Black Box ACU2009A manual

SEPTEMBER 2003 ACU2001A ACU2009A ACU2022A ACU2028A ACU2201A ACU2222A ACUR001A ACUR002A ACURA001A ACURA002A[...]

THE SERVSWITCH     FAMILY 1 Welcome to th e ServSwitch™ Famil y! Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BO X® ServSwitch™ Brand CATx KVM Extender model! We appreciate your business, and w e think you’ll appreciate the many ways that your enhanced keyboard/video/mouse system w ill save you money, time, and effort. That’s because our S[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 2 Copyrights and Trademarks ©2003. All rights reserved. This infor mation may not be reproduced in any manner without the prior written consent of the manufa cturer. Information in this document is subject to change w ithout notice and the manufacturer shall not be liable for any direct, i[...]

FCC/CDC STATEMENTS 3 FEDERAL COMMUNICATION S COMMISSION AND CANADIAN DEP ARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS RADIO-FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS This equipment generates, uses, and can r adiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to ra[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 4 EUROPEAN UNION DE CLARATION OF CONFORMITY WARNING! This is a class A product. In a do mestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the us er might be required to take adequate remedial measures. This product complies with the following harmonized standards:[...]

NOM STATEMENT 5 NORMAS OFICIALES MEXIC ANAS (NOM) ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATE MENT INSTRUCCIONES DE S EGURIDAD 1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y o peración deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado. 2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación d eberán ser guardadas para referencia futura. 3. Todas las advertencias[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 6 14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las recomendaciones del fabricante. 15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá s er localizada lejos de las lineas de energia. 16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cua ndo el equipo no sea usado [...]

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AN D INSTALLATION GUIDELINES 7 Safety Precautions and Insta llation Guidelines To ensure reliable and safe long-term operation please note the following installation guidelines: • Do not use to link between buildings. • Only use in dry, indoor environments. • If the building has 3-phase AC power, try to ensure that equipmen[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 8 Contents 1. Quick Setup 10 1.1 Command Summary 11 2. Overview 12 2.1 Introduction 12 2.2 Glossary 12 2.3 Features 14 2.4 Product Range 15 2.5 Compatibility 16 2.6 How to Use This Guide 17 3. Installation 18 3.1 Package Contents 18 3.2 Interconnection Cable Requirements 19 3.3 Remote Unit [...]

CONTENTS 9 Appendix A: Example Applications 47 Appendix B: Rack Mount Options 52 Appendix C: Remote Unit: Flash Upgradin g & External Configuration 54 Appendix D: Advanced Cabling Issues (S kew) 55 Appendix E: Audio/Serial Ports 58 Appendix F: Calling Black Box 60 Appendix G: Specifications 61[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 10 1. Quick Setup This section briefly describes how to install your K VM extender system and optimize the video signals. Unless you are an experien ced user, we recommend that you follow the full procedures described in the rest of this manual. Refer to the command summary on the next page[...]

QUICK SETUP 11 1.1 Command Summary The following table summarizes the ‘hot’ key comman d sequences used in system configuration and video tuning on a Rem ote unit console. Command Mode Enter Command Mode Exit Command Mode & Save Exit Command Mode Witho ut Save <Left Control> + <Left Shif t> + <F10> <ESC> <Left Con[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 12 2. Overview 2.1 Introduction The ServSwitch  Brand CATx KVM Extender Series enables high-resolution video, PS/2 keyboard and mouse, stereo audio, and s erial port signals to be communicated up to 1000ft (300m) over Category 5, 5e, 6 or higher (CATx) cable. A basic KVM extension system[...]

OVERVIEW 13 Figure 1 KVM extender system Local Access ACU2009A, ACU2028A only. Dual Video Support ACU2201A, ACU2222A ACUR002A, ACURA002A only Serial and Audio Transmission ACU2022A, ACU2028A ACU2222A, ACURA001A ACURA002A only KVM extension over CATx cables up to 1000ft (300m). LOCAL unit REMOTE unit[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 14 2.3 Features All members of the ServSwitch  Brand CATx K VM Extender Series offer the following features: • Support for high video resolution over extend ed distances: 1600x1200@60Hz over 650ft (200m) 1280x1024@75Hz over 1000ft (300m) • Fully integrated skew compensation allow s o[...]

OVERVIEW 15 2.4 Product Range There are ten products in the range: Single Video Channel Kits (Standa rd) ACU2001A Single Video Channel, PS/2 KB & Mou se Local Unit + Remote Unit (Single Access ) ACU2009A Single Video Channel, PS/2 KB & Mou se Local Unit + Remote Unit (Dual Access) Single Video Channel Kits (Audio) ACU2022A Single Video Chan[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 16 2.5 Compatibility Interface Compatibility • PS/2 Keyboard: Compatible with all standard key boards. Certain keyboards with enhanced features may also be supported with custom firmware. • PS/2 Mouse: Compatible with all standard 2-button, 3-button and wheel mice. To connect to a PC wh[...]

OVERVIEW 17 2.6 How to Use This Guide This guide describes the installation and configuration of the ServSwitch  Brand CATx KVM Extender Series. Although the connectio n and operation of the system is relatively straightforward, you should consider the following before getting started: Connection & Compatibility If you have purchased an Exte[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 18 3. Installation For first-time users, we recommend that you carry out a test placement, confined to a single room, before commencing full installation. This w ill allow you to identify and solve any cabling problems, and experiment with the K VM extender system more conveniently. 3.1 Pac[...]

INSTALLATION 19 3.2 Interconnection Cable Requirements To connect the Local and Remote units you w ill need CATx (any category 5, 5e, 6 or higher) cable terminated with RJ45 plugs. Interconnect cables must be solid-core type. S tranded patch cable will give poor results over longer distances. The pairing of the cable and pinning of its connectors s[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 20 3.3 Remote Unit Installation To install a Remote unit: 1. Switch off all devices. 2. Connect your keyboard, monitor(s) and mo use to the Remote unit as shown in Figure 2. These ports may also be attached to the CPU side of a KVM s witch in order to have a Remo te CPU. However, if you are[...]

INSTALLATION 21 Figure 2 Remote Unit – rear vi ew Status Yellow LED* Green LED OFF ON FLASHING No data transfer with Local unit Remote Unit in Command Mode Data transfer with Local unit Remote Unit not powered. Remote Unit powered but no video found Remote Unit powered & video sync found * Yellow LED active on primary INTERCONNECT socket (Cha[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 22 3.4 Local Unit Installation To install a Local unit: 1. It is recommended that the PC and other d evices are switched off before connection. 2. Using the supplied CPU KVM cable(s), connect the k eyboard, monitor(s) and mouse connectors on the computer (or KVM switch) to the corresponding[...]

INSTALLATION 23 Figure 4 Local Unit (Single Vide o) - rear view Figure 5 Local Unit (Dual Vide o) - rear view Connect to Local monitor. Connect to audio ports on computer. Connect to serial port on computer. ACU2028A and ACU2022A only ACU2009A, ACU2028A only Connect to computer’s video output. Connect to computer’s PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 24 Figure 6 Local Unit (Single Vide o) – front view Status LED Power LED* OFF ON FLASHING No power - Local unit not connected or defective No link to Remote unit Link operating correctly No power Power on *If LED is dim you need to use an external PSU Figure 7 Local Unit (Dual Vide o) –[...]

INSTALLATION 25 3.5 Connection to Rackmount Hub Loc al Units Remote units are compatible with CAT5 KVM Extender Local Hubs belonging to the same family: Remote Units Compatible Local Rack Hubs ACUR001A, ACUR002A ACU1006RA, ACU1006DRA, ACU1012RA ACURA001A, ACURA002A ACU1006VRA, ACU1006DVRA You can use Rack Extender Hubs in a numbe r of ways: • Ind[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 26 Figure 8 Simple system using AC U1006RA hub and ACUR00 1A Remote units[...]

INSTALLATION 27 Figure 9 ACU1006RA rack us ed with ACUR002A units to exte nd dual video 5V PSU[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 28 4. Remote Unit Co nfiguration & Operation Cat5/5e/6 cables are specifically designed for networking applications and not for transmitting analog video. Your CATx K VM extender includes, and requires, advanced technology to enable its use at high screen reso lutions. This section desc[...]

REMOTE UNIT CONFIGURATIO N & OPERATION 29 4.2 Video Adjustments Remote units feature a number of correction to ols to simplify video optimization. This procedure is straightforward and only needs to be carried out once. For each video channel, the Remote unit al lows you to optimize independently: • Low frequency (LF) equalization • High fr[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 30 4.3 Command Mode During normal use, the Remote console keyboar d functions in the usual manner. However, by using a specific ‘hot’ key sequence, you can set the keyboard into a Command Mode. From this, you can use various keys and key combinat ions to tune the video signal and genera[...]

REMOTE UNIT CONFIGURATIO N & OPERATION 31 4.4 Adjusting Video Use the following step-by-step procedure to op timize the video image on the Remote console: 1. If possible, view the online test card at: http://www.blackbox.com/tech_su pport/ts_upgrades/ts_ss.html This is an image (see Figure 10) created an d used by the manufacturer for video opt[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 32 3. Select the video channel you want to conf igure using one of the following keys on the numeric keypad: Channel Command Key Select Channel 1 For Adjustment <1> Select Channel 2 For Adjustment <2> Select BOTH Video Channels <0> (Channel 0) Use Channel 0 to tune b oth v[...]

REMOTE UNIT CONFIGURATIO N & OPERATION 33 LF too low LF too high HF too low HF too high Figure 11 Problems with smeari ng and sharpness requiring LF a nd HF adjustment 6. Identify the ‘slowest’ color – the colored line furthest to the right. Delay the signals of the two other colors using the following commands: Delay Command Key Sequence[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 34 Figure 12 Illustration of skew and a ppearance on test card Some Cat5e/Cat6 cab les require a large green delay. Vid eo quality can be often be vastly imp roved by using standard crossov er patch cables at both ends of the link rather than straight patch cables. For details see Appendix [...]

REMOTE UNIT CONFIGURATIO N & OPERATION 35 8. Fine-tune the LF equalization to remove ‘ black video smearing’ - black smears to the right of large objects such as window title bars (see Figure 11). LF Equalization Commands Key Sequence Increase LF Equalization (Coarse) Decrease LF Equalization (Coarse) <L> + <Up Arrow> <L> [...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 36 4.5 Other Remote Configuration & Operation Options Reset Commands The ServSwitch  Brand CATx KVM Extender Series has a number of commands to reset the keyboard and mouse, to reset EQ and Delay val ues and to restore the factory default configuration. Command Key Sequence Reset Mou[...]

REMOTE UNIT CONFIGURATIO N & OPERATION 37 Private Mode Commands On dual access systems, the Remote user can lock out the Local console by triggering a ‘Private Mode’ function. This prevents t he Local console from being used even if the two- second inactivity timeout period expires. To lock out the Local unit: 1. Enter Command Mode: <Lef[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 38 Local Unit Configuration Commands On dual access systems, a Local console us er can lock out the Remote console (see Local Console Commands , page 41). There are tw o commands for configuring this feature from the Remote console: Command Key Sequence Local Unit Initial Hot Key <F7>[...]

LOCAL UNIT OPERATION 39 5. Local Unit Opera tion 5.1 Overview You need to read this section if you have pur chased an extender system kit containing both a Local and Remote unit. For more information about serial/audio port oper ation, see Appendix E: Audio/Serial Ports , page 58. Keyboard and Mouse Emulation Local units have keyboard and mouse emu[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 40 5.2 Dual Access Systems ACU2009A and ACU2028A models offer d ual access from consoles at both Remote and Local units. This operates on a first-come, firs t-served basis. When one console is in use, the system blocks out the other console until there is no keyboard or mouse use at the act[...]

LOCAL UNIT OPERATION 41 Local Console Commands After pressing the initial ‘hot’ key on th e Local keyboard, you can issue a number of commands by pressing additional keys. These commands allow you to start a private mode session on the Local console or to res et the keyboard and mouse. These commands onl y apply to Local units and Rack hubs hav[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 42 6. Troubleshooting 6.1 Video The image is not sharp, or is badly sm eared. Have you adjusted the video equalizati on? Follow the instructions on page 29. Check the Interconnect cable between the Rem ote and Local units. Is it of the recommended type (see page 19)? Is it intact a long its[...]

TROUBLESHOOTING 43 The monitor sometimes goes blank for a second or two. Check that the interconnect cable is not rou ted near power lines or other sources of electrical interference. If this is a persistent prob lem, contact Technical Support. Check system grounding. The PC won’t boot into the correct graph ics mode. If your graphics card suppor[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 44 6.2 Keyboard & Mouse When I am typing, I get wrong or missing characters on the screen. Your keyboard may be in the wrong mode. Use the appropriate commands to reset the keyboard and mouse as described in the se ctions covering Local and Remote operation. The PC comes up with ‘keyb[...]

TROUBLESHOOTING 45 6.3 Audio The audio is very quiet. The audio I/O is line-level and requires amplifie d speakers and connection to devices providing line-level I/O. The audio is loud but distorted. Check that the audio input is not greater than line level (4V peak-to-peak). The KVM extender accepts line-level audio input o nly. The microphone out[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 46 6.5 General Questions Is it possible to use a cable length longe r than 1000ft (300m)? It might be possible to use a cable of up to 1650ft (5 00m) at lower resolutions. However, we do not recommend this an d cannot guarantee that it will work. Can the extender be daisy chained? In certai[...]

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE AP PLICATIONS 47 Appendix A: E xample Applications This section illustrates four specific applications u sing Extender units: • Six dual-monitor consoles with serial and au dio (Figure 13). • Six remote serial touch screens with Lo cal access through a KVM switch (Figure 14). • Information distribution system sharing a sin[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 48 Figure 13 Dual-monitor console s with serial and audio extension ACU1006VRA Extender Hub Takes primary video, keyboard, mouse, audio and serial signals from each CPU (only two shown). ACU1006RA Extender Hub Takes secondary video from each CPU. 5V PSU required. ACURA002A Remote units conn[...]

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE AP PLICATIONS 49 Figure 14 Touch screen network wi th local access to CPU throug h KVM switch ACU1006DVRA Extender Hub Takes KVM and serial signals from each CPU (only two shown). ACURA002A Remote units connect to touch screens. Local access ports connect to single KVM console through a ServSwitch  brand KVM switch. ServSwitc[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 50 Figure 15 Information distributi on system sharing a single PC ACU1006DRA Extender Hub CPU connects to Port 1. Local access ports are daisy-chained to allow operation from any console and/or video to be distributed to multiple locations. ACUR001A Remote units connect to KVM consoles.[...]

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE AP PLICATIONS 51 Figure 16 Extender system with se cond screen for security monito ring Security System Provides secondary video input. ACU2201A Takes KVM signals from standard PC and secondary video from security system. ACUR002A Connects to KVM console. Secondary monitor used for security monitoring.[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 52 Appendix B: R ack Mount Options Most of the extender units can be mounted in a 19” rack using one of the two mounting kits: • RMK19U-X3 • RMK19U-R2 RMK19U-X3 Mounting Kit RMK19U-X3 allows you to moun t up to three of the following units across 1U: • ACUR001A • ACURA001A • ACU[...]

APPENDIX B: RACK MOU NT OPTIONS 53 RMK19U-R2 Mounting Kit RMK19U-R2 allows you to mount one of the following Local units across 1U: • ACU2001A • ACU2022A • ACU2009A • ACU2028A The kit consists of two angled brackets. To mount a unit: 1. Remove the two screws from one side of the u nit. 2. Match up the lower pair of holes on a bracket with t[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 54 Appendix C: R emote Unit: Flash Up grading & External Con figuration The Remote unit contains a configuration port accessed through the mouse port. By attaching an upgrade cable between this port and the s erial port on any PC (or laptop) the Remote unit’s firmware may be upgraded.[...]

APPENDIX D: ADVANCE D CABLING ISSUES (SKEW) 55 Appendix D: A dvanced Cabling Iss ues (Skew) The suggestions made in this Appendix sh ould only be investigated if you cannot obtain satisfactory image quality after configuring the Remote unit (as described in Section 4). The techniques described here are usually only necessary when you are operating [...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 56 Cable Pinning/Pairing The following table illustrates which RJ45 conn ector pins the extenders use for various signals. It also details the standard EIA-5 68B wiring scheme that is recommended for most installations. Looking into the RJ45 socket on a Remo te unit , Pin 1 is on the right [...]

APPENDIX D: ADVANCE D CABLING ISSUES (SKEW) 57 Optimizing Pairs (General Solution) Measure pair lengths with a LAN cabli ng tester (TDR) or view pairs by stripping back a small piece of cable and viewing how tightly pairs are twisted. The most tightly twisted pair is the slowest (longest) and the loosest pair the fastest (shortest). You can also ch[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 58 Appendix E: A udio/Serial Ports Operation & Multi-Port Configuration This appendix describes audio & serial interfac e operation for those models that have this feature: • ACU2022A • ACU2028A • ACU2222A • ACURA001A • ACURA002A These extender products contain daughter bo[...]

APPENDIX E: AUDIO/SER IAL PORTS 59 Audio Interface - Set Up and Operation The audio interface is line-level and is designed to take the output from a sound card (or other line-level) source and be connected to a set of powe red speakers at the other end of the link. Stereo audio may be transmitted either w ay across the link (simultaneously). No se[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 60 Appendix F: C alling Black Box If you determine that your CATx KVM Extender is malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter or repair it . It contains no user-serviceable p arts. Contact Black Box Technical Support at 724- 746-5500. Before you do, make a record of the history of the problem. [...]

APPENDIX G: SPECIFICATIONS 61 Appendix G: S pecifications Video Maximum Resolution 1600x1200@60Hz over 650ft (200m) 1280x1024@75Hz over 1000ft (300m) Operation at higher resolutions/refresh r ates may be possible at shorter distances Video Compatibility VGA to UXGA, RGB Video I/O 0.7V P-P Skew Compensation 15-stage. 42nS Max. 2.8nS per step Compens[...]

SERVSWITCH     BRAND CATX KVM EX TENDER FAMILY 62 Serial Interface Max Baud Rate Supported 19.2K Baud Serial Data Format Transparent Signals Transferred TX, RX, RTS, CTS, D TR, DSR Local Unit Connector DB9 Female (DCE) Remote Unit Connector DB9 Male (DTE) Audio Interface Description Bi-directional stereo audio link Transmission method D[...]

APPENDIX G: SPECIFICATIONS 63 Size and Shipping Weig ht ACUR001A, ACUR002A Remo te Unit: 5.5”x5.7”x1.1” (140x145x29mm) Shipping Weight: 2.7lb (1.2kg) ACURA001A, ACURA002A Remote Unit: 5.5”x5.7”x1.7” (140x145x44mm) (1U) Shipping Weight: 2.9lb (1.3kg) ACU2201A Local U nit: 4.3”x5.7”x1.1” (110x146x29mm) Remote Unit: 5.5”x5.7”x1.1[...]

NOTES[...]

Customer Support Information: For FREE T echnical Support 24 hours a day , 7 days a week, call 724-746-5500 or fax 725-746-0746 Mailing address: Black Box Corporation , 1000 Park Dr ., Lawrence, P A 15055-1018 World-Wide Web: www .blackbox.com • Email: info@blackbox.com © Copyright 2003. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved. Order toll-fre[...]