THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY Welcome to the ServSwitch™ 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 WIZARD PRO TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks, ServSwitch and ServSwitch Wizard Pro are trademarks, and “The World’s Source for Connectivity” is a service mark, of Black Box Corporation. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Compaq is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation. Gateway is a trademark of Gateway 2000 Corporation. Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark 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 WIZARD PRO EUROPEAN UNION 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 WIZARD PRO 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 of the ServSwitch Wizard Pro ...................... 2.2 The Complete Packages for the ServSwitch Wizard Pro and Its Accessories ............................................................................... 2.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO Contents (continued) Chapter 5. Page Operation ................................................................................................. 5.1 Power Status .................................................................................... 5.2 The Front-Panel Pushbutton and the Remote-Control Module . 5.3 The Status Display .......................................................................... 5.4 Things to Keep in Mind About the Keyboards and Mice ............ 5.
CHAPTER 1: Specifications 1.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO Connectors — All rear-mounted: (1) HD15 female for monitor attachment; (2) 6-pin mini-DIN female for keyboard and mouse attachment; (1) DB15 female for RS-232; (1) Barrel jack for power; For each computer port, a set of (1) HD15 female (for video attachment) and (2) 6-pin mini-DIN female (for keyboard-port and mouse-port attachment): KV644A: (4); KV648A: (8) Power — Either: • 5 VDC at up to 500 mA from the keyboard interfaces of the attached computers, or • From the optional power s
CHAPTER 2: Introduction 2. Introduction The ServSwitch™ Wizard Pro is a high-performance keyboard-, monitor-, and mouse-sharing device that supports a wide range of IBM® PC compatible hardware and software platforms. 2.1 Features and Benefits of the ServSwitch Wizard Pro Here are some of the useful features of the ServSwitch Wizard Pro and some of the ways those features benefit you: • Control multiple PCs from a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO • Confirmation of selected ports on local and cascaded Switches. • Support for Microsoft® IntelliMouse™. • Mouse-restoration functions to enable hot-plugging of certain systems. • Front-panel Power and Activity LEDs. • 19" Rackmount Kit (our product code RMK19WP) is available. 2.2 The Complete Packages for the ServSwitch Wizard Pro and Its Accessories You should have received these components with your ServSwitch Wizard Pro: • The ServSwitch Wizard Pro itself.
CHAPTER 2: Introduction 2.3 The ServSwitch Wizard Pro Illustrated Button for changing channels and entering configuration mode Display shows status and mouse/keyboard data activity Attachment points for rackmount bracket Fig. 2-1. The front and side panels of the ServSwitch Wizard Pro.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 2.4 Safety Concerns As you prepare to install the ServSwitch Wizard Pro, 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: Installation 3. Installation 3.1 What You Will Need You’ll need these things to be in place before you can install your ServSwitch Wizard Pro: • Cables to connect the ServSwitch Wizard Pro to the keyboard, video, and mouse ports of each of your PCs. Cable specifications are given in Appendix A. (You do not need to connect a mouse cable if you are not using the mouse.) • A monitor with a standard VGA/SVGA (HD15) connector that will work when connected directly to each of your PCs.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 3.2 Placement The ServSwitch Wizard Pro can be placed on a desktop or mounted in a 19" rack. If you want to use the ServSwitch Wizard Pro on a desktop, you will need to stick the included self-adhesive rubber feet to the underside of the Switch. If you want to mount the ServSwitch Wizard Pro, see Appendix B for instructions. 3.
CHAPTER 3: Installation 6-Pin mini-DIN 6-Pin mini-DIN HD15 10" (25.4 cm) 9" (22.9 cm) Cross-section: Central video strand Keyboard and mouse strands molded to sides Figure 3-1. The ServSwitch Duo cables. Next, connect each computer or (in cascaded systems) subsidiary ServSwitch Wizard Pro to your single/master Switch.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO To connect computers with serial mouse ports and PC/AT style keyboard ports, you’ll need adapters, as shown in Figure 3-2 below. Refer to Appendix A for cable guidelines.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4. Configuration To configure your ServSwitch Wizard Pro system, you’ll need to configure first the attached PCs, as directed in Section 4.1, then the Switch itself, as directed in the rest of this chapter. IMPORTANT NOTE Throughout the rest of this manual, the [Enter] designation refers to the main “enter” or “carriage-return” key (often labeled “↵”) on the main section of the keyboard.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 4.2 Configuring the ServSwitch Wizard Pro The ServSwitch Wizard Pro comes from the factory preset to default configuration settings which are suitable for most applications. If you need to set the Switch differently, you can access its “configuration mode” to do so; once you do, the new settings are stored in the ServSwitch Wizard Pro’s EEPROM memory and are retained when the Switch is powered OFF. 4.2.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4.2.2 SETTING THE SCREEN-SAVER TIMEOUT The ServSwitch Wizard Pro has a programmable screen-saver function which will blank the display on the shared monitor after a certain time elapses with no activity on the shared keyboard or mouse. If a password has been set (see Section 4.2.9), the Switch will also lock itself when it activates the screen saver. The Switch’s front-panel display will flash while the Switch is in screen-saver mode.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 4.2.3 AUTOSCANNING: SETTING THE SCAN MODE AND PAUSE TIME The ServSwitch Wizard Pro begins autoscanning its CPU channels (that is, briefly displaying each channel’s video in turn) when you type in the hotkey sequence followed by the letter “A” (see Section 5.5). By default, the Switch only scans those channels that have a powered-up computer connected to them. But if you need the Switch to scan all of its channels, you can send it the [L][2] or [L][4] command.
CHAPTER 4: Operation 4.2.4 SETTING THE CASCADE-QUERY CODE Each ServSwitch Wizard Pro uses a special “query code” to detect whether or not it is connected in a cascade to another ServSwitch Wizard Pro, ServSwitch Wizard, or ServSwitch Duo. By default, your Switch uses query code “AD” hex; this code should be fine for most applications. However, older ServSwitch Duo units with firmware versions earlier than 1.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO IntelliMouse features are supported on both PS/2 and RS-232 CPU connections. When you use PS/2 CPU connections, the ServSwitch Wizard Pro will automatically configure itself to the type of mouse requested by the driver. If you are using RS-232 CPU connections, you will need to send the [U][4] or [U][5] command to enable the IntelliMouse features.
CHAPTER 4: Operation 4.2.6 SETTING THE HOTKEY SEQUENCE You can access many of the ServSwitch Wizard Pro’s main functions (such as CPUchannel selection, autoscanning, and locking) by sending commands from the shared keyboard. Each command must start with a “hotkey sequence” (series of keystrokes) that alerts the Switch to interpret the keyboard data that follows it as a command. The default hotkey sequence is [Ctrl] and [Alt] pressed simultaneously.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 4.2.7 VIEWING THE FIRMWARE REVISION, RESTORING MOUSE FUNCTION, OR RESETTING TO FACTORY DEFAULTS For technical-support purposes, it might be necessary to find out the firmwarerelease version of the control software in your ServSwitch Wizard Pro.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4.2.9 SETTING THE PASSWORD There are many situations where access to corporate file servers or sensitive information needs to be controlled. In such circumstances, the ServSwitch Wizard Pro can be locked away in a room or secure cabinet and controlled remotely. In this mode, you can type the hotkey sequence followed by the number “0” (zero) at the shared keyboard of the active control port in order to “lock” the Switch.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 5. Operation This chapter explains the general operation of the ServSwitch Wizard Pro. We recommend that you read this chapter carefully before starting to use the Switch; also make sure you have read the important note on page 19. 5.1 Power Status At power-up, the ServSwitch Wizard Pro will try to select CPU channel #1 unless (a) a password has been set or (b) the Switch isn’t getting enough power to operate properly.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.2 The Front-Panel Pushbutton and the Remote-Control Module You can use the ServSwitch Wizard Pro’s front-panel pushbutton to select which CPU channel (CPU port) is currently controlled by the active control port. Press the key once during normal operation to select the next CPU channel in sequence (for example, to select channel 6 if channel 5 is currently selected); press the key repeatedly to manually cycle through the channels.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 5.3 The Status Display The ServSwitch Wizard Pro’s front-panel 7-segment status display usually shows the number of the currently selected computer channel, while the dot LED alongside it flashes in response to data from the shared keyboard or mouse, as shown in the top illustration in Figure 5-2 below.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.4 Things To Keep in Mind About the Keyboards and Mice PC bootup sequence: When your PCs are powered on, they communicate with any attached keyboards and mice and load the setup parameters required by their particular operating systems. It is necessary for the ServSwitch Wizard Pro to be attached and powered on during this sequence so that it can give the PCs the required responses and keep track of all the modes and settings requested by each of the connected PCs.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 5.5 Keyboard Control: Hotkey Commands You can control many functions on the ServSwitch Wizard Pro—such as CPUchannel selection, autoscanning, or locking—from the 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.
CHAPTER 5: Operation • Use {Hotkeys} + [0] to select nonexistent “channel zero” in order to shut off the video output from the Switch to the shared monitors. The Switch’s frontpanel display will show “0”. You can re-enable video by selecting another channel through the keyboard, front-panel pushbutton, on-screen menu, or mouse.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO Examples of common hotkey commands (assuming the hotkeys are [Ctrl] and [Alt]): • To select channel 2: Press and hold [Ctrl] and [Alt], press and release [2], release [Ctrl] and [Alt]. • To “tab through” channels: Press and hold [Ctrl] and [Alt], press and release [Tab] (repeat as many times as necessary), release [Ctrl] and [Alt].
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.6 On-Screen Menu Control Another convenient way to select CPU channels on the ServSwitch Wizard Pro is through the Switch’s on-screen menu, shown in Figure 5-3 below. This menu consists of channel numbers (and, in cascaded systems, channel addresses) paired with computer names that you assign. The menu is called up by pressing the hotkey sequence followed by the letter “M” at the shared keyboard.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO one of the Switches is a 12- or 16-port Duo model, in which case you would use two digits for each port number (including leading zeros) and enter the address as “0305.” (Remember that units should not be cascaded more than three layers deep.) Press [Enter] again to complete the entry and store it in the Switch’s menu memory. The menu can hold over 300 entries.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.6.7 SUMMARY OF KEYS USED BY THE MENU AND THEIR FUNCTIONS • {Hotkeys} + [M] calls the menu up on screen, even if no PC video is present, unless the Switch is locked. • [Insert] adds a computer entry after the currently selected line. • [Shift] + [Insert] adds a computer entry before the currently selected line. • [Delete] deletes the currently selected computer entry. • [Shift] + [Delete] edits the currently selected computer entry.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 5.7 Mouse Control Yet another convenient way to select CPU channels on the ServSwitch Wizard Pro is through a three-button mouse, if this feature is enabled (see Section 4.2.5). To switch to the next channel, simply hold down the central mouse button or “wheel” button, then click on the left-hand mouse button. 5.
CHAPTER 5: Operation If you have powered down your ServSwitch Wizard Pro, or if you are attempting to hot-plug a system into it, you may be able to restore lost mouse movement using the ServSwitch Wizard Pro's mouse-restoration functions. Mouse-restoration functions should be used with caution, because unpredic table results may occur if the wrong mouse type is selected. If in doubt, restore the mouse by rebooting the PC normally.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 5.10 RS-232 Control There is yet one more way to select channels on the ServSwitch Wizard Pro: through its RS-232 serial port. (This is a proprietarily pinned DB15 connector; see Section A.3 of Appendix A for more information.) The normal use of this connector is as the attachment point for the Switch’s optional Remote-Control Module, but by using an adapter you can connect a different RS-232 device to it.
CHAPTER 5: Operation release “2,” press and release “3,” and finally release the hotkeys. This causes the master Switch, unit “A,” to switch to its port 2, to which the subsidiary Switch is attached, and send the subsidiary Switch the command to switch to port 3, to which your desired computer is attached. (If there were any 12- or 16-port ServSwitch Duos in the system, you would have to use two digits to designate each port, inserting a leading zero when necessary.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 2 3 4 1 CPUs ServSwitch Wizard Pro B (second layer) 3 4 2 1 CPUs ServSwitch Wizard Pro A (first layer) Shared Keyboard, Mouse, and Monitor Figure 5-1. A typical cascade of two ServSwitch Wizard Pros.
CHAPTER 6: Troubleshoting 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 Wizard Pro. 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. Problem: Poor video quality with smearing, fuzziness, or rippling.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO Problem: Your keyboard does not function or functions only intermittently. The Num Lock LED does not always light when the Num Lock key is pressed. Possible Solution: Some older keyboards were designed for use with specific computers and are not truly PC/AT or PS/2 compatible. These are not common, but if you’re having problems like this and you’re using an old keyboard, try a newer keyboard. Problem: Just using your mouse normally causes the CPU channel to change unexpectedly.
CHAPTER 6: Troubleshoting Problem: Video appears to be lost after a PC has gone into auto-power-down mode. Moving the mouse and typing at the keyboard does not wake it up. Possible Solutions: This is an example of a simple problem that becomes magnified into bigger problems: Some computers output an incomplete video signal in auto-power-down mode. The ServSwitch Wizard Pro can’t “lock on” to such signals and, as a result, can’t display its on-screen menu.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO 6.2 Calling Black Box If you determine that your ServSwitch Wizard Pro 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. We will be able to provide more efficient and accurate assistance if you have a complete description, including: • the nature and duration of the problem. • when the problem occurs.
APPENDIX A: Cable and Connector Guidelines Appendix A: Cable and Connector Guidelines IMPORTANT NOTE The maximum cable lengths supported vary widely between devices and cables. It might be possible to use cables that are longer than those specified below with certain PCs and peripherals, but this cannot be guaranteed. If you experience problems, try using shorter cables. A.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO Keyboard and PS/2 mice: 6 pin mini-DIN male to 6 pin mini-DIN male with all lines connected straight through (1 to 1, 2 to 2, etc.). If the PC has a 5-pin DIN PC/AT style keyboard connector, you will need a PS/2 to PC/AT keyboard adapter, 6-pin mini-DIN female to 5-pin DIN male (our product code FA212.) If you are not using the Switch’s optional power supply, the keyboard and mouse extension cables should be no longer than 10 ft. (3 m) in any situation.
APPENDIX A: Cable and Connector Guidelines 6-pin mini-DIN attaches to Switch or cable from Switch DB9 attaches to PC’s serial port or cable to PC’s serial port 1 RLSD (DCD) 2 2 RD SGND 3 3 TD (-12V) +5V 4 4 DTR KCLK 5 5 SGND -12V 6 6 DSR 7 RTS N/C 8 CTS N/C 9 RI KDAT 1 TD N/C Male 5 1 6 5 Male 4 3 1 6 2 Female 6 5 Female 1 5 4 9 3 2 1 9 6 Figure A-1. The RS-232 mouse adapter.
SERVSWITCH WIZARD PRO Appendix B: Rackmounting the ServSwitch Wizard Pro If you want to mount your ServSwitch Wizard Pro in a 19" rack, you’ll need our ServSwitch Wizard Pro Rackmounting Kit (product code RMK19WP). Each of these Kits consists of two rackmounting brackets and four screws. To use a Kit to mount a ServSwitch Wizard Pro, take these steps: 1. Refer to Figure B-1 below to determine how you want to mount the Switch.
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. The manufacturer reserves the right to change the specifications, functions, or circuitry of the product without notice.
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