Closet computer setup

[alexh1000]

Hi all,

Just had general PC question.
I'm running a PC Win7, Blue Iris with 2 IPCAMs.

I have all my ethernet switches etc. on some wire racks in a small walk in closet above head level.
There is room on the wire rack for the PC (medium tower).


My question is -

Is it practical to operate the security PC headless and use a free remote access program(local network access)?
My main home desktop is running Win7 Home premium so no remote access native.

Or I do have a spare VESA monitor which I could mount flush to the closet wall and I assume there are fold out keyboard trays which I could mount to the wall below the monitor?

I’m leaning towards the latter because I think with headless there may be issues that require a local keyboard every now and then and pulling it out of the closet will be a real pain.

Thanks

 

[fenderman]

@alexh1000 Do the latter. Remote access software like team viewer general but a huge load on the cpu if blue iris is running and can cause issues. You also cannot use them for bios adjustments or operating system installs etc (hard drive crash) Just user a wireless keyboard and mouse (or keyboard with touchpad).

 

[zero-degrees]

@alexh1000 I've used 7" monitors before and a mini wireless USB keyboard/touchpad combo like fender stated before in some closet setups as well as mini rack setups. Below is an example of what I've used in the past - when I need them I just buy whats available as they are basically all the same. Just be careful some of the 7" monitors out there are USB only, HDMI only, or a ribbon cable for Raspberry PI only. The example I used below has VGA and HDMI which is what I normally go after in these cases. Regardless I can normally find the monitor and keyboard/mouse combo's for around $50-$75 for both after a few minutes of searching, below are just two of the first ones that popped up today for me.

Monitor:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-7-inch-HD-HDMI-1080p-AV-VGA-LCD-Reversing-Monitor-For-Car-DSLR-PC-DVD-/261678014888?hash=item3ced39a1a8:g:N3YAAOSw0vBUdpQa

mini keyboard/touch pad: (I only use this one if the need for a keyboard is slim to none as its really small)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-4G-RF-Mini-Wireless-Keyboard-Mouse-Touchpad-Handheld-Android-TV-BOX-PC-HTPC-YY-/271892598823?hash=item3f4e0fd027:g:cH4AAOSwrklVZtpm

if you do think you'll need to use it often I recommend one of the logitech or samsung keyboards like this as its a little larger
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logitech-K400-White-Wireless-Touch-Keyboard-K400r-Built-In-Touchpad-/301075567353?hash=item46198092f9:g:ul8AAOxy63FS3eC8

Good luck!