KVMs, especially with ATX power support, are great tools if something happens to your server and you can’t reach it via network, like ssh. They use a video input instead of output to view the BIOS and see what’s going on. Also the ability to not only reboot but control the actual power for hard resets make it like you’re actually physically in front of the machine. If your server has an issue that you can’t solve with KVM with power support, then that means you are in deep doodoo and either have a complete power outage, or the physical case would have to be removed to access the issue.

Why this is a big deal is pro KVMs cost hundreds of dollars if not more, and setting up a piKVM, especially with ATX power support, is not trivial. We did a big segment on piKVMs on the Linux Lugcast podcast, and I was just thinking of building one, but then I saw this new board and couldn’t believe the price tag for what it offers.