The Story Behind Comet (GL-RM1): Reinventing Remote Access

Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025 by Robort Luo

Hi everyone,

I’m Robort Luo, an engineer at GL.iNet. My journey to creating Comet started with a frustrating experience—one that I believe many of you can relate to.

A Remote Work Nightmare

A few months ago, I embarked on a 30-day business trip. Knowing I’d need to access my office computer, I prepared meticulously. I set up a VPN, installed remote desktop software, and tested everything multiple times to ensure smooth operation.

For the first few days, things worked flawlessly. But then, disaster struck.

First, I accidentally closed my remote desktop session while working, cutting off my access. Fortunately, I had my VPN as a backup. But soon after, my office experienced an unexpected power outage, shutting down my work computer. Since it was the weekend, I had to ask a colleague to drive in and turn it back on.

Then, the worst happened. While troubleshooting my network configuration, I made an error that severed my last remaining connection. With no way to access my computer, I had to rely on my colleague again.

This cycle of setbacks and dependency made me realize a fundamental flaw in existing remote access solutions: they aren’t designed for true, unattended remote control. They require someone on-site to fix issues when things go wrong.

A Better Solution: KVM Over Internet

As an engineer, I couldn’t let this problem go unsolved. I started researching alternative solutions and discovered KVM over IP—a technology that allows remote control at the hardware level, even if the operating system crashes or the machine loses power. However, existing KVM over IP devices were expensive, difficult to set up, and required a public IP address—making them inaccessible to most people.

I knew I could do better. I set three clear goals for my solution:

• Easy to use – No reliance on public IP addresses, making it as simple as remote desktop software.
• Disaster-proof – Must work even in the event of power failure or network misconfiguration.
• Affordable – Priced so that individuals and small businesses can actually use it.

From Prototype to Comet

I began designing my first KVM over Internet device. Excited by the potential, I kept iterating:

• Built the core hardware it was a bit messy, but it worked.

• 3D-printed an enclosure to make it more practical.

• Designed an ATX power control board to remotely turn computers on and off.

• Created a finger switch adapter for machines that couldn’t accommodate internal power control.

• Refining the final product design choosing the case color and material.

My colleagues quickly adopted these prototypes in their own workflows, confirming that there was real demand for this solution. With their feedback, I refined the design into a professional-grade product. That’s when I brought it to my boss. He loved it and believed it should reach more people. And so, Comet was born.

Bringing Comet to Life

Comet is our answer to the frustrations of remote access. It allows you to fully control your computer from anywhere, even if the OS crashes or the machine loses power. Whether you’re an IT professional, a business traveler, or a home server enthusiast, Comet gives you the ultimate peace of mind—knowing that your machine is always accessible.

Join us on this journey. Let’s redefine remote access together. Preorder Comet today!