The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Next Generation Installer/User Guide
For important safety information, visit: www.emersonnetworkpower.com/ComplianceRegulatoryInfo Emerson, Emerson Network Power and the Emerson Network Power logo are trademarks or service marks of Emerson Electric Co. Avocent, the Avocent logo and Trellis are trademarks or service marks of Avocent Corporation. Liebert is a trademark and service mark of Liebert Corporation. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
i TABLE OF CONTENTS Product Overview Features and Benefits Additional video features USB support Transport Layer Security (TLS) The Avocent® HMX Advanced Manager software Extender System Devices Extender interfaces Firmware upgrades Device ports Device status indicators Installation and Configuration Configuration Options System Recommendations Factory reset Basic Configuration Firmware upgrade System Configuration Utility General Operations Locating an extender within a rack or data center Enabling system
ii.....
Product Overview The Avocent® HMX Advanced High Performance KVM extender system is the next generation of Avocent keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) products. The system offers flexible ways to link receivers, transmitters and systems via standard networks. Features and Benefits The HMX 5000 and 6000 series extenders provide a high performance, reliable desktop extension experience by converting high quality DVI video, audio and USB data into Internet Protocol (IP) messages.
2.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide your images, an AVCT compression scheme can be added and configured to provide increased system speed. Anti-dither capability While the dithering process smooths the appearance of gradually shaded areas in video images, it can slow down system performance.
Product Overview..... 3 NOTE: When using the HMX Advanced Manager software server to configure your HMX extender system, ensure that all transmitters and receivers are set to their factory defaults. Otherwise, they will not be located by the HMX Advanced Manager server. Extender System Devices Within the HMX extender system, transmitters and receivers allow you to seamlessly access and share one or more remote computers that are physically separated from your local work environment.
4.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide Configuration utility can be accessed from either port, although the System port is the default location. Serial port The AUX serial port on transmitters and receivers allows RS-232 signals to be extended up to a baud rate of 115200. Management and VNC ports HMX extender dual-head transmitters and receivers have a port on the left side of the front panel.
Product Overview..... 5 Number Description 7 USB peripheral device connection, such as keyboard or mouse. 8 Video output on single-head receivers; secondary port on dual-head receivers. 9 Primary video output on dual-head receivers. 10 Audio in. 11 Audio out. 12 Serial (AUX) port. Avocent® HMX Transmitter Overview (Dual Head HMX 6200 Transmitter Shown) Avocent® HMX Transmitter Descriptions Number Description 1 This port appears on dual-head models only.
6.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide Number Description 11 Audio out. 12 Serial AUX port. Device status indicators Transmitters and receivers in the HMX extender system have six device status LED indicators on their front panels. Indicator color and behavior (static or flashing) varies, depending on the activities you are performing with the HMX extender. As a general rule, if the LED stays lit, the function is active.
Installation and Configuration At this point you should have already completed the installation instructions outlined in the Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Quick Installation Guide. For important safety information on your system, visit: http://www.emersonnetworkpower.com/ComplianceRegulatoryInfo.
8.....
Installation and Configuration..... 9 Factory reset If the standard settings within your HMX extender system are changed in an installation and you need to change the current configuration, a reset must be performed to restore the transmitters and receivers to the factory default settings before proceeding. This factory reset must also be performed if using an HMX Advanced Manager server to configure your system. Otherwise, the transmitters and receivers in the managed system will not be located.
10.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide NOTE: If the IP address of the transmitter is not known, perform a manual factory reset to restore the default IP address. 2. Log in to the System Configuration utility. The default username is admin and the default password is password. 3. The first time that you log in to the utility using the administrator account, you are required to reset the password. Select Security on the left side of the page. 4.
Installation and Configuration..... 11 15. If you selected the Enable Serial checkbox, enter the baud rate, data bits, stop bits and parity information. 16. Click Update Now. To configure the receiver: 1. From a web browser on your local computer, enter the receiver IP address. The default IP address is: http://169.254.1.32. NOTE: If the IP address of the receiver is not known, perform a manual factory reset to restore the default IP address. 2. Log in to the System Configuration utility.
12.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide 14. Select the mic (standard) or mic boost (+20 dB) radio button, depending on the type of microphone used in your system. 15. Configure the transmitter IP address details in the Target Transmitter Unit Settings section. a. In the IP Address field, enter the IP address of the System port on the transmitter providing the video, audio and data streams. b.
Installation and Configuration..... 13 To locate the transmitter and receiver firmware version: 1. From a web browser on your local computer, enter the IP address of the extender. 2. Log in to the System Configuration utility using the admin default username. Depending on whether you are using the receiver or the transmitter, enter the corresponding password. 3. Select About on the left side of the screen. The build number listed under the Main System heading is the current firmware version.
14.....
System Configuration Utility After installing your HMX extender, log in to the System Configuration utility to perform basic configuration of your extenders. Additional general operations and advanced configuration tasks can also be performed through this streamlined user interface. Although the System Configuration utility is the primary interface used to make changes to your extenders, there is an additional OnScreen Display (OSD) interface located on HMX receivers.
16.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide To enable system messages: 1. Select System Messages on the left side of the page, then select the Enable system messages checkbox. 2. If you enable the Send system messages to remote Log Server checkbox, also provide the IP address of a suitable remote server. NOTE: The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is used for all Syslog traffic. 3.
System Configuration Utility..... 17 3. Click Submit to generate a pop-up graph of the information. Rebooting and factory resetting the extender If the power to your HMX extender needs to be turned off, then turned back on again, a reboot can be performed via the extender System Configuration utility. Also, if a factory reset is needed and does not have to be manually performed from the extender front panel, the reset may be done in the utility as well.
18.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide • If video screens in your system are relatively static, increase the Background Refresh interval and the Frame skipping percentage. • As you apply each setting, you may wish to view video images with typical adjustments. To configure transmitter video settings: 1. Select Video Configuration on the left side of the page, then adjust the following settings to meet the needs of your system.
System Configuration Utility..... 19 process works best for video sources that either infrequently update or frequently update but do not require high fidelity. • Compression: From the drop-down list, choose the compression method you wish to use for video transmission. • Select Pixel Perfect to use the standard HMX extender system RLE compression scheme. • Select Adaptive to use the standard compression and also guarantee the frame rate. • Select Smoothest Video to force the maximum compression.
20.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide 4. From the Hub Size drop-down list, select the amount of USB hubs to be supported by the transmitter. 5. From the Reserved Port Range drop-down list, select the number of ports to reserve for devices. The devices are assigned the reserved ports from the receiver. NOTE: Use this list for devices that must always report to the same USB port number in order to assist the USB driver with easily locating the device.
System Configuration Utility..... 21 • Download the latest VNC Viewers from the RealVNC web site. If using a tablet or smartphone, you can download a viewer from the app store. • Download a Microsoft® Windows® VNC Viewer from the transmitter. • Run a Java version of the VNC Viewer in your web browser. NOTE: The V5 viewers support a newer 256-bit encryption technique. However, virtual media functionality is not supported in a V5 viewer. To download a Windows VNC Viewer from the transmitter: 1.
22.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide NOTE: Log in to the receiver System Configuration utility before completing the following procedures. All steps begin on the main System Configuration page. Configuring receiver video If your system is using dual-head extenders, you can verify that the monitor connected to the receiver can support and properly display the chosen video resolution.
System Configuration Utility..... 23 b. Since isochronous USB devices are not supported in an HMX extender system, select to receive Isochronous Endpoint OSD Alerts if one is connected. c. Select to allow an isochronous endpoint to be attached to the system to allow control information to be exchanged with that device. 3. In the Port Reservation section, map the four receiver USB connections to a specific USB port reserved on the transmitter. 4.
24.....
Appendices Appendix A: Technical Specifications Avocent® HMX 5100 Transmitter Technical Specifications Category Value Mechanical Dimensions (D x W x H) 6 inches x 7.92 inches x 1.76 inches Weight (without cables) 2.4 pounds Ports/Connectors Teaming Port 1 x SFP (Fiber Channel SFP module or Active Copper SFP module) System Port 1 x RJ-45 (1 x 8-pin modular for a direct connect configuration) USB 1 x USB 2.
26.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide Category Value Video Port 1 x DVI-I Audio Ports 2 x 3.5 mm audio jack Maximum Resolution 1920 x 1200 at 60 Hz Maximum Pixel Rate 165 MHz Supported Video Modes All VESA and CEA video modes Power Supply Connector 1 x IEC AC Input Range 100-240 VAC AC Frequency 50/60 Hz AC Input Current Rating 0.
Appendices..... 27 Category Value AC Input Current Rating 0.8A Operating Temperature Temperature 0-40° Celsius (32-104° Fahrenheit) Avocent® HMX 5200 Receiver Technical Specifications Category Value Mechanical Dimensions (D x W x H) 6 inches x 7.92 inches x 1.76 inches Weight (without cables) 2.
28.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide Category Value Teaming Port 1 x SFP (Fiber Channel SFP module or Active Copper SFP module) System Port 1 x RJ-45 (1 x 8-pin modular for a direct connect configuration) Management Port 1 x RJ-45 USB 1 x USB 2.0 type B AUX (Serial) Port 1 x RS-232 9-pin type D Video Port 2 x DVI-I Audio Ports 2 x 3.
Appendices..... 29 Category Value Maximum Single Pixel Rate 165 MHz Maximum Dual Pixel Rate 330 MHz Supported Video Modes All VESA and CEA video modes Power Supply Connector 1 x IEC AC Input Range 100-240 VAC AC Frequency 50/60 Hz AC Input Current Rating 0.8A Operating Temperature Temperature 0-40° Celsius (32-104° Fahrenheit) Avocent® HMX 6210 Transmitter Technical Specifications Category Value Mechanical Dimensions (D x W x H) 6 inches x 7.92 inches x 1.
30.....
Appendices..... 31 Appendix B: Pinout Information Connecting device consoles or modems to serial ports RS-232, 9-pin, type D adaptors can be used to connect remote computers or modems to HMX extender serial ports. The following pinout configurations are supported.
32.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide Appendix C: On-Screen Display In addition to the System Configuration utility user interface, the HMX extender system incorporates an On-Screen Display (OSD) interface, allowing you to access the transmitter from the local keyboard and mouse. The OSD is displayed on a monitor connected to a receiver and has a list of available targets to which you can connect.
Appendices.....
34.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide Icon Description Shared mode Exclusive mode View mode You are unable to connect to the channel/preset Shared mode Exclusive mode Blank icons Connection mode is not permitted by the administrator (for example, a channel does not allow exclusive connections and a user does not have exclusive rights) End this connection To access the OSD: 1. From a receiver, press Ctrl +Alt +C to access the OSD.
Appendices..... 35 To use the Remote OSD feature: 1. Log in to the OSD and select a remote receiver from the list. NOTE: You cannot log out or log in while in a remote OSD. 2. After using the displayed remote OSD, click X to exit. Hotkeys The OSD supports user-defined hotkeys and favorites for frequently used actions. These default hotkey combinations can be altered within the HMX Advanced Manager software.
36.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide 2. Click the number prefix from 1 to 0 of an available slot. 3. To remove a previous channel from a slot, click the X icon on the right side of the slot.
Appendices..... 37 Appendix D: Troubleshooting Video image of the HMX receiver has horizontal lines across the screen When video is transmitted by extenders, the various lines of each screen are divided up and transmitted as separate data packets. If the reception of those packets is disturbed, blinding occurs, which means lines are displayed in place of the missing video data packets. There are several possible causes for the loss of data packets: • Incorrect switch configuration.
38.....The Avocent® HMX High Performance KVM Extender System Installer/User Guide Mouse pointer of the receiver is slow A slow mouse pointer is often related to either using dithering on the video output of one or more transmitting computers or using VGA-to-DVI video converters. Dithering is used to improve the perceived quality and color depth of images by diffusing or altering the color of pixels between video frames.
Appendices..... 39 Solutions Ensure that the HMX transmitter is set to supply a single-link EDID to the graphics card. When the video source is changed to a single-link video resolution, the pink screen should disappear and the video should be displayed normally. Alternatively, change the monitor to a single-link DVI monitor. It is important not to mix dual-link transmitters with single-link receivers.
40.....
Technical Support Site If you encounter any installation or operational issues with your product, check the pertinent section of this manual to see if the issue can be resolved by following outlined procedures. For additional assistance, visit www.avocent.com/support. Avocent Community Support Site To search product knowledge content, visit community.emerson.com/networkpower/support/avocent.
About Emerson Network Power Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE:EMR), delivers software, hardware and services that maximize availability, capacity and efficiency for data centers, healthcare and industrial facilities.
