How Does Synergy Work to Share a Keyboard and Mouse Between Two Computers?

Server/Client Configuration

You load the server on one computer and the client on the other. This simply means that one computer, "the server," hosts the keyboard and mouse. Then "the client" requests the ability to use them by contacting the server. If the two machines are networked, you can point the server and client to each other, specifying either a computer name or IP address. An IP address is usually easier, since computer names can be harder to figure out. To find the IP address, go to the Start menu, select Run and type in "cmd" and then enter "ipconfig" into the DOS prompt.

Specific Relationships

Once both computers are recognized by each other, you need to tell the mouse where to go once it leaves the screen on one computer and moves to the screen on the other machine. Then you can point and click the cursor for Web browsing or put it where it needs to go so you can begin your typing. You can have the client's monitor above, below, to the left or to the right of the one connected to your server. On the server you specify where the client is relative to the screens on your server PC. Then you do the same for the client, except you specify where the server is instead. This allows you to move the mouse from screen to screen no matter how your screens are positioned.

Server Communication

After your configuration is set up, the client communicates with the server over TCP port 24800, which is also known as the "synergy port," allowing you to use one keyboard and mouse across multiple computers. Sharing other hardware between machines will work in basically the same manner. It's even possible to add more machines to the mix, provided that they are all connected on the same network.