IOGear GCS1758 manual

MiniView ® Ultra+ 8-Port Multi Platform KVM Switch User Manual (GCS1758)[...]

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Welcome Thank you for purchasing the Miniview ® Ultra+ KVM switch, one of the most versatile KVM switches on the market. The New Miniview ® Ultra+ is much more than a simple eight-port KVM switch. The dual interface support allows you to connect both PS/2 and USB computers on the same switch. The multi- platform support allows you to control Wind[...]

Package Content Overview Features System Requirements Introduction Installation Operation Hotkey Port Control Alternate Hotkey Invocation Key Keyboard Emulation OSD Operation Firmware Update Utility Appendix T roubleshooting Specification T echnical Support Radio and TV Interference Statement Limited Warranty 2 3 4 5 6 10 15 20 24 25 27 38 45 46 47[...]

2 This package consists of: 1 Miniview ® Ultra+ KVM 1 Firmware Upgrade Cable 1 Power Adapter 1 Rack Mount Kit 1 User Manual 1 Quick Start Guide 1 Warranty / Registration Card Check to make sure that all the components are present and that nothing was damaged in shipping. If you encounter a problem, please contact your dealer. Package Contents[...]

IOGEAR’s new eight-port Miniview ® Ultra+ KVM switch is the ideal tool to help reduce redundant hardware. Eight monitors, mice and keyboards are simply too expensive, bulky and inconvenient for most system administrators. Why bother when you can control all eight, or even up to 512 computers with a single keyboard, monitor and mouse? The added a[...]

Features • Dual interface support – supports computers with either PS/2 or USB Keyboard and mouse. • Multi platform support – Windows, Mac, and Sun Solaris • Easy to install – just plug the cables in • Audio support allows sharing multimedia speakers and microphone • Easy to operate – computer selection via front panel switches, i[...]

System Requirements Console: VGA, SVGA, or Multisync monitor capable of the highest resolution that you will be using on any computer in the installation USB mouse USB keyboard Computers: VGA, SVGA or Multisync card; Either a T ype-A USB port, or PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports. Cables: For PS/2 computers, use IOGEAR part number G2L530XP*; For USB co[...]

4 3 2 1 Introduction 1. Port Selection Switches – Press a switch to access the computer attached to its corresponding port. Pressing Buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously for 2 seconds performs a keyboard and mouse reset. Pressing Buttons 7 and 8 simultaneously for 2 seconds starts Auto Scan Mode . 6 Front Vie w[...]

Introduciton 7 2. Port LEDs – The Port LEDs are built into the Port Selection Switches. The upper ones are the On Line LEDs; the lower ones are the Selected Port LEDs. The On Line LEDs light ORANGE to indicate that the computer attached to the corresponding port is up and running. If the LED is flashing, it indicates that the port is being used f[...]

1 23 45 Introduction Rear View 8 1. Firmware Upgrade Section – Firmware Upgrade Switch : During normal operation and while performing a fimware upgrade, this switch should be in the NORMAL position. See p. 44 for details about the use of this switch. Firmware Upgrade Port : The Firmware Upgrade Cable that transfers the firmware upgrade data from [...]

Introduction 9 3. CPU Port Section – The cables that link the switch to your computers plug in here. Each CPU port is comprised of a microphone jack, speaker jack, and KVM data connector. Note: The shape of these 15-pin connectors has been specifically modified so that only KVM cables designed to work with this switch can plug in. Do NOT attempt [...]

Installation Before you Begin 1. Y ou must unplug the po wer cords of any computers that does not support hot-plugging feature. 2. T o prev ent damage to your installation mak e sure that all devices on the installation are properly grounded. 10 Single Stage Installation T o set up the single stage installation of GCS1758, refer to the installation[...]

Installation 11 3. At the other end of the cable (the computer end): a) For a computer with USB connections, plug the USB, video, microphone and speaker cables into their respective ports on the computer. b) For a computer with PS/2 connections, plug the keyboard, mouse, video, microphone and speaker cables into their respective ports on the comput[...]

Installation 12 T wo Stage Installation T o control ev en more computers, you can connect up to eight additional GCS1758 units cascading to the CPU ports of the first stage unit. As many as 64 computers can be controlled in a complete two stage installation. 4. Repeat steps 2 - 3 for any other computers you are connecting up. 5. Plug the power adap[...]

13 2. For each Second Stage unit, plug the power adapter cable into the switch’s power jack; plug the power adapter into an AC source. 3. Plug the First Stage unit’s power adapter cable into its power jack, then plug the power adapter into an AC source. 4. T ur n on the power to all the computers . Note: The Power On sequence requires that all [...]

Installation 14[...]

Operation 15 Hot Plugging The Miniview ® Ultra+ supports hot plugging. Components can be removed and added back into the installation by unplugging and replugging their cables from their respective ports without the need to shut the switch down. For hot plugging to work properly , the follo wing procedures m ust be observed: Hot Plugging CPU Ports[...]

Operation 16 Powering Off: If it becomes necessary to power off one of the GCS1758 units, you must do the following: Shut down all the computers that are attached to the unit which do not support hot plugging feature, such as PS/2 computers or computers with Novell OS, etc. Port ID Numbering: Each CPU Port on a GCS1758 installation is assigned a un[...]

Operation 17 ´ A computer attached to a First Stage unit has a one digit Port ID (from 1-4 for the CS-1754; from 1- 8 for the CS-1758), that corresponds to the CPU Port number that it is connected to. ´ A computer attached to a Second Stage unit has a two digit P or t ID. The first digit represents the CPU Port number on the First Stage unit that[...]

18 Operation Station that connects directly to the computer you want to access. 2. Simultaneously pressing Port Selection buttons 7 and 8 on the First Stage unit initiates the Auto Scan feature (see F7 SCAN , p. 20), in which all the ports currently selected for Quick View scanning (see Set Quick View Ports , p. 30), are cycled through. The length [...]

Operation Hot Key Mode (HKM): The GCS1758 provides an extensive, easy-to-use, hotkey function that makes it convenient to control and configure your KVM installation from the keyboard. All hotkey operations begin by invoking Hotkey Mode. T o invok e HKM , do the f ollo wing: 1. Press and hold down the Num Lock key 2. Press and release the Minus key[...]

Hotkey Port Control 20 Hotkey Port Access: Hotkey Port Access allows you to select which computer has the KVM focus. The Miniview ® Ultra+ provides the following Hotkey Port Access features: Selecting the Active Port and Auto Scan Mode. Selecting the Active Port: Y ou can bring the KVM focus to any computer with a hotkey combination that specifies[...]

21 Hotkey Port Control Note: While Auto Scan Mode is in effect, ordinary keyboard and mouse functions are suspended - only Auto Scan Mode compliant keystrok es and mouse clic ks can be input. Y ou must exit Auto Scan Mode in order to regain normal control of the console. While you are in Auto Scan Mode, you can pause the scanning in order to keep t[...]

22 Hotkey Port Control Alternate OSD Invocation Keys: The OSD activation method can be changed from tapping the Scroll Lock key twice to tapping the Ctrl ke y twice ([Ctrl] [Ctr l]). T o change the OSD Invocation method, do the following: 1. Invoke HKM (see p. 19) 2. Press and release the T key Note: 1. This procedure is a toggle between the two me[...]

Hotkey Port Control 23 Miscellaneous: Hotkeys are also used to reset the USB, and toggle the beeper On and Off. T o perf or m any of these operations, do the following: 1. Invoke HKM (see p. 19) 2. Press and release the appropriate action key (see table). After completing a setting, you automatically exit HKM .[...]

Alternate Hotkey Invocation Keys 24 Hotkey Summary T able: Note: The brackets indicate the keys you should press. Simply press the indicated keys - do not type the brackets.[...]

25 Keyboard Emulation Sun Keyboard The PC Compatible (101/104 key) keyboard can emulate the functions of the Sun keyboard when the Control key [Ctrl] is used in conjunction with other keys. The corresponding functions are shown in the table on the right. Note: When using [Ctrl] combinatons, press and release the Ctrl key , then press and release th[...]

26 Mac Keyboard: The PC Compatible (101/104 key) keyboard can emulate the functions of the Mac keyboard. The emulation mappings are listed in the table on the right. Note: When using key combinatons, press and release the first key (Ctrl or Alt), then press and release the activation k ey . Make sure to set the Mac keyboard operating platform. See [...]

OSD Overview The On Screen Display (OSD) is used to handle all computer control and switching procedures. All procedures star t from the OSD Main Menu. T o pop up the Main Menu, tap the [Scroll Lock] key twice. Note: Y ou can optionally change the Hotke y to the Ctrl ke y (see OSD Hotke y , p .32), in which case you would tap [Ctrl] twice. With thi[...]

Note: 1. The diagram depicts the Administrator’s Main Screen. The User Main Screen does not show the F4 ADM function. 2. OSD alwa ys star ts in List view , with the highlight bar at the same position it was in the last time it was closed. 3. Only the ports that have been set accessible by the Administrator for the currently logged in User are vis[...]

29 OSD Operation OSD Main Screen Headings: OSD Functions: OSD functions are used to configure and control the OSD . F or example , 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 adjustments. T o access an OSD funct[...]

30 • F1 GOTO: GOTO allows you to switch directly to a port either by k eying in the port’s Name , or its Po r t I D . - T o use the Name method, key in 1 ; key in the port’s Name; then press [Enter]. - T o use the Port ID method, ke y in 2 ; ke y in the Port ID ; then press [Enter]. Note: Y ou can k e y in a par tial Name or P or t ID . In th[...]

- These items only show up on the Administrator’s screen, since only he has Quick View setting rights (see p. 30, for details). Move the Highlight Bar to the choice you want, then press [Enter]. An icon appears before the choice to indicate that it is the currently selected one. After you make your choice and press [Enter], you return to the OSD [...]

32 OSD Operation[...]

33 OSD Operation[...]

F4 ADM: F4 is an Administrator only function. It allows the Administrator to configure and control the ov erall operation of the OSD . T o change a setting Double Click it; or use the Up and Down Arrow Keys to move the highlight bar to it then press [Enter] . After you select an item, a submenu with further choices for you to select from appears. D[...]

35 OSD Operation[...]

36 • F7 SCAN: The SCAN function allows you to automatically switch among the available computers at regular intervals so that you can monitor their activity without having to take the trouble of switching manually . - The selection of computers to be included for Auto Scanning is made with the Scan Mode setting under the F3 SET function (see p. 3[...]

37 OSD Operation • F8 LOUT: LOUT (Log out) 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 regain access to the OSD . This is different from simply pressing [Esc] when you are at the Main Screen to deactivate the OSD , where all you hav e to do to reenter the[...]

38 Firmware Upgrade Utility The Windows-based Firmware Upgrade Utility (FWUpgrade.exe) provides a smooth, automated process for upgrading the KVM switch’s firmware. The Utility comes as part of a Firmware Upgrade Package that is specific for each device. New firmware upgrade packages are posted on our web site as new firmware revisions become ava[...]

Starting the Upgrade: T o upgrade your firmware: 1. Run the downloaded Firmware Upgrade Package file - either by double clicking the file icon, or by opening a command line and entering the full path to it. The Firmware Upgrade Utility Welcome screen appears: 39 Firmware Upgrade Utility 4. Shut down the non-hot-pluggable computers (such as PS/2 com[...]

The Utility inspects your installation. All the devices capable of being upgraded by the package are listed in the Device List panel. 4. As you select a device in the list, its description appears in the Device Description panel. 40 Firmware Upgrade Utility 2. Read and Agree to the License Agreement (enable the I Agree radio button). 3. Click Next [...]

5. After you have made your device selection(s), Click Next to perform the upgrade. If you enabled Check Firmware V ersion , the Utility compares the device’s firmware level with that of the upgrade files. If it finds that the device’s version is higher than the up grade 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 close the Firmware Upgrade Utility . 42 Firmware Upgrade Utility[...]

Upgrade Failed If the upgrade failed to complete successfully a dialog box appears asking if y ou want to retry . Click Y es to retr y . If you Clic k No , the Upgrade Failed screen appears: Click Cancel to close the Firmware Upgrade Utility . See the ne xt section, Firm w are Upgrade Recov er y , for how to proceed. 43 Firmware Upgrade Utility[...]

8. Plug the switch’s power adapter cable back in. This completes the Firmware Upgrade Recovery operation, and your switch is ready for use. 1. Unplug the switch’s power adapter cable. 2. Slide the Firmware Upgrade Recovery Switch (see p. 8) to the Recover position. Firmware Upgrade Recovery There are basically two conditions that call for firmw[...]

45 Appendix Miniview ® Ultra+ Connection T ables The following tables indicate the relationship between the number of GCS1758 Units and the number of computers that they control:[...]

46 T roubleshooting[...]

47 Specifications[...]

48 If you are still e xper iencing problems after reading Product User Manual and the T roubleshooting section, you may either contact our technical support by phone OR, simply visit our URL address www.ioge ar .com to go to our company website and chec k the latest version and other inf ormation about the product and/or software. T echnical suppor[...]

Radio & TV Interference Statement WARNING!!! This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause interference to radio communications. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device pursuant to[...]

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR’S LIABILITY FOR DIRECT , INDIRECT , SPECIAL, INCIDENT AL OR CONSEQUENTIAL D AMAGES RESUL TING FROM THE USE OF THE PR ODUCT , DISK OR ITS DOCUMEN- T A TION EXCEED THE PRICE P AID FOR THE PRODUCT . The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory with respect to the contents[...]

Contact info. 23 Hubble • Irvine, CA 92618 • (P)949.453.8782 • (F)949.453.8785 • www .iogear .com[...]