ADDER ADDERLink INFINITY 101T-DVI User manual

ADDERLink™INFINITY 101T-DVI
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 INFINITY 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 - Supported video modes..........................................................12
Appendix B - Conguration pages .................................................................13
Appendix C - Dimensions................................................................................20
Appendix D - Tips for success when networking ALIF units ...................21
Appendix E - Troubleshooting.........................................................................23
Appendix F - Glossary ......................................................................................25
Appendix G - Open source licenses..............................................................28
Index
Contents

INSTALLATION
2
CONFIGURATIONOPERATION
FURTHER
INFORMATION
INDEX
Introduction
WELCOME
Thank you for choosing the ADDERLink™ INFINITY (aka ALIF) family of high capacity
digital extenders/switches. By encoding high quality 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 ALIF101T-DVI unit, a highly compact dongle which can be attached
to its host computer and transfer high quality 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 AIM
Where multiple ALIF units are used on a network, we have developed the
ADDERLink INFINITY Management (AIM) 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
ALIF101T
ALIF RX
ALIF101T
When using an AIM 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 AIM server. If necessary, perform a factory reset on
each ALIF unit.
Note: If you are using one or more ALIF101T transmitters within an installation managed by
an AIM server, the AIM server must be running rmware version 4.12 or above.
Please also see Appendix D - Tips for success when networking ALIF units
1
2
ALinkDDER ™
MANAGER

INSTALLATION
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CONFIGURATIONOPERATION
FURTHER
INFORMATION
INDEX
SUPPLIED ITEMS
Information wallet
containing:
Four self-adhesive rubber feet
Quick start guide
Safety document
ALIF101T-DVI 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 ALIF101T 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 Hi-Speed 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
Ethernet
port
(page 5)
Optional
external power
input
(page 6)
Reset
button
(page 7)
(page 6)
Cable tie
mounting slot
DVI-D input
connector
(page 5)
‘Suitable for installation in Information Technology
Rooms in accordance with Article 645 of the
National Electrical Code and NFPA 75.
Peut être installé dans des salles de matériel de
traitement de l’information conformément à l’article
645 du National Electrical Code et à la NFPA 75.’
HT

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Video link
The ALIF101T unit is supplied with a DVI-D (single link) 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 ALIF101T video connector to the DVI-D socket of the host computer:
Host
computer
DVI-D video
port
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 ALIF101T
unit has an auto-sensing capability on its network interfaces, so for direct point-to-point
connections, no ‘crossover’ Ethernet cable is required.
Please see Appendix D for important tips about networking ALIF units.
To link the ALIF101T unit
1 Connect a CAT 5, 5e, 6, or 7 cable to the Gigabit Ethernet socket on the front panel
of the ALIF101T 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 ALIF101T 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 ALIF101T 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 Hi-Speed 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
Support for audio
The ALIF101T can derive its (digital) audio feed from the USB connection. The digital
audio is converted to analog as it is transferred to the receiver(s), where it is output via
their 3.5mm jack(s). The audio source is controlled from the System Conguration page
of the internal utility (see page 14) as follows:
• When the Enable Audio-1 option is checked, the ALIF101T arranges a bi-directional
audio stream with the host computer via the USB connection.
• The Enable Audio-2 option has no effect on the DVI variant.

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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 AIM 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 INFINITY 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 INFINITY Management
(AIM) server allows you to congure, control and coordinate any number of ALIF
transmitters and receivers from a single application.
Note: If you are using one or more ALIF101T transmitters within an installation managed by
an AIM server, the AIM server must be running rmware version 4.12 or above.
IMPORTANT: When using AIM 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 AIM server. If necessary, perform a factory reset on each
ALIF unit.
Manual factory reset
A factory reset returns ALIF101T unit to its default conguration. You can perform
factory resets using the ADDERLink INFINITY browser-based conguration utility or
by using this direct manual method.
To perform a manual factory reset
1 Power on the ALIF101T 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
ALIF101T 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.
NOTE: If you are performing a factory reset and intend to disconnect the power
immediately after the reset, you must wait at least 30 seconds after you have released the
reset button for it to complete the process.
Use a straightened-out paper
clip to press the reset button
for roughly 5 seconds
Please also see Appendix D - Tips for success when networking ALIF units
Conguration
HT

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ADDERLink INFINITY browser-based conguration utility
The browser-based conguration utility within all TX and RX units requires a network
connection between the ALIF101T unit and a computer on the same network.The
conguration utility allows you to perform many important functions. Please see
Appendix B.
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 ALIF101T unit and your computer, as discussed left.
2 Run a web browser on your computer and enter the IP address of the ALIF101T unit:
169.254.1.33
Note: If the IP address of ALIF101T 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 ALIF101T
network port
You can nd further information about the conguration pages later in this guide:
• Appendix B - Conguration pages

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INDEX
PERFORMING AN UPGRADE
ALIF101T units are ash upgradeable using the method outlined here. However, for
larger installations we recommend that you use the ADDERLink INFINITY Manager
(AIM) to upgrade multiple ALIF units. When using the method below, the ALIF101T 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 ALIF101T 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 ALIF101T unit via the network link
1 Download the latest upgrade le from the Adder Technology website.
Note: Upgrade les containing “txd” are required for DVI variants.
2 Temporarily connect the ALIF101T unit and a computer via a network (see
ADDERLink INFINITY browser-based conguration utility section for details).
3 Run a web browser on your computer and enter the IP address of the ALIF101T 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 ALIF101T 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 ALIF101T unit being upgraded then video may be interrupted)
and the status indicators on ALIF101T unit will ash while the upgrade is in progress.
6 The indicators should stop ashing in less than one minute, after which ALIF101T unit
will automatically reboot itself. The upgrade process is complete.
Finding the latest upgrade les
Firmware les for the ALIF101T units are available from the Support > Product
Downloads section of the Adder Technology website (www.adder.com).
Note: It is possible to downgrade the ADDERLink INFINITY rmware. After installing the
older rmware, perform a factory reset on each ADDERLink INFINITY in order to clear
the conguration le.
RESTORING A BACKUP FIRMWARE IMAGE
The ALIF101T 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 INFINITY Manager (AIM) to load a new primary
image - see Performing an upgrade (shown right).
To restore the backup rmware image
1 Power on the ALIF101T 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 ALIF101T unit will switch to the backup rmware image. Once complete,
ALIF101T 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