X630-a8_v1.8 Overview

Product Overview

Introducing the X630-A8, a state-of-the-art Raspberry Pi 4-based KVM-over-IP remote management PCI Express card that seamlessly integrates into 2U form factors across PC, Sun, and Mac platforms. This innovative solution provides remote, unblocked, BIOS-level access and control to optimize server management. Accessible from any web browser, the X630-A8 offers secure, stable, and high-speed KVM access anytime, anywhere.

With the IP KVM PCI card, users can exercise KVM control starting from the BIOS level and beyond. Easily reboot, monitor the entire boot process, and interact with your connected system effortlessly. Additionally, the integrated remote ATX power control feature enables convenient machine power management, including switching on/off, resetting, and remote monitoring of power and storage LED activity.

Moreover, the X630-A8 is equipped with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, allowing data and power transmission over a single Ethernet cable. This feature streamlines cable usage, eliminates the need for separate power supplies and outlets, and enhances overall convenience and efficiency in network setups.



Product Features

  • Built on the Raspberry Pi 4 platform
  • Full remote BIOS-level control - Access the BIOS and have full control over the keyboard and mouse
  • Reliable remote network access to servers and computers
  • Installs just like any PCI card into a tower/desktop PC
  • Standard profile bracket inside standard desktop host workable
  • Supports HDMI input resolutions up to 1920x1080 at 50Hz
  • Supports HDMI audio capture
  • HDMI Full HD capture based on the TC358743 chip
  • OTG Keyboard & mouse; Mass Storage Drive emulation
  • Hardware Real-Time Clock (RTC) with CR1220 coin battery socket
  • Compatible with PC, Mac, Linux, and Sun Systems
  • PoE Supported – Power over Ethernet for simplified installation
  • Supports ATX control for powering the machine on/off and resetting it
  • Supports powering via USB-C
  • Equipped with a cooling fan to dissipate heat from the Raspberry Pi CPU
  • Reserves the PH2.0-4P connector for I2C OLED display





Technical Specification

Power supply:

  • 5Vdc +/-5% 3A via Type-C socket
  • 5Vdc +/-5% 2.5A via POE

Ports & Connectors:

  • Type-C power socket x1
  • HDMI input connector x1
  • PH2.0-4P OLED connector x1
  • ATX control box header 2.54pitch 2x8p x2

HDMI input resolutions:

  • Max 1920 x 1080P 50Hz

PCB Size:

  • 107.5mm x 85mm


 

  1. PC /server motherboard
  2. Motherboard system panel connector
  3. Plugs the  ATX cable into the box header and connects to motherboard system panel header.                    
  4. Optional - Connect the Power Switch wires, Reset Switch wires, HDD LED wires and Power LED wires from front panel chassis connector to the X650 box header (pinout printed on the board bottom).

 
               
Important Notes
1. The pin assignments for the panel header may differ by model. Refer to the motherboard user's manual for the actual pin assignments. 
2. HDD LED and Power LED need proper polarity connection to funciton. Check your motherboard manual for polarity requirements.

 

Hardware Connections


 

  1. Connect to your network using an Ethernet cable
  2. Connect the USB-C power supply (DC5V 3A), not required if powering over Ethernet 
  3. Locate a HDMI port on your PC/server and connect using a mini HDMI to HDMI cable
  4. ATX cable connection

 

USB2.0 OTG Cable Connection


 

How to Install the PCI Card in your Computer or Server    
 
                
1. Unplug your computer. Power down your computer and then unplug the power cable and all the other cables that are connected to the back.

2. Open your computer. PCI cards need to be installed inside your Computer's chassis.

3. Remove the metal bay cover. Each PCI slot will have a bay associated with it on the back of the computer. When there's nothing installed, the bays are covered by small metal protectors. You can remove one by unscrewing the single screw holding it in place and then lifting it directly out of the case. Set the screw aside.

4. Gripping the PCI card by the sides. Do not touch the contacts along the bottom, and try to avoid touching any of the circuitry.

5. Insert the card and press it firmly straight down into the slot. Ensure that the card is level and seated fully in the slot before continuing. note that the X650 PCI card is not required to insert into PCI slot on the motherboard.

6. Secure the card. Use the screw that you removed from the metal bay cover and use it to secure the card into the same hole. Tighten the screw firmly but not so tightly that it will strip later.

 


Package Contents

  • X630-A8 IPKVM PCI card x1
  • X630 HDMI-to-CSI2 module x1
  • Standard-profile bracket x1
  • Motherboard Internal 19-pin female header to USB OTG cable 50cm x1
  • Motherboard Internal USB 2.0 9-pin female header to Type-C USB OTG cable 50cm x1
  • ATX control rainbow cable x1
  • CPU cooling fan x1
  • Screw pack x1



Notes

  • The X630-A8 Kit does not come with a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B.
  • Don't power the X630-A8 via USB Type-C socket if powering over Ethernet.




 

Software & Configuration

PiKVM is a Free and Open Source Software that is released under the GPLv3 license. The Operating System (OS) image provided here is solely for the purpose of hardware testing. For commercial use, it is advised to directly contact the developers of PiKVM.

The development of this software would not be possible without the financial backing of the community. Contributions play a vital role in sustaining and advancing the project. If you wish to contribute, you can visit the PiKVM donation page at https://pikvm.org/donate/. Your support is greatly appreciated and will help in the continuous development and improvement of this software.

*Compatible with PiKVM V3 platform OS version only, does not support V4     

 

Flash the Image     
 
How to Install Raspberry Pi Imager

Raspberry Pi Imager is free to install from the official Raspberry Pi website. It's available for MacOS, Windows, and Ubuntu systems.

  1. Visit the Raspberry Pi download page.
  2. Download the Raspberry Pi Imager installer for your Operating System.
  3. Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Write a Raspberry Pi Imager built-in image

1. Launch Raspberry Pi Imager.
2. Click Choose OS.
3. Select Use custom to write an unlisted image.
4. Click Choose SD card.
5. Select from the list the SD card you want to write to.
6. Click Write to begin the image writing process.


When the imager is finished, you can connect your microSD card to the Pi and boot it up.

Raspberry Pi Imager Alternatives

If for whatever reason you don't want to or are unable to use Raspberry Pi Imager, you can opt to use an alternative application. Here are a couple we've relied on over the years leading up to the new imager release.

 
 - balenaEtcher - The application runs on Windows, MacOS, and Ubuntu operating systems.

 - Win32 Disk Imager - This imaging software is designed for Windows machines.
 
 

Configuring the OS     
 
1. Access to web interface

Access to PiKVM Web Interface via any browser with the URL https://pikvm/ OR https:// IP address of your ipkvm/  .

2. Log in to PiKVM and click Terminal :

3. Get root access (enter the root password: root ).

   [kvmd-webterm@pikvm ~]$ su    

4. To enable write-mode

   [kvmd-webterm@pikvm ~]$ rw    

5. Run the following command to enable OLED

  [root@pikvm kvmd-webterm]# systemctl enable --now kvmd-oled kvmd-oled-reboot kvmd-oled-shutdown     

   [root@pikvm kvmd-webterm]# ro    

6. Reboot the system

   [root@pikvm kvmd-webterm]# reboot    
      
     

CSI-2 Bridge Connection Test     
      
Make sure that the ‘/dev/video0’ device is available. Use this command to check:


   [kvmd-webterm@pikvm ~]$ ls /dev/video0    

 

If you see anything other than ‘file not found‘, then it’s available. 

 

 

For further assistance or inquiries, please reach out to our support team at info@edgecase.shop or sales@edgecase.shop. We are here to help you with any questions you might have.