Comet (GL-RM1) User Guide¶
Comet (GL-RM1) is an open-source remote KVM device with a wide range of applications. You can use it to remote control your home computer when away from home, access to local resources, etc. It supports remote control of offline devices, allowing you to handle computer boot failures and adjust BIOS settings. It also has a remote file transfer function, enabling easy data transfer for both online and offline computers. With audio support, it provides a more immersive remote interaction experience. In a word, it is an essential tool for remote work and device management.
Product Overview¶
Appearance¶
LED¶
There is 1x LED on the top panel of Comet. Here's the LED explanation.
| LED Status | Indication |
|---|---|
| Solid Blue | Starting up |
| Flashing White | Started up but No Internet |
| Solid White | Connected to Internet |
| Flashing Blue & White | Firmware Upgrading |
Button¶
There is 1x Button at the side panel of Comet. Here's the button explanation.
| Function | Operation | LED Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Enter U-Boot Flashing Mode | With device powered on, press and hold the button for more than 3s then release |
Pressing the button: Flashing Blue Entered U-Boot mode: Solid Blue |
| Reset | With device powered on, press and hold the button for 8-20s then release |
Pressing for 1-8s: Slowly Flashing Pressing for 8-20s: Quickly Flashing |
Quick Setup Guide¶
Connect the Devices¶
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Connect the Comet to the power source to power it on.
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Use an HDMI cable to connect the Comet's HDMI-IN port to the HDMI-OUT port of the Device B.
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Connect the Comet's USB-Device port to the USB interface of the Device B using a USB cable.
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Plug the Comet's Ethernet port to a network source.
Local Access to Comet¶
Method 1. via Domain Name
Open a browser, enter glkvm.local, you will enter the local management page.
Method 2. via IP Address
Find the IP address of Comet in the upper router, enter this IP address in the browser, you will be able to access the Comet locally, thus access the controlled device connected to Comet.
Take GL-AXT1800 as an example. Here we connect the Comet to the LAN port of GL-AXT1800 router through an Ethernet cable, so GL-AXT1800 is the upper router. Log in to the web admin panel of GL-AXT1800, find the IP address of Comet in the Client list, as shown below.
Now we can use this IP to access Comet locally, thus access the controlled device.
Remote Access to Comet¶
Method 1. via GLKVM Application
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Install the GLKVM App on your controlling device.
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Register an Account.
Register a GL.iNet account. If you already have one, skip this step.
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Log in to your Account.
Enter the username and password to log in.
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Bind your device.
There are two methods to bind Comet to your account.
Please ensure that the current Controlling Device is in the same local area network as the Comet.
Click "Add Device", select your Comet.
Click the "+" button in the upper right corner.
Customize device name and input the S/N, which is printed on the label on the back of the device.
You can now start using Comet to remote access the controlled device.
Method 2. via Tailscale
Comet integrates with Tailscale since firmware v1.1.0, allowing you to bind it to the Tailscale virtual network for remote access.
In Comet's control panel, navigate to Apps Center -> Tailscale, bind Comet to your Tailscale account, then you can remotely access it by typing its Tailscale virtual IP into a web browser on the controlling device, without installing GLKVM app.
More instructions about Tailscale, please refer to Tailscale documentation.
Function Introduction¶
Settings¶
In the Comet's control page, navigate to Settings, you will get a page as below.
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Video
You can modify the video quality, orientation and EDID settings of Comet's control page.
- Quality: Adjust the video quality to low/medium/high according to your network and resolution requirements.
- Orientation: Adjust the control page rotation degree.
- EDID: Extended Display Identification Data. It aims to automatically match the display optimal parameters. The default configuration is suitable for most scenarios and usually does not need to be modified. Click here for details.
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Remote Device Settings
You can adjust the relevant settings of the controlled device.
- Audio: Turn on or off the sound of the controlled device.
- Mouse: Turn on or off the mouse of the controlled device.
- Keyboard: Turn on or off the keyboard of the controlled device.
- Show Virtual Keyboard: Whether to display and use the virtual keyboard on the control page.
- Show Local Cursor: Whether to display the mouse of the current device on the screen.
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System
- Language: Switch the language of control page.
- Color Mode: Switch the theme color, including dark and light modes.
- Reset KVM
Toolbox¶
In the Comet's control page, navigate to Toolbox.
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Clipboard
The clipboard allows you to easily paste text from the controlling device to the controlled device, without the need to transfer files.
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Shortcut
It shows some common shortcut key options. Click "ALL" to show all options.
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Wake On Lan
Wake on LAN (WOL) is a technology that allows the controlled device to be remotely powered on or awakened from a low-power state.
Click Add Device to set it up.
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Terminal
Access Terminal: You can access the terminal of Comet through this function.
Accessories¶
GL.iNet offers optional accessories for KVM devices to provide additional convenience for remote management.
Firstly, connect the accessories to the controlled device. For Fingerbot, please click here. For ATX board, please click here.
Then log in to the Comet's control page, navigate to Accessories.
Note: Accessory settings are only displayed after installation.
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Fingerbot
The Fingerbot is adhered to the physical power button of the controlled device, to achieve remote control of the controlled device's power supply.
It works as per the following settings.
- Time: The duration for which the Fingerbot presses.
- Strength: Two levels of pressing strength are provided.
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ATX Power
The ATX Board is installed in the computer host box to achieve remote control of the controlled device's power on/off/reboot.
It works as per the following settings.
- Power: Provides short press and long press functions.
- Restart: Restart the device.
Virtual Media¶
Comet allows you to transfer files between the host controlling device and the controlled device.
In the top navigation bar, click Virtual Media.
Drag or click the box to upload files from host, or upload from URL.
As an example, two images were uploaded from the host controlling device to the Comet here.
Click Mount To Remote, two options are provided: File Sharing and Image Mounting.
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File Sharing: Emulates a read-write USB drive. Upload the files from the host to the Comet and transfer to the controlled device.
Click "File Sharing", a window will pop up in the upper right corner of the control page.
Then turn to the Comet's control page, go to "This PC" of your controlled device, you will see a Drive named "GLKVM(F:)".
Now you can view, move or delete the files in this drive.
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Image Mounting: Emulates a read-only CD-Rom, supports BIOS/UEFI boot, for system reinstallation or ISO-based software installation.
Comet can simulate a read-only virtual CD/DVD or disk drive on the target host. You can access this drive during the BIOS or UEFI startup process.
This function can help you reinstall the operating system or mount an ISO to install applications on the target host and other tasks.
Click "Image Mounting", in the Mount Settings, select the image you need and click "Mount Image". The image will be mounting.
Then you can use this file on the controlled end.
Apps Center¶
In the top navigation bar, click Apps Center, the integrated applications can be found here.
Tailscale¶
This feature is available since firmware v1.1.0
Comet integrates with Tailscale, allowing you to bind it to the Tailscale virtual network for remote access.
In Comet's control panel, navigate to Apps Center -> Tailscale, bind Comet to your Tailscale account, then you can remotely access it by typing its Tailscale virtual IP into a web browser on the controlling device, without installing GLKVM app.
More instructions about Tailscale, please refer to Tailscale documentation.
Help¶
Here you can find more information about GL.iNet KVM, or export log for troubleshooting.
System¶
In the upper right corner, you can adjust the screen size, such as collapsing the toolbar or enabling full-screen display. You can also upgrade firmware, enable Cloud service, change admin password, and restart/logout of your GL-RM1.
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Upgrade
Local and Online Upgrades are supported.
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Cloud Service
GL.iNet KVM panel can be accessed locally, so as to manage the controlled device under local network. Click here for more details.
If you want to access the controlled device remotely, we suggest you download the App to use Cloud service.
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Security
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Change Admin Password.
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2FA Code: Enable two-factor authentication to protect your account.
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Accessories¶
GL.iNet offers optional accessories for KVM devices to provide additional convenience for remote management.
FingerBot¶
The FingerBot, acting as a physical button emulator, is designed to enable remote control of physical power button on the controlled device.
Remove the cover above the FingerBot to find a USB wireless receiver, and insert it into the USB port of Comet.
Then attach the Fingerbot to the controlled device, ensure that the robotic arm of the Fingerbot can reach the physical power button of the controlled device when pressed downward, so as to achieve control of the power supply of the controlled device.
Then you can log in to Comet's control page, go to Accessories to set the FingerBot.
Note: This product is not available yet.
ATX Board¶
The ATX Board, acting as a smart power management module, enables remote control of the controlled device's power supply by simulating physical power button operations (power on/off/reboot).
Unlike the FingerBot, which controls device through physical button presses, the ATX main board will be directly installed in the controlled device's host box, providing more concealed and stable power management.
Please refer to GL-ATX Board User Guide for details.
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