DS R DSR1161 Installer/User Guide DSR2161 DSR4160
ii DSR Installer/User Guide INSTRUCTIONS The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
DSR Installer/User Guide Avocent, the Avocent logo and “The Power of Being There” are trademarks of Avocent Corporation. OSCAR is a registered trademark of Apex Inc. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. © 2001 Avocent Corporation. All rights reserved.
USA Notification Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
Contents Chapter 1 – Product Overview Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Chapter 2 – Installation Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Installing the DSR Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Installing the DSAuthentication Service . . . . . . . . .
C H A P T E R 1 Product Overview Contents DSR Overview - Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1: Product Overview 3 Chapter 1 – Product Overview Features and Benefits Avocent’s DSR combines analog and digital technology to provide flexible, centralized control of data center servers. This solution provides enterprise customers with a significant reduction of cable volume, secure remote access and flexible server management from anywhere at anytime. The DSR consists of a rack-mountable KVM switch configurable for analog or digital connectivity.
4 DSR Installer/User Guide PCs can be located anywhere a valid network connection exists. The DSR unit can be configured on a separate network from your data network, allowing access to your servers even if your applications network is down. DSView provides simple point and click access to any server When a user connects, the DSView application will display a listing of all computers and serial devices to which the user has permission to access.
Chapter 1: Product Overview 5 Rack Mount Safety Considerations • • • • • Elevated Ambient Temperature: If installed in a closed rack assembly, the operation temperature of the rack environment may be greater than room ambient. Use care not to exceed the rated maximum ambient temperature of the unit. Reduced Air Flow: Installation of the equipment in a rack should be such that the amount of airflow required for safe operation of the equipment is not compromised.
C H A P T E R 2 Installation Contents Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Installing the DSR Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Installing the DSAuthentication Service . . . .13 Installing DSAdmin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Installing DSView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Adding a DSR to the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Configuring Host PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Configuring DSAdmin . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 2: Installation 9 Chapter 2 – Installation The DSR system requires that the DSView, DSAdmin and DSAuthentication Service software be installed prior to use. DSView is the application that allows a user to view and control a server attached to the DSR system. DSAdmin is used to configure and maintain the system. DSAuthentication is a Windows NT or 2000 service used to prevent unauthorized access to the DSR system.
10 DSR Installer/User Guide Verification of Ethernet/computer connections The front panel of the DSR features two LEDs describing the Ethernet connection. The top LED is the Link indicator. It will illuminate when a valid connection to the network is established and blink when there is activity on the port. The lower amber LED, labeled 100Mbps, will indicate that you are communicating at the 100Mb rate.
Chapter 2: Installation 11 A. To install the DSR hardware 1. 2. 3. 4. Remove the DSR unit from the packing material. Connect a terminal or PC running terminal emulation software (such as HyperTerminal) to the Configuration Port on the back panel of the DSR using the supplied null-modem cable. The terminal should be set to 9600 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, no flow control. Plug the supplied power cord into the back of the DSR unit and then into an appropriate power source.
12 DSR Installer/User Guide configuring your DSR for IP Address, Netmask and Default Gateway. Once this is completed, type a 0 to return to the Main menu. C. To adjust the mouse acceleration NOTE : We highly recommend that all Windows systems attached to the DSR use the default Windows PS/2 mouse driver. Before a PC running Windows NT or 2000 can be connected to the DSR, an adjustment to mouse acceleration must be made. Follow the steps below. For Windows NT (using default drivers): 1.
Chapter 2: Installation 13 Installing DSAuthentication Service The DSAuthentication Service manages the level of access users have to system servers as well as the topology and connections for the system. For each attached computer, the DSAuthentication Service also stores pertinent system information in a database for easy retrieval by system administrators. This database is for information only and is not involved in the permissioning function of the DSAuthentication Service.
14 DSR Installer/User Guide Installing DSAdmin DSAdmin is the administrative front end for the DSAuthentication Service. It controls user information and access levels. DSAdmin can be installed on the same machine as the DSAuthentication Service or a separate machine and connect to the DSAuthentication Server through the network. You will need to log-in as Administrator to proceed. To install DSAdmin: If you are installing from the DSR software CD 1. Insert the DSR Software CD.
Chapter 2: Installation 15 If you are downloading the DSR software from Avocent 1. Using your DSR User Documentation and Software Download Instructions sheet, download the DSR software from the Avocent website. 2. Double-click on the downloaded executable. The installation will begin. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions. 4. During the installation, the Select Authentication Server Name window will appear.
16 DSR Installer/User Guide Configuring Host PCs A computer attached through a DSRIQ cable to a DSR unit is called a Host PC. If you are attaching a Host PC, you can give it a descriptive name in the port field. No further configuration is necessary. Configuring DSAdmin When DSAdmin is activated, the topology of all Host PCs that may be accessed system-wide is displayed in a tree structure.
Chapter 2: Installation 17 Permissions This option will allow you to configure access for a DSR unit. The DSR has three levels of access: Administrator, User and None. Administrator access allows you to perform administrator level commands for all channels on the designated DSR unit. User access allows you to view and operate a channel but you will not be able to alter administrator settings for that channel.
18 DSR Installer/User Guide 3. individual permissions will use this default configuration. Click on the user Everyone. The default setting shows both boxes at the bottom of the menu checked. Check or uncheck the Administrator access and User access boxes to control access for all users without a specifically assigned configuration. Remember, Administrator access will allow the user to change permissions in the DSAdmin software for any user listed.
C H A P T E R 3 Basic Operations Contents Basic Operations/Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Keyboard Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Using the Session Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 3: Basic Operations Chapter 3 – Basic Operations Basic Operations/Terminology Throughout this chapter and the rest of the manual, the following naming conventions will be used: Host PC A computer that is attached to the DSR and controlled through the DSView software Node A Host PC Port One of the sixteen PC/KVM Switch interfaces on the DSR Remote PC A computer running DSView Session The process of accessing and controlling a single Host PC connected to a DSR unit from a Remote PC.
22 DSR Installer/User Guide Topology View and Server View. Both viewing methods can be selected under the View command in DSView. In Topology view, available computers are arranged in a tree structure. Available DSR units are listed vertically by IP address. Each unit can be expanded to display devices attached to them. In Server View, available computers are listed by name only. DSView Icons The DSView designates the type of device attached to it by specific icons within the viewing panes.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 23 Keyboard Macros Since the DSView software is running on a PC, certain commands must be sent to the controlled computer, or Host, via keyboard macros. For example, pressing Control+Alt+Delete on your keyboard would reset the PC running the DSView software rather than resetting the Host PC. To reset the host PC, a macro is needed. Your DSView comes with numerous sequences preconfigured for ease of operation.
24 DSR Installer/User Guide Using the Session Window Computers attached to the DSR are operated through a Session window. When you are operating a Host system using the DSR, you will be provided with several optional commands. An explanation of each is provided below: File Capture to File: Allows you to take a screen snapshot of whatever is being displayed in the Session window and save it to a file on the Remote computer.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 25 Mouse Align: Brings the mouse pointer in the Session window into alignment with the pointer on the Remote PC. Scale: Allows the user to manually calibrate the cursor movements when adjustments are not possible on the Host. Standard: Default setting. Custom: Allows the user to adjust the sensitivity of the cursor movement on the Host computer. Tools Hot Plug Re-Enable Mouse: Used to re-establish mouse control of an attached computer when it has stopped responding.
C H A P T E R 4 Advanced Operations Contents Changing the System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Altering Authentication Server Settings . . . . .29 Altering DSView Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Macro Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Changing Cursor Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Adjusting Video Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations 29 Chapter 4 – Advanced Operations Changing the System Settings Depending on the level of security that you desire, certain settings may be made system-wide through the use of DSAdmin’s System Settings window. These options can be accessed by selecting Options - System Settings. Changing the DSView Session window timeout DSView can be configured to automatically log a user out after a prespecified inactivity period.
30 DSR Installer/User Guide 5. using the same method in the provided field. If you do not wish to associate a Backup just leave the field blank. Click the ok button to exit and save changes. To delete an Authentication Server 1. 2. Load the DSAdmin software and select File - Configure Authentication Servers List to activate the Configure Authentication Servers List window. Click on the server name that you wish to delete and then click Delete. This will remove the Primary/Secondary pair.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations 7. 31 To complete the change, update the name of the Backup DSAuthentication PC in all DSView installations. To promote the Backup Authentication Server to Primary 1. 2. 3. 4. Run the “DSAuth Configuration” Control Panel on the primary DSAuthentication PC. The DSAuthentication Configuration applet will appear. Within the applet, change the mode of operation to “Backup” and enter the name of the Primary DSAuthentication PC. When prompted, restart the service.
32 DSR Installer/User Guide To program a keyboard macro If you require a key sequence that is not pre-programmed into the DSR, you can add a macro by performing the following steps: 1. 2. From the Node Manager, select Tools - Keyboard - Macros. The Keyboard Macro Configuration window will appear listing the currently available macros. Click on the Add button in the upper right hand corner. 3. The Add Keyboard Macro dialog box will appear.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations 33 For example: To create a macro where the Control key is held while F1-F2-F3 are typed: 1. Enter a name for the macro. We have named this one Control F1-F2-F3. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Control key is pressed first and held, so double-click on the Left or Right Ctrl keystroke under Double-click for Key Press. It will move to the second window and the command Press [Left Ctrl] will appear in the third window. F1, F2 and F3 are pressed and released in order.
34 DSR Installer/User Guide 6. The last step is to release the Control key. Double-click on Left Ctrl in the middle window. The command Release [Left Ctrl] will appear in the 3rd window. 7. The keystrokes will be listed in correct order in window three. Click OK to accept the macro. Macro Groups Since the DSR can be used to access different computer platforms, users may find it helpful to assign distinct macro groups to individual systems. To create a Macro Group: 1. 2.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations 35 Changing Cursor Settings When using the DSR, your mouse pointer will change shape when over a Host server window. You can change the appearance of this second pointer from within the DSView software. To change the mouse pointer appearance: 1. 2. From the Node Manager, select Tools - Settings - Cursor. The Program Settings window will appear. 3. You may select an alternate cursor from the pull-down menu under the Cursor heading.
36 DSR Installer/User Guide Users who wish to fine tune their video performance can do so with the commands below. All are accessed from the Tools - Video - Manual Adjustments command set located in the Session window. Users may verify the level of packets per second required to support a static screen by selecting Tools-VideoManual Adjustments and observing the packet rate which is located in the lower right hand corner of the dialog box. The following describes the effects of the video adjustments.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations 37 The Priority Threshold sets the level where a significant change is noted, such as a new cursor position. Increasing the level will make the mouse movements more sluggish. The Priority should always be greater than the noise, and usually 2 to 3 times its value. Setting these thresholds to zero will cause a constant refresh of the screen. This will make cursor tracking very difficult and can make it difficult for other network users.
C H A P T E R 5 Local Port Operation Contents Controlling your System at the Local Port . .41 Viewing and Selecting Ports and Servers . . . .41 Configuring OSCAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Resetting your Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . .50 Displaying Version Information . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 5: Local Port Operation 41 Chapter 5 – Local Port Operation Controlling your System at the Local Port The DSR1161 and DSR2161 models include a local port on the back of the unit. This port allows you to connect a keyboard, monitor and mouse to the unit for direct access. The DSR uses OSCAR, Avocent’s patented on-screen configuration and activity reporting interface, which has intuitive menus to configure your system and select computers.
42 DSR Installer/User Guide Selecting Servers Use the Main dialog box to select servers. When you select a server, the DSR reconfigures the keyboard and mouse to the settings for the selected server. To select servers 1. Double-click the server name or port number. —or— If the display order of your server list is by port (Port button is depressed), type the port number and press Enter.
Chapter 5: Local Port Operation 43 OSCAR navigation basics The following table describes how to use the keyboard and mouse to navigate OSCAR GUI. This Keystroke Does This Print Screen Opens OSCAR GUI. F1 Opens the Help screen for the current dialog box. Escape Closes the current dialog box without saving changes and returns to the previous one. In Main dialog box, it closes OSCAR and returns to the selected server. In a message box, it closes the pop-up box and returns to the current dialog box.
44 DSR Installer/User Guide Configuring OSCAR You can configure your DSR system from the Setup menu. Below Configure, select the Names button when initially setting up your DSR system to identify servers by unique names. Select the other setup features to manage routine tasks for your servers from the OSCAR menu. To access the Setup menu 1. 2. Press Print Screen. The Main dialog box will appear. Click Setup in the Main dialog box. The Setup menu appears.
Chapter 5: Local Port Operation 45 Changing the Display Behavior Use the Menu dialog box to change the display order of servers, set a time to delay display of the OSCAR GUI after pressing Print Screen and change the switch connection mode. To access the Menu dialog box 1. 2. Press Print Screen. The Main dialog box will appear. Click Setup-Menu in the Main dialog box. The Setup menu appears. To choose the display order of servers in the Main dialog box 1. 2.
46 DSR Installer/User Guide To set the Switch Mode 1. 2. Select the type of switching mode you desire: Cooperative (default setting) To have the DSR maintain the current user connection; the current user won’t be disconnected if another user requests connection. —or— Preemptive To have the DSR allow any user to select any server at any time; a request from another user disconnects the current user. Click OK.
Chapter 5: Local Port Operation 47 To determine how the status flag is displayed 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Select Name to display the server by name or select Port to display by port number. Select Displayed to show the flag all the time or select Timed to display the flag for only 5 seconds after switching. Select a flag color in Display Color. In Display Mode, select Opaque for a solid color flag or select Transparent to see the desktop through the flag. To position the status flag on the desktop: a.
48 DSR Installer/User Guide To password protect your console 1. 2. 3. Set your password as described in the previous procedure. Select Enable Screen Saver. Type the number of minutes for Time Delay (from 1 to 99) to delay activation of password protection and the screen saver feature. 4. For Mode, select Energy if your monitor is EnergyStar™ compliant; otherwise select Screen. CAUTION: Monitor damage can result from the use of Energy Mode with monitors not compliant with EnergyStar. 5. 6.
Chapter 5: Local Port Operation 2. 3. 4. 49 If your console is password protected, see previous procedure then go to step 2 below. Select Enable Screen Saver. Type the number of minutes for Time Delay (from 1–99) that you want to delay activation of the screen saver. Choose Energy if your monitor is EnergyStar compliant; otherwise select Screen. CAUTION: Monitor damage can result from the use of Energy Mode with monitors not compliant with EnergyStar. 5. 6.
50 DSR Installer/User Guide To access the Names dialog box 1. 2. 3. Press Print Screen. The Main dialog box will appear. Click Setup-Names to gain access to the Names dialog box. The Names dialog box appears. To assign names to servers 1. 2. 3. Double-click or press Enter to select the text in the Name box. Type a name. Names of servers may be up to 15 characters long. Legal characters include: A-Z a-z 0-9 (space) -. Press Backspace or Delete to delete an incorrect entry.
Chapter 5: Local Port Operation 51 To reset the mouse and keyboard values 1. 2. From the Commands menu, click Reset. A message box displays indicating that the mouse and keyboard have been reset. Click X to close the message box. Displaying Version Information Use the Version dialog box to display the version number of the DSR firmware and any auxiliary devices connected to the DSR as well as display keyboard and mouse information for the currently selected server.
C H A P T E R 6 Terminal Operations Contents Accessing the Terminal Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 6: Terminal Operations 55 Chapter 6 – Terminal Operations Accessing the Terminal Menu Each individual DSR may be configured at the unit level through the Configuration port on the back of the unit. All Terminal Commands are accessed through a terminal or PC running terminal emulation software. To access the Terminal menu 1. 2.
56 DSR Installer/User Guide When the last reference to a DSR is removed from the database, the Authentication Server certificate is removed from the DSR, which allows the DSR to be moved from one Authentication Server to another. The Authentication Server certificate can also be removed from the Security menu on the DSR console port via the Reset Security Keys option.
Chapter 6: Terminal Operations 57 To change the password: 1. 2. 3. Select the Set/Change Password menu option. You will be prompted to type the old password and a new one. Re-enter the new password to verify. CAUTION : This password places your DSR Terminal in a secure mode. This password should be guarded like any network password and care should be taken to avoid forgetting or misplacing it. There are no means for recovering a lost password.
Appendices Contents Appendix A: FLASH Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Appendix B: Technical Specifications . . . . . .62 Appendix C: Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . .63 Appendix D: TCP Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendices 61 Appendix A: FLASH Upgrades The DSR FLASH upgrade feature allows you to update your unit with the latest firmware available. To perform this update, you will first need a Trivial FTP (TFTP) server. If you do not have a TFTP server, there are several shareware programs that you can download. You can find a freeware TFTP server at http://klever.net/kin/canned/ PumpKIN.exe Next you will need to download the latest FLASH firmware from Avocent at http://register.avocent.com/.
62 DSR Installer/User Guide Appendix B: Technical Specifications Server Ports Number 16 Types PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Mouse Connectors RJ45 Sync Types Separate horizontal and vertical Plug and Play DDC2B Video Resolution Local Port Maximum 1600 x 1280 @ 75Hz Digital Port Maximum 1280 x 1024 @ 75Hz Dimensions Dimensions (HxWxD) 1.75 x 17.00 x 11.00 in. 1U form factor (4.45 x 43.18 x 27.94cm) Weight 8lbs (3.
Appendices 63 Appendix C: Technical Support Our Technical Support staff is ready to assist you with any installation or operating problems you encounter with your Avocent product. If a problem should develop, follow the steps below for the fastest possible service: 1. 2. 3. Check the pertinent section of the manual to see if the problem can be resolved by following the procedures outlined. If you are unable to find a resolution, recreate the problem when possible.
64 DSR Installer/User Guide Appendix D: TCP Ports When the DSView client is started the Node Manager will become active. Node Manager will try to establish a SSPI Messenger Class session using TCP/IP over port 2068 to the DSAuthentication Server (Avocent Service). First, Node Manager will use the current NT/2000 cached credentials to establish the session.
65 Appendices The DSView client establishes a TCP/IP session with the DS1800 over the TCP/IP port 8192. The DS1800 verifies with the DSAuthentication Server that the calling DSView client has permission to have a KVM session with the selected port. Then the connection between the DS1800 and the DSAuthentication Server is closed. All communication between the DS1800 and the DSView client takes place over TCP/IP port 8192 until the DSView client closes the session.
66 DSR Installer/User Guide DSAdmin functions similarly to the DSView client. It establishes a connection using TCP/IP port 2068, and uses the same process for authentication and return of the browse list. Changes made to the browse list through DSAdmin are transmitted back to the DSAuthentication Server using TCP/IP port 8190. After the changes are made, DSAdmin refreshes its browse list view over the TCP/IP port 2068 connection.
LIMITED WARRANTY Avocent Corporation warrants to the original retail purchaser that this product is and will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase. Additionally, all Avocent products carry an unconditional thirty-day satisfaction guarantee. If, for any reason, you are dissatisfied with the performance of this product, you may return it to the point of purchase for a refund of the purchase price (excluding shipping charges).
For Technical Support: Email: support@avocent.com www.avocent.com Avocent Corporation 4991 Corporate Drive Huntsville, Alabama 35805-6201 USA Tel: +1 256 430 4000 Fax: +1 256 430 4031 Avocent International Ltd.
