How can I force the HDMI video resolution and frequency?
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I am trying to set up an HDMI KVM for my pfSense firewall and another server (Microserver Gen 10 using a display port). The pfSense box is a Kingnovy N100 device and I am using the HDMI output. The two servers go into a MT-VIKI KVM which can handle 4k@30Hz. The KVM then feeds the DVI input of one of two monitors. A bit convoluted but I do not have a small monitor with an HDMI input and I have restricted space.
The Microserver works fine through the KVM. pfSense does not. One monitor just flickers and the other mutters something like "Cannot switch display to 1024 x 768 @ 60Hz" How can I force the display mode to something like 1024 x 768 @ 30Hz or 1280 x 1024 @ 30Hz, or am I going down a rabbit hole?
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Yes you are going down a rabbit hole.
You probably need to load a graphics driver to set a different output mode like that.
But 60Hz doesn't seem particularly high for 1024x768.
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Sadly, they are old monitors. It is hard to get small new monitors, but I am investigating portable ones.
I was just wondering what I could try. I did have a VGA KVM but the current computers don't support it (the Microserver VGA output is bust and the KingnovyPC does not have one)
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@NickJH not sure why your pfsense box would need/want a monitor for in the first place. Web gui or ssh.. If you need to console to it, couldn't you just leverage the other computer you have as the console computer which your kvm is working with? But what do you consider small?
quick first hit was a 24 inch with hdmi input for 80 bucks on amazon.
I see a bunch of small monitors 12 inch, 10 inch - 7 inch even with hdmi. But yeah a portable monitor might be more cost effective. I have one of those for my work laptop when going on a work trip for extended period.
Not understanding the point of the kvm with pfsense at all to be honest.. Guess I could see IP based kvm as an out of band sort of access to it. If you did need to console to pfsense, the other computer you have could be used as the consoling computer with its display.
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I currently use an old 15" 5:4 ratio monitor which just fits on my shelf under the roof in the attic. It is only DVI/VGA. I have something like a 22" 16:9 monitor but it has to sit on the floor which is not ideal.
I generally don't use the monitor but I do want the ability to use one with both pfSense and OMV (on my Microserver). It is annoying that it is OK with OMV and not pfSense. It is not necessarily a pfSense issue but a hardware issue which could, perhaps, be overridden in pfSense.
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@NickJH see my edit.. There just really isn't any need for a monitor with pfsense - sure if you have need to console into it. but you have your other computer and a working monitor that could be used for that. Not sure why pfsense would need its own monitor? Or ability to send its output to a monitor. I have never had to connect a keyboard and monitor to computer running pfsense.
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In the past, I've had to reload pfSense and look into the BIOS. I usually run headless but it is a pain shifting the keyboard and display between servers, which is why a KVM was invented.
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I recently added a GL-iNet Comet KVMoIP device mostly as an experiment, but also for the rare case I need BIOS or console access from the comfort of my couch
or from the pub. 
Disclaimer: Might not be suitable in an enterprise environment since the device phones home quite a bit. I don't use the cloud remote access and disable all outbound traffic on the device itself via IPTABLES rules.
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@elvisimprsntr haha - I just got one of those myself. So far impressed with it - thing is tiny tiny ;)
My use case had nothing to do with bios access ;) Hint, related to sports betting when in a state that doesn't allow it and its software detection of anything vpn/remote control related.
My little mini computer its connected to, now has no remote access software enabled on it ;) heheheh
I travel quite a bit to states that have stupid laws ;)
Found it for a good price while in one of those states, black friday deal or something. 72 vs the typical 89 cost. Now ready for my next trip ;)
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@johnpoz said in How can I force the HDMI video resolution and frequency?:
I just got one of those myself. So far impressed with it - thing is tiny tiny ;)
I got two of the JetKVM and I love 'em too, no betting involved :). Just laziness to re-cable the monitor to all the gadgets that I got.
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Hmm, I guess I'd expect almost anything to be able to display 1024x768 and 60Hz doesn't seem like an especially unusual rate.
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@patient0 said in How can I force the HDMI video resolution and frequency?:
JetKVM
Yeah I was looking at that one as well - when I was in my rage of not being able to make a bet on the black friday game ;) I had my bets made for my tday games before we left.. But forgot about the black friday game, had to call my nephew like an old school bookie ;)
But that one too was at the $89 price point, when found the gl.inet one - which I have one of their travel routers that I use all the time and like. And 20 bucks is 20 bucks - though I do like the little screen showing its ip on the jet one..
Then ended up watching the sunday games with no skin in the game like a cave man ;)
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@NickJH If you need console access on several remote devices, maybe get a serial terminal server ? Plenty cheap on eBay, and it would allow remote access for multiple Bios & OS Console sessions as required.
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That defeats the point of a KVM. I have pfSense and OMV servers plus a couple of part time servers that I play around with, and they live, headless, in my attic, I really wanted to share a single screen, keyboard and mouse. I do/did have a VGA KVM but the pfSense box doesn't have VGA and the Microsever's VGA is very dodgy.
Anyway, I bit the bullet and bought a portable 1920 x 1280 screen for GBP 42 and it all works a treat.
