FEBRUARY 2000 KV812A KV814A KV822A KV824A 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 2000. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY Welcome to the ServSwitchTM Family! Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX® ServSwitch™ Brand KVM switch! We appreciate your business, and we think you’ll appreciate the many ways that your new ServSwitch keyboard/video/mouse switch 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™ USB AND USB PLUS TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch, ServSwitch USB, and ServSwitch USB Plus are trademarks, of Black Box Corporation. Apple, Mac, and Macintosh are registered trademarks, and G3 and G4 are trademarks, of Apple Computer, Inc. Compaq is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation. Gateway is a trademark of Gateway, Inc. Hewlett-Packard and HP-UX are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard.
FCC/IC STATEMENTS 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.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in the European standard EN55022. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference.
NOM STATEMENT 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. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas. 5.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Chapter Page 1. Specifications ............................................................................................. 9 2. Introduction ............................................................................................. 2.1 Features and Benefits ....................................................................... 2.2 The Complete Package ..................................................................... 2.3 The ServSwitch USB Illustrated ...............
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS Contents (continued) Chapter 6. 8 Page Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 6.1 Things to Try ..................................................................................... 6.2 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 6.3 Shipping and Packaging ...................................................................
CHAPTER 1: Specifications 1. Specifications Operating System Required — Hardware Required — An OS with full USB-switching support, such as Windows 98 Release 2 or later or Mac OS 8.6 or later, complete with USB drivers for all your devices Monitor that works when directly connected to each of your CPUs (see Section 4.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS Connectors — All rear-mounted: All models: (1) HD15 female for attaching monitor; (3) USB Type A female for USB peripherals; HD15 female connectors for video from CPU: KV812A and KV822A: (2); KV814A and KV824A: (4); USB Type B female connectors for other I/O to/from CPU: KV812A and KV822A: (2); KV814A and KV824A: (4); KV822A and KV824A also have: (2) 6-pin mini-DIN female for attaching PS/2 type keyboard and mouse; (1) DB15 female for attaching Remote-Control Module Power — F
CHAPTER 2: Introduction 2. Introduction The ServSwitch™ USB and ServSwitch™ USB Plus are high-performance peripheral-sharing devices that support computers with VGA video outputs and Universal Serial Bus (USB) peripheral ports. You can switch between two fully USBenabled IBM® PC compatible or Apple® Macintosh® G3™ or G4™ CPUs using our 2-port Switch models (our product codes KV812A and KV822A) or four such CPUs using our 4-port models (KV814A and KV824A).
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS • Optional CPU/Server Cables (our product code EHN810) have a VGA strand bonded to a USB strand and make connecting your CPUs a snap. The ServSwitch USB Plus adds these exciting features: • You can attach a PS/2 keyboard and send the Switch keystroke commands. • You can attach a 3-button PS/2 mouse—including the Microsoft® IntelliMouse™ and compatible models—and perform mouse switching. • Automatically restores PS/2 keyboard and mouse states when channel is changed.
CHAPTER 2: Introduction 2.2 The Complete Package You should have received these components with your ServSwitch USB: • The ServSwitch USB itself. • Its power supply. • This manual. If you didn’t receive everything, or if anything arrived damaged, contact Black Box right away. The Switch’s Remote-Control Module (our product code KV6REM, specify length of cable component) includes the module itself and Velcro® strips for mounting it.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 2.3 The ServSwitch USB Illustrated Status display (7-segment LED) Channel-selection button (also used to trigger firmware-version display and autoscanning; see Section 5.2) Figure 2-1. The front panel of all ServSwitch USB models. To CPU 1’s video card To CPU 2’s video card To monitor USER AND PERIPHERAL CONNECTIONS KV812A CPU CONNECTIONS 1 2 5V DC, 2A To USB peripherals Power jack To CPU 2’s USB port To CPU 1’s USB port Figure 2-2.
CHAPTER 2: Introduction To CPU 1’s video card To CPU 2’s video card To monitor USER AND PERIPHERAL CONNECTIONS KV822A CPU CONNECTIONS 2 1 5V DC, 2A OPTIONS Power jack To PS/2 type keyboard and mouse To USB peripherals To CPUs’ USB ports To RemoteControl Module Figure 2-4. The rear panel of the 2-port ServSwitch USB Plus (KV822A).
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 2.4 Safety Concerns As you prepare to install the ServSwitch USB, please keep these things in mind: • The Switch is for use in dry, oil-free indoor environments only. • Warning: The Switch’s power adapter contains no user-serviceable parts, but it does contain parts capable of delivering hazardous electric shocks—do not attempt to dismantle it! • Plug the power adapter into a socket outlet close to the Switch.
CHAPTER 3: Configuration 3. Configuration The ServSwitch USB comes from the factory preset to default configuration settings which are suitable for most applications. You can set the Switch differently by moving the positions of the configuration DIP switch on the bottom of the ServSwitch USB, shown in Figure 3-1 below, to different settings. ON 1 DIP 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Positions 1 and 2: Hotkey combination (ServSwitch USB Plus only; see Section 3.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 3.1 Setting the Enumeration Guard Time (Positions 5 & 6) When devices are connected to or disconnected from a USB bus, the devices on that bus then need a certain amount of time for uninterrupted communication in order for the currently selected CPU to determine the new makeup of the bus— which USB devices are connected, what capabilities those devices have, etc. This process is called “enumeration.
CHAPTER 3: Configuration 3.2 Setting the Autoscan Pause Time (Position 7) You can set how long the ServSwitch USB will pause to display each attached CPU’s video when you autoscan the CPUs (known as the “pause time” or “dwell time”; for more information on autoscanning, see Section 5.2.3). To do so, move position 7 of the DIP switch on the bottom of the ServSwitch USB to OFF (down) for two seconds (the factory-default setting) or to ON (up) for five seconds. 3.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 3.4 Setting the Hotkey Sequence (USB Plus with PS/2 Keyboard Only, Positions 1 & 2) You can access several of the ServSwitch USB Plus’s main functions (such as CPUchannel selection and autoscanning) by sending commands from a PS/2 type keyboard attached to the Switch’s PS/2 keyboard port (refer to Section 5.4—the Switch cannot recognize commands from a USB keyboard).
CHAPTER 4: Installation 4. Installation 4.1 What Else You’ll Need You’ll need to have these things before you can install your ServSwitch USB: • Cables to connect the ServSwitch USB to the video and USB ports of each of your PCs. We recommend our bonded VGA/USB cable, product code EHN810. • A monitor with a standard VGA/SVGA (HD15) connector that will work when connected directly to each of your PCs. The ServSwitch USB supports low- and high-resolution monitors. • A standard PC compatible keyboard.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 4.2 Getting Your PCs Ready and Verifying Your Peripherals Before you begin installing your system, check the OS version(s) you have installed on your computers. If you’re running Windows® 98 or Mac® OS, we highly recommend that you upgrade to the latest version of the operating system, because the USB handling has tended to become more reliable with each new revision.
CHAPTER 4: Installation 4.3 Connecting Your Devices As you connect your equipment, make sure that your ServSwitch USB and (if possible) all the devices you want to attach to it are turned off and unplugged. 4.3.1 MONITOR The shared monitor in your system must work when directly attached to any of your computers, which includes being able to display all of the types of video that they can output.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS • In applications that include both IBM compatible and Mac G3 or G4 type CPUs, a single keyboard—either PC/Mac/generic USB type or (with ServSwitch USB Plus models) PS/2 type—should suffice for most of the activities you’ll want to do on either platform. You just have to be aware of the cross-platform mappings of the keys, shown in Table 4-1 on the next page. Also, when you use a PC keyboard, the functions of the Mac keyboard’s Power key will not be available.
CHAPTER 4: Installation Table 4-1. Keyboard Key Mappings Generally, USB keyboards have uniform position-based codes for their keys, so any keys that occupy more or less the same positions and perform more or less the same functions across platforms will map one-to-one. However, certain keys available on certain keyboards do not correspond well or are not available on other types of keyboards, so the ServSwitch USB maps the more important of these as shown below.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 4.3.4 CPUS To connect your CPUs to the ServSwitch USB, you’ll need to run cable from the Switch to their USB ports and VGA video ports. You can do this in one of two ways: • We strongly recommend that you use our special bonded two-to-two cable (our product code EHN810, specify length). It has a high-quality VGA video strand bonded to a USB strand.
CHAPTER 4: Installation 4.4 Powering the System Once you’ve installed your ServSwitch USB and attached your equipment to it, you need to apply power to the Switch system. Plug the power supply’s output cord into the power jack on the back of the ServSwitch USB, then attach the input cord to the power-supply transformer’s IEC 320 inlet, then plug the input cord into utility (mains) power. The Switch should start operating immediately; it has no ON/OFF switch.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 5. Operation This chapter explains the general operation of the ServSwitch USB. We recommend that you read this chapter carefully before starting to use the Switch. 5.1 Interpreting the Status Display at Power-Up When you plug in the ServSwitch USB to power it up, its front-panel 7-segment display will show one of three things: • If it’s not actually getting any power, the display will be blank.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.2 Using the Front-Panel Pushbutton 5.2.1 CHANNEL SELECTION During normal ServSwitch USB operation, you can use the Switch’s front-panel pushbutton to select which CPU channel (CPU port) you want to access and control. Press and release the key once to select the next higher-numbered CPU channel; press and release the key repeatedly to manually cycle through the channels.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 5.3 Interpreting the Status Display During Normal Operation The ServSwitch USB’s front-panel 7-segment status display usually shows the number of the currently selected computer channel. On the ServSwitch USB Plus models, the dot LED alongside it also flashes in response to data from the shared PS/2 keyboard or mouse, as shown in the top illustration in Figure 5-2 below.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.4 Sending Commands from the PS/2 Keyboard (Optional, USB Plus Only) You can control many functions on the ServSwitch USB Plus—such as CPUchannel selection, autoscanning, or disabling video—from an attached PS/2 keyboard, using commands triggered with the Switch’s currently selected hotkey combination. All of the hotkey-control commands are invoked by holding down the one or two hotkeys and then pressing a command key.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS • Use {Hotkeys} + [A] to have the Switch start autoscanning (briefly displaying the video from each CPU channel in turn). You can control whether or not the Switch scans empty channels and how long it pauses at each channel; see Sections 3.3 and 3.4.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.6 Using the Remote-Control Module (Optional, USB Plus Only) An optional Remote-Control Module (“RCM” for short, our product code KV6REM, specify the length of the cable component) is also available for the ServSwitch USB Plus. It’s a small hand-held accessory—with a SELECT key that mimics the Switch’s pushbutton and an identical copy of the Switch’s front-panel display—whose cord you can plug into the Switch’s OPTIONS port.
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 6. Troubleshooting 6.1 Things To Try This section suggests possible answers for a number of problems that people sometimes encounter when trying to operate the ServSwitch USB. If the suggested actions don’t solve your problem, or if you don’t see a listing for the type of trouble you’re having, contact Black Box Technical Support as described in Section 6.2. The Switch doesn’t seem to work with my PCs that run DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, or Windows NT.
CHAPTER 6: Troubleshooting The Power key on my Mac USB keyboard doesn’t seem to work. For its Power key to function properly, a Mac USB keyboard must be plugged into the ServSwitch USB’s rightmost USB-peripherals port (see Section 4.3.2). I can’t do any of the Mac Power-key functions with my PC USB or PS/2 keyboard. Unfortunately true. For Power-key functions, you must plug a Mac USB keyboard, at least temporarily, into the ServSwitch USB’s rightmost USB-peripherals port (see Section 4.3.2).
SERVSWITCH™ USB AND USB PLUS 6.2 Calling Black Box If you determine that your ServSwitch USB is malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter or repair the unit. 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.
NOTES
NOTES
JANUARY 2001 Remote Unit M FIBER KV R EXTENDE Power R G B 1 2 ACS235A ACS236A 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 2001. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
