MasterConsole CAT (MCCAT18/116) User Guide Release 1.1 Copyright © 2014 Raritan, Inc. MCCAT-0F-v1.
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated into another language without express prior written consent of Raritan, Inc. © Copyright 2014 Raritan, Inc. All third-party software and hardware mentioned in this document are registered trademarks or trademarks of and are the property of their respective holders.
In Raritan products that require Rack Mounting, please follow these precautions: Operation temperature in a closed rack environment may be greater than room temperature. Do not exceed the rated maximum ambient temperature of the appliances. See Specifications in online help. Ensure sufficient airflow through the rack environment. Mount equipment in the rack carefully to avoid uneven mechanical loading. Connect equipment to the supply circuit carefully to avoid overloading circuits.
Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Product Overview........................................................................................................................... 1 MCCAT Switch .................................................................................................................... 2 MCCAT Computer Interface Module (MCIM) ...................................................................... 2 Product Photos ...........................................................................
Contents Returning to the Previous Channel..............................................................................................25 Refreshing the Channel Status.................................................................................................... 26 Using the F8 Function Key ................................................................................................ 26 Using the AutoScan Function .....................................................................................
Contents Accessing the Second-Tier Channels.......................................................................................... 42 Chapter 6 Firmware Upgrade 44 STEP 1: Download the Latest Firmware and Upgrade Utility...................................................... 44 STEP 2: Connect the MCCAT Switch to the Computer Running the Upgrade Utility ................. 45 STEP 3: Launch the Upgrade Utility ............................................................................................
Chapter 1 Introduction Congratulations on purchasing a Raritan "one-user" MasterConsole CAT KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) switch—MCCAT18 or MCCAT116. This User Guide explains how to use these KVM switches to access and control multiple computers (or servers). In This Chapter Product Overview ......................................................................................1 Product Photos ..........................................................................................3 Product Features ........
Chapter 1: Introduction MCCAT Switch The MCCAT switch provides ports for connecting computers and a set of keyboard, mouse, and monitor. There are two types of MCCAT switches: one-user and two-user types. The difference between one-user and two-user types is that the two-user type additionally provides USB ports for connecting the USB keyboard and mouse, and an RJ-45 port for connecting an MCCAT user station.
Chapter 1: Introduction Product Photos Model: MCCAT18 (Front and Rear View) Model: MCCAT116 (Front and Rear View) Product Features One user can control up to 16 computers per unit.
Chapter 1: Introduction A maximum of 256 computers can be controlled in a two-tier cascaded MCCAT system The unit interconnects with each computer via the standard Cat5 UTP cables The units can be cascaded to form a two-tier KVM switch system The OSD interface features simple system control and management Support the video resolution up to 1600x1200 The user can be located at a distance up to 100 feet (30.
Chapter 2 Quick Start This chapter addresses only the basic connections for setting up an MCCAT system and basic operations for interacting with the computers being connected to the system. For advanced hardware installation or OSD operations, see Chapter 4, Advanced Operation and System Configuration (on page 21) and Chapter 5, Two-Tier System (on page 36) for details. In This Chapter A Glance at the Product ............................................................................
Chapter 2: Quick Start No. Component SCAN button Description Toggles AutoScan on/off. When the AutoScan function is on, the system automatically cycles through all channels until the function is turned off. Channel buttons TIER LED These buttons enable immediate access to the computer connected to the corresponding channel. In addition, each channel button can show each channel's status through its LED color change.
Chapter 2: Quick Start No. Component HD15 video port Description Connects to a monitor for displaying the MCCAT OSD and the video of the accessed computer. Channel ports Connect to computers via standard Cat5 UTP cables. The number of available channels varies depending on the model you purchased. Rack-Mounting MCCAT Switches MCCAT switches can be mounted in 1U (1.75", 4.4cm) of vertical space in a standard 19" equipment rack.
Chapter 2: Quick Start 2. Move the cable-support bar upward or downward to make the concave slot hold the top edge of the upper L-shaped hole or the bottom edge of the lower L-shaped hole. 3. Slide the bar horizontally along the edge of the L-shaped hole until the hole on the end of the bar is aligned with the threaded hole above or below the L-shaped hole. 4. Secure the cable-support bar with one of the included cap screws. 5.
Chapter 2: Quick Start Forward Mount To rack-mount the MCCAT switch with the front panel facing the front of the rack 1. Let the MCCAT switch's front panel and the bracket's "ear" face toward you. 2. Align two oval-shaped holes close to the ear of the bracket with two threaded holes on one side of the MCCAT switch. 3. Secure the bracket to the MCCAT switch with two of the included screws. 4. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 for securing the other bracket to the other side of the MCCAT switch. 5.
Chapter 2: Quick Start 5. Mount the entire assembly in the rack, and secure the brackets' ears to the rack's front rails with your own screws, bolts, cage nuts, and so on. Connecting Computers Prepare the following components or devices before connecting computers to the MCCAT switch: Cat5 UTP cables (one cable per computer) Computer Interface Modules (CIMs): MCIM-PS2 or MCIM-USB (one CIM per computer) Note: MCIMs are compatible with MCCAT18/116 switches, but MCUTP cables are NOT.
Chapter 2: Quick Start Plug the HD15 video connector of the CIM into the HD15 video port of the computer. If the MCIM is a USB CIM: Plug the USB connector of the CIM into one of the USB ports of the computer. Plug the HD15 video connector of the CIM into the HD15 video port of the computer.
Chapter 2: Quick Start 3. Use a Cat5 UTP cable to connect from one of the channels ports of the MCCAT to the RJ45 port of the MCIM being connected to the computer. 4. Repeat Steps 2 to 3 to connect more computers. 5. Connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to the MCCAT switch. a. Plug the mouse's connector into the PS/2 mouse port of the MCCAT switch. b. Plug the keyboard's connector into the PS/2 keyboard port of the MCCAT switch. c.
Chapter 2: Quick Start 6. Plug one end of the MCCAT's power cord into its power socket and the other end into the appropriate power outlet. 7. Turn on the monitor, connected computer(s), and the MCCAT switch. Selecting a Channel After finishing the hardware installation, try to access one or more channels to verify the connections.
Chapter 2: Quick Start OSD Operation 1. Press the hot key twice QUICKLY (default: Scroll Lock) to activate the OSD. 2. The Selection Menu similar to the following image appears, with eight channels shown on one page. Note that the default name PC ( indicates the channel number) is displayed only when the MCCAT switch detects that a device is being connected to the channel. 3.
Chapter 2: Quick Start Changing Channel Names By default, the connected device or computer's name is shown “PC,” and a second-tier MCCAT switch's name is shown “/MCCAT” in the On-Screen Display (OSD). or indicates the channel number but may not be meaningful for you to identify the connected device. Therefore, it is recommended to change the default channel name(s) for better identification. 1.
Chapter 2: Quick Start 4. Type the new name up to eight characters and each blinking character is replaced one by one. However, you cannot change the first character (that is, the slash "/") of a second-tier device so type only up to seven characters for such a device name. 5. If there are more than one device or computer's name to modify, repeat Steps 3 to 4. 6. Press Esc to leave the current OSD menu. 7. The message “Save the changes: [Y/N]” is shown on the message bar.
Chapter 3 Introduction to the On-Screen Display (OSD) The product provides a simple OSD user interface for both of the channel selection and system configuration. In addition, the OSD shows information relevant to the MCCAT switch or the channel being accessed. In This Chapter Activating the OSD ..................................................................................17 OSD Layout .............................................................................................
Chapter 3: Introduction to the On-Screen Display (OSD) Frequently Used Keys The following keys are frequently used with the OSD operation. Tab and Shift+Tab: Use these keys to move between fields. Arrow keys ( , , , ): These keys, usually the Up and Down arrow keys, are mainly used to change the numeric values or to switch between available options of the selected field.
Chapter 3: Introduction to the On-Screen Display (OSD) Introduction to the Selection Menu You can access channels through the Selection Menu, which shows all channels of the system. In addition, the menu displays the scan time setting for "Individual scan mode" of each channel . Every time when you activate the OSD, the system always displays the Selection Menu similar to the image below. Field MC Meaning Name of the MCCAT switch Description The default is the model name: MCCAT18 or MCCAT116.
Chapter 3: Introduction to the On-Screen Display (OSD) Field Meaning Description changed. For more information, see Changing Channel Names (on page 15). Status Channel status It is always shown +S and has two meanings: The presence of this channel status indicates the channel is active while its absence indicates the channel is inactive. indicates the scan time setting of the single channel for “Individual” scan mode and the unit of the scan time is in seconds.
Chapter 4 Advanced Operation and System Configuration In this chapter, you will learn more about the OSD or front panel operations for advanced features, such as updating the channel status, setting up the security feature, etc. If your MCCAT is a two-tier system, you must perform these operations on the first-tier MCCAT switch.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration 2. If the current OSD menu is not the Selection Menu, press F2 to have the Selection Menu displayed. 3. Press F12 to toggle the sorting. TIP: When the channels are sorted by channel name, you can type the first character of your channel's name, the system will jump to the channel whose name begins with that character.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Cycling Through Channels Instead of manually selecting the channel to view its video, you can turn on the AutoScan function to make the MCCAT system automatically display the video of all channels one after another. There are two types of AutoScan modes: Global and Individual. The default AutoScan mode is Global.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Turn off AutoScan Press the SCAN button so the LED light is off. The system will stop at the last scanned channel. Cycling Through Active Channels Only When AutoScan is on, the system cycles through all channels, including 'active' and 'inactive' ones. To shorten the scanning time, you can have the system skip inactive channels by activating the AutoSkip function. Turn on the AutoSkip Function: Press the SKIP button on the front panel.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Turn off AutoScan Activate the OSD again and press Alt+F6. Cycling Through Active Channels Only You can skip inactive channels through the OSD after the AutoScan function is turned on. Therefore, only active channels are scanned. 1. (Optional) If the OSD is not displayed on the screen, press the hot key twice QUICKLY (default: Scroll Lock) to activate it. 2. Press F7 to turn on the AutoSkip function. 3.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Refreshing the Channel Status From the OSD or LED status, you can tell which channel is connected to a powered device and which is not. However, MCCAT does not support real-time channel detection. Besides, the OSD remembers and shows the last second-tier channel status instead of re-detecting the second-tier channel status after the MCCAT switch is power cycled.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration The Security Feature You can prevent unauthorized access to the system and the connected computers by activating the security feature. When the security feature is ON, the system will enter the security mode after the mouse and keyboard activity is not detected for a preset period of time. Users have to enter a password in order to access the system in the security mode. Activating the Security Feature 1.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Accessing the System in the Security Mode After the system or the MCCAT switch enters the security mode, the message “Security Mode Protected”appears on the screen. Do the following to access the system: 1. Press any key and the prompt message “Password:” appears. 2. Type either the administrator (Admin) or user password and press Enter. Unless changed, type one of the default passwords listed below.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration 3. Type raritan and press Enter. Note that the password is case sensitive. The Administration Menu appears. 4. Press Tab or Shift+Tab to highlight the field of which you want to change the password; for example, if you want to change the administrator password, highlight Admin. 5. Press Enter and the following fields appear. 6. Type the new password in the Enter New Passwd field and press Enter. The maximum length of the password is eight characters.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration 3. Type the Admin password (default: raritan) and press Enter. Note that the password is case sensitive. The Administration Menu appears. 4. Press Tab to highlight the Language Mode field. There are three options available: English, German, and French. 5. Press or to select the appropriate option. 6. Press Esc to quit the OSD menu. System Configuration Many system settings are available in the Configuration Menu.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration 2. Press or to change the value or switch between options of the selected field. Exception: You need to type a letter or symbol in the Device field to change its values, instead of using the arrow keys. The table below explains the functions and available options of each field in the menu. Field Connected Available options No options Description The field CANNOT be configured. It shows the number and name of the channel being accessed now.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Field Available options Description Individual scan mode: The scan time for each channel varies depending on the settings you have set for each channel in the Edit Names and Scan Rate menu. Skip On, Off Toggles the AutoSkip mode on or off. If it is ON, after you quit the OSD, only active channels can be accessed.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Field Available options Description Channel Key field. Setting the Scan Time for Individual Scan Mode The scan time setting in the Configuration Menu is for “Global” scan mode. To set the scan time for “Individual” scan mode, go to the Edit Names and Scan Rate menu. Unlike the universal scan time for “Global” scan mode, you can specify different scan time in different channels for “Individual” scan mode. 1.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Accessing the Help Menu While the OSD is displayed on the screen, you can view the OSD help at any time by pressing F1. This displays the Help Menu, which lists all function keys available and the current version of the firmware. Functions Keys You can use any of the functions keys to go to any specific menu or perform certain functions as long as the OSD remains displayed on the screen: 34 Function key F1 Description Displays the Help Menu.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operation and System Configuration Function key Esc Description Quits the current menu or the OSD interface. Resetting the System To restore all MCCAT settings back to factory defaults, follow the procedure below. Note that this function should be performed on the first-tier MCCAT switch alone f yours is a two-tier system. 1. Turn OFF the MCCAT switch. 2. Press and hold down the channel number 3 button on the front panel; then switch ON the MCCAT switch. 3.
Chapter 5 Two-Tier System You can cascade various MCCAT switches to organize a two-tier KVM switch system and expand the number of available channels accordingly. A mixture of different MCCAT models is permitted. If the two-tier system completely comprises the MCCAT116 models, the number of connected computers can even be expanded up to 256 computers. In This Chapter Overview..................................................................................................36 Setting Up a Two-Tier System...
Chapter 5: Two-Tier System Setting Up a Two-Tier System Basically, there are five major steps to set up a two-tier system: STEP 1: Programme an MCCAT switch as a second-tier device STEP 2: Connect the second-tier MCCAT switch to the first-tier MCCAT switch STEP 3: Connect the keyboard, mouse, and monitor to the first-tier MCCAT switch STEP 4: Specify the type of the second-tier device in the Configuration Menu STEP 5: Connect computers to any MCCAT switch in the system STEP 1: Programme
Chapter 5: Two-Tier System 2. Connect an MCIM-PS2 to an MCCAT switch that is programmed as a second-tier device: a. Plug the PS/2 keyboard connector of the CIM into the PS/2 keyboard port of the MCCAT switch. b. Plug the PS/2 mouse connector of the CIM into the PS/2 mouse port of the MCCAT switch. c. 38 Plug the HD15 video connector of the CIM into the HD15 video port of the MCCAT switch.
Chapter 5: Two-Tier System 3. Plug one end of the Cat5 UTP cable into the RJ45 port of the CIM being connected to the second-tier MCCAT switch; plug the other end of the cable into one of the channel ports of the first-tier MCCAT switch. 4. Plug one end of the power cord into the power socket of the MCCAT switch and the other end into the appropriate power outlet. 5. If you want to connect more second-tier MCCAT switches to the first-tier MCCAT switch, repeat Steps 1 to 4. 6.
Chapter 5: Two-Tier System STEP 4: Specify the Type of the Connected Second-Tier Device in the OSD MCCAT cannot detect which type of the second-tier device is connected. Therefore, you must specify the type(s) by yourself. Otherwise, you cannot properly access the second-tier channels. To specify the type: 1. (Optional) If the OSD is not displayed on the screen, press the hot key twice QUICKLY (default: Scroll Lock) to activate it. 2. Press F4 and the Configuration Menu appears. 3.
Chapter 5: Two-Tier System 5. Type the appropriate code that corresponds to the type of the connected second-tier device. For example, if you connect an MCCAT18 unit to the channel number 3 of the first-tier unit, type y in the third character. See the following table for all codes representing different types of devices. Code .
Chapter 5: Two-Tier System Accessing the Second-Tier Channels Unlike the first-tier channels, there is only one way to access the second-tier channels, that is, through the OSD. If you have properly followed the procedure described in Setting Up a Two-Tier System (on page 37), the second-tier channels will be displayed in the OSD, following the page(s) of the first-tier channels. To access these channels, do the following: 1.
Chapter 5: Two-Tier System Note: A second-tier channel is always shown with two channel numbers: the first one is the number of the first-tier channel where the second-tier device connects, and the second one is the number of the second-tier channel where the computer connects. 3. Press or channels. to highlight the channel you want from the second-tier 4. Press Enter to select the channel. Now you can control the accessed computer with the keyboard and mouse connected to the first-tier MCCAT switch.
Chapter 6 Firmware Upgrade You can upgrade MCCAT’s firmware to benefit from the latest enhancements and features whenever new MCCAT firmware is released on Raritan’s website.
Chapter 6: Firmware Upgrade 11. Read the release notes for any necessary information. STEP 2: Connect the MCCAT Switch to the Computer Running the Upgrade Utility 1. Prepare one DB9 male-to-female serial (RS-232) cable. Note: If you don't have this cable, contact Raritan technical support for details. 2. Connect one end of the serial cable to one of the serial ports of the computer; connect the other end to the Admin port of the MCCAT switch.
Chapter 6: Firmware Upgrade STEP 3: Launch the Upgrade Utility The upgrade utility for MCCAT is the same one for Raritan's Paragon products, that is, the ParagonUpdate utility. However, the ParagonUpdate utility which is implemented with the capability to upgrade the MCCAT switches starts from version 2.4.3. To ensure the success of the upgrade, it is strongly recommended to use the upgrade utility downloaded along with the MCCAT firmware when upgrading MCCAT switches. 1.
Chapter 6: Firmware Upgrade d. Click the Port field and type the appropriate number of the serial port. For example, if the MCCAT switch connects to the computer via COM 1, type 1. e. Ensure is selected in the Encryption Key field. f. (Optional) Click Save to save the device information so next time you don't have to specify the same information again. 3. Select the checkbox next to the MCCAT switch. 4. Click Load Hex File . The Open dialog appears. 5.
Chapter 6: Firmware Upgrade 7. Click Yes when the following message box appears. 8. A progress indicator is shown on the bottom of the dialog, displaying the upgrade status. The upgrade may last for several minutes. 9. The “Device Update Successful” message appears when the upgrade completes successfully. Click OK. For more information on the ParagonUpdate utility, see Paragon Manager User Guide on Raritan's Firmware and Documentation webpage (http://www.raritan.com/support/).
Appendix A Specifications In This Chapter Measurement...........................................................................................49 Supported Resolutions ............................................................................49 Measurement 1U rackmountable Dimension: Weight: 17.32”(W) x 7.76”(D) x 1.73”(H) or 44 cm (W) x 19.7 cm (D) x 4.4 cm (H) 5.30 lb or 2.40 kg 1U MCCAT116 (16-channel model) rackmountable Dimension: Weight: 17.32”(W) x 7.76”(D) x 1.73”(H) or 44 cm (W) x 19.
Appendix B MCCAT Default Settings Field or function Administration password Factory default setting raritan (note the password is case sensitive) AutoScan OFF AutoScan mode Global AutoSkip OFF Scan time per channel in the Individual scan 5 seconds mode Device “.
Appendix C Compatibility with Other Raritan Products You can connect other Raritan products to the MCCAT switch, such as MasterConsole II, which can work as the second tier, or P2CIM-SER, which can connect an ASCII serial device to the MCCAT switch. In This Chapter Compatible CIMs .....................................................................................51 Compatibility with MasterConsole II ........................................................
Appendix C: Compatibility with Other Raritan Products Connecting a Serial Device via the Serial CIM To connect an ASCII serial device, LAN/WAN component or a computer through an RS-232 serial port to the MCCAT system, use one of Raritan's serial CIMs: P2CIM-SER or P2CIM-SER-EU. These CIMs can emulate an ASCII terminal and convert the serial data from the ASCII device to VGA video (800x600x60) and PS/2 keyboard signals.
Appendix C: Compatibility with Other Raritan Products 2. Connect the CIM to the KVM switch, using a standard Cat5 UTP cable. 3. Plug the CIM's USB connector into a powered USB port, or into a separately available Raritan PWR-SER-4 power adapter, to obtain power. For detailed information on the CIMs, see Paragon and Dominion KX Serial Device CIM User Guide, which is downloadable from the Raritan website (http://www.raritan.com). To download the Paragon and Dominion KX Serial Device CIM User Guide: 1.
Appendix C: Compatibility with Other Raritan Products 3. The rightmost LED on the front panel is lit, indicating the device is now programmed as a second-tier device. 4. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 if more MasterConsole II switches are to be programmed as the second-tier devices. STEP 2: Connect the Second-Tier MasterConsole II Switches 1. Connect a PS/2 CIM to a MasterConsole II switch that is programmed as a second-tier device. 2.
Appendix D Troubleshooting Problem No power Solution Check the power cord. Make sure the power switch is turned ON. Check the cable connection from the computer to MCCAT. No video display for one or all computers Check video cable's connection to the computer. The monitor cannot correctly display the video output from some of the computers The monitor probably does not match the video outputs.
Appendix D: Troubleshooting Problem computer is selected, but works normally when other computers are selected Solution problem is to power MCCAT from a UPS. Check the keyboard connection. Repeated "MOUSE INSTALLATION FAILURE" at power-up of computer. The mouse cable from the CIM to the computer is loose. Secure the connection and switch on the computer again.
Index A A Glance at the Product • 5 Accessing Active Channels Only • 26 Accessing the Help Menu • 34 Accessing the Second-Tier Channels • 42 Accessing the System in the Security Mode • 28 Activating the OSD • 17 Activating the Security Feature • 27 Advanced Operation and System Configuration • 5, 21 Attaching the Cable-Support Bar (Optional) • 7 C Changing Channel Names • 15, 19 Changing Passwords • 28 Changing the Keyboard Layout Setting • 29 Compatibility with MasterConsole II • 53 Compatibility with Oth
Index Connect the MCCAT Switch to the Computer Running the Upgrade Utility • 45 Connect the Second-Tier MasterConsole II Switches • 54 Connect the Second-Tier MCCAT Switch • 37 STEP 3 Connect the Keyboard, Mouse, and Monitor to the First-Tier Device • 39 Launch the Upgrade Utility • 46 Specify the Type of the Connected Second-Tier Device in the OSD • 54 STEP 4 Power Cycle the Upgraded MCCAT Switch • 48 Specify the Type of the Connected Second-Tier Device in the OSD • 40, 54 STEP 5 Connect Computers to the
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