Operating instructions

CHAPTER 1 SIMPLY PUT
11
Expansion Flexibility
The Switch Expansion Unit (SEU), formerly known as the Multiplexor Box, combines up to 16 of NTI’s
switches to create a total capacity of eight users and 512 computers – all with true matrix switching. An
application of matrix switching with the SEU is illustrated in Figure 8. All users can individually command
or simultaneously share control of up to 512 PC, SUN or MAC computers without interfering with each
other. Switches can be added as an operation grows.
Unique USB Control
NTI’s new Universal USB KVM switch allows one user to control up to 32 USB computers with one
keyboard, mouse and VGA monitor. This switch is compatible with all USB-enabled PCs, UNIX computers
and MAC G3/G4s.
To be fully USB-enabled, computers must have both the hardware and software to support the USB standard.
All Windows 98 and Windows 2000 PCs are fine with USB; Windows 95 OSR2 PCs can be equipped with a
patch (contact your computer manufacturer for details). USB ports can be added to the PC’s motherboard
with an inexpensive PCI card, which the operating system recognizes automatically. Recent Macintoshes,
such as the G3/G4s, have USB support. Any Mac with PCI slots should be able to handle a USB card. Mac
OS 8.6 or later is preferred for USB. Sun has the Sun Blade 100, 1000, Sun Ray and Sun Fire 280 which
support USB. The latest Linux kernel has USB support.
This switch can also be used as a slave to control USB computers in a multiple platform configuration. This
allows users to consolidate control of both legacy and USB-enabled computers in one configuration.
Our patent-pending USB KVM switch technology allows NTI’s USB KVM switch to present a sustained
presence of the keyboard and mouse to all attached computers. This provides a unique benefit – all attached
computers, PCs, Macs, and Suns, can be booted up simultaneously. Other manufacturers’ USB switches do
not have this technology. Other “USB KVM switches” operate as a USB hub with a video switch (that is, the
USB connections are plugged in and out), and may require a sequential, separate boot-up of each attached
computer. NTI’s switch also supports soft (keyboard) Mac Power-on.
This technology also prevents computer crashes caused by operating system sensitivity to hot-plugging. Most
operating systems (such as Windows 98, Mac G/4 OS and the HP6000 OS) are sensitive to hot-plugging to
one degree or another. Since other switches operate as USB hubs, when you switch from one attached
computer (PC 1) to another (PC 2), it will appear to PC 1 that the keyboard and mouse have been unplugged.
This may cause the computer to break and it will need to be rebooted. The HP J5000 is particularly sensitive
to this. NTI’s USB KVM switch presents a sustained presence of the keyboard and mouse, and so switching
from one computer to another does not result in crashes.
ANALYZING YOUR NEEDS
DECIDING WHICH KVM SWITCH FITS THE ENVIRONMENT
The first step in deciding what KVM switch product to purchase is to determine your needs.
Each KVM switch application would consist of the appropriate KVM switch products as well as all attached
computers and peripherals. For example, lets look at two ways of handling the needs of three graphic designers.
Each designer needs to control a PC and a MAC.
• One solution would be three individual applications, each with a 2-port KVM switch controlling a PC and a
MAC with one keyboard, monitor and mouse.