MAY 2002 KV6104SA-R2 KV6108SA-R2 KV6112FA-R2 KV6116FA-R2 KV6416FA-R2 Customer Support Information: FREE tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746. Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Dr., Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 World-Wide Web: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com © Copyright 2002. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY Welcome to the ServSwitchTM 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™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch, ServSwitch Duo, ServSwitch Quadro, ServSwitch Wizard, ServSwitch Wizard LP, and ServSwitch Wizard Pro are trademarks, of Black Box Corporation. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Compaq and Alpha are registered trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation. Hewlett-Packard, HP, and Vectra are registered trademarks 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™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A 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™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 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 .................................................................................... 2.2 The Complete Package ...............................................................................
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO Contents (continued) Chapter 5. 6. Page Operation ............................................................................................................... 5.1 Controls and Indicators ............................................................................... 5.2 Selecting Computers with the Front-Panel Pushbutttons .......................... 5.3 Logging Onto the Duo/Quadro System .................................................... 5.
CHAPTER 1: Specifications 1.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO Indicators: All front-mounted; (2) Power LEDs, (1) for each power supply; (1) Activity LED for each user port ([2] for the Duo, [4] for the Quadro); (1) Single-character 7-segment display to show the selected user; (1) 7-segment display to show selected computer and other messages: KV6104SA-R2 and KV6108SA-R2: Single-character; KV6112FA-R2, KV6116FA-R2, and KV6416FA-R2: Dualcharacter Connectors: All rear-mounted; (2) Barrel jacks for power input; (1) DB9 female seri
CHAPTER 1: Specifications Humidity Tolerance: 5 to 60% noncondensing Enclosure: Steel, aluminum, and plastic Power: From utility-power outlet, through detachable power cord and IEC 320 male inlet, to external transformer: Input: 100 to 240 VAC at 50 to 60 Hz; Output: 5 VDC at up to 2 A; Consumption: 10 watts maximum Size: KV6104SA-R2, KV6108SA-R2: 1.75"H (1U) x 17.3"W x 8.7"D (4.4 x 43.9 x 22.1 cm); KV6112FA-R2, KV6116FA-R2, KV6416FA-R2: 3.5"H (2U) x 17.3"W x 8.7"D (8.9 x 43.9 x 22.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 2. Introduction The ServSwitch™ Duo and ServSwitch™ Quadro are high-performance keyboard-, video-monitor-, and mouse-sharing (KVM-sharing) devices that support a wide range of IBM® PC compatible hardware and software platforms, including some high-end IBM PS/2® compatible computers (IBM RS/6000®, Compaq® Alpha®, and SGI™).
CHAPTER 2: Introduction NOTE The “-R2” versions of the ServSwitch Duo and Duo Extender are very different from the original (non-R2) versions. You can connect original and -R2 Duos in the same cascade, but the original Duos must be used only on the “lowest level” (that is, they mustn’t have any other switches between them and the CPUs).
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO • Video channels support Display Data Channel (DDC/DDC1/DDC2) signaling. • The OSD’s position and colors can be independently configured by each user. • The OSD can be set to appear in either English, French, or German. • Optional OSD reminder banner permanently displays which computer is selected. • Routing-status screen shows which computers are selected by which users. • Can be cascaded to control a large number of CPUs.
CHAPTER 2: Introduction 2.2 The Complete Package Here’s what comes with the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro: • (1) Power supply. (If you’d like to use a second, redundant power supply, they’re available separately as product code PS649.) • (6) Stick-on adhesive rubber feet for placing the Duo/Quadro on a flat surface. • (2) Brackets for mounting the Duo/Quadro in a 19" rack. • Screws for attaching the brackets to the Duo/Quadro: (4) for the 4- and 8-port Duos, (6) for the 12- and 16-port Duos and the Quadro.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 2.
CHAPTER 2: Introduction COMM serial port for various I/O functions Power jacks User port #1’s remote jack for cable to Duo Extender (NOT an Ethernet port!) CPU ports 1 through 8 (ports 5 through 8 are present on 8-port model only) User port #2 DIP switch for upgrade mode M3 screw thread for strain relief or grounding to rack User-port video connectors (blue) User port #1 CPU-port video connectors (blue) User-port keyboard connectors (purple) User-port mouse connectors (green) CPU-port mouse conne
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 2.4 Safety Concerns As you prepare to install the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro, please keep these things in mind: • The Duo/Quadro is for use in dry, oil-free indoor environments only. • Do not attempt to fix the Duo/Quadro yourself. • Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the Duo/Quadro, its power supply, and any other accessories.
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 Duo/ Quadro: • Cables to connect the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro to the keyboard, video, and mouse ports of each of your computers. (You don’t need to connect mouse cabling to a CPU if you’re not using a mouse with that CPU.) If you’ll be installing cascaded Duos/Quadros, you’ll also need cables to interconnect the Duos/Quadros.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO • A suitable mouse driver for your PCs. Supported types are: – PS/2 or RS-232 two-button mouse driver by any manufacturer. – Microsoft mouse drivers, including those for the IntelliMouse. (You might be able to user other drivers with IntelliMouse compatible data formats, but these might not work—trial-and-error testing might be necessary.) – Logitech mouse drivers, including those for two-button, three-button, and wheel mice. 3.
CHAPTER 3: Installation • Where possible, use a single cable of the correct length rather than multiple extension cables. If you must use an extension cable, make sure it’s a cable specifically designed to carry video signals. • If you’ll be cascading Duos/Quadros, use the shortest possible cabling between them.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 3.4.1 SYSTEMS WITH A SINGLE DUO/QUADRO AND DIRECTLY ATTACHED USER STATIONS Make sure that the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro is unplugged and powered down. If possible, turn off and unplug all of the devices that you want to attach to it. (If you have to “hot-plug” any powered computers into the Duo/Quadro, see Section 5.8.
CHAPTER 3: Installation 3.4.2 SYSTEMS WITH A SINGLE DUO/QUADRO AND A DUO EXTENDER NOTE It’s possible to attach an original (non-R2 model) ServSwitch Duo Extender to the local user-port connectors of an -R2 model Duo or a Quadro. But we don’t recommend this because the original Extender can’t make use of the -R2 Duo’s or Quadro’s RJ-45 remote user port. The -R2 Extender can’t be used with the original Duo. Attach all of your local equipment to the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro as described in Section 3.4.1.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO A sample system using a single Duo and Duo Extender is shown in Figure 3-2. Refer to Section 5.16 for how local/remote shared access works. ServSwitch Duo Extender Remote user station #1 Twisted-pair cabling up to 200 m (655 ft.) long ServSwitch Duo Extension cabling Local user station #1 (optional) User station #2 (local only) CPUs Figure 3-2. System attached to a single ServSwitch Duo and Duo Extender. 3.4.
CHAPTER 3: Installation The typical cascade configuration is a logical “inverted tree” with one, two, or three “layers” of subsidiary Duos/Quadros attached to a single master Duo/ Quadro. In this configuration, the users on the master Duo/Quadro can independently access every CPU in the system by using a single switching pathway.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5 through 8, 9 through 12, and 13 through 16. You could run two cables from an eight-port master Duo to each of four subsidiary Duos: to one Duo each from CPU ports 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 and 8. The Duo/Quadro will treat these sets of ports as a unit when one of the users selects a CPU, routing the KVM link through whichever of the two or four ports is free at the moment.
CHAPTER 3: Installation NOTE You can include original (non-R2) ServSwitch Duos, ServSwitch Wizards, ServSwitch Wizard LPs, and ServSwitch Wizard Pros in -R2 ServSwitch Duo or ServSwitch Quadro cascades, but all switches that aren’t -R2 Duos or Quadros must be subsidiary units and must have only CPUs attached to their CPU ports (that is, there must not be any other switches between them and the CPUs).
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO As mentioned earlier, you can run sets of cascade links between Duos/Quadros in order to support full access to all CPUs by two, three, or four independent users, and these links should be connected to consecutively numbered CPU ports on the “higher” Duo/Quadro. These port groups function as a unit and have special twodigit “group numbers” that form part of each CPU’s address when you switch between them, as shown in Figure 3-4.
CHAPTER 3: Installation Figure 3-5 shows a full-blown cascaded system, including some of the group numbering. Note that unless the distribution of CPUs at your site would seem to require it, we don’t advocate creating a new layer of cascaded Duos/Quadros until the layer above it is filled. Figure 3-6 on the following two pages shows a sophisticated Quadro cascade that uses Duo Extenders to cross-link subsidiaries attached to different masters.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO Both masters have users on all four user ports. Only two users on either master at a time can access the CPUs on a given subsidiary. Even though it might seem that you could run additional extension cabling from the masters’ CPU ports to user ports #1 and #3 on each subsidiary at their site, allowing all four users on each master to reach CPUs on those subsidiaries at the same time, this wouldn’t work.
CHAPTER 3: Installation Site 2 CAT5 cables Duo Extenders on groups 25 and 26 (CPU ports 9 through 12) Extension cabling Master Quadro #2 (cascade layer 1) Extension cabling on groups 21 and 22 (CPU ports 1 through 4) Subsidiary Quadros (cascade layer 2) CPUs CPUs masters at two different sites crosslinked with Duo Extenders.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 3.4.4 PREMIUM KVM CABLES, SERVSWITCH EXTENDERS, AND PC/AT ADAPTERS The Premium KVM Cables come in two types: User Cables, designed to extend the distance between a switch and a set of user equipment (keyboard, monitor, and mouse); and CPU Cables, designed to extend the distance between a switch and a CPU or another switch. Premium KVM User Cables (product code EHN409) come in 10-ft. (3-m), 20-ft. (6.1-m), and 30-ft. (9.1-m) lengths.
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 3-7. The Premium KVM cables. To connect computers with serial mouse ports and/or PC/AT style keyboard ports, you’ll need adapters like those shown in Figure 3-8. Refer to Appendix A.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 3.5 Powering the Duo/Quadro NOTE Before powering on the Duo/Quadro, make sure that the two positions of the DIP switch on the Duo’s/Quadro’s rear panel are both set to OFF. Once you’ve installed your ServSwitch Duo/Quadro system and attached your equipment to it, you need to apply power to each Duo/Quadro in the system.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4. Configuration To configure your ServSwitch Duo/Quadro system, you’ll need to configure first the attached PCs, as directed in Section 4.1, then the Duo/Quadro itself, as directed in the rest of this chapter. 4.1 Configuring Your PCs Configure your PCs in the same way that you would if your keyboard, mouse, and monitor were all connected directly to your PCs.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO Step 2: Create an ADMIN (administration) account password The ServSwitch Duo/Quadro has a fixed user account that cannot be deleted named “ADMIN.” This user account is the only one that is able to make important system changes. If you’re going to be using security, you should assign a password to this account (see Section 4.4).
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4.3 Enabling Password Security The ServSwitch Duo/Quadro can be operated with or without security enabled. With no security, all users will have full administration rights and full access to all the connected computers. This might not be desirable for systems with more than two or three users. System security is enabled using the Duo’s/Quadro’s on-screen menu system.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 4.4 Setting an ADMIN Password The ServSwitch Duo/Quadro supports up to 16 user profiles. The Duo’s/Quadro’s system administrator can grant or deny users access to any of the connected computers and has complete control over the setup of the system. The administrator accesses the system through a special user profile named “ADMIN.” This profile may not be altered or deleted from the system; it has full access rights to all computers and system parameters.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4.5 Creating and Editing User Accounts To create user accounts: 1. Make sure that you are logged on as the ADMIN user. 2. At the main on-screen menu, press the [F1] key for MORE MENUS. 3. Select EDIT USER LIST from the menu. 4. Press [Insert] to add a new user. 5. Type in the name of the new user and press [Return] or [Enter]. 6. Type in the password for the new user and press [Return] or [Enter]. (You may leave the password field blank if you don’t want to define a password.) 7.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 4.6 Creating and Editing Computer Names Computer names provide a very convenient way of selecting and identifying computers that are attached to the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro. You can select computers by their Duo/Quadro CPU-port number (see Sections 5.5), but when you have a large number of computers, it becomes hard to remember which computer is attached to which port.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4.6.1 THE BASIC PROCEDURES To create computer names, take these steps: 1. Make sure that you are logged on as the ADMIN user. 2. At the main on-screen menu, press the [F1] key for MORE MENUS. 3. Select EDIT COMPUTER LIST from the menu. 4. Press [Insert] to add a new computer name. 5. Type in the name of the computer and press [Return] or [Enter]. 6. Type in the port number for this computer and press [Return] or [Enter]. 7.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 4.6.2 CREATING ENTRIES FOR COMPUTERS ATTACHED TO A CASCADED DUO/QUADRO SYSTEM As described in Section 3.4.3, you can cascade ServSwitch Duos/Quadros using one, two, three, or four KVM-cable links.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration Group 41 (Ports 1 through 4) Master Quadro Port 9 09 Group 42 (Ports 5 through 8) Port 16 Layer 2 Quadro 16 Group 31 (Ports 1 through 3) Layer 2 Quadro Group 21 (Ports 1 and 2) Port 9 Layer 3 Quadro 4109 424104 Port 7 42413107 Layer 3 Quadro Layer 3 Quadro Port 5 Port 3 Port 4 Layer 4 Quadro Group 41 (Ports 1 through 4) Port 1 41420301 First pair is number of CPU port or port group on master Duo/Quadro (cascade layer 1) Second pair (if any) is number of CPU port
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 4.7 Setting the SETUP OPTIONS and GLOBAL PREFERENCES The SETUP OPTIONS and GLOBAL PREFERENCES are operating parameters that apply to the whole ServSwitch Duo/Quadro system rather than to individual users. These may only be set or changed by the system administrator logged in using the ADMIN account. Once you’re logged in as ADMIN, take these steps: 1. From the main menu, press [F1] for MORE MENUS. 2.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration understand, because all of the menus will be in that language and you might find it difficult to reselect your desired language. 4.7.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 4.7.5 EXCLUSIVE USE Accessed through: SETUP OPTIONS Possible settings: ALLOWED (factory default), DISABLED In normal operation, the Duo/Quadro will allow all users to share access to a computer. In this mode, the computer’s video picture will be displayed on the monitors of all users who select that port, but only one user may have active control of the computer’s keyboard and mouse inputs at any one time.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4.7.7 MOUSE SWITCHING Accessed through: GLOBAL PREFERENCES Possible settings: ENABLED (factory default), DISABLED As with the various switches in the ServSwitch Wizard family, you can use a threebutton mouse or IntelliMouse to switch between the ServSwitch Duo’s/Quadro’s CPU channels (see Section 5.6): Pressing the central or “wheel” button together with the left-hand mouse button will cause the Duo/Quadro to switch to the next available computer for normal shared access.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 4.7.9 AUTOSCAN MODE Accessed through: GLOBAL PREFERENCES Possible settings: SCAN LIST (factory default), ACTIVE PCs, ALL The Duo/Quadro is capable of “autoscanning,” automatically scanning between the connected computers in sequence, briefly displaying each computer’s video in turn. You can set your Duo/Quadro to any of three scanning patterns: • SCAN LIST scans each of the system computers that you’ve added to the “autoscan list” (see Section 4.
CHAPTER 4: Configuration 4.7.11 OSD DWELL TIME Accessed through: GLOBAL PREFERENCES Possible settings: 1 SECOND; 2 SECONDS (factory default); 3, 5, and 10 SECONDS After successfully switching to a different computer channel, the Duo/Quadro will display a confirmation message for a few seconds. Set the length of time that this message dwells (persists) on the screen to any of the possible settings listed above. 4.7.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 4.7.13 RS-232 MOUSE TYPE Accessed through: GLOBAL PREFERENCES Possible settings: INTELLIMOUSE (factory default), 2 BUTTON, 3 BUTTON You might want to set this option if you have any computers attached to the Duo/ Quadro that use an RS-232 serial mouse rather than a PS/2 mouse. (You’ll need an adapter to attach the serial mouse ports of such computers to the Duo/Quadro— see Section 3.4.4.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5. Operation This chapter explains how to operate the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro. Please read this chapter carefully before starting to use a Duo/Quadro. 5.1 Controls and Indicators The ServSwitch Duo/Quadro has several external user controls and indicators that might be useful when you operate it. On the left end of its rear panel, you’ll see a two-position DIP switch. Position 1 of this switch is reserved for future use, while Position 2 is used for firmware upgrades (see Section 5.20).
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO Left-hand LED is not present on 4- and 8-Port Duos DISPLAYED ON “COMPUTER” LED: MEANING: Computer channel number, steadily lit That channel is currently selected by the active user station indicated by the USER LED Computer channel number, flashing That channel is currently selected by the user station indicated by the USER LED, but that station is in screen-saver mode; the Duo/Quadro is waiting for keyboard or mouse activity to restore video Zero Nonexistent c
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.2 Selecting Computers with the Front-Panel Pushbuttons The ServSwitch Duo’s/Quadro’s front-panel pushbuttons and LED indicators are described in Section 5.1. To select a computer using the buttons, first check the green 7-segment LED labeled “USER.” Is it showing the number of the user port on the Duo/Quadro (“1,” “2,” “3,” or “4”) that your KVM user station is attached to? (If not, press the USER button to select your user port.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5.3 Logging Onto the Duo/Quadro System If password security has been turned on the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro system (see Section 4.3), the login window shown in Figure 5-3 will appear when the Duo/ Quadro is switched on or when no user is currently logged in. (The previous user may have blanked the screen with the screen-saver function. If so, you may need to press a key before the login window appears.) Type in your user name and password to access the Duo/Quadro.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.5 Keyboard Hotkey Commands You can control many of the functions of the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro—including selecting and autoscanning computers—from the keyboard, using commands triggered with the Duo’s/Quadro’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.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO • You can use {hotkeys} + {port number} to select a computer channel on a single (non-cascaded) Duo/Quadro: If the computer’s port number is a single digit (1 to 9), press and hold the hotkeys, then press and release that number key—for example, {hotkeys} + [7] to select CPU #7—then release the hotkeys.
CHAPTER 5: Operation • {Hotkeys} + [A] causes the Duo/Quadro to begin autoscanning its computer channels (that is, briefly displaying each channel’s video in turn). By default, the Duo/Quadro only scans those channels that have been assigned to its scan list (the “SCAN LIST” autoscan mode—see Sections 4.7.9 and 4.8).
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 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] as many times as necessary, release [Ctrl] and [Alt].
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.6 Selecting Computers with the Mouse Yet another convenient way to select CPU channels on the ServSwitch Duo/ Quadro is by using a three-button mouse, if this feature is enabled (see Section 4.7.7). As shown in Figure 5-4, to switch to the next channel, hold down the central mouse button or “wheel” button (colored black in the illustration), then click on the left-hand mouse button (colored gray in the illustration). If password security has been set (see Section 4.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5.7 Re-Enabling a Disconnected PS/2 Mouse If you accidentally disconnect a user station’s PS/2 mouse from the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro while the Duo/Quadro is operating, the mouse will not work correctly when you plug it back in. To avoid having to reboot the entire system in this situation, the Duo/Quadro has an automatic mouse-recovery system. With the PS/2 mouse disconnected, change the channel using the Duo’s/ Quadro’s front-panel pushbuttons or the keyboard hotkeys.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.8 Hot-Plugging Devices Into the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro and Re-Enabling Disconnected CPU PS/2 Mouse Ports We suggest that you turn off the computers that will be connected to the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro before you install a Duo/Quadro system.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO To restore lost mouse movement on a CPU connected to the Duo/Quadro: 1. Select the CPU that has lost its mouse movement. 2. Activate the on-screen menu using the keyboard hotkeys or the Duo’s/ Quadro’s front-panel buttons. 3. Press [F1] for MORE MENUS. 4. Select the FUNCTIONS menu. 5. Select RESTORE STANDARD MOUSE or RESTORE INTELLIMOUSE. 6. Press [Esc] (the escape key) repeatedly to exit the menu system.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.9 Resetting the Keyboard and Mouse You can have the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro perform a complete power-off reset of any user station’s keyboard and mouse. This can be useful if you want to disconnect and replace the keyboard or mouse at a station. Keyboards will re-enable themselves automatically if they’re disconnected and then reconnected to the Duo/Quadro.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5.10 Switching Channels by Sending RS-232 Data NOTE This type of switching is intended for use in fully automated systems only. Avoid using this type of switching when you also have human users switching from their user stations—the results could be unpredictable. You can switch the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro remotely by sending RS-232 data to the COMM port on the Duo’s/Quadro’s rear panel (next to the power connectors).
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.11 Selecting Computers Using the On-Screen Menu You can conveniently select computers by name using the ServSwitch Duo’s/ Quadro’s on-screen menu. For systems with large numbers of computers, this is the recommended method of computer selection. You can bring up the on-screen menu by pressing your keyboard’s hotkeys (see Section 4.7.3) and [M] key together.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO When the menu first appears, a set of default names will be listed. You will probably want to change these names to ones of your choosing (see Section 4.6). Once you’ve customized your names, the menu might look something like the one shown in Figure 5-6.
CHAPTER 5: Operation To access a computer, first place the highlight bar over its name using the upand down-arrow keys ([↑] and [↓] on the main part of keyboard, not the numeric keypad) and/or the page-up and page-down keys ([PgUp] and [PgDn]). If mouse switching is enabled, you can also move the highlight bar with the wheel of a wheel mouse, as shown in Figure 5-7. Scroll the menu’s highlight bar DOWN Scroll the menu’s highlight bar UP Figure 5-7. Using the mouse wheel to move the highlight bar.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO • To select “video only” access, press [Ctrl] + [Enter] or [Ctrl] + [Return] (you can use either left- or right-[Ctrl]). When you select a CPU for video-only access, its video output will be displayed on your monitor but you will not be granted keyboard and mouse control at any point. “Video Only” will be displayed on the reminder banner (see Section 5.12) if the banner is enabled (see Section 5.13.2). If mouse switching is enabled (see Section 4.7.
CHAPTER 5: Operation If you have many connected computers, you can do an alphabetic search of the list of computer names by pressing [F3] and then entering the name that you want to find. When you select a computer, the Duo/Quadro will briefly confirm the computer that has been selected by displaying a message like the one shown in Figure 5-9.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5.12 The Reminder Banner Normally the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro will display a discreet computer-name reminder banner that reminds you which computer you are connected to. (It can be very easy to forget—especially if many of your computers are devoted to the same application software, so that their video output is very similar.) You can customize the color and transparency of the banner, or even disable it if you want to (see Section 5.13).
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.13 Setting the USER PREFERENCES The USER PREFERENCES are system operating parameters that are independently selectable for each user. To adjust them, take these steps: 1. From the main on-screen menu, press [F1] for MORE MENUS. 2. Use the arrow keys to position the highlight bar over USER PREFERENCES. 3. Press [Enter] or [Return] to view the preferences. 4.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5.13.4 SCREEN SAVER TYPE Accessed through: USER PREFERENCES Possible settings: BLANK, MOVING DOT (factory default) When the screen saver is enabled (see Section 4.7.8), the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro will display a screen saver instead of the CPU video after the selected time elapses without keyboard or mouse activity. If you set the screen-saver type to BLANK, a completely blank black screen will be displayed.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.15 Querying the Routing Status It’s sometimes useful to know which KVM consoles are connected to which computers with which types of access (shared use, exclusive use, or video only). For example, if the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro denies you access to a certain computer, you might want to check on whether another user has selected that computer for exclusive use.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5.16 Local/Remote Access Sharing in an Extended Duo/Quadro System User port #1 on ServSwitch Duos and user ports #1 and #3 on ServSwitch Quadros are “dual-access ports”: They have both connectors for a local user station’s monitor, keyboard, and mouse and a connector for cable that can run to a remote user station attached to a ServSwitch Duo Extender.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.17 Testing Link Cables in a Cascaded Duo/Quadro System with Grouped Links As described in Section 3.4.3, multiple ServSwitch Duos/Quadros can be cascaded together. Up to four layers of Duos and Quadros can be hooked together in a cascade, using up to two or four cable links between Duos or Quadros as desired. Normally we recommend using the on-screen menu to switch between computers in such a system, as described in Section 5.11.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5.18 Resetting to Factory Defaults (If ADMIN Password Lost, Etc.) In some cases it might be necessary to completely erase any configuration settings you might have set or changed in a ServSwitch Duo/Quadro and return it to its factory-default configuration. The most common situation that would call for such a radical action is if you lose the ADMIN password you set for the Duo/Quadro.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.19 Saving and Restoring the Computer/User Configuration to and from an Excel Compatible File The ServSwitch Duo/Quadro can store up to 512 computer names and 16 user profiles that include names, passwords, and access rights to the computers. If you have a cascaded system, it might take some time to enter all of the computer names and port numbers and decide on the access rights that you’re going to grant to each user profile.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5. Press [Enter] or [Return] to view the FUNCTIONS menu. 6. Use the arrow keys to place the highlight bar over SEND DATA TO RS-232 PORT. 7. Press [Enter] or [Return] to trigger this function. The Duo/Quadro should send the configuration data to the PC. The SSREAD program will store the data in a file named SSDATA.CSV that will be created in the same directory from which the SSREAD program was run.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 5.19.3 RESTORING THE CONFIGURATION To restore the saved/edited menu names and configuration settings from the PC to the Duo/Quadro, first prepare your system: • Make sure that copies of the SSWRITE.EXE program and the SSDATA.CSV file are together in the same directory on the PC that will be attached to the Duo/Quadro. • Connect one of the PC’s serial COM ports to the Duo/Quadro’s COMM port using the same serial cable you used to save the configuration (see Section 5.19.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 5.20 Upgrading the Duo’s/Quadro’s Firmware Because the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro stores most of its firmware (its “operating system,” if you will) in flash memory, the firmware is upgradable. To fix bugs in existing firmware, or to add new features to your Duo/Quadro, Black Box Technical Support might sometimes recommend that you upgrade the Duo’s/ Quadro’s firmware if a newer revision is available.
CHAPTER 5: Operation Take these steps: 1. C all Black Box Tech Support and follow their instructions to download the necessary files for the upgrade onto the host PC. The model and version numbers in the names of some of the files should all match each other, and all of these files should be downloaded into the same directory: – A universal upgrade installation/verification program, probably named “SSDUO.EXE.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 3. Run the serial cable from the host PC’s serial port to the DB9 female COMM port on the rear panel of the Duo/Quadro. If your PC’s serial port is a DB25 male connector rather than a DB9, you might need a serial adapter such as our product code FA521A. 4. There is also a 2-position DIP switch labeled “R U” on the rear panel. Move position 2 of this switch (the right-hand one labeled “U”) to the ON (down) position to set the Duo/Quadro to “upgrade mode.
CHAPTER 5: Operation 7. Run the SSDUO.EXE firmware-upgrade program that you downloaded in step 1, using the .DAT file that you downloaded in that step as its argument. For example, to upgrade a Quadro to hypothetical firmware version 1.37, you would type in the command line, “SSDUO 4X16V137.DAT”. 8. Follow the directions that appear on the host PC’s screen to transfer the new firmware to the Duo/Quadro.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO 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 Duo/Quadro. 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.
CHAPTER 6: Troubleshooting 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.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO Problem: Compaq MX11800 model integrated keyboard and mouse only: The mouse consistently fails to boot when the Duo/Quadro is connected to PCs running Windows NT 4.0 through their PS/2 style mouse ports. Possible Solutions: There are three possible solutions to this problem: 1. Use a different type of mouse. 2. Connect the Duo/Quadro to your NT 4.0 PCs through adapters and their serial ports rather than through their PS/2 ports. 3.
APPENDIX A: Cable Guidelines Appendix A: Cable Guidelines IMPORTANT NOTE The maximum supported cable lengths vary widely between devices and cables. It might be possible to use cables that are longer than those specified in this Appendix with certain computers and peripherals, but this can’t be guaranteed. If you have problems, try using shorter cables. A.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO Keyboard- and PS/2 mouse-extension cabling: 6-pin mini-DIN male to 6-pin miniDIN male with all lines pinned 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 (product code FA212).
APPENDIX A: Cable Guidelines 6-pin mini-DIN attaches to Duo/Quadro or cable from Duo/Quadro DB9 attaches to PC’s serial port or cable to PC’s serial port KDAT RLSD (DCD) N/C TD RD SGND TD (-12V) +5V DTR KCLK SGND -12V DSR RTS Male 5 N/C CTS N/C RI 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’s pinout.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO Appendix B: Rackmounting the Duo/Quadro If you want to mount the ServSwitch Duo/Quadro, use the included rackmount brackets and screws. (If you’ve lost these, call Black Box Technical Support.) If you’d like to rackmount a Duo Extender, the Extender’s manual will tell you how to do it. The 4- and 8-Port Duos mount in 1U of vertical rack space and have two mounting holes on each side. Their mounting brackets each have two matching holes, and they come with four screws.
APPENDIX B: Rackmounting the Duo/Quadro Figure B-1. Rackmounting a 4- or 8-Port Duo. Figure B-2. Rackmounting a 12- or 16-Port Duo or a Quadro.
SERVSWITCH™ DUO AND SERVSWITCH™ QUADRO DISCLAIMERS While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, neither the manufacturer nor its authorized agents assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor do they assume any liability for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. They reserve the right to change the specifications, functions, or circuitry of the product without notice.
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JANUARY 2001 Remote Unit M FIBER KV R EXTENDE Power R G B 1 2 ACS235A ACS236A Customer Support Information: FREE tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746. Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Dr., Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 World-Wide Web: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@blackbox.com © Copyright 2001. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
