Installation guide

14
SERVSWITCH™ ULTRA
2. Introduction
Thank you for choosing a ServSwitch Ultra™. Designed with your needs in mind,
your new Switch will simplify your job by helping you organize your multiple-
computer application. With your Switch, you can use one keyboard, monitor, and
mouse to access a number of computers compatible with any of a number of
hardware platforms—including IBM
®
PC and RS/6000
®
, Apple
®
Macintosh
®
, Sun
Microsystems
®
, and SGI
®
—so you can significantly reduce your equipment
overhead and end keyboard and monitor clutter.
This chapter describes everything that comes with the Switch, the external and
operating features of the Switch, and the cabling you’ll need for the Switch.
2.1 The Complete Package
Your ServSwitch Ultra package includes the Switch unit, its power supply, a
modular cable and adapter for connecting one of the unit’s RS-232 ports to a
remote PC, and this manual. If you didn’t receive everything, or if anything arrived
damaged, contact Black Box.
2.2 Operating Features
Some of the useful features of the ServSwitch Ultra:
• Microprocessor-controlled keyboard and mouse switching.
• On-screen menu system for configuration and operation.
• You can access up to 256 CPUs with one keyboard, monitor, and mouse. (This
would require the maximum cascaded system of seventeen 16-port Serv units.)
• You can select the desired CPU using the on-screen display, keyboard, front
panel, or RS-232 port.
• Front-panel LEDs show the selected CPU and its power-on state.
• Supports IBM PC and RS/6000, Apple
®
Macintosh
®
, and Sun Microsystems
®
compatible computers, as well as current SGI compatible computers.
• Supports all modes of PS/2
®
and PC/AT
®
compatible keyboards, as well as
ADB
®
(Apple Desktop Bus
®
) and Sun
®
keyboards.
• Mouse can be PS/2
®
, Microsoft
®
serial, PC Mouse
®
(Mouse Systems
®
) serial,
serial 8-bit, ADB, or Sun type (although the mouse type must match the
keyboard type).