Black Box ServSwitch manual

APRIL 2001 SW741A-R3 SW742A-R3 SW743A-R3 SW761A-R3 SW762A-R3 SW763A-R3 select power 1 5 9 13 2 6 10 14 3 7 11 15 4 8 12 16 User A User B 1 5 2 6 3 7 4 8 select power User A User B 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, P A 15055-101[...]

1 THE SER VSWITCH™ F AMIL Y W elcome to the Ser vSwitch TM 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 i[...]

2 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch, ServSwitch Ultra, and Matrix ServSwitch are trademarks, of Black Box Corporation. Apple, Mac, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Compaq and Alpha are registered trademarks, and DEC is a trademark, of [...]

3 FCC/IC ST A TEMENTS, EU DECLARA TION OF CONFORMITY FEDERAL COMMUNICA TIONS COMMISSION AND INDUSTRY CANADA RADIO-FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE ST A TEMENTS 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 interfere[...]

4 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM) ELECTRICAL SAFETY ST A TEMENT 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 adverte[...]

5 NOM ST A TEMENT 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 s[...]

6 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Contents Chapter Page 1. Specifications ........................................................................................... 10 2. Introduction ............................................................................................. 13 2.1 The Complete Package .....................................................[...]

7 T ABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page 4. Full Configuration ................................................................................... 48 4.1 Using the Menu ................................................................................ 49 4.1.1 Navigating the Configuration Pages .................................... 49 4.1.2 Choosing Names ..[...]

8 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Contents (continued) Chapter Page 6. Keyboard Commands (continued) 6.12 Reset/Enable Mouse in Windows NT and UNIX: [Ctrl] O ......................................................................................... 81 6.13 Send Null Byte to PS/2 Type Mouse: [Ctrl] N .............................. 81 6.14 Identify Firmware Rev[...]

9 T ABLE OF CONTENTS Appendix Page Appendix E: Installing Modules in the Matrix ServSwitch ......................... 106 E.1 Setting the RING/BUS Jumper (Jumper JP1) on Expansion Modules ................................................................ 106 E.2 Swapping In an Expansion Module ............................................... 107 E.3 Sw[...]

10 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 1. Specifications Hardware Required — Monitor that supports your computers’ highest video standard; in multiplatform applications, should be a multisync model capable of forming video from either composite sync or separate horizontal and vertical sync signals (see Section 3.2.3 ) Compliance — CE, FCC Part 15 Subpart J[...]

11 CHAPTER 1: Specifications Maximum Distance — 20 ft. (6.1 m) of CPU or User Cable—possibly as much as 100 ft. (30.5 m) of coaxial CPU or User Cable, depending on CPUs, monitor, and video resolution (see Section 3.2.3 )—from any Matrix ServSwitch to any device attached to it; 100 ft. (30.5 m) of Expansion Cable between any two Matrix ServSwi[...]

12 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Maximum Altitude— 10,000 ft. (3048 m) Temperature Tolerance— 32 to 113˚F (0 to 45˚C) Humidity Tolerance— 5 to 80% noncondensing Enclosure — Steel Power — From AC outlet through included power cord and power inlet to internal transformer: SW7x1A-R3, SW7x2A-R3: 85 to 250 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz; SW7x3A-R3: 90 to 264 VAC,[...]

13 CHAPTER 2: Introduction 2. Introduction Thank you for choosing a Matrix ServSwitch™. Designed with your needs in mind, your new Switch will simplify your job by helping you organize your multiple- computer application. With your Switch you can use two keyboards, monitors, and mice to access a number of IBM ® PC compatible computers, so you ca[...]

14 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 2.2 Features With the Matrix ServSwitch, you have easy, virtually trouble-free, secure, and complete access to up to 1000 computers from as many as four keyboard/video/ mouse stations. Here are some of the major features of the Switch: Upgradability: • The plug-in Expansion Module gives your Matrix ServSwitch system room [...]

15 CHAPTER 2: Introduction Flexibility: • Full-featured command set includes a scan command to automatically switch through a subset of computers over the course of an adjustable time interval. • You can use keyboard commands, on-screen menus, or RS-232 devices to switch computers to your keyboard/video/mouse station. • Integrated autoswitchi[...]

16 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 2.3 The Front Panel The Switch’s front panel features two pushbutton switches and several LED indicators. To familiarize yourself with these controls and indicators, refer to Figure 2-1 and the descriptions that follow on the next page. Figure 2-1. The front panel of a 2 x 16 Matrix Ser vSwitch (SW743A-R3). Power 5 67 8 1[...]

17 CHAPTER 2: Introduction Panel Label Description POWER (left) Main Power LED: Lights to indicate that the Matrix ServSwitch is powered ON. [Numbered] CPU Status LEDs: Numbered pairs of LEDs indicate the status of the CPU connected to the corresponding port on the rear panel: Left/Red (Select) Lights if the corresponding port is currently selected[...]

18 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 2.4 The Rear Panel All cable connections are made at the Switch’s rear panel, as illustrated in Figures 2-2 and 2-3 and described below and on the next page. Figure 2-2. The rear panel of a 2 x 16 Matrix Ser vSwitch with an Expansion Module installed. Figure 2-3. The same rear panel, boar d and por t numbering shown. Desi[...]

19 CHAPTER 2: Introduction Designation Connector Description NOTE The 2 x 4 and 2 x 8 chassis have 8 each of the CPU-port slots. The 2 x 16 chassis has 16 of them. The extra slots in the chassis of the 2 x 4 model are left blank, but are protected by material mounted inside the chassis. Connect the Matrix ServSwitch’s power-supply cord here. The [...]

20 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 2.5 Cable Requirements Many switches of this type have what seems like ten million connectors on their rear panels: one for each CPU’s video cable, one for each keyboard cable, and a third for each mouse cable. The potential for tangling or mismatching cables is high. By contrast, you can connect the Matrix ServSwitch to [...]

21 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration 3. Installation and Preconfiguration 3.1 Quick Setup Guide Figure 3-1 shows a basic example of taking a Matrix ServSwitch and connecting it to a CPU, a user station (monitor, keyboard, and mouse), another Switch, and AC power. IBM PC equipment is shown, but the principles will be similar for all equip[...]

22 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 3.2 Guidelines for Using the Matrix ServSwitch with Y our Equipment 3.2.1 CPU S If you will be attaching IBM PC type computers, use only IBM PC/AT, PS/2, RS/6000 ® , or 100% compatible machines, or recent SGI ® machines. The Matrix ServSwitch does not support IBM PC/XT™ or compatible machines. It also does not support m[...]

23 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration particular, use Windows keyboards if any of your applications require the Windows keys, and use three-button mice if any of your applications require the center mouse button. Other concerns: • The Matrix ServSwitch emulates several types of mice for the attached computers, but the actual mice used a[...]

24 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ • The Matrix ServSwitch is designed to support IBM PC compatible 101-, 102-, 104-, or 105-key keyboards and IBM PC keyboard-scan modes 1, 2, and 3; it’s also designed to work with PC-type CPUs/keyboards that use 5-pin DIN or 6-pin mini-DIN keyboard connectors. The Matrix ServSwitch will try to pass through keyboard code[...]

25 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration T able 3-1. Keyboard mapping by the Matrix Ser vSwitch. Generally, the Matrix ServSwitch interprets keys by their positions on the keyboard, so any keys that occupy more or less the same positions and perform more or less the same functions across platforms will map one-to-one. However, certain keys a[...]

26 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 3.2.3 M ONITOR If all of your CPUs are of the same type, we recommend that you use the corresponding type of monitor. If your CPUs are of different types, the monitor must be a multisync model, able to sync to every CPU’s video-output frequencies, and compatible with all of the CPUs’ video cards. While PC-type CPUs and [...]

27 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration The Matrix ServSwitch will support SVGA (Super VGA) video, but with original Serv cables the video quality can decrease at higher resolutions and distances. Table 3-2 illustrates this. The distances in the table are total lengths of CPU Cable and User Cable (but not Expansion Cable) measured from the [...]

28 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ By contrast, coaxial cables (standard for Sun applications, required for XGA applications, and recommended for most other applications) do much better at maintaining video quality, as shown in Table 3-3. (For the meaning of quality numbers 3 , 2 , and 1 , see the bottom of the previous page.) As before, the distances in the[...]

29 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration 3.3 Installation Procedure This section provides complete instructions for the hardware setup of a single Matrix ServSwitch. (For detailed instructions on installing a daisychained Matrix ServSwitch system, see Sections 3.3.6 and 3.4 .) For an illustrated example of the elements of a basic setup, see [...]

30 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 3.3.3 R ACKMOUNTING (O PTIONAL ) If you want to mount the Matrix ServSwitch in a rack, you will need a ServSwitch Rackmounting Kit. Our product code for a 19", 23", or 24" Kit that fits the 2 x 4 and 2 x 8 Matrix ServSwitches is RMK19B, RMK23B, or RMK24B respectively. Our product code for a 19", 23"[...]

31 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration 3.3.5 C ONNECTING CPU S CPU Cables run from the Matrix ServSwitch to the keyboard port, mouse port (if this is separate), and video-output port of each CPU you want to directly attach to it. Different types of this cable fit the connectors on different computers (see Appendix B ). This cable also come[...]

32 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 6. Plug each (remaining) CPU Cable’s video-, keyboard-, and (on IBM type cables) mouse-port connectors into the corresponding ports on each CPU (or into the Video Adapter on a non-VGA Mac). For various reasons, the CPU should be OFF when you do this. (The Switch also needs to be configured before you turn ON the CPUs; see[...]

33 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration 3.3.7 P OWERING U P THE S WITCHES 1. Making sure that the connected CPUs are OFF (powered down)—except for at least one CPU in an all Sun installation where the monitor doesn’t support 640 x 480 (see step 5 in Section 3.3.5 )—take the power cord of a Matrix ServSwitch in your system and plug the[...]

34 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 3.3.9 S WITCHING AND A CCESSING THE D ISPLAY FROM THE K EYBOARD If your Matrix ServSwitch system has been properly preconfigured (see Section 3.6 ), it is now ready for operation using its default settings. To take full advantage of the Switch’s keyboard-command features, refer to Chapter 6 , which gives detailed informat[...]

35 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration 3.4 Daisychaining Matrix ServSwitches Chaining multiple Matrix ServSwitches together adds capacity for more computers and, optionally, more user stations. When you plan a daisychained system, keep in mind that Switches attach to each other: • From output to input. • In a bus or ring topology. • [...]

36 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 3.4.2 T OPOLOGIES IMPOR T ANT NOTE A standard Matrix ServSwitch system can support two independent users, but each of the user stations has to be attached to a different- numbered KVM port (one to KVM 1, the other to KVM 2), even if the stations are attached to different Switches. If you have users on stations attached to s[...]

37 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration Figure 3-4. The ring topology . Use a ring arrangement if you have user stations attached to two different Matrix ServSwitches and you want both of the users to have access (or at least potential access) to all CPUs. Run Expansion Cables from the OUT ports of each Switch to the IN ports of the previou[...]

38 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 3.5 The Power-Up Procedure About three seconds after you plug in and turn on a Matrix ServSwitch as described in Section 3.3.7 , a diagnostics screen running a self-test will appear on user-station monitors and serial devices attached to the Switch. (In an all Sun installation with a monitor that doesn’t support 640 x 480[...]

39 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration 3.5.1 T HE P OWER -U P D IAGNOSTIC S CREEN : S TANDARD M ESSAGES The diagnostic screen that appears when you turn ON the Matrix ServSwitch is shown in Figure 3-5; standard messages you might see on it are shown in Table 3-4 on the next page. Figure 3-5. The diagnostic screen. Welcome to Matrix ServSwi[...]

40 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ T able 3-4. The standard diagnostic-screen messages. Diagnostic Messages Description Kernel Version Indicates version ID of kernel program being run by the Switch’s bottom port board (all of the port boards should be running the same version). A new kernel may be downloaded into the Switch through one of its serial ports;[...]

41 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration T able 3-4 (continued). The standard diagnostic-screen messages. Diagnostic Messages Description Keyboard Detected If the diagnostics are being reported through a KVM port, displays the keyboard type/mode detected at that port’s user station. Mouse Detected If the diagnostics are being reported thro[...]

42 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Here is what the parts of these messages mean: Kernel is bad, load new kernel through serial port The Matrix ServSwitch sends this message at bootup instead of the power-up diagnostic screen when it detects that its own kernel is corrupt. The Switch will wait to receive a replacement kernel file through the serial port on i[...]

43 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration Error reason When a communication error occurs, one of these “reason” messages will be displayed: Receive/network problem The Expansion Cables in your system might be loose, misconnected, broken, or defective. First make sure that all of your Expansion Cables are firmly seated in the Expansion Mod[...]

44 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 3.5.3 K ERNEL S ERIAL -P ORT M ESSAGES The Matrix ServSwitch’s kernel writes this message to the serial port at power-up: Hit space bar within 5 seconds to get serial options menu If the Switch receives a [Space] character at the serial port during the next 5 seconds, the standard Matrix ServSwitch initialization terminat[...]

45 CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration 3.6 Initial Configuration Once you plug in and turn on a Matrix ServSwitch and it passes the power-up diagnostic tests, you’ll need to set an important initial configuration parameter for it. You’ll be able to fully configure all of the Switches in your system later from a single user station, but[...]

MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 3. Save the configuration: Press the [Esc] key to return to the main menu, then press the [Esc] key again. Highlight “YES” in the pop-up “Save” selection box and press [Enter] to save the configuration. 3.6.2 I NITIALLY C ONFIGURING M ULTIPLE D AISYCHAINED U NITS For each Matrix ServSwitch, take these steps: 1. Bring u[...]

CHAPTER 3: Installation and Preconfiguration T able 3-5. Star ting computer numbers and maximum computer in a sample four-unit daisychain. Matrix ServSwitch Switch CPU Ports Starting Unit Number Model Computer 1 2 x 4 4 1 2 2 x 16 16 5 3 2 x 8 8 21 4 2 x 16 16 29 Maximum computer (sum) = 44 47[...]

48 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 4. Full Configuration Once your Matrix ServSwitch system is up and running, you can configure the system from any attached user station (monitor, keyboard, and mouse). To do so, press and release the left [Ctrl] key, then press the [F12] key to access the configuration-menu screen shown in Figure 4-1. (After your initial ac[...]

49 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration 4.1 Using the Menu 4.1.1 N AVIGATING THE C ONFIGURATION P AGES A help line at the bottom of each screen explains what each selection does. From the configuration main page, use arrow keys to highlight the desired configuration menu, and press the [Enter] key. New text or numeric values may be entered in an input box[...]

50 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Figure 4-2. Saving configuration changes. Matrix ServSwitch version MX16H Copyright 1990-2000 Configure password box numbers, keyboard settings, appearan ce Main menu boards to update=3 Saving to flash Configure System Computer KVM User Profile Group Status Save Exit Use arrow keys to highlight selection and press enter or [...]

51 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration 4.2 Configuring the System The “Configure System” page provides settings that affect the Matrix ServSwitch attached to the KVM station from where changes are initiated. Changes take effect when you exit the main menu or choose the Save option. Unsaved changes are lost if the Switch is powered down. Figure 4-3. ?[...]

52 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Starting computer number Use this field to define the “system-reference number” of the first CPU port on this Matrix ServSwitch; that is, the unique number that the Switch system will use to differentiate that port (and, by numbering upward from there, the other CPU ports on the Switch) from the otherwise identical CPU [...]

53 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration Sun keyboard language (multiplatform models only) Determines response to a Sun computer’s query for language type used. Factory default is “US” (standard North American keyboard language). Other available values are “US UNIX,” “French,” “Danish,” “German,” “Italian,” “Netherlands/ Dutch,?[...]

54 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Background color, text color Use these fields to set the background colors and text colors, respectively, of the connection-status and computer-select screens. The “solid” colors available are black, red, green, yellow, blue, magenta, cyan, and white; these are opaque and cause the window to hide part of the video comin[...]

55 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration 4.3 Configuring Computers The “Configure Computer” page assigns names to computers and defines keyboard and mouse types. Figure 4-4. The “Configure Computer” page. Here are the computer-configuration parameters: [Computer Number] The numbers in this unlabeled field represent the CPU port in the Matrix ServSw[...]

56 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Keyboard Use this field to assign one of the following keyboard modes. • PC1: PC mode 1. Appropriate for most IBM compatible PCs that do not use mode 2; in particular, several PS/2 models. • PC2: PC mode 2. Appropriate for the vast majority of IBM compatible PCs. • PC3: PC mode 3. Appropriate for most UNIX workstation[...]

57 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration 4.4 Configuring User Stations Using the “Configure KVM” page, you can assign names to your keyboard/video/ mouse user stations, choose stations’ default resolutions and refresh rates, choose startup computers, and enable or disable login procedures. If a login is not required, you can also assign “user profi[...]

58 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ KVM Name Use this field to assign a name up to 16 characters long to either user (KVM) station on the Matrix ServSwitch. Factory defaults are “KVM Station 1” and “KVM Station 2” (with spaces embedded between the word “Station” and the number). Resolution Use this field to select the resolution and refresh rate o[...]

59 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration 4.5 Configuring User Definitions You can use the “Configure User” page to assign a username, password, and profile for each user. Figure 4-6. The “Configure User” page. Here are the user-configuration parameters: User name Use this field to define a name for each user that will be associated with that user?[...]

60 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Profile Use this field to assign users to “user profiles,” which are definitions of how users can access the Matrix ServSwitch system. Profiles are configured on the Configure Profile page (see Section 4.6 ). The factory-default profile for each user is the profile appearing in the same- numbered row in the “Configure[...]

61 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration Here are the profile-configuration parameters: Name Use this field to assign a name up to 8 characters long to each user profile. This can be, for example, a descriptive term such as “Staff” or the name of a person or an area of business. Factory-default names are “Profil 1” through “Profil16”. Access Us[...]

62 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Share Use this field to set the “Share-mode timeout,” in seconds, for each user profile. If the connection mode for a given profile is “Share” (see the Connect heading above), this timeout determines how long users with that profile have to leave their keyboard and mice idle before another user can take keyboard and[...]

63 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration 4.7 Configuring Groups You can use the “Configure Group” page to assign computers to specific groups. Users that belong to a certain group can access computers that belong to the same group. Figure 4-8. The “Configure Gr oup” page. Here are the group-configuration parameters: Computer Displays the names of t[...]

64 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Group Name Group names are displayed above the group-membership indicators (plus signs). To change a group’s name, use arrow keys to move the highlight to the group’s column and press [Enter]. A box will appear beside the page; type a new name in this box and press [Enter] again. The new name will be displayed on this p[...]

65 CHAPTER 4: Full Configuration 4.8 The Status Page This page displays status information for each port board (set of four CPU ports) in the Matrix ServSwitch system. This information is an invaluable tool when expansion or reconfiguration is necessary. Figure 4-9. The Status page. These are the status-information fields: Computers Indicates the n[...]

66 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Ver Displays last three characters of the version ID of the main program in the board’s firmware. The last four fields apply only if (a) the port board is one of the bottom two on a Switch and thus includes a KVM port, and (b) there is a user (KVM) station attached to that KVM port: KVM This field indicates the type of mo[...]

67 CHAPTER 5: On-Screen Functions, Same-Port Users, and Connection Modes 5. On-Screen Functions, Same-Por t Users, and Connection Modes This chapter discusses various operating functions of the Matrix ServSwitch that involve the on-screen display. It also discusses the restrictions involved when there are more than two users in the system (so that [...]

68 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 5.2 Connection-Status Messages A connection-status message provides information about a connection between a KVM station and a selected computer. There are three types of these messages: • “Connection successful” message • “Connection failed” message • Disconnect-status message The user-station (KVM) name, com[...]

69 CHAPTER 5: On-Screen Functions, Same-Port Users, and Connection Modes T able 5-1. Reasons for connection failure. Reason Description Possible Remedies Cycle power to all involved Switches. (This error message should never appear. If you see it—even if the problem goes away—please call Tech Support and report it.) Internal error occurred duri[...]

70 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 5.2.3 D ISCONNECT S TATUS You may be disconnected from a selected computer in the middle of an activity, depending on how your system is configured. For instance, when a private-mode user connects to a computer, another user connected to the same computer receives a disconnect-status message labeled “Private mode cancel.?[...]

71 CHAPTER 5: On-Screen Functions, Same-Port Users, and Connection Modes T able 5-2. Reasons for disconnection. Reason Description Possible Remedies Cycle power to all involved Switches. Internal error occurred during disconnection. Unknown reason Cycle power to all involved Switches. Internal error occurred during disconnection. Unknown computer W[...]

72 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 5.3 User Stations Attached to Same-Numbered Ports When there are no more than two users in a Matrix ServSwitch system, both of these users have completely independent global access: that is, each of them can reach any computer in the system, and their actions have no effect on each other, unless one tries to select the same[...]

73 CHAPTER 5: On-Screen Functions, Same-Port Users, and Connection Modes If your application requires that more than two users be able to independently access any computer in the system at all times, there are a couple of solutions you might want to investigate, although each of them involves an additional investment in hardware: 1. You can purchas[...]

74 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 5.4 Connection Modes The Matrix ServSwitch has four “connection modes” that can be assigned to user profiles in order to give users with varying security clearances the corresponding level of access to the computers in the system. These connection modes, discussed in the following four subsections, are: • View mode ?[...]

75 CHAPTER 5: On-Screen Functions, Same-Port Users, and Connection Modes 5.4.4 P RIVATE M ODE A private-mode user connects to a computer knowing that, while they are connected to that computer, no other user may access that computer in any way, even to view the computer’s screen. Non-private users already connected to a computer are immediately d[...]

76 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 6. Keyboard Commands This chapter covers the keyboard commands that can be sent to the Matrix ServSwitch: Section 6.1 explains how to enter commands and lists all of the available commands. Sections 6.2 through 6.17 describe the commands more fully. 6.1 Command Summary To enter any command at the shared keyboard, first pres[...]

77 CHAPTER 6: Keyboard Commands T able 6-1 (continued). The Matrix Ser vSwitch’s keyboard commands. Bypasses the Matrix ServSwitch, passing the command through to an attached KVM switch. [Ctrl] X or [Ctrl] [Tab] Pass Through Command Turns Scan mode OFF; the user station is given access—as much as the user’s profile allows—to the CPU port be[...]

78 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 6.2 Display Configuration Menu: [Ctrl] [F12] This command (press and release left [Ctrl], then press and release function key [F12]) causes the Matrix ServSwitch to display its main configuration menu on screen. For more information about this menu and all of the configuration functions accessible through it, see Chapter 4 [...]

79 CHAPTER 6: Keyboard Commands 6.4 Select Computer: [Ctrl] xxxx [Enter] You can use this command (press and release left [Ctrl], then press and release each of the numeric digits of the port number, then press and release [Enter]) as a shortcut for directly selecting computers instead of doing so through the CPU list. In this command, xxxx stands [...]

80 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 6.8 Display User-Station Status: [Ctrl] D This command (press and release left [Ctrl], then press and release the letter [D] key) causes the Matrix ServSwitch to display the most recent connection-status or disconnection-status message (see Section 5.2 ) sent to your user station. (If such a status message is currently on t[...]

81 CHAPTER 6: Keyboard Commands use the mouse but don’t disable the mouse either, take these precautions: • If you never actually use the mouse with the CPU (as would probably be the case if, for example, the CPU were a Novell ® NetWare ® file server), either don’t plug the mouse strand of the CPU Cable into the CPU’s mouse port, or don?[...]

82 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ The CPU will be thrown out of sync if it uses a PS/2 mouse and it’s in sync when you issue this command. Issue this command up to three more times to get it back in sync again. This command has no effect on serial mice, or on CPUs that are not attached to your Matrix ServSwitch system through a PS/2 mouse port. If you hav[...]

83 CHAPTER 6: Keyboard Commands 6.16 End Scan: [Ctrl] X You can use this command (press and release left [Ctrl], then press and release the letter [X] key) to stop a scan in progress. You will be connected to the computer whose video you were viewing when the scan ended; you will have the level of access to that computer that your user profile’s [...]

84 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 7. Using the Serial Por ts Each port board installed in the Matrix ServSwitch is equipped with an RS-232 serial port that you can use to: • Configure the Switch; • Flash-upgrade firmware, and send kernel and system upgrades to the entire system; or • Restore factory defaults. 7.1 Basic Setup: Establishing a Serial Con[...]

85 CHAPTER 7: Using the Serial Ports CAUTION! Serial cabling in excess of 50 feet (15.2 m) should be routed with caution. The maximum cable length depends upon the construction of the cable and its routing. For extended runs, shielded cable should be used. Avoid routing near fluorescent lights, air-conditioning compressors, or machines that may cre[...]

86 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 7.2.1 O PTION 1. C HANGE S TARTING C OMPUTER This option can only be changed if your computer or terminal is attached to the serial port of port board 1 (the bottom board that includes CPU ports 1 through 4—see Figure 2-3 in Section 2.4 for board numbering). The serial options menu displays the currently configured starti[...]

87 CHAPTER 7: Using the Serial Ports 7.2.3 O PTION 3. R ECEIVE N EW K ERNEL OR M AIN P ROGRAM (U PGRADE F IRMWARE ) NOTE You must be using a computer rather than a terminal to perform this function. Occasionally we might release upgrades to the Matrix ServSwitch’s firmware: either its kernel (the “operating system,” so to speak) or its main p[...]

88 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ What you do now depends on whether the download succeeds or fails: If something goes wrong during file transmission, you might receive an error message advising you that a “checksum error,” “record error,” or “data error” has been detected. This message will be followed by: Receive failed Try again Y/N Error mes[...]

89 CHAPTER 7: Using the Serial Ports 7.2.4 O PTIONS 4 AND 5. S END M AIN P ROGRAM /S END K ERNEL (D ISTRIBUTE U PGRADED F IRMWARE ) You only need to use the procedure in Section 7.2.3 to upgrade the main program or kernel of one port board in one Matrix ServSwitch. Afterward, unless the Switch is a standalone 2 x 4 model (which only has one board),[...]

90 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 7.2.5 O PTION 6. R ESET TO F ACTORY D EFAULTS Use this option to restore the Matrix ServSwitch port board you’re communicating with to its original factory configuration (see Appendix A for a full list of factory- default configuration settings). There are several reasons you might want to do this. For example: • to rec[...]

91 CHAPTER 7: Using the Serial Ports 7.2.7 O PTION 8. E XIT AND R ESTART U NIT To exit the serial options menu, press 8. The Matrix ServSwitch will reinitialize itself and launch its self-diagnostics program. If it passes its diagnostic tests, the Switch should be operational and ready for use; alternatively, if you have more configuration to do, y[...]

92 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 8. T roubleshooting The first section of this chapter, Section 8.1 , discusses things to try when problems arise in a Matrix ServSwitch system. Sections 8.2 and 8.3 discuss what’s involved in calling Black Box and shipping your Switch. 8.1 Common Problems NOTE It might be possible—although this is unlikely—to resolve [...]

93 CHAPTER 8: T roubleshooting H. If the CPU still doesn’t boot, the CPU’s keyboard or mouse port (or other components) might be defective. (If the CPU’s Power LED doesn’t light, the fuse on the CPU’s motherboard might be blown.) If you still have them, plug that CPU’s original monitor, keyboard, and mouse into it and try again. If the [...]

94 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ You can’t seem to scan or switch to certain ports at all. A. Are other users accessing the CPU ports you’re trying to reach in “private mode”? If so, you won’t be able to use those ports until the private-mode users release them—even if you are a private-mode user yourself. See Sections 4.6 and 5.4 . B. You can [...]

95 CHAPTER 8: T roubleshooting You can’t access all the functions of your mouse. A. What type of mouse is it? If it’s any other IBM PC type than those listed as being supported in item A under the section on the previous page headed “An IBM compatible computer’s mouse driver doesn’t load,” chances are that the Matrix ServSwitch doesn’[...]

96 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Your monitor display is fuzzy. A. Check the settings of your monitor, especially the sharpness control. B. If you can’t solve the problem by changing the monitor settings, you might have run cable too far; maximum distance of original Serv type CPU or User Cable ( not including Expansion Cable) from any CPU to the shared [...]

97 CHAPTER 8: T roubleshooting Your video is OK in low-resolution mode, but you can’t get into high-resolution mode. A. If you’re using XGA, you must use coaxial cables (see Section 3.2.3 and Appendix B ). B. Check your video driver or control panel. It might not be set up correctly for your desired resolution. Your on-screen display is not syn[...]

98 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ 8.2 Calling Black Box If you determine that your Matrix ServSwitch is malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter or repair the unit . It contains no user-serviceable parts. Contact Black Box Technical Support at 724-746-5500. Before you do, make a record of the history of the problem. We will be able to provide more efficient [...]

99 APPENDIX A: NVRAM Factory Defaults Appendix A: NVRAM Factor y Defaults The table below and on the next page shows the Matrix ServSwitch’s factory-default configuration options. To reload these values, you’ll need to access the Switch’s serial options menu (see Chapter 7 ). Option Default setting System Configure password ..................[...]

100 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Option Default setting Profile Name .............................................Profile n (n - profile number) Access ............................................ From “Name” in Group page Connect .........................................Share (share mode) Share (share-mode timeout) .......2 seconds Scan (scan rate) .[...]

101 APPENDIX B: Cable Product Codes Appendix B: Cable Product Codes The table below and on the following pages lists the product codes for all the types of cables we currently offer for use with the Matrix ServSwitch. The four digits that follow the dash in each product code indicate how long each cable is in feet (one foot = 30.5 cm). For most of [...]

102 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Coaxial User Cables: Monitor Type Keyboard Type Mouse Type Product Code (Connector on Cable) (Connector on Cable) (Connector on Cable) VGA (HD15 female) IBM PC/AT (5-pin DIN female) Serial RS-232 (DB9 male) EHN270-0xxx VGA (HD15 female) IBM PS/2 (6-pin mini-DIN female) PS/2 (6-pin mini-DIN female) EHN283-0xxx Sun (13W3 fem[...]

103 APPENDIX B: Cable Product Codes 4-User Matrix ServSwitch Expansion Cable: KV140www, where “www” = 010, 020, 035, 050, or 100 8-/16-User Matrix ServSwitch Expansion Cable: KV180www, where “www” = 010, 020, 035, 050, or 100 6-wire straight-through-pinned flat-satin cable with RJ-12 connectors for communicating with Matrix ServSwitch throu[...]

104 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Appendix C: Pinout of Serial Por ts The table below shows the pinout of the Matrix ServSwitch’s RJ-12 (“6-wire RJ-11”) female RS-232 serial ports. Pin Signal Name Abbrev. Direction Description 1 Data Set Ready DSR Input Reserved (not used) 2 Data Terminal Ready DTR Output Pulled high with 1-k Ω resistor 3 Transmit [...]

105 APPENDIX D: The LK461 Keyboard Appendix D: The LK461 Keyboard Some of the computers manufactured by Compaq ® subsidiary Digital Equipment Corporation come with a special keyboard called the DEC LK461. The Matrix ServSwitch supports this keyboard by passing through unaltered the scan codes of certain proprietary keys (such as [Help] and [Do]) a[...]

106 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ Appendix E: Installing Modules in the Matrix Ser vSwitch E.1 Setting the RING/BUS Jumper (Jumper JP1) on Expansion Modules Before you install Expansion Modules (our product code SW740C-R3-B) in a daisychained Matrix ServSwitch system, you might need to set their RING/BUS jumpers. If the daisychain is laid out in a bus topo[...]

107 APPENDIX E: Installing Modules in the Matrix ServSwitch E.2 Swapping In an Expansion Module Making sure that the Matrix ServSwitch is turned OFF and unplugged, unscrew and remove any blank plate over the opening of the Matrix ServSwitch’s Expansion slot. (You should always have a plate covering this slot when a Terminator Module is in it. If [...]

108 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ E.3 Swapping In a T erminator Module (Not Recommended) It should never be necessary to swap a Terminator Module back in for an Expansion Module; the Expansion Module can terminate a non-daisychained Switch. But if you ever need to do this for whatever reason, your first step should be to unscrew the Expansion Module and ge[...]

109 APPENDIX F: Rackmounting the Matrix ServSwitch Appendix F: Rackmounting the Matrix Ser vSwitch You can use a ServSwitch Rackmount Kit to mount a Matrix ServSwitch in a 19", 23", or 24" rack. Use the RMK19B, RMK23B, or RMK24B Kit respectively to mount a 2 x 4 or 2 x 8 Switch; use the RMK19C, RMK23C, or RMK24C respectively to mount[...]

110 MA TRIX SERVSWITCH™ To use a Kit to mount a Matrix ServSwitch, take these steps, referring to Figure F-1: 1. Match up the two holes in the “Switch end” of each Kit ear with the two empty screwholes on the side of the Switch, then fasten the ear to the Switch with two of the screws included with the Kit. 2. Once you’ve attached both ears[...]

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