Multiplicity is available on Stardock.com and Steam Quickly download and activate a seamless co. Multiplicity is a versatile, secure and affordable wireless KVM software solution. Its KVM switch virtualization frees up your workspace, removing the cables and extra hardware of a traditional KVM switch. Just wanted to drop the news over here that Multiplicity 3 is now available on the new Edgerunner store. 'EdgeRunner today released Multiplicity v3, a major new version of its industry-leading software keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) solution. Multiplicity v3 adds true KVM support and more to its already unique and powerful feature set. Multiplicity is a versatile, secure and affordable wireless KVM software solution. Our KVM switch virtualization frees up your workspace, removing the cables and extra hardware of a traditional KVM switch. Multiplicity Pro eliminates the often disruptive distraction of having to remember which keyboard and mouse belongs to which screen and enables a much more seamless workflow, with complete focus on the problems we're here to solve.' - Stefan Boberg, Leading Programmer, Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment.
I've used a lot of really good (and some not so good) pieces of software over the years, but there are a few that really stand out for me. Among them is Edgerunner's Multiplicity - specifically the Multiplicity Pro KVM version. With that being said, a little bit about the software and why I like it so much.I've had multiple PC's on my desk at home for probably 15+ years by now. Originally it was simply two PC's with two KB's, two mice, two monitors, and two sets of speakers. Initially I went with a hardware KVM solution and that worked well enough, but eventually I upgraded my hardware and my existing KVM hardware would no longer work (it used PS/2 connectors for KB/Mouse and VGA for the video). At that time I found Multiplicity from Stardock Software. I was familiar with Stardock from their OS/2 days and had used their Object Desktop for Windows at one point, although I no longer did/do. While Multiplicity wouldn't remove the need to have a monitor for each PC, it would allow me to have one KB/Mouse. Basically you configure the setup with your monitor layout and when the mouse moves off of one monitor to another it switches control to that PC. I'm probably not doing a very good job describing how it works, the website linked about has a better explanation, but suffice it to say it quickly became a 'must have' application for me and I purchased it after only a couple of hours of evaluating it.
Over time I ended up with a second monitor for one of the PC's and added Ultramon (which I'll review another time) to the mix and Multiplicity continued to work wonderfully. At some point - I believe 2.x they added support for audio sharing which was greatly appreciated as I was able to go to a single set of speakers and have the audio from whatever PC I was working with routed to a single set of speakers. At some point I upgraded to the 'Pro' version as it had a couple of features that the regular version didn't have. I seem to recall that one of them was clipboard sharing. Now the features I'm describing, including the clipboard sharing can be done with other software - and probably free software at that, but I've always thought highly of Stardock and Multiplicity worked well for me so I've never given a thought to switching away from it.
With the release of v3.x, a new company is handling it - Edgerunner - I'm not entirely sure of their relationship with Stardock, but for me it's been a seamless transition. I recently upgraded to v3 and chose to go to the 'KVM PRO version'. I still use the traditional methods for the three PC's (and 5 monitors) on my desktop, but I can also KVM into other PC's such as my J or P's computers. It's not a true KVM in that I can't access BIOS for example - it's more like 'Remote Desktop' melded with say VNC since I can control their PC's with a couple of clicks, but it doesn't kick them off like RDP will normally do. I also just love the option to darken the screens of my PC's that I'm not currently controlling. I'm used to the three PC's and five monitors so I don't tend to have issues, but if I have to have my wife get on my setup for something for example it makes it each for her to see what PC she's on without having to hunt for the mouse for example.
I'm not sure that my little review here has done justice to the product, but I cannot say enough great things about it and strongly recommend anyone who has multiple PC's to deal with to take a look at the product. And not that I've ever needed actual support, but when I have had an occasional question such as if I could use the newest version as I always have, but still use the KVM mode as needed, I've always gotten quick responses and always accurate and clear responses and that's not something I can say about all software companies. I would easily rank Multiplicity as one of the 5 apps I simply cannot live without.
- M
Edit: Corrected the version that I currently use - it's Multiplicity v3 KVM PRO.
Multiplicity is a computer program that enables one keyboard and mouse to access two or more client computers from a host computer. It was developed for Stardock as part of their ThinkDesk subscription service, but is available separately.
Operation and features[edit]
Multiplicity is unlike remote desktop applications in that instead of opening windows to a client computer on a host computer’s desktop, the mouse pointer and keyboard focus shifts from one computer to another. It is closer in concept to a KVM switch, but while these have multiple cables to each computer, with Multiplicity the keyboard and mouse remain connected to the host computer and input is forwarded from the host to client machines via network connections — typically over TCP/IPport 30564.[1] Each computer uses its own display.[2] Switching is triggered by movement of the mouse to the appropriate side of the screen (or keyboard shortcuts, if desired), both from the desktop and in full-screen video modes.[3][4]
Multiplicity comes in two versions; the standard Multiplicity has the ability to copy and paste images and text between computers,[2] while Multiplicity Pro can control up to nine client computers and can copy files, folders, and other data between machines.[5]
Supported platforms as of 2016 are Windows 10, 8, 7 and Vista; Windows XP (32-bit only); and Windows Server 2003 / 2003 R2, 2008 / 2008 R2, 2012 / 2012 R2.
Multiplicity can emulate the capability of the KVM switch and let one display serve all the connected computers. The modern alternative would be the combination of an HDMI switch and a USB switch (aka a KVM), but the software-hardware comparison remains equally valid.
Multiplicity does not permit combining computers with different operating systems, like macOS and Linux.
Alternatives[edit]
Multiplicity Kvm Download
- x2x – Software for the X Window System that allows the console (keyboard and mouse) on one X terminal to be used to control another X terminal. It also provides ancillary functions like clipboard sharing. Developed in 1996 by David Chaiken at DEC.
- Synergy – A free software option that allows users to use a single keyboard and mouse to control multiple computers over TCP/IP. It is multiplatform (supporting Windows, macOS, Linux, and others), and supports text copy and paste. More capable version of ShareMouse, and made by the same company.
- Mouse without Borders - This is a Garage product from Microsoft that allows a single keyboard and mouse to operate up to four different computers.
- Barrier – A Creative Commons fork of Synergy's 1.9 branch.
- [1] – A cross-platform Windows and ApplemacOS option allowing users to control any networked computer from the mouse and keyboard of any other computer. ShareMouse does not require any manual configuration and works in any direction. ShareMouse is also available as a portable application.[6]
- Any remote desktop software that runs on the X Window System, together with a suitable window manager, can achieve the same effect, though not as efficiently. This does not require the use of multiple displays, but Xinerama can be used if multiple displays are desired, as long as one of the machines is capable of connecting to multiple displays at the same time. As this approach transports the output to the primary machine, it can be too slow for demanding video/audio apps and games.
References[edit]
- ^Matt Lake (September 2005). 'Three Screens, No Waiting'. ComputerUser.com. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
- ^ abNeil J. Rubenking (25 February 2005). 'Multiplicity Pro - Full Review'. PC Magazine. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
- ^Jeff Partridge (21 July 2005). 'Multiply Your Abilities'. Lockergnome. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
- ^Don Reisinger (August 21, 2007). 'Stardock Multiplicity Software Review'. PC World. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^Anne Chen (6 June 2005). 'Pings and Packets - Multiplicity Tidies Up Work Spaces'. eWeek. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
- ^'Mouse and Keyboard Sharing'. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
External links[edit]
Multiplicity 3 Kvm Log Location
- Official website
Multiplicity Kvm Pro