APRIL 2002 ACU1022A ACU1028A AUDIO-1M2 Customer Support Information: FREE tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746. Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Dr., Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 World-Wide Web: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com © Copyright 2002. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY Welcome to the ServSwitch™ Family! Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX® ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM Extender model! We appreciate your business, and we think you’ll appreciate the many ways that your enhanced keyboard/video/mouse system will save you money, time, and effort. That’s because our ServSwitch family is all about breaking away from the traditional, expensive model of computer management.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND INDUSTRY CANADA RADIO-FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY, TRADEMARKS EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY WARNING! This is a class A product. In a domestic environment, this product might cause radio interference, in which case the user might be required to take adequate remedial measures.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM) ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD 1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado. 2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura. 3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de operación deben ser respetadas. 4.
NOM STATEMENT 12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización del equipo no sea eliminada. 13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos, poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del aparato. 14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las recomendaciones del fabricante. 15.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER Contents Chapter Page 1. Quick Start Guide ...................................................................................... 8 2. Specifications ........................................................................................... 10 3. Introduction ............................................................................................. 14 3.1 Compatibility ...............................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page 7. Operation ................................................................................................. 7.1 Keyboard and Mouse Emulation ..................................................... 7.2 Normal Operation and Keyboard Typematic Rate ......................... 7.3 Keyboard Commands and Related Functions ................................. 7.3.1 Resetting the Remote Keyboard and Mouse ......................... 7.3.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 1. Quick Start Guide Configuring the Extender Configuring the ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender involves setting some internal controls. Read the next couple of paragraphs, and if you find that you’ll need to change configuration settings, follow the procedure that’s listed afterward. (If you’re not certain which Extender model you’re working with, refer to Chapter 3.
CHAPTER 1: Quick Start Guide Installing the Extender To install your Extender system, refer to the illustration below. (A Dual-Access model is shown; the Single-Access model won’t have the local user station.) Take these steps: 1. Use the included extension cables to attach the CPU’s video, keyboard, mouse, serial, and/or audio ports to the Local Unit. 2. Dual-Access models: Plug the local keyboard, monitor, and mouse directly into the Local Unit. 3.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 2.
CHAPTER 2: Specifications Serial Characteristics: Audio Characteristics: Maximum Distance: Data rate: Transparent to data rates up to 19,200 bps; Data format: Transparent to data format; Flow control: Transparent to hardware and software flow control (RTS, CTS, DTR, and DSR are all passed through across the link) Signal format: Digitized at almost CD quality (16-bit sampling at 38.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER Connectors: On Local Unit: (1) Front-mounted RJ-45 female for local/remote interconnection; Rear-mounted: (1) HD15 male for video input from computer; (2) 6-pin mini-DIN female for keyboard and mouse output to computer; (2) 3.
CHAPTER 2: Specifications Power: Local Unit: 5 VDC at up to 170 mA from CPU’s keyboard port; Remote Unit: From desktop power supply (certified to the relevant international safety standards): Input: 100 to 240 VAC at 50 to 60 Hz from utilitypower outlet, through detachable power cord and IEC 320 male inlet, to external transformer; Output (isolated from mains ground): 9 VDC regulated, at up to 1 amp, from transformer to Extender CAUTION! If you ever need to replace the Remote Unit’s power supply, the repl
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 3. Introduction By using the Local and Remote Units that together make up the ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender, you can place your VGA monitor, keyboard, mouse, serial device (such as a touchscreen, modem, or printer), and audio devices (such as a microphone, speakers, or headphones) as far as 300 meters (1000 ft.) from the PC’s CPU.
CHAPTER 3: Introduction 3.1 Compatibility The KVM/Serial/Audio Extender is designed to operate in various environments and with a mix of hardware from different manufacturers. During development, the Extender was extensively tested with a wide variety of hardware.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER • Serial Device: Standard asynchronous RS-232 devices, including serial mice and trackballs, that operate at up to 19,200 bps and don’t require any control signals other than RTS, CTS, DSR, and DTR. (The Extender is transparent to data format and to all data rates up to 19,200 bps. It passes the control signals through.
CHAPTER 3: Introduction • Microsoft IntelliMouse compatibility Use this and compatible “wheel mice” with confidence. On the Dual-Access model, you can even use a standard PS/2 mouse at one user station and an IntelliMouse at the other. • Rackmountable You can use our Rackmount Kit (product code RMK19U) to place Extender Units in 1U of vertical space in a 19" rack. See Appendix B.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 4. Checklist of System Components 4.1 The Complete Package These items should be included with your ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/ Audio Extender package (please contact Black Box right away if any are missing or damaged): • (1) Extender Local Unit. • (1) Extender Remote Unit. • (1) 9-VDC 1-amp power-supply transformer and output cord. • (1) Power-supply input cord suitable for your country or region. • (1) Copy of this manual.
CHAPTER 4: Checklist of System Components 4.2 The Cables You’ll Need If you are using the KVM/Serial/Audio Extender to get greater distance between a CPU and a VGA monitor, PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, RS-232 serial device, audioinput device, and/or audio-output device, your Extender package should have included everything you’ll need except for your serial-device cable and your CAT5 cable, which you’ll have to order separately. Read Sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, and 4.2.4 carefully, then proceed with Chapter 5.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 4.2.2 TO CONNECT A MONITOR, KEYBOARD, MOUSE, SERIAL DEVICE, AND AUDIO DEVICES TO REMOTE UNIT OR TO THE DUAL-ACCESS LOCAL UNIT THE You’ll be plugging the monitor, keyboard, and mouse directly into the corresponding user-port connectors on the Extender’s Remote Unit.
CHAPTER 4: Checklist of System Components 4.2.4 TO CONNECT THE LOCAL UNIT TO THE REMOTE UNIT To interconnect the Extender’s Local and Remote Units, you’ll need industrystandard structured cabling (Category 5 UTP or STP, 4-pair) terminated with RJ-45 plugs. Order CAT5 patch cables such as our product code EYN737MS or CAT5 bulk cable such as our EYN840A. The bulk cable should be terminated with highquality RJ-45 plugs such as those included in our FM732 25-pack.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 5. Configuration The configuration controls for the ServSwitch Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender are internal, but should only need to be set once. To get at them, first open the Unit by unscrewing the four screws on its case and lifting off the top half of the case. When you’ve finished setting them, close the Unit by replacing the top half of the case and screwing the screws back in.
CHAPTER 5: Configuration If you are conducting a same-room test prior to your final installation, as we recommend—see Section 6.1—set the jumpers as appropriate for the length of the test cable first; then, if the Units pass the test, reset the jumpers for your actual installation length.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 5.2 Setting the DIP Switch: Keyboard-Command Hotkey You’ll also find a four-position DIP switch labeled SW1 on the main circuit board inside the KVM/Serial/Audio Extender’s Remote Unit (see Figure 5-1 on the previous page). (For directions on opening and closing the Remote Unit’s case, including the static-electricity precautions you should take, see the start of Chapter 5.
CHAPTER 6: Installation 6. Installation To install your ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender, first testplace it (if you want to) as described in Section 6.1, then attach devices as described in Section 6.2, then finish your installation as described in Section 6.3. Lastly, adjust the video compensation as described in Section 6.4. 6.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 6.2.1 SPECIAL CONCERNS ABOUT CONNECTING AUDIO DEVICES Before you connect any sound equipment to the KVM/Serial/Audio Extender, here are some things you should keep in mind: The Extender’s audio interface is stereo, bidirectional (sound can be transmitted in both directions across the link at the same time), and line-level (it supports devices that transmit and receive at up to 5 volts peak-to-peak).
CHAPTER 6: Installation 6.2.2 ATTACHING A CPU TO THE LOCAL UNIT Run the included extension cabling from the PC’s video, keyboard, mouse, serial, and/or audio ports to the matching connectors of the Local Unit’s CPU port. For guidelines on which audio connectors to use on the PC’s sound card, see Section 6.2.1. Serial cable Mouse cable Keyboard cable Audio cables Video cable Figure 6-1. Attaching a CPU to the Local Unit (Single-Access model shown). 6.2.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 6.2.4 ATTACHING A MONITOR, KEYBOARD, MOUSE, SERIAL DEVICE, AND/OR AUDIO DEVICES REMOTE UNIT TO THE Plug the monitor, keyboard, mouse, serial device, and/or audio devices directly into the matching connectors in the Remote Unit’s user port. If a serial or audio device doesn’t have its own attached cable, you might need to use a serial- or audio-extension cable to connect it. For more guidelines on connecting audio devices, see Section 6.2.1.
CHAPTER 6: Installation 6.2.5 ATTACHING A SERVSWITCH MULTI TO THE EXTENDER To attach a User Card installed in a ServSwitch Multi to the CPU port of an Extender’s Local Unit, first plug the extension cabling included with the Extender into the matching connectors of the Local Unit’s user port. Then plug a ServSwitch Multi User Cable such as product code KV2515 into the Multi’s User Card. Connect the matching ends of the extension cabling and User Cable together as shown in Figure 6-4.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 6.3 Finishing Your Installation To finish installing a KVM/Serial/Audio Extender after attaching devices to it as described in Section 6.2, take these steps: 1. Interconnect the Remote Unit and the Local Unit by running CAT5 cable between their front-panel modular jacks. 2. Turn the Brightness and Focus dials on the Remote Unit counterclockwise, by hand or with a screwdriver, as far as they will go. 3.
CHAPTER 6: Installation 8. Make sure the remote serial device functions. You might need to load a driver or run an application in order for the CPU to be able to detect and handle the serial data. If everything works in your test setup, repeat the procedures in Section 6.2 and 6.3 for your actual installation. (For information about rackmounting a Remote Unit, see Appendix B.) If everything works in the actual installation, you can proceed to adjust the remote site’s video (see Section 6.4).
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER CAT5 interconnect cable Remote Unit Local Unit Power supply Remote monitor, keyboard, mouse, serial printer, and dual-connector headset with microphone Extension cables (included) PC CPU Local monitor, keyboard, and mouse Figure 6-8. A Dual-Access Extender-system installation, rear view.
CHAPTER 6: Installation 6.4 Adjusting the Video Compensation You should only need to take the steps in this section if the interconnect cable between your Local and Remote Units is longer than 25 m (80 ft.). If it isn’t that long, but the video at the remote site still looks awful, first try adjusting the Remote Unit’s Brightness and Focus dials. If the video looks bad no matter how you set these dials, the problem is almost certainly being caused by bad wiring in your interconnect cable.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 7. Operation 7.1 Keyboard and Mouse Emulation The ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender uses a microprocessor to emulate the presence of a directly connected keyboard and mouse for the attached PC. This means that you don’t have to connect a keyboard or mouse to the PC in order for it to boot; in fact, the PC will boot with only the Local Unit connected.
CHAPTER 7: Operation 7.3 Keyboard Commands and Related Functions This section describes KVM/Serial/Audio Extender functions that can be controlled with commands that users can type in at the user-station keyboards, as well as some related functions. The Extender uses either left- or right-[Ctrl] as a “hotkey” that will trigger the Extender to expect an additional command character.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER feature you can use to painlessly recover from this kind of glitch. First try to reset the mouse as described in Section 7.3.1. If this doesn’t work, send the “Null Mouse Command” in order to resynchronize the CPU’s mouse port: Press and release the hotkey, then press and release the left-arrow (number 4) key on the keyboard’s numeric keypad (not the number 4 on the top row of the keyboard).
CHAPTER 7: Operation length of the “inactivity timeout,” the Extender “lets go” of that station, and will switch to whichever station it next detects keyboard input from. When the Extender boots up, it gives control (and its total attention) to the local station for at least a portion of the inactivity-timeout period. This means that the remote monitor might be blank, and the remote keyboard and mouse inactive, for up to two seconds. 7.3.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 8. Troubleshooting 8.1 Common Problems This section discusses difficulties that people sometimes have with the ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender, and suggests possible remedies. If the recommended actions don’t help, if you don’t see your problem here, or if your problem keeps recurring, call Black Box Technical Support as directed in Section 8.3. 8.1.
CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting Connecting a keyboard to the Remote Unit has an adverse effect on the remote video. Try using a newer keyboard. (Some older keyboards require too high a current for the Remote Unit to properly drive the video signal.) When I don’t use a keyboard, the Extender doesn’t work at all. See Section 8.1.7. 8.1.2 MOUSE There is a mouse cursor on the screen, but the mouse does not work. 1. Reset the mouse as described in Section 7.3.1. 2.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER The mouse is behaving erratically. 1. Reset the mouse as described in Section 7.3.1. 2. Issue the Null Mouse Command up to three times (see Section 7.3.2). 3. If your PC is running Windows 95/98/2000, Windows Me, Windows NT, or Windows XP, regardless of what type of mouse you have, install the latest Microsoft driver for a standard mouse or (even if you have a standard mouse) the IntelliMouse.
CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting 8.1.4 SERIAL DEVICE The CPU doesn’t detect my serial device. 1. Make sure that the data rates of the device and the CPU’s serial port both match, and that the data rate doesn’t exceed 19,200 bps. 2. Make sure that the device and your PC’s driver or serial-communication program are using the same type of flow control. The CPU doesn’t seem to receive anything from the serial device or vice versa. 1. If possible, attach the serial device directly to the CPU. If it works, skip to #2.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER 8.1.5 AUDIO DEVICES Sound doesn’t seem to get through from the local site to the remote site or vice versa. 1. Check the audio cables, including those attached to your speakers. Are they intact along their length and securely connected at both ends? Are all cables running correctly from LINE OUT to LINE IN? 2. Is your sound card actually outputting anything? Check this by temporarily attaching some speakers directly to the card. Sound is distorted. 1.
CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting Each character has separated into overlapping sets of red, green, and blue pixels; the effect is like trying to watch a 3-D movie without 3-D glasses. 1. Check the interconnect cable between the Extender’s Local and Remote Units. Is it solid-core cable, rated as Category 5? Is it intact along its length and securely connected at both ends? And is it wired correctly? (Compare the cable’s specs with those listed in Section 4.2.4 and its wiring with that shown in Appendix A.) 2.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER I get black & white instead of color video. Your CPU probably needs to see monitor ID in order to boot into the correct video mode. Please contact Black Box Technical Support. Microsoft Windows 3.x, 95, 98, or 2000, Windows Me, Windows NT, or Windows XP will only boot into a low-resolution graphics mode. 1.
CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting 8.2 General Questions About the Extender Is it possible to use an interconnection cable longer than 300 meters (1000 feet)? The Extender has been designed to produce acceptable results with SVGA resolutions at the maximum cable length of 300 m (1000 ft.). Therefore, it might be possible for you to run as far as 500 m (1640 ft.) at the standard VGA resolution, 640 x 480. However, we do not recommend doing this and cannot guarantee that it will work.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER Can the Extender be used with RGB video? As long as the video has sync on green (the composite sync signal superimposed on the green color signal), there should be no problem. Which cable type is better: UTP (unshielded twisted pair) or STP (shielded twisted pair)? In electrically quiet environments, UTP cable will give the best quality video over long distances because it has less capacitance per unit length.
CHAPTER 8: Troubleshooting 8.3 Calling Black Box If you determine that your KVM/Serial/Audio Extender is malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter or repair it. It contains no user-serviceable parts. Contact Black Box Technical Support at 724-746-5500. Before you do, make a record of the history of the problem.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER Appendix A: Cable Pinning/Pairing The cable you will use to interconnect the Local and Remote Units of your ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender should be terminated with RJ-45 plugs and should be wired according to the EIA/TIA-568 standard (preferably 568B rather than 568A). See Section 4.2.4 for a more complete set of cable recommendations.
APPENDIX B: Rackmounting Appendix B: Rackmounting If you’d like to mount any of your ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender system’s Local or Remote Units in a 19" rack, use a two-bracket Rackmount Kit like the one shown below (product code RMK19U): To use a Kit to mount an Extender Unit, take these steps, referring to the illustration below: 1. Unscrew and keep the two screws on each side of the Unit’s case. 2.
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM/SERIAL/AUDIO EXTENDER Appendix C: Keyboard-Command Summary Here is a brief list of the keyboard commands you can use to control your ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM/Serial/Audio Extender. For detailed descriptions of the commands and the effects they have on the system (including their effects on the keyboard LEDs), refer to Section 7.3.
LEGAL INFORMATION DISCLAIMERS While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, the manufacturer assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither does the manufacturer assume any liability for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. They reserve the right to change the specifications, functions, or circuitry of the product without notice.
NOTES
APRIL 2002 Interconnect LOCAL Brightness Focus Interconnect REMOTE ACU1001A ACU1009A ACU1049A REGULAR-1M5 Customer Support Information: FREE tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746. Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Dr., Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 World-Wide Web: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com © Copyright 2002. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
