ADDER AdderLink Infinity 100T User manual

AdderLink Innity 100T
User Guide
Experts in
Connectivity
Solutions
KVM Extension
Solutions

INSTALLATION
1
CONFIGURATIONOPERATION
FURTHER
INFORMATION
INDEX
Introduction
Welcome................................................................................................................2
Supplied items.......................................................................................................3
Optional extras.....................................................................................................3
Installation
Connections ..........................................................................................................4
Video link .........................................................................................................5
Network link...................................................................................................5
USB and power connections .......................................................................6
Conguration
Initial conguration ..............................................................................................7
Manual factory reset......................................................................................7
AdderLink Innity browser-based conguration utility.........................8
Restoring a backup rmware image.................................................................9
Performing an upgrade........................................................................................9
Operation
Status indicators .................................................................................................10
Resetting...............................................................................................................10
Further information
Getting assistance ..............................................................................................11
Appendix A - Conguration pages.................................................................12
Appendix B - Dimensions ................................................................................19
Appendix C - Tips for success when networking ALIF units....................20
Appendix D - Troubleshooting........................................................................22
Appendix E - Glossary ......................................................................................24
Appendix F - Open source licenses...............................................................27
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)............................37
Warranty..............................................................................................................37
Safety information..............................................................................................37
Radio frequency energy....................................................................................38
Index
Contents

INSTALLATION
2
CONFIGURATIONOPERATION
FURTHER
INFORMATION
INDEX
Introduction
WELCOME
Thank you for choosing the AdderLink Innity (aka ALIF) family of high capacity digital
extenders/switches. By encoding high quality DVI video, digital audio and USB data into
Internet Protocol (IP) messages, ALIF units offer exible ways to link peripherals and
systems via standard networks.
This guide covers the ALIF100T unit, a highly compact dongle which can be attached
to its host computer and transfer single link DVI video and USB signals across your
network.
One-to-one conguration
The simplest conguration links one RX unit to a single TX unit, either by a direct link or over much
greater distances via a high speed network.
ALIF and A.I.M.
Where multiple ALIF units are used on a network, we have developed the AdderLink
Innity Management (A.I.M.) server to allow comprehensive and secure central
control of all transmitters, receivers and users.
One-to-many conguration
Using multicast techniques, an unlimited number
of receivers* can receive video and audio data
streams from a single TX unit.
* A maximum of thirteen concurrent USB inputs (via
multiple RX units) are permitted to a single TX unit.
ALIF RX
ALIF RX
ALIF RX
Gigabit
Ethernet
ALIF100T
ALIF RX
ALIF100T
When using an A.I.M. server to congure ALIF units, it is vital that all ALIF units that
you wish to locate and control are set to their factory default settings. Otherwise
they will not be located by the A.I.M. server. If necessary, perform a factory reset on
each ALIF unit.
Please also see Appendix C - Tips for success when networking ALIF units

INSTALLATION
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CONFIGURATIONOPERATION
FURTHER
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INDEX
SUPPLIED ITEMS
Information wallet
containing:
Four self-adhesive rubber feet
Quick start guide
Safety document
ALIF100T unit
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Country-specic power cords
CAB-IEC-AUS (Australia)
CAB-IEC-EURO (Europe)
CAB-IEC-UK (United Kingdom)
CAB-IEC-USA (United States)
12.5W power adapter
Part number: PSU-IEC-5VDC-2.5A

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Installation
CONNECTIONS
Installation involves linking the ALIF100T unit to various ports on the host computer,
while the ALIF RX unit is attached to your peripherals:
Status
indicators
(page 10)
Black USB plug provides
USB signals (plus power if
the external power adapter
is not present)
Red USB plug provides
power only when the
external power adapter is
not present
DVI-D (or DisplayPort)
connector input (page 5)
Ethernet
port
(page 5)
Optional
external power
input
(page 6)
Reset
button
(page 7)
(page 6)
Cable tie
mounting slot
HT

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Video link
Each ALIF100T unit is supplied with either a DVI-D (single link) or a DisplayPort™
video connector. Video signals at pixel clocks up to 165MHz (equivalent to a maximum
resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz) are permissible.
To make a video link
1 Connect the ALIF100T video connector to the DVI-D or DisplayPort™ socket of
the host computer:
ALIF100T DVI-D model
Host
computer
DVI-D video
port
ALIF100T DP model
Host computer
DisplayPort
connector
Network link
ALIF transmitters and receivers can either be connected directly to each other or via a
high speed network.
A single Gigabit Ethernet port is located on the front panel. For direct links via Ethernet
cable, the length of cable should not exceed 100 metres (328 feet). Network cables
used for connections may be category 5, 5e, 6 or 7 twisted-pair cable. The ALIF100T
unit has an autosensing capability on its network interfaces, so for direct point-to-point
connections, no ‘crossover’ Ethernet cable is required.
Please see Appendix C for important tips about networking ALIF units.
To link the ALIF100T unit
1 Connect a CAT 5, 5e, 6, or 7 cable to the Gigabit Ethernet socket on the front panel
of the ALIF100T unit.
2 Connect the other end of the cable either directly to an ALIF receiver or to a Gigabit
Ethernet switch, as appropriate.
3 [For connections via a network] repeat steps 1 and 2 for the other ALIF unit(s).
CAT 5, 5e, 6, or 7 link
either directly from
the other ALIF unit
or from a Gigabit
Ethernet switch

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USB and power connections
The ALIF100T unit is designed to be as exible as possible. It can either operate using
an optional external power adapter (see page 3) or derive all of its power from its
two USB plugs. The main advantage offered by using an external power adapter is that it
allows the ALIF100T unit to be active before the host computer; thus allowing a remote
user to access the host’s initial boot up and access the BIOS menu, when required.
If powered by USB only, then both the black and red USB plugs need to be connected.
If powered by external power adapter, only the black USB plug needs to be connected,
for signal purposes. Whenever, the external power adapter is attached and operating,
then power will be taken from it rather than the USB plugs. There is no problem if the
red USB plug remains connected while the power adapter is used.
This is summarized as follows:
Power Black Red
adapter USB USB Power sourcing behavior
ûüüPower taken from both USB plugs.
üüûPower taken from power adapter only.
üüüPower taken from power adapter only, unless it becomes
unavailable, in which case power will be taken from both
USB plugs after a short interruption.
Note:The USB plugs do not operate as a seamless failover for the external power adapter; there
will be a short interruption as operation switches from one power source to the other.
Host computer
USB ports
Black USB plug provides
USB signals (plus power if
the external power adapter
is not present)
Red USB plug provides
power only when the
external power adapter is
not present
From the optional
external power
adapter

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INITIAL CONFIGURATION
ALIF units are designed to be as exible as possible and this principle extends also to
their conguration.
Direct linking
Where ALIF transmitters and receivers are directly linked to each other, very little
conguration action is required, provided that they have their factory default settings in
place. If the standard settings have been changed in a previous installation, you merely
need to perform a factory reset on each unit.
Networked linking
Where ALIF units are connected via networked links, you can either congure them
individually, or congure them collectively using an A.I.M. server:
• Conguring networked ALIF units individually - You need to specify the
network addresses of the ALIF units so that they can locate each other.This is done
by running the AdderLink Innity browser-based conguration utility on a computer
system linked to the same network as the ALIF units.
• Conguring ALIF units collectively - The AdderLink Innity Management
(A.I.M.) server allows you to congure, control and coordinate any number of ALIF
transmitters and receivers from a single application.
IMPORTANT: When using A.I.M. to congure ALIF units, it is vital that all units that
you wish to locate and control are set to their factory default settings. Otherwise
they will not be located by the A.I.M. server. If necessary, perform a factory reset on
each ALIF unit.
Manual factory reset
A factory reset returns ALIF100T unit to its default conguration. You can perform
factory resets using the AdderLink Innity browser-based conguration utility or by
using this direct manual method.
To perform a manual factory reset
1 Power on the ALIF100T unit.
2 Use a narrow implement (e.g. a straightened-out paper clip) to press-and-hold
the recessed reset button on the front panel for roughly fteen seconds, until the
indicators turn blue (Note: alternating red/green indications will occur during the fteen
second period while the button is still pressed).
3 Release the reset switch.
The indicators will remain blue for a short while (less than ten seconds) while
ALIF100T unit congures itself and should then change to green if all connections
are correct; or orange if one or more of the video, USB and/or network links are
missing.
Use a straightened-out paper
clip to press the reset button
for roughly 5 seconds
Please also see Appendix C - Tips for success when networking ALIF units
Conguration
HT

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AdderLink Innity browser-based conguration utility
The browser-based conguration utility within all TX and RX units requires a network
connection between the ALIF100T unit and a computer on the same network. The
conguration utility allows you to perform many important functions. Please see
Appendix A.
To connect a computer to access the conguration utility
1 Connect a CAT 5, 5e, 6, or 7 link cable to the network port on the front panel.
The port automatically congures itself, so no cross-over cable is required (but is
supported if you do use one).
2 Connect the other end of the link cable directly to the network port of your
computer.
To access the browser-based conguration utility
1 Temporarily connect the ALIF100T unit and your computer, as discussed left.
2 Run a web browser on your computer and enter the IP address of the ALIF100T unit:
169.254.1.33
Note: If the IP address of ALIF100T unit has been changed and is not known, providing it is
appropriate to do so, perform a manual factory reset to restore the default address.
The opening page of the ALIF conguration utility should be displayed:
Use the menu options to choose
the required conguration page
Temporary link
from your computer
to the ALIF100T
network port
You can nd further information about the conguration pages later in this guide:
• Appendix A - Conguration pages

9
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PERFORMING AN UPGRADE
ALIF100T units are ash upgradeable using the method outlined here. However, for
larger installations we recommend that you use the AdderLink Innity Manager (A.I.M.)
to upgrade multiple ALIF units. When using the method below, the ALIF100T unit will be
upgraded in sequence.
IMPORTANT: Upgrades must be performed equally on transmitters and
receivers at the same time. Mixed rmware operation is not supported.
WARNING: During the upgrade process, ensure that power is not
interrupted as this may leave ALIF100T unit in an inoperable state.
If the upgrade process is interrupted and fails, it may be necessary to switch to the
backup rmware image in order to regain operation. See left for details.
To upgrade a single ALIF100T unit via the network link
1 Download the latest upgrade le from the Adder Technology website.
Note: There are separate upgrade les for ALIF TX and RX units.
2 Temporarily connect the ALIF100T unit and a computer via a network (see AdderLink
Innity browser-based conguration utility section for details).
3 Run a web browser on your computer and enter the IP address of the ALIF100T unit
to be upgraded.
4 Click the Firmware Upgrade link. Within the Firmware Upgrade page, click the Choose
File button. In the subsequent le dialog, locate the downloaded upgrade le - check
that the le is correct for ALIF100T unit being upgraded. The le contains main and
backup images, you can choose to upgrade either the Main or the Backup.
5 Click the Upgrade Now button. A progress bar will be displayed (however, if your
screen is connected to ALIF100T unit being upgraded then video may be interrupted)
and the status indicators on ALIF100T unit will ash while the upgrade is in progress.
6 The indicators should stop ashing in less than one minute, after which ALIF100T unit
will automatically reboot itself. The upgrade process is complete.
Finding the latest upgrade les
Firmware les for the ALIF100T units are available from the Technical Support >
Updates section of the Adder Technology website (www.adder.com).
Note: It is possible to downgrade the AdderLink Innity rmware. After installing the
older rmware, perform a factory reset on each AdderLink Innity in order to clear the
conguration le.
RESTORING A BACKUP FIRMWARE IMAGE
The ALIF100T unit retains a backup image of the previous rmware version in order to
provide a fallback in case of any issues with the primary image. The backup image has no
video or USB functionality; once invoked, you will need to load an upgrade le using the
web interface or via an AdderLink Innity Manager (A.I.M.) to load a new primary image
- see Performing an upgrade (shown right).
To restore the backup rmware image
1 Power on the ALIF100T unit.
2 Use a narrow implement (e.g. a straightened-out paper clip) to press-and-hold the
recessed reset button for roughly ten seconds until the indicators ash green/red.
3 Release the reset switch.
The ALIF100T unit will switch to the backup rmware image. Once complete,
ALIF100T unit will then continually ash green/red.
4 Perform an upgrade to reinstate a fresh primary rmware image - see right.
Use a straightened-out paper
clip to press the reset button
for roughly 10 seconds