AdderLink Infinity Manager User Guide Experts in Connectivity Solutions KVM Extension Solutions
Configuration Supported browsers.............................................................................................8 Login for admin users...........................................................................................8 Adding AdderLink Infinity units ........................................................................9 If an ALIF unit is not located.........................................................................9 AdderLink Infinity manual factory reset.....................
The A.I.M. server is supplied pre-loaded and is straightforward to deploy, requiring only a network connection and a power input to begin operation. All configuration of your AdderLink Infinity transmitters (channels), receivers and users are performed using the intuitive A.I.M. browser interface via a network connected computer. AdderLink ADM USR UNC ETH1 ETH2 PWR ADM USR UNC ETH1 ETH2 PWR MANAGEMENT SERVER www.adder.
A.I.M. basics Think of a channel as a ‘virtual transmitter’. It is virtual because the video, audio and USB streams of a channel do not necessarily have to originate from the same physical transmitter unit, although in most cases they will. For instance, you could arrange for video and USB streams to be received from one host computer, while the audio stream came from an alternative source.
INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION A.I.M. appears in two main ways depending on whether you are an administrator or a regular user. • For administrators, full access to the AdderLink Infinity Manager Suite is granted. This comprehensive application shows eight main tabbed areas: Dashboard, Channels, Receivers, Transmitters, Servers, Users, Presets and Statistics, each of which contains numerous related pages of settings and options.
Supplied items ADM USR UNC ETH1 ETH2 PWR ADM USR UNC ETH1 ETH2 PWR MANAGEMENT SERVER INSTALLATION AdderLink www.adder.com Rack mount brackets Information wallet containing: Four self-adhesive rubber feet INDEX FURTHER INFORMATION 12V, 5A Power supply plus country-specific mains cable OPERATION CONFIGURATION A.I.M.
Network connections The A.I.M. server has two network connections on the rear panel, labeled 1 and 2. These allow the unit to be connected to internal and external network connections as required. The external network connection allows admin users located away from the internal network to be able to login. To connect the internal IP network port 1 Run a category 5, 5e or 6 link cable from the appropriate hub or router to the A.I.M. server unit.
ETH1 ETH2 PWR ADM USR UNC ETH1 ETH2 PWR On when an administrator is logged in. Flashes when an administrator is accessing the system. On if there are any connections between channels/receivers. Flashes when a user is accessing the system. Unconfigured RX or TX units are online On when connected, flashes with network activity On when connected, flashes with network activity On when power is applied INSTALLATION UNC CONFIGURATION USR • A.I.M. v2.
Configuration IMPORTANT The first time you log in as an admin user to a new A.I.M. server, you will be presented with the Settings page where you will need to change A.I.M.’s default IP address to one that suits your existing network configuration. You will NOT be able to perform any other actions or navigate to any other pages within the A.I.M. admin interface until you have changed A.I.M.’s IP address.
Adding AdderLink Infinity units AdderLink Infinity manual factory reset If an ALIF unit is not located Ad der There are several reasons why an ALIF unit might not be located by A.I.M.: • The ALIF unit has been locally configured or is otherwise not using its factory default setting. Try performing a factory reset on an ALIF that is not being located. • The ALIF unit is not located in the same Ethernet segment as the A.I.M. server.
Note:Where necessary, click the icon for a particular ALIF unit to flash the unit’s front panel indicators to confirm its location. • Click the Save button. The new ALIF units will be restarted and will be changed to use their new IP addresses. 7 The new ALIF units will be added to the relevant Transmitter and Receiver pages within the A.I.M. admin view.You can now refine their configurations and organise their relationships with each other and with registered users.
The Dashboard tab • Latest User Logins - shows the last five users who logged in (either to the A.I.M. admin or at an AdderLink Infinity Receiver). • Latest User Registrations - shows the last five users added to the A.I.M. system, with a link to edit the user’s details/permissions. • Latest Channel Changes - shows the last five users who changed a channel, either while using the on-screen display (OSD) at an AdderLink Infinity Receiver, or via the A.I.M. admin control panel.
Dashboard > Settings > General Receiver OSD Timeout Determines the time period of inactivity within the OSD after which a standard user will be automatically logged out. A.I.M. Admin Timeout Determines the time period of inactivity within the A.I.M. config pages after which an admin user will be automatically logged out. Anonymous User Determines which user is shown in the log when a receiver is set to ‘No login required’.
Magic Eye Determines whether the Magic Eye feature should be enabled on ALIF dual (2002T) transmitters. Magic Eye works to overcome the issues with increased bandwidth usage caused by ‘dithering’ techniques used on some computers, such as Apple Macs. See the ALIF dual user guide for more details. Hotkey settings The first few rows determine the Hotkeys that can be used to invoke certain functions.
Quiescent Timeout The time after which an inactive (Quiescent) server is assumed to have disappeared. Backup Check Interval The interval between the Primary server querying its backups to determine if they are all on-line. Backup Timeout The period of time that a backup server can be off line or uncontactable before it is treated as a failed server. Require Authentication If set to No, this allows an unauthenticated A.I.M. HTTPS server to connect to the server in order to act as a Backup. This means that A.
This page sets up the active directory server, if there is one on your network, and to use active directory to maintain the user database. NTP Enabled Determines whether an external Network Time Protocol server should be used to provide timing for the installation. Date,Time,Time Zones Use these entries to pinpoint the current time, date and location of the installation. AD Enabled? Determines whether Active Directory features will be used. Account Suffix Enter the account suffix for your domain.
Restore from Server All backups (whether initiated manually or by schedule) are saved on the server together with a time-stamp of when the backup was run. If required, you can select a previous backup and restore its contents. Alternatively, you can download the backup file to another location. IMPORTANT: It is advisable to make a backup of the current state of the A.I.M. system before restoring a previous backup. Restoring the contents of a backup file will overwrite ALL data in the A.I.M.
Install Firmware onto Devices Allows you to determine the firmware file to use and which ALIF devices should be upgraded. Upgrading firmware globally on ALIF units This method allows the A.I.M. admin user to upgrade firmware on receivers and transmitters, wherever they are located. 1 Use the “Upload New TX/RX Firmware” section to place new transmitter and/or receiver firmware file(s) onto the A.I.M. server.
Dashboard > Event Log CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHER INFORMATION You can archive Event Log data to a CSV file via the “Archive log data” link, which jumps to the relevant section within the Dashboard > Backups page. INDEX • All: Lists all events • Admin: Lists automatic events and/or those performed by the admin user (including: backup, scheduled backup, backup restored, updating A.I.M. settings, adding/removing/ updating channels/users/devices, Active Directory Sync, Firmware upgrades, A.I.M.
The key fields (Name, Description and Location) all provide a search filter to locate particular items within long lists. Enter a full or partial search string into the appropriate filter box and then click to start the search. Optionally use the buttons to invert the order of the listing. The page will reload with the same pagination/sort order, but with the added search filter. It’s possible to filter by several columns at once (e.g.
Channels > Add or Configure a Channel Permissions This section allows you to determine which users and user groups should be given access to this channel. Individual users and user groups are handled within separate subsections, but both use the same method for inclusion and exclusion. To include one or more users (or groups): Highlight one or more (use the CTRL key if selecting more than one) user/group names in the left list and then click to add them to the right list.
Channels > Add or Configure Channel Group CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHER INFORMATION Channel Group Membership Allows you to determine which channels should be members of the group. By making a channel part of the group, each channel automatically inherits the key settings of the group. To add a channel to the group: Highlight one or more (use the CTRL key if selecting more than one) channel names in the left list and then click to add the name(s) to the right list.
The key fields (Name, Description and Location) all provide a search filter to locate particular items within long lists. Enter a full or partial search string into the appropriate filter box and then click to start the search. Optionally use the buttons to invert the order of the listing. The page will reload with the same pagination/sort order, but with the added search filter. It’s possible to filter by several columns at once (e.g.
Receivers > Configure Receiver From the View Receivers page, you can configure details for a receiver: HID Only If enabled, allows only HID (mice and keyboards) devices to be connected to the receivers. Receiver Keyboard Country Code Select the country code of the keyboard connected to the receiver. Group Membership To facilitate collective permission-granting for numerous receivers, a receiver can belong to one or more receiver groups.
Receivers > Add Receiver Group or Configure Group HID Only If enabled, allows only HID (mice and keyboards) devices to be connected to the receivers. Disable Isochronous Endpoint OSD Alerts When an isochronous USB device is connected to the receiver there will no longer be a warning message. ALIF units do not support isochronous devices. Enable Isochronous Endpoint Attach Some USB devices combine many USB devices behind a USB hub. e.g a keyboard with audio support.
INSTALLATION The Manage icons are as follows: (Note:You can hover your mouse pointer over any icons to reveal additional information): Configure device: Displays the “Configure Transmitter” page. Reboot device: Allows you to reboot or reset a unit to its factory settings. A popup will ask which task you wish to carry out. A reboot is useful if a device enters an unknown state.
Transmitters > Configure Transmitter USB Hub Size Select either a 13 or 7 port USB hub. This determines the number of USB devices that can be connected to a single Transmitter. Peak Bandwidth Limiter The transmitter will use as much of the available network bandwidth as necessary to achieve optimal data quality, although typically the transmitter will use considerably less than the maximum available.
CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHER INFORMATION INDEX This page is displayed whenever a new transmitter is added to the network. The IP Address 1 field, showing 0.0.0.0, is for an unconfigured device on its zero config address. Before A.I.M. can add the device into its database, a new IP address must be added to IP Address 1. This is the system IP address and applies equally for ALIF (1000 series) and ALIF dual (2000 series).
Servers > Configure Server Each server entry will also show one of six entries within the Status column: • Active This server is functioning as an A.I.M. server and is administering ALIF devices. Primary or Solo servers with this status are fully functional A.I.M. servers that will accept network configuration changes. A backup server with this status is functioning as an Active Primary. It will execute channel changes, but will not accept network configuration changes.
The key fields (Username, First Name and Last Name) all provide a search filter to locate particular items within long lists. Enter a full or partial search string into the appropriate filter box and then click to start the search. Optionally use the buttons to invert the order of the listing. The page will reload with the same pagination/sort order, but with the added search filter. It’s possible to filter by several columns at once (e.g.
Users > Add User or Configure User page From the View Users page, you can add a new user or configure an existing user: • To add a user: Click the “Add User” option. Password The password is required for logging into a channel and/or for logging into the A.I.M. admin system, if the user is to be granted admin privileges. AIM Admin? When set to Yes, the user is granted privileges to login to the A.I.M. admin system and make changes.
Users > Add User Group or Configure Group page Group Membership This section allows you to select which users should be members of the group. Any permissions applied to the user group are inherited by all users in the user group. Users who are not currently members are shown in the left list and those who are members are shown within the right list. See Including and excluding a user... on the right for details about including and excluding group membership.
Users > Active Directory CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHER INFORMATION Choosing users and groups Once scanned, the “Import Users from Active Directory” page shows all folders that are available on the AD server. 1 Use the “Include Users” and “Include Groups” checkbox columns on the right hand side of the folder lists to select which items to import (with optional additional LDAP filters where necessary). • If an AD user was not in the A.I.M. user database, they will be imported.
The preset allows multiple AdderLink Infinity receivers to be switched between transmitters using a single action. The nature of each preset, i.e. which receiver connects to which channel(s), is defined by the admin. The permitted connection modes are worked out according to: • The topology of the preset, AND • The current connections within the A.I.M. network.
Presets > Add or Configure Presets page From the Presets page, you can add a new preset or configure an existing preset: • To create a new preset: Click the “Add Preset” option. Allowed Connections Choose one of the following connection rules to be applied to the preset: • Inherit from global setting • View only • View/Shared only • Shared only • Exclusive only • View/Shared & Exclusive Note: If multicasting is present (e.g.
The Statistics tab CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHER INFORMATION INDEX To view statistics 1 Choose the unit(s). From the displayed list of all ALIF transmitters and receivers on the network, place a tick against one or two units that you wish to view and click Submit. 2 Choose the data series for the chosen ALIF units. From the displayed list of data series, place a tick against the items from the three groups (bandwidth, packet count and frame count) that you wish to view and click Submit.
Operation When the OSD contains many possible channels and presets, it can be useful to mark the most commonly visited ones as favorites. For those channels that you’d like to access by keyboard shortcut, there are also ten assignable hotkeys. To create a new favorite icon next to the required channel or preset. 1 Click the 2 Click the button at the top of the page. To display favorites The star shown at the top of the channel list has three appearances to represent the three display modes.
The Local OSD screen Once logged in, the list of channels for which you have permission are shown in the Local OSD (blue) screen. • To choose a channel/preset, click on one of the ) shown to blue connection icons ( the right of the required channel/preset name (see the Connection buttons box below right). • Where many channels/presets are listed, use the Channel Name and Description search boxes and list arrows to filter the choices. • To use the Remote OSD feature, click the icon in the top right corner.
The Remote OSD feature allows authorized users to access and take control of AdderLink Infinity receivers other than the one to which they are connected. Once linked in, users can then determine which channels the remote receivers should link with. Remote OSD requires the following: • The A.I.M. server(s) and all ALIF units must have firmware version 3.0 or greater. • A user must have been given specific authorization to access one or more remote receivers.
Further information • Technical support – www.adder.com/contact-support-form For technical support, use the contact form in the Support section of the adder.com website - your regional office will then get in contact with you. CONFIGURATION • Adder Forum – forum.adder.com Use our forum to access FAQs and discussions. OPERATION • Online solutions and updates – www.adder.com/support Check the Support section of the adder.com website for the latest solutions and firmware updates.
Choosing the right switch Layer 2 switches are what bind all of the hosts together in the subnet. However, they are all not created equally, so choose carefully. In particular look for the following: • Gigabit (1000Mbps) or faster Ethernet ports, • Support for IGMP v2 (or v3) snooping, • Support for Jumbo frames up to 9216-byte size, • High bandwidth connections between switches, preferably Fibre Channel. • Look for switches that perform their most onerous tasks (e.g.
CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHER INFORMATION INDEX The layout is vital but so too is the configuration: • Enable IGMP Snooping on all L2 switches. • Ensure that IGMP Fast-Leave is enabled on all switches with ALIF units connected directly to them. • Enable the L3 switch as an IGMP Querier. • Enable Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) on all switches and importantly also enable portfast (only) on all switch ports that have ALIF units connected.
Problem:The audio output of the ALIF receiver sounds like a scratched record. This issue is called Audio crackle and is a symptom of the same problem that produces blinding (see left). The issue is related to missing data packets. Remedies: As per blinding discussed previously. CONFIGURATION OPERATION Remedies: • Ensure that IGMP snooping is enabled on all switches within the subnet.
INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION Remedies: • Linux PCs - Check the video settings on the PC. If the Dither video box option is enabled, disable it. • Apple Mac with Nvidia graphics - Use the Adder utility for Macs (contact technical support). • Apple Mac with ATI graphics - Use the ALIF 2000 series unit with Magic Eye dither removal feature. • Windows PCs - If you suspect these issues with PCs, contact technical support for assistance.
Appendix C - Redundant servers: Setting up and swapping out CONFIGURATION 3 Click for the chosen A.I.M. server to display the Configure Server page and change the Rôle entry to primary and click Save. 4 Add the new secondary A.I.M. server to the network. This unit must have its factory default settings in place. The new server should appear within the main Servers tab and be identified as being Unconfigured.
Swapping out an A.I.M. server Starting from scratch For dual A.I.M. installations using redundancy Backup server failure 1 Replace the failed backup server with a new unit that has firmware version 3.0 or greater and has its default factory settings in place. 2 The replacement server should begin communicating with primary server and download the database so that it can operate as the backup server. If none of the above procedures are used, then the following will be necessary.
Appendix D - Glossary IGMP Fast-Leave (aka Immediate Leave) When a device/host no longer wishes to receive a multicast transmission, it can issue an IGMP Leave Group message as mentioned above. This causes the switch to issue an IGMP Group-Specific Query message on the port (that the Leave Group was received on) to check no other receivers exist on that connection that wish to remain a part of the multicast. This process has a cost in terms of switch processor activity and time.
ALIF transmitter video settings Colour Depth This parameter determines the number of bits required to define the color of every pixel. The maximum (and default) value is ‘24 bit’. By reducing the value you can significantly reduce bandwidth consumption, at the cost of video color reproduction. Frame Skipping Frame Skipping involves ‘missing out’ video frames between those captured by the transmitter.
carries the data to another user; to complete the picture, consider the transmission medium is Layer 0. In general, think of the functions carried out by the layers at the top as being complex, becoming less complex as you go lower down. As your data travel down from you towards the transmission medium (the cable), they are successively encapsulated at each layer within a new wrapper (along with a few instructions), ready for transport.
Methods login logout get_devices get_channels get_presets connect_channel connect_preset disconnect_channel disconnect_preset login (http:///api/#login) (http:///api/#logout) (http:///api/#get_devices) (http:///api/#get_channels) (http:///api/#get_presets) (http:///api/#connect_channel) (http:///api/#connect_preset) (http://
Examples Input: /api/?method=logout&token=xxxxx&v=1 Output: 1 2011-02-04 15:24:15 1 or 1 2012-12-12 12:12:12 0 3 Error logging out (you may already have logged out) Output values: - version - the current API version number - timestamp - the current server time - success -
Examples Input: /api/?v=2&method=get_devices&token=xxxxx /api/?v=2&method=get_devices&device_type=tx&page=2&results_per_ page=3&token=xxxxx OPERATION CONFIGURATION INSTALLATION Output: 2 2012-09-12 14:56:11 1 2 3 12 3 170 00:0F:58:01:6E:3D
INSTALLATION This method was last updated in API version 2, and is compatible with API requests from version 2 onwards This simple function returns a list of channels available to the authenticated user, for a specific receiver. Input parameters: - token - v (the A.I.M. API version this request is designed for) - page (page number to start showing results for, default = 1) - results_per_page (number of results per page, default = 1000) - device_id (ID of the receiver that this channel will be connected to.
Output: 2 2012-12-14 12:12:12 1 1 10 2 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION Examples Input: /api/?v=2&method=get_channels&token=xxxxx 3 Channel 1 Description for Channel 1 Location of Channel 1 false disab
INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION Output values: - version - the current API version number - timestamp - the current server time - success - page (page number) - results_per_page (number of results per page, default = unlimited) - total_presets - the total number of presets available to the authenticaed user - count_presets - the number of presets on this page, available to the authenticated user - for each connection_preset: - attribute: item (e.g.
connect_channel connect_preset Input parameters: - token - v (the A.I.M. API version this request is designed for) - c_id - the ID of the channel (acquired from get_channels) - rx_id - the ID of the receiver (acquired from get_receivers) - view_only (optional, 0/1 - defaults to 0) - exclusive (optional, 0/1 - defaults to 0) Input parameters: - token - v (the A.I.M.
disconnect_channel disconnect_preset Input parameters: - token - v (the A.I.M. API version this request is designed for) - rx_id (ID(s) of the receiver, as an integer, or comma-separated set of integers. Optional. If not supplied, all connections will be ended) - force - whether to disconnect existing connections by other users, or for offline receivers Input parameters: - token - v (the A.I.M. API version this request is designed for) - id (optional.
• • INSTALLATION Adder Technology Ltd warrants that this product shall be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of two years from the date of original purchase. If the product should fail to operate correctly in normal use during the warranty period, Adder will replace or repair it free of charge. No liability can be accepted for damage due to misuse or circumstances outside Adder’s control.
Radio Frequency Energy This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in the European standard EN55022. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception.
INSTALLATION www.adder.com/contact-details Support: forum.adder.com CONFIGURATION Contact: OPERATION www.adder.com INDEX FURTHER INFORMATION Web: Documentation by: www.ctxd.com © 2013 Adder Technology Limited All trademarks are acknowledged. Part No. MAN-AIM • Release 3.
G Groups what are they? 3 H Hotkey settings 13 Hotkey shortcuts 36 O On-Screen Display 3,36,37,38 OSD 3 login 36 main screen 37 remote 38 shortcuts 36 P Peak Bandwidth Limiter 26 Permissions 4 Presets 33 add presets page 34 configure presets page 34 Presets tab 33 S Safety information 57 Search filters 19 Security 3 Server redundancy 44 Servers tab 28 Shortcuts 36 Statistics tab 35 Swapping an AIM server 44 T Transmitters configure transmitter page 26 update firmware 26 view transmitters page 25 Transmit
