speed optimization wizard is integrated. It helps to set the transfer packet size among other technical items. Furthermore, it is also possible to instruct the program to compress the transfer data and take better advantage of the existing bandwidth. This can be handy when using broadband connections between computers.
The software has even more features, such as sending the character string "Ctrl-Alt-Del," definable keyboard shortcuts, or adjustable brightness of the remote monitor using gamma correction.
