Gl.iNet Reveal a Multi-Client KVM Management Device – the Comet X
GL.iNet has added the Comet X to its expanding Comet KVM range, with this model taking a more rack-focused approach than the earlier single-system units. Rather than being built around remote access to 1 machine, the Comet X is aimed at users who need to manage several nearby systems from a single KVM point, such as servers, workstations, test machines, or homelab hardware. It keeps the same general idea of browser and app-based remote control, but applies it to a 4-device setup with PoE support, local control options, and a chassis intended to fit more naturally into rack environments. At the time of writing, GL.iNet has shown the Comet X on its official pages, but has not confirmed a final price or general availability date
Hardware Specifications of the Comet X
The Comet X is built around a 4-system KVM layout, with 4 HDMI inputs for video capture and 4 USB-C device ports for connecting the controlled host machines. It also includes 1 HDMI output, allowing a local monitor to be connected directly to the unit rather than relying only on remote access through a browser or app. This is an important distinction from many smaller remote KVM devices, as the Comet X is not only intended to sit between a user and a remote machine, but also to act as a local switching and troubleshooting point when working directly at the rack.
For peripheral support, the unit includes 7 USB 2.0 Type-A host ports, rated at 5 V/0.5 A per port, which can be used for external peripherals and local interaction. Networking is handled through a 1GbE RJ45 port with 802.3af/at PoE support, while a USB-C power input is also available as an optional 5 V/3 A PD-compatible power source. This gives the device some flexibility in how it is deployed, although the presence of PoE is clearly one of the more rack-oriented parts of the design, as it reduces the need for a separate power adapter in suitable network environments.
Internally, the Comet X uses a quad-core ARM Cortex processor, 1 GB of DDR3L memory, and 64 GB of eMMC storage. The storage is intended for firmware, system use, and image storage, including ISO files for OS deployment or recovery tasks. The unit runs Linux 6.1 and supports up to 4K@30FPS video handling. It also includes a 3.69-inch TFT touchscreen on the front, which is used to show device status information such as IP details, online or offline state, and active sessions. Physically, the unit measures 170 x 90 x 40 mm, weighs 560 g, and includes brackets for both 10-inch and 19-inch rack mounting.
Specification
Details
Product Name
GL.iNet Comet X
KVM Type
Quad-port remote KVM
Controlled Systems
Up to 4 host computers
Operating System
Linux 6.1
CPU
Quad-core ARM Cortex
Memory
1 GB DDR3L
Storage
64 GB eMMC
HDMI Input
4 x HDMI IN
HDMI Output
1 x HDMI OUT
USB Host Ports
7 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 5 V/0.5 A per port
USB Device Ports
4 x USB 2.0 Type-C
Network Port
1 x RJ45
Ethernet Speed
10/100/1000 Mbps
PoE Support
802.3af/at
Optional Power Input
USB-C, 5 V/3 A, PD-compatible
Display
3.69-inch TFT touchscreen
Video Resolution
Up to 4K@30FPS
Function Button
1
Dimensions
170 x 90 x 40 mm
Weight
560 g
Rack Mounting
Compatible with 10-inch and 19-inch racks, brackets included
Software Features of the Comet X KVM
The Comet X uses GL.iNet’s GLKVM software platform, which is shared across the company’s current Comet KVM range. This allows connected systems to be accessed through a web browser or through GL.iNet’s own applications for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The core purpose is to provide direct keyboard, video, and mouse access to the attached machines, including scenarios where the target system has no working operating system, no remote desktop service, or needs BIOS-level access. For server maintenance, OS installation, remote troubleshooting, and recovery work, this is the main difference between a hardware KVM and normal remote access software.
The GLKVM software also includes a number of management features that are relevant to a multi-system KVM setup. These include video quality adjustment up to 4K@30FPS, remote file transfer, audio output, virtual keyboard support, Wake-on-LAN, 2-factor authentication, and support for accessories such as ATX boards and Fingerbot devices. The Comet X also supports remote access methods including GL.iNet’s own access service, as well as Tailscale, ZeroTier, and NetBird, depending on how the user wants to expose or restrict access. This makes it possible to keep the device limited to a local network, integrate it into an overlay VPN, or use a more direct remote access method where appropriate.
Where the Comet X is more unusual is in combining remote KVM access, local KVM operation, PoE power, rack mounting, and control of up to 4 systems in 1 device. The current small remote KVM market is mostly built around 1 host system per unit, while traditional multi-port KVM switches are often focused on local switching rather than browser or app-based remote management. The Comet X sits between those categories. It is not just a remote dongle for 1 computer, and it is not simply a local HDMI and USB switch. Its main role is to provide centralized access to several nearby systems while still allowing remote control, local fallback access, touchscreen status information, and ISO-based recovery from the same unit.
GL.iNet Comet X vs Other Comet KVMs
The main difference between the Comet X and the rest of GL.iNet’s Comet KVM range is the number of systems it is designed to manage. Models such as the standard Comet, Comet PoE, Comet Pro, Comet 5G, and Comet Q are built around access to a single connected machine, with the exact feature set changing depending on the model. Some focus on compact remote access, some add PoE, some add stronger standalone hardware, and the Comet 5G adds cellular connectivity for fallback access. The Comet X changes the role of the device by moving from a 1-system KVM into a centralized 4-system unit.
That makes the Comet X less of a direct replacement for the other Comet models and more of a separate branch in the same product family. A single-system Comet device may still make more sense for users who only need access to 1 PC, NAS, mini PC, or remote workstation, especially where size, cost, or cellular failover matters more than managing several systems in 1 place. The Comet X is better aligned with rack or bench environments where multiple machines are physically grouped together and need to be accessed from 1 management point. Its trade-off is that some features found elsewhere in the Comet line, such as built-in 5G failover, are not currently listed for this model.
USB-C devices, laptops, phones, Mac mini, portable setups
Rack or bench management of up to 4 nearby systems
Controlled Systems
1
1
1
1
1
Up to 4
Video Input Style
HDMI-based KVM
HDMI-based KVM
HDMI-based KVM
HDMI-based KVM
Built-in USB-C cable with DP Alt Mode
4 x HDMI IN
Local Video Output
Model dependent
Model dependent
HDMI passthrough
HDMI passthrough
Browser-based control from connected device workflow
1 x HDMI OUT
Maximum Resolution
4K@30FPS
4K@30FPS
4K@30FPS
4K@30FPS
1080P@60FPS
4K@30FPS
Network Connection
Ethernet
1GbE with PoE
Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 5G RedCap, 4G fallback
Wi-Fi 6
1GbE with PoE
PoE Support
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Wi-Fi Support
No
No
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6
Not listed
Cellular Support
No
No
No
5G RedCap with 4G fallback
No
No
Internal Storage
32 GB eMMC
32 GB eMMC
32 GB eMMC
64 GB eMMC
512 MB NAND
64 GB eMMC
Memory
1 GB DDR3L
1 GB DDR3L
1 GB DDR3L
1 GB DDR3L
512 MB LPDDR4
1 GB DDR3L
Processor
ARM Cortex, quad-core
ARM Cortex, quad-core
ARM Cortex, quad-core
ARM Cortex, quad-core
ARM Cortex, quad-core
ARM Cortex, quad-core
Touchscreen
No
No
2.22-inch touchscreen
3.69-inch touchscreen
1.8-inch touchscreen
3.69-inch TFT touchscreen
Browser Access
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
App Access
GLKVM app support
GLKVM app support
GLKVM app support
GLKVM app support
Browser-first workflow
GLKVM app support
Tailscale Support
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
ZeroTier Support
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
Yes
Yes
NetBird Support
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
Yes
Self-hosted Deployment
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not clearly listed
Yes
Local Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor Use
Limited compared with traditional local KVMs
Limited compared with traditional local KVMs
Limited compared with traditional local KVMs
Nearby wireless local access
USB-C device-focused
Yes, via local keyboard, mouse, and monitor
Rack Mounting
Not a primary design focus
10-inch rack mount support available
Not a primary design focus
Not a primary design focus
Portable design
10-inch and 19-inch rack brackets included
Release Status
Available
Available
Available
Available
Upcoming / VIP or pre-launch stage
Upcoming
Key Limitation
Single-system control
Single-system control
No built-in cellular failover
Still single-system control
Lower resolution than HDMI-based models
No confirmed price or release date yet
Price and Release Date of the GL.iNet Comet X
GL.iNet has not yet confirmed the final price or launch date for the Comet X. The official product listing currently presents the device as an upcoming quad-port remote KVM, and GL.iNet’s wider product pages also label the Comet X as upcoming rather than available to purchase. GL.iNet has also publicly referenced beta tester recruitment for the Comet X, which suggests the device is still in a pre-release stage rather than a finished retail launch. Until GL.iNet confirms availability, pricing, regional distribution, and whether there will be any early-bird or campaign pricing, the Comet X should be treated as announced but not yet released.
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