ATEN Technology ACS-1208A manual

User Manual ACS-1208A ACS-1216A 2003-06-20[...]

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equip- ment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not instal[...]

Packing List The complete ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A package consists of: M 1 ACS-1208A or ACS-1216A KVM Switch M 2 Custom KVM Cable Sets (2L-5202P) M 1 Firmware Upgrade Cable M 1 Power Adapter M 1 Rack Mounting Kit M 1 User Manual Check to mak e sure that all the co mponents are present and that nothing got damaged in shipping. If you encounter a probl[...]

Table of Contents 1. Introduction Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Computers . . . . . . [...]

4. OSD Operation OSD Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 OSD Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 OSD Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 OSD Main Screen Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 OSD Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

About This Manual This User Manual is provided to help you get the most from your ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A system. It covers all aspects of installation, configuration and operation. An overview of the information found in the manual is pro v id ed b elo w. Overview Chapter 1, Introduction, introduces you to the ACS-1208A / ACS- 1216A System. Its purp[...]

Conventions The following typographical conventions are used throughout this manual: M Bullet lists provide in fo rmatio n, but not pro ced ural steps. M Numbered lists rep resen t pro ced ures with seq uen tial step s. M An indented typeface like the one below: Key information in indicates words and characters you key in. Unless otherwise mentione[...]

Notes: 2003-06-20 ACS-1208A / ACS -1216A User Manual viii[...]

Chapter 1. Introduction T his chapter introduces you to the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A KVM Switch. Its purpose, features and benefits are presented, an d its front and back panel comp o- nents are described. Overview The Master View ACS-1208A and ACS-1216A KVM Switches are control units that allo w access to multiple co mputers from a single console (ke[...]

Your ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A investment is protected by an included Firmware Upgrade Utility . You can stay cu rrent with the latest imp rove- ments in functionality by downloading th e latest firmware files from our website and using th e utility to quickly and convenien tly perform the upgrade. Setup is fast and easy; plugging cables in to their re[...]

Features M A single console controls up to 8 (ACS-1208A) or 16 (ACS-1216A) computers M Daisy chain up to 31 ad ditio nal units - co ntrol up to 512 computers from a sin gle co nso le M No software required - co nvenient comp uter selectio n via Hotkeys and intuitiv e OS D men us M Auto Scan feature fo r monitoring user-selected co mp uters M Hot Pl[...]

Hardware Requirements Console M A VGA, SVGA, or Multisy nc mo nito r cap ab le of th e hig h est resolution that you will be using on any computer in the installation. M A PS/2 style mouse M A PS/2 style keyboard Computers The following equip ment must be installed on each co mputer: M A VGA, SVGA or Multisync card. M A 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2 sty le)[...]

Cables Substandard cables may damage the connected devices or degrade overall performance. For optimum sig nal integrity an d to simplify th e layout, we strongly recommend that you use the high quality CS Custom Cable sets described below: Function CS Part Number KVM Switch to K VM Switch (Daisy Chai ning) 2L-1700 - 0.6 m 2L-1701 - 1.8 m KVM Switc[...]

ACS-1208A Front View 1. Port LEDs The Port LEDs provide status in fo rmatio n ab out th eir corresponding CPU Ports. There is one pair of LEDs for each Port. The one on the left is the On Line LED; the one on the right is the Selected Port LED: M An On Line LED lights ORANGE to indicate th at th e computer attached to its corresponding port is up a[...]

3. Power LED The Power LED lights to indicate that the ACS-1208A is powered up and ready to operate. 4. Station ID LED The ACS-1208A’s Station ID is displayed here. If this is a Single Station installation (see p. 2-1), or the First Station on a Daisy Chained installation (see p. 2-2), the ACS-1208A has a Station ID of 01 . On a Daisy Chained ins[...]

ACS-1216A Front View 1. Port LEDs The Port LEDs provide status in fo rmatio n ab out th eir corresponding CPU Ports. There is one pair of LEDs for each Port. The one on the left is the On Line LED; the one on the right is the Selected Port LED: M An On Line LED lights ORANGE to indicate th at th e computer attached to its corresponding port is up a[...]

3. Power LED Lights to indicate that the ACS-1216A is powered up and ready to operate. 4. Station ID LED The ACS-1216A’s Station ID is displayed here. If this is a Single Station installation (see p. 2-1), or the First Station on a Daisy Chained installation (see p. 2-2), the ACS-1216A has a Station ID of 01 . On a Daisy Chained installation, the[...]

ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A Rear View 1. Daisy Chain Ports When Daisy Chaining Units, the cables plug in here. The port on the left is the Chain In port; the one on the right is the Chain Out port. 2. CPU Port Section The cables that link to th e co mp uters plug in here. The sh ape of these connectors has been sp ecifically modified so th at only cables[...]

5. Firmware Upgra de Port The Firmware Upgrad e Ca ble that transfers the firmware upgrade data from the administrator’s computer to the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A (see p. 5-2), plugs into this RJ-11 socket. 6. Firmware Upgra d e Reco very Switch During normal operation and wh ile perfo rmin g a fimware upgrade, this switch sh ould be in th e NORMAL p[...]

Notes: 2003-06-20 ACS-1208A / ACS -1216A User Manual 1-12[...]

Chapter 2. Installation T his chapter explains how to connect up your installation — from a basic single stage arrangement to a co mplete daisy chain ed co nfig uration. Before you Begin 1. Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up have been turned off. You must unplug the power cords of any computers that hav e th e Keyb [...]

3. Plug th e power ad ap ter cab le into the Master View’s Power Jack , then plug th e power ad ap ter in to an AC power source. 4. Turn on th e power to th e co mp uters. Daisy Chaining To control even more computers, up to 31 additional switches can be daisy chained down from the first unit. As many as 512 computers can be controlled fro m a si[...]

2. Use a daisy ch ain cab le set (d escrib ed in the Cables section, p. 1-5), to connect the Ch ain Ou t port of th e paren t switch to the Chain In port of the child switch (First Station Out to Seco nd Station In, Second Station Ou t to Third Station In, etc.). Note: You cannot use the Chain In port of the First Station Master View, since it is t[...]

2003-06-20 ACS-1208A / ACS -1216A User Manual 2-4[...]

Hot Plugging The ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A supports hot plugging - components can be removed and added back into the installation by unplugging their cables from the ports with out the need to sh ut the unit down. In ord er for hot plugging to work properly , however, the proced ures described below must be follo wed : Switching Statio n Positions: You[...]

Port ID Numbering Each CPU port on a Master View installation is assigned a unique Port ID. The Port ID is made up of two parts: a two-digit Station Number , and a two-digit Port Number : M The Station Number - reflects the switch’s position in th e daisy chain sequence. This corresponds to the number displayed on the front panel Station ID LE D.[...]

Chapter 3. Hotkey Operation T his chapter details the co ncep ts an d pro ced ures in volved in th e Ho tkey operation of your ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A installation. Hotkey Port Access Hotkey port access allows you to provide KVM focus to a particular computer directly from the keyboard. The Master View ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A provides the following Hot[...]

When Hotk ey Mo de is active: M The Caps Lock and Scroll Lock LEDs flash in su ccessio n. They stop flashing and revert to normal status when you exit Hotkey Mode. M A Command Line appears on th e mo nito r’s screen . The co mman d line pr ompt is t he word Hotkey: and appears in yellow text on a blue background. Subsequent Hotkey information tha[...]

Auto Scanning Auto Scan automatically switches among all accessible CPU Ports at regular intervals, so that the operator can monitor their activity without having to switch among them manually. (See Scan/Skip Mode of the OSD F3 SET function, p. 4-7 for information regarding accessible ports.) Setting the Sc an Interval: The amount of time Auto Scan[...]

Invoking Auto Scan: To start Auto Scannin g, key in the follo wing Hotkey co mbination: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (see p. 3-1). 2. Press [A] . You automatically ex it Ho tkey Mode, an d enter Auto Scan Mode. The KVM focus switches among th e accessib le co mp uters at regular intervals. While you are in Auto Scan Mode, note the following: M You can pau[...]

Skip Mode Skip Mode allows you to switch between computers in order to monitor them manually. Unlik e Auto Scanning , which auto matically switches after a fixed interval, you can dwell on a particular port for as long or as little as you like. To invoke Skip Mode, key in the following Hotkey combination: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (see p. 3-1). 2. Key [...]

Hotkey Beeper Control The Beeper (see Activate Beeper, p. 4-9) can be Hotkey toggled On an d Off. To toggle the Beep er, key in the followin g Hotkey co mbination: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (see p. 3-1). 2. Press [B] After you press B , the Beeper toggles On or Off. The Command Line displays Beeper On or Beeper Off for one second; then the message disa[...]

Chapter 4. OSD Operation T his chapter prov ides a complete descrip tion of the proced ures involved in the OSD (On Screen Display) operation of your ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A installation. OSD Operation OSD Overview The On Screen Display (OSD) is a men u driven method to handle computer contro l and switching operations. All procedures start fro m the[...]

When you invoke the OSD, a screen similar to the one below appears: Note: 1. The diag ram dep icts th e Ad min istrato r’s Main Screen . The User Main Screen does not show the F4 and F6 fu nctio ns, since these are reserved fo r th e Ad min istrato r and can’t be accessed by ordinary Users. 2. OSD alway s starts in List view, with th e hig h li[...]

OSD Navigation w To dismiss the menu, and deactivate OS D, Click th e X at th e upper right corner of th e OS D Win dow; or press [Esc] . w To Logout, Click F8 at the top of the Main Screen, or press [F 8] . w To move up or down through the list one line at a time, Click the Up and Down T rian gle sy mb ols ( ▲▼ ) or use th e Up and Down Arrow [...]

OSD Functions OSD functions are used to configure an d control the OSD. For ex ample, you can: rapidly switch to any port; scan selected ports only; limit the list you wish to view; designate a port as a Quick View Port; create or edit a port name; or make OSD setting ad ju stments. To access an OSD function: 1. Either Click a Functio n Key field a[...]

F2 LIST : The LIST function lets you broaden or narrow the scope of which ports the OSD displays (lists) on th e Main Screen. Many of the OSD fu nctio ns only operate on th e co mp uters th at have been selected for listin g on th e Main Screen with this function. The choices and th eir meanings are given in th e tab le below: Choice Meaning ALL Li[...]

F3 SET: This function allows the Ad min istrator and each User to set up his own workin g en viro nmen t. A sep arate profile for each is sto red by the OSD and is activ ated acco rd in g to the Username that is provided during Login. To change a setting: 1. Double Click it; or move the highlight bar to it, th en press [Enter] . 2. After you select[...]

(F3 SET: continued) Setting Function PORT ID DISPLAY MODE Selects how the Port ID i s displayed: the P ort Number alone ( PORT NUMBER ); the Port Name alone ( PORT NAME ); or the Port Number plus the P ort Name ( PORT NUMBER + PORT NAME ). The default is P ORT NUMBER + PORT NAME). SCAN DURATION Determines how l ong the focus dwells on eac h port as[...]

F4 ADM: F4 is an Administrato r only fu nctio n. It allo ws the Administrato r to configure and co ntro l the overall operation of the OS D. To change a setting Do uble Click it; or use th e Up an d Do wn Arro w Keys to move th e hig h lig ht bar to it th en press [Enter] . After you select an item, a submenu with further choices for you to select [...]

(F4 ADM: continued ) Setting Function EDIT PORT NAMES To help remember whi ch computer is attac hed to a particular port, every port can be gi ven a name. This function allows the Administrator to create, modi fy, or delete port names. To E dit a port name: 1. Click the port you want, or use the Navigation Keys to mov e the highlight bar to it, the[...]

(F4 ADM: continued ) Setting Function SET QUICK VIEW PORTS This func tion lets the A dministrator selec t which Ports to include as Quick V iew ports. w To select/deselect a port as a Quick View Port, Double Click the port you want, or use the Navigation Keys to move the highlight bar to it, then press [Enter] . w When a port has been selected as a[...]

(F4 ADM: continued ) Setting Function RESET STATION IDS If you change the pos ition of one of the Stations in the daisy chain, the OSD settings will no longer corres pond to the new situation. This functi on directs the OSD to res can the Station positions of the enti re installation and updates the OSD so that the OSD Station i nformation correspo[...]

F5 SKP: This function enables you to easily skip backward or forward - switching the co nso le fo cu s from the curren tly active comp uter port to the previo us or nex t availab le one. w The selection of computers to be av ailab le for Skip Mode switching is made with th e Scan/Skip Mode setting under the F3 SET function (see p. 4-7). w When you [...]

F6 BRC: F6 is an Administrato r only fu nctio n. When this fu nctio n is in effect, commands sent from the console are broadcast to to all available comp uters on th e in stallatio n. This function is particularly usefu l fo r operations that need to be performed on multiple co mp uters, such as performin g a sy stem wide shutdown, installing or up[...]

F7 SCAN: The SCAN function allows you to automatically switch among the available computers at regular intervals so that you can monitor their activity with out hav in g to tak e the trouble of switchin g manually. w The selection of computers to be in cluded for Au to Scan ning is made with the Scan/Skip Mode setting under the F3 SET function (see[...]

F8 LOUT: This function logs you out of OSD control of the computers, and blanks the Console screen. After using this function you must log in all over again to reg ain access to th e OS D. This is different from simply pressin g [Esc] when you are at the Main Screen to deactivate the OSD, where all you have to do to reenter the OSD is tap th e OS D[...]

Notes: 2003-06-20 ACS-1208A / ACS -1216A User Manual 4-16[...]

Chapter 5. The Firmware Upgrade Utility T his chapter explains the use and function of the Firmware Upgrade Utility: how to get the firmware upgrade files; and how to complete the process successfully. Introduction Purpose The purpose of the Windows-b ased Firmware Up grad e Utility (FWUpgrade.exe) is to provide an automated process for make upgrad[...]

Before You Begin To prepare for the firmware upgrade, do the following: 1. From a computer that is not part of your KVM installation go to our Internet support site and choose the model name that relates to your device to get a list of available Firmware Upgrade Packages. 2. Choose the Firmware Upgrade Package you want to install (usually the most [...]

Performing the Upgrade Starting the Upgrade To upgrade your firmware: 1. Run th e down load ed Firmware Up grad e Pack ag e file - eith er by double clicking the file icon, or by opening a command line and entering the fu ll path to it. The Firmware Upgrade Utility Welcome screen appears: 2. Read and Agree to th e License Agreement (en able the I A[...]

3. Click Nex t to co ntin ue. The Firmware Up grad e Utility main screen appears: The Utility inspects your installation. All the devices capable of being upgraded by the pack ag e are listed in the Device List pan el. 4. As you select a device in the list, its description appears in the Device Description panel. 2003-06-20 ACS-1208A / ACS -1216A U[...]

5. After you have made your device selection(s), Click Next to perform the upgrade. If you enabled Check Firmware Version , th e Utility co mpares the device’s firmware level with that of the upgrade files. If it finds that the device’s version is higher than the upgrade version, it brings up a dialog box informing you of the situation and give[...]

Upgrade Succeeded After the upgrade has completed, a screen appears to inform you that the procedure was successful: Click Finish to clo se the Firmware Upgrade Utility . 2003-06-20 ACS-1208A / ACS -1216A User Manual 5-6[...]

Upgrade Failed If the upgrade failed to complete successfully a dialog box appears asking if you want to retry. Click Yes to retry. If you Click No , the Upgrade Fa iled screen appears: Click Cancel to close the Firmware Upgrade Utility. See th e next section, Firmware Upgrade Recovery , for how to proceed. 2003-06-20 The Firmware Upgrade Utility 5[...]

Firmware Upgrade Recovery There are basically three conditions that call for firmware upgrade recovery: M When you invoke Firmware Upgrade Mode (see p. 5-2), but decide not to proceed with the upgrade. M When the Mainboard firmware upgrade fails. M When the I/O firmware upgrade fails. To perform a firmware upgrade recovery, do the following: 1. Sli[...]

Appendix T his appendix provides specificatio ns and other tech nical information reg arding the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A. ACS-1208A /ACS-1216A - Connection Tables The following tab les indicate the relationship between the number of Master View units and the number of co mp uters th at th ey co ntro l: ACS-1208A MVs Computers MVs Computers MVs Comput[...]

ACS-1216A MVs Computers MVs Computers MVs Computers MVs Computers 1 1 - 16 9 129 - 144 17 257 - 272 25 385 - 400 2 17 - 32 10 145 - 160 18 273 - 288 26 401 - 416 3 33 - 48 11 161 - 176 19 289 - 304 27 417 - 432 4 49 - 64 12 177 - 192 20 305 - 320 28 433 - 448 5 65 - 80 13 193 - 208 21 321 - 336 29 449 - 464 6 81 - 96 14 209 - 224 22 337 - 352 30 46[...]

Clear Login Information If you are unable to perform an Administrator login (because the Username and Password information has become corrupted, or you have forgotten it, for example), you can clear the login information with the following procedure: 1. Power off the switch and remove its housing. 2. Short the ju mp er lab eled Defa ult Passwo rd a[...]

Specifications Function ACS-1208A ACS-1216A Computer Connections Direc t 8 16 Max 256 (via Daisy Chain) 512 (via Daisy Chain) Port Selection OSD (On S creen Display); Hotkeys LEDs On Line 8 (Orange) 16 (Orange) Selected 8 (Green) 16 (Green) Power 1 (Blue) 2 x 7 Segments Console Connectors Keyboard 1 x 6 pin mini DIN F Mouse 1 x 6 pin mini DIN F Vid[...]

Rack Mounting The ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A can be mounted in a 1U system rack. For convenience an d flexibility, the mo unting brackets can screw into either the front or th e back of the unit so that it can attach to the front or the back of the rack.To rack mo unt the unit do the follo win g: 1. Screw the mo untin g brack ets in to th e sid es of th[...]

Troubleshooting Symptom Possible Cause Action Erratic behavior. Unit not receiving enough power. Check that the Power Adapter that was suppli ed with the unit is pl ugged in and functioning properl y. Mouse and/or Keyboard not responding. Improper mouse and/or keyboard reset. Unplug the cable(s ) from the console port(s), then plug it/them back i n[...]

A ACS-1208A Computer Connection Table . . . . . . . . A-1 Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 ACS-1216A Computer Connection Table . . . . . . . . A-2 Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 Acti[...]

L LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Logout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15 Logout Timeout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8 LOUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15 O OSD Factory Default Settings. . . . . . . . . . . A-2 Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]