EmergeCard Remote Access User Guide Run Your Servers Smarter
EmergeCard Remote Access User Guide © 2001 Apex Inc. All rights reserved. July 2001 Printed in the United States of America Apex Part Number 053-0191-00 The information contained in this guide is subject to change without notice. Apex Inc. shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor is it liable for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Contents 1. Overview 1 EmergeCard Remote Access Overview........................................................................... 1 Package Contents ...................................................................................................... 2 Key Features ............................................................................................................ 3 2. Installation 4 System Requirements ..........................................................................................
Screen Update Rate....................................................................................... 33 Changed-Segment Grid.................................................................................. 34 Using Function Keys................................................................................................. 35 Setting Alternate Function Key Mapping............................................................ 36 Configuring Mouse Pointers ................................................
1. Overview EmergeCard Remote Access Overview The EmergeCard is the fastest and most reliable way to remotely control and manage your entire server population—no matter where you are, and no matter where your servers are! The EmergeCard provides you with the first digital, customizable, universal access solution available today. Emerge allows any number of network administrators to remotely access any number of systems from any location.
Package Contents EmergeCard CD containing the EmergeCard Remote Access User Guide and the Emerge software EmergeCard Install Card Save Your Emerge Packaging Apex ships the Emerge system in packaging designed to protect its components during shipping and handling. Save the carton and packing materials until your equipment is fully installed and operational. If anything is missing or was damaged during shipment, contact Apex Customer Support.
Key Features Feature Description OSCAR Compatible On-Screen Configuration and Activity Reporting. Compatible with OSCAR-enabled switches such as OutLook and Viewpoint, which provide access to all of the commands and functions of Apex’s console switches. For Apex products that do not include an on-screen display, EmergeCard will allow ‘soft switching’ (keyboard access). Many Possible Configurations Direct to a critical server, Viewpoint or an OutLook switch in a variety of configurations.
2. Installation System Requirements The following are the recommended systems for your EmergeCard. Recommended systems: • Compaq 1850R • Compaq Prosignia Series • Compaq Proliant Series • Dell Power Edge 6300 • Dell Dimension Series • HP NetServer Series • IBM NetFinity Series Recommended system parameters: • Pentium III 450MHz • 128MB RAM • NT Server 4.
Installation Checklist Follow the steps outlined in the checklist below to install your Emerge remote computer system.
Planning Your Emerge System Options Before you setup your new Emerge system, take a few minutes to plan your layout. A quick review of your options will facilitate a quick, trouble-free installation. System connection options You may connect your Emerge system to a single critical server or integrate it with other Apex console switches.
Video resolution support options The Emerge supports standard high-resolution VGA video up to 1024 x 768 @75 Hz refresh rate. • 640 x 480 @60 Hz • 640 x 480 @72 Hz • 640 x 480 @75 Hz • 640 x 480 @85 Hz • 800 x 600 @56 Hz • 800 x 600 @60 Hz • 800 x 600 @72 Hz • 800 x 600 @75 Hz • 800 x 600 @85 Hz • 1024 x 768 @60 Hz • 1024 x 768 @70 Hz • 1024 x 768 @75 Hz • 720 x 400 @ 70 Hz Note Interlaced resolutions are not supported.
Installing your EmergeCard The exact installation procedure you will follow to install your EmergeCard will depend on the computer system brand you are using. The following instructions give you the essential steps to accomplish your installation successfully. To install your EmergeCard 1 Ensure that the system into which you will be installing your EmergeCard is powered off and unplugged. 2 Remove the cover of your system. 3 Locate an open PCI slot.
Connecting to an OutLook Switch or a Server The Emerge can be attached directly to an OutLook switch or to a server to allow the remote user to gain access to servers or remotely access commands and functionality of remote switches. Connect directly to a server The Emerge can be connected directly the keyboard, monitor, and mouse ports of a server or other single computer. Connect to a switch console port The Emerge can be connected to the console port of an OutLook switch as if it were a user.
To connect to a switch console port or server 1 Make sure the Emerge system is turned off and unplugged. 2 Place the unit in the desired location. The maximum length of cable between the Emerge system and a computer or switch should be no more than 12 feet. 3 Connect the video, mouse, and keyboard cable set to their respective jacks on the back panel of the Emerge system.
Connecting to a Multi-user OutLook Switch The Emerge can be connected to an OutLook multi-user switch in two different ways: either to a user console or system port. Connect to a switch console port Emerge can be connected to one of the user console ports of the OutLook switch. Monitor installation is optional if you want to perform setup or maintenance locally at the Emerge system. Note Console settings need to be at preemptive (rather than cooperative) at the KVM switch.
To connect to an OutLook multi-user switch 1 Make sure the Emerge system is turned off and unplugged. 2 Place the unit in the desired location. 3 Connect the video, mouse, and keyboard interconnecting cables to their respective jacks on the back panel of the EmergeCard. 4 Connect the other end of the mouse, monitor, and keyboard interconnecting cables to their respective jacks in one of the console ports on the back panel of the OutLook switch.
Connecting to a Viewpoint User Pod Attaching the Emerge to a user pod allows a remote user to utilize the OSCAR menus to access commands and functionality of the Viewpoint switch. Connect a monitor if you want to perform setup or maintenance locally at the Emerge system, and if you want to access target computers.
To connect to a user pod 1 Make sure the Emerge system is turned off and unplugged. 2 Place the Emerge system in the desired location. The maximum cable length between the Emerge and the target system should be no longer than 12 feet. 3 Connect the mouse, video, and keyboard interconnecting cables to their respective jacks on the back panel of the EmergeCard. 4 Connect the other end of the mouse, video, and keyboard interconnecting cables to their respective jacks on the user pod.
Connecting to a Viewpoint User Pod and System Pod Attaching the Emerge to a system pod and user pod allows a remote user to utilize the OSCAR menus to access the commands and functionality of the Viewpoint switch and perform maintenance on the Emerge system. No keyboard and mouse are needed at the Emerge system because the system pod, instead of the local keyboard and mouse, starts Emerge properly. All other user pods can perform maintenance on the Emerge system.
To connect to a user pod and system pod 1 Make sure the Emerge system is turned off and unplugged. 2 Place the unit in the desired location, no longer than 12 feet from a user pod. 3 Connect the mouse, video, and keyboard interconnecting cables to their respective jacks on the back panel of the EmergeCard. 4 Connect the other end of the mouse, video, and keyboard interconnecting cables to their respective jacks on the user pod.
3. Configuration Configuring Your EmergeCard After installing your EmergeCard, follow the steps listed below in the Configuration Checklist before operating your new system.
Install and Configure the Emerge Software Once your new EmergeCard is installed you will need to install your Emerge software. To install and configure your Emerge software 1 Insert the Emerge CD into the System’s CD-ROM drive. 2 Open up the folder "Update.xxx." 3 Run Updatexxx.exe. 4 Restart the system. 5 Follow the Setup Wizard instructions to complete setup of your EmergeCard. Note Running other applications along with the Emerge may affect operation and performance.
4. Operation Using the Emerge Application This chapter describes how to operate your Emerge software. The following checklist will help you in operating and customizing your Emerge environment. Reference the following pages for details on each topic. Application operation checklist 1 Launch the Emerge application from your desktop (if it doesn't automatically start up.) 2 Use the Switch Configuration Wizard to configure Emerge to recognize the switch (or switches) to which the unit is connected.
Launching the Emerge Application To gain access from the remote computer through Emerge to the target system 1 Double-click the Emerge icon to open the Emerge application. If this is the first time you are running the Emerge, you will use the Switch Configuration Wizard to configure Emerge to recognize the connected switch (or switches). (See “Using the Switch Configuration Wizard.”) 2 Use the Emerge window to specify settings or make connections to the connected target systems.
Using the Switch Configuration Wizard To use the Switch Configuration Wizard 1 Double-click the Emerge icon on the desktop of the Administrator Remote Control console to open Emerge. 2 If this is the first time you have launched Emerge or if no windows were open the last time Emerge was closed, the Switch Configuration Wizard dialog box appears. 3 If a console switch is attached to your Emerge system, select Yes and click Next to display a list of switch options.
4 Select the type of switch being used. Click Next. -orSelect (Other) if you are using an Apex compatible switch and select the associated switch model. Click Next. 5 A dialog box appears asking if additional switches are tiered from this switch. Select Yes or No. Click Next.
6 Yes brings up a dialog box asking which ports the tiered switches are attached to. Select All or Ports. (If you select Ports, proceed to Step 10.) Click Next. 7 If you select All, you are asked if all the switches are the same type. Select Yes or No and click Next. (If you selected No, proceed to step 15.
8 Selecting Yes brings up a dialog box that asks you to identify the tiered switch type. 9 Select the tiered switch and click Next. A dialog box appears where you enter the name you want associated with each Port. Select how you want the window for each Port to appear on Start up and click Next to access the next Port. When you have entered all the Port names, click Finish to complete configuration and begin a session.
10 If you select Ports, a dialog box appears asking you to enter the port numbers and/or port ranges, separate port numbers and/or ranges with commas. 11 Selecting Next brings up a dialog box asking if all tiered Switches are the same type. Select Yes or No. 12 Selecting No and clicking Next brings up a dialog box asking you to identify the type of switch being used.
15 If you select Yes, but I want to use the same window for all ports when you first encounter the Switch Configuration Wizard dialog box and click Next, a dialog box appears asking you to enter a title for the Target System Window. 16 Enter the title you want for the Target System Window and select whether the window should be maximized or normal on Start up. Click Finish to complete the Switch Configuration and begin a session.
Beginning a Host Session Once you have configured your Emerge to recognize the attached switches, you can begin a host session by double-clicking the Emerge icon on the desktop to launch Emerge. To Begin a Host Session 1 Double-click the Emerge icon on the desktop to launch the application. 2 Click File>Start Session or press the Start/Stop Session function key F5 or click the Start Session icon on the Session toolbar. 3 The Desktop for the target system appears.
Emerge Application Tool Bar The following toolbar appears at the top of your Emerge application window. This Icon Represents This 1 New Target Window Opens the New Target System dialog box to initiate another session window or the Switch Wizard. 2 Log File Options Contains logging options per session, including the type of events logged and the location of the log files. Used for troubleshooting. 3 Exit Quit the Emerge application.
Target System Tool and Status Bars The following target system window will appear for each of the port windows you have open. This Icon Represents This 1 Port Name/Number Port name/number of target system is displayed. 2 Start Session Starts a session with the active target system. 3 Stop Session Stops a session with the active target system. 4 Adjust Target Video Display Automatically adjusts video alignment.
Menu Items in the Emerge Window This Key Represents This Which Does This FILE Start/Stop Session Starts or stops a session with the active target system. New Target Window Opens the New Target System dialog box to initiate another session window or the Switch Wizard. Log File Options Contains logging options per session, including the type of events logged and the location of the log files. Used for troubleshooting.
This Key Represents This Which Does This WINDOW New Target Window Allows you to select a different target system. Cascade Allows you to cascade multiple sessions on the screen. Tile Horizontally/Vertically Allows you to tile multiple sessions on the screen. Order by Port Number Allows you to arrange individual target windows by Port number when tiling or cascading. When "Order by Port Number" is disabled, target windows are ordered by last input focus.
Resolution Table The Resolution Table lists the supported video resolutions and associated values. Your current resolution is the selected value.
Optimizing Your Connection Performance Screen Update Rate The Screen Update Rate allows you to set the video update rate between 2 seconds and 200 milliseconds to adjust to the type of connection you are using to access your target system. If you are accessing your target system over a slower link or if you have a great deal of screen activity, you may be able to increase performance by slowing the Screen Update Rate.
Changed-Segment Grid The Changed-Segment Grid identifies the presence and location of any screen activity. This feature is important for helping you to improve the performance of your connection. If the phase is out of adjustment, you may have screen activity that you aren’t aware of that will impact your performance over a slower connection. No Screen Activity Screen Activity Identified To optimize screen activity 1 Select the Changed-Segment Grid from under the View menu.
Using Function Keys Emerge comes configured with helpful function keys that allow you to select menu items quickly. Click the Function Key Help icon on the Tool bar or look under the Help menu item to find the Function Key that has been configured for the keystrokes you want to send. Default Settings for Emerge Function Keys This Key Represents This Which Does This F1 Help Menu Opens Emerge Help. If you are in an active target window, opens Windows Help.
Setting Alternate Function Key Mapping You can change the current function key configurations or remove Emerge assignments entirely to match your existing system usage. To set alternative key mapping and function keys 1 From Configure, select Function Keys. The Function Keys dialog box appears, allowing you to view the current key functions. 2 Select a function from the Commands list and you will see the current assigned key with a description of that function.
Configuring Mouse Pointers Emerge offers you the ability to configure your mouse pointers for unique operating environments. Synchronize at Upper-Left Corner This option focuses the synchronization of the mouse pointer of the target system and the remote computer to the upper left corner of the image display. Use this option if you are having problems with standard mouse synchronization. (The default setting synchronizes mouse pointers wherever Emerge crosshairs are located.
Optimizing Mouse Performance Apex recommends that all servers controlled by the Emerge system be adjusted as follows prior to installation. To adjust Standard PS/2 mouse drivers Access via Control Panel>Mouse>Motion tab>Pointer Speed The mouse motion rate needs to be set all the way to SLOW. The EmergeCard device then can use a calculation matrix to move the mouse at the target server the appropriate distance and speed to match the remote client.
Improving the Video Display The Emerge gathers system information from the target system through observation. Because it has an unobtrusive presence, it cannot obtain specific system information. When it obtains the video image from the target system, it digitizes the analog signal. Because its video output is based on information gathered through observation and the sampling of color bits, you may need to make slight adjustments to improve video display.
To adjust the displayed video image of the target system 1 Click the Video icon on the toolbar for the console switch screen to open the Adjustments dialog box or Press F6, the Adjust Settings function key, to bring up the Emerge Adjustments menu. 2 Select Automatic and the Emerge system will make changes to the screen to attempt to align the target window in the Emerge window.
Setting Your Switch Port Scan Rate If you have set Emerge to automatically scan from port to port, you can set how long it stays at each port by setting the slider on the Switch Port Scan Rate.
Adjusting the Target Window Properties The Properties dialog box allows you to control various attributes of your target system including the Name, Switch Port number, and Tiered Port number. To change Target Window Properties 1 Open the Target Window Properties dialog box under the View menu item. 2 Type in the Name, Switch Port or Tiered Port number in the appropriate box. Select Enter to implement the changes.
Maintaining Log Files The Emerge system maintains an application log file that can be reviewed by Apex Customer Support for servicing problems. The log file settings can be modified to record specific types of information, although maintaining the default settings will help Customer Support assess operation problems. To modify log file settings 1 Click File>Log File Options in the Emerge window. 2 Check the log options that you want to have recorded. 3 Click OK to save changes.
Viewing Emerge Versions You can access a window displaying the current versions of the Emerge application and components that you are running. To verify the current version of the Emerge 1 Click Help>About Apex Emerge or select the Emerge icon on the Emerge application tool bar. 2 View all the version numbers to verify the current application and component information for your EmergeCard.
5. Troubleshooting Symptom Probable Cause Recommended Solution Emerge host mouse loses synchronization with target mouse Method that mouse movements are processed and transferred Press Align Mouse Pointers hotkey . Speed/acceleration settings incorrect on target system Set mouse settings to recommended values on target system. See section Synchronizing Mouse Movement in the Operation chapter.
Appendices Getting Help Where to Go for Assistance Visit our Web site for the latest technical information and to download updates. www.apex.com Contact your distributor or reseller E-mail Apex Customer Support: support@apex.com Phone Apex Customer Support: 800 861-5858 Monday through Friday between 6 am and 6 pm Pacific Time What Information to Provide to Apex Customer Support Unit model number and serial number Make and model of keyboard and mouse attached to the unit.
Communications Regulation Information ENGLISH Federal Communications Notice (Class A Equipment) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
Limited Warranty Apex Inc. warrants that the Emerge remote access card (Product) will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year from the date of receipt. Any implied warranty on the switch is limited to one year.
