Apantac KVM User guide

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
[e-mail] – Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone] – www.apantac.com
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KVM over IP Matrix
Start-up Guide
This document provides step by step instructions on how to install and configure a KVM
over IP matrix using Apantac Tx and Rx modules. For a detailed description of some
features or specific configuration menus such as Video Wall, please refer to the specific
product manuals.

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
[e-mail] – Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone] – www.apantac.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview................................................................................................................................................. 3
Installation.............................................................................................................................................. 5
Configuration ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Tx Configuration – first pass............................................................................................................... 8
Rx Configuration – first pass............................................................................................................... 9
Tx Configuration – second pass ....................................................................................................... 10
Rx Configuration – second pass....................................................................................................... 14
System Final Tests............................................................................................................................. 17
Contact Apantac Technical Support........................................................................................... 18

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
[e-mail] – Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone] – www.apantac.com
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Overview
Apantac offers various Tx and Rx models that can all reside on the same network and
work together, which include:
•The KVM-IP-Tx & KVM-IP-Rx have DVI-I input and output connectors and support
resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz. They ship with their own wall mount power
supply.
•The KVM-IP-Tx-F & KVM-IP-Rx-F are identical to the KVM-IP-Tx & KVM-IP-Rx but
with a SFP fiber slot in place of the RJ45 connector for IP connection.
•The KVM-IP-Tx2 & KVM-IP-Rx2 are the dual head version of the KVM-IP-Tx & KVM-
IP-Rx. E.g. a KVM-IP-Tx-2 is equivalent to two KVM-IP-Tx in a single enclosure and
with a unique external power supply.

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
[e-mail] – Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone] – www.apantac.com
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•The KVM-IP-Tx-PL & KVM-IP-Rx-P have an HDMI input and output, with an input
loop for the KVM-IP-Tx-PL, POE and support resolutions up to 4K @ 30Hz. They
ship without any power supply. An optional KVM-IP-Tx-PL-PS wall mount power
supply is available in case the IP Switch does not have POE capability. It can be
used with the Tx or the Rx.
•The OG-KVM-IP-Tx is the card version of the KVM-IP-Tx-PL box. Up to ten OG-
KVM-IP-Tx cards can be installed in one 2RU openGear chassis that will provide
single or redundant power supplies, and the Dashboard interface for monitoring
the cards status.

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
[e-mail] – Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone] – www.apantac.com
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Installation
The Tx an Rx need to be connected to a managed GigE IP Switch that supports IGMP
snooping and 9K jumbo frames. Tx and Rx modules are preconfigured for Jumbo frames
support (this can be disabled in the configuration) and will not work if the IP Switch is not
supporting or enabled for Jumbo frames first.
If KVM-IP-Tx-PL or KVM-IP-Rx-P modules are used, a POE switch is preferred.
We recommend configuring the IP Switch for IGMP, IGMP Snooping and Jumbo frames
first. For example, here is how this is done with a D-Link switch:
•Launch your web browser, enter the Switch management IP address, and connect
to the configuration console (password protected).
•Enable Jumbo Frames.
•Enable IGMP Snooping
Install now the Tx and Rx modules (or
cards). All the modules have a magnetic
base and come as standard with a metal
plate for an easy installation. For example,
you can screw Rx mounting plates inside a
wooden console or under a table and “stick”
the module on the mounting plate. For Tx
you can remove the mounting plate and
“stick” the module directly onto a metallic surface such as the top of a server.

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
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The Tx modules with a DVI-I input can accept DVI-D signals, HDMI signals (via
a HDMI > DVI-D adapter or cable) or VGA signals (via a VGA > DVI-A adapter
or cable). Make sure the D/A switch is set to “D” when using DVI or HDMI
sources or set to “A” with VGA sources.
Tx modules: Connect the computer video output signal to the Tx video input, one
computer USB port to the “USB IN” Tx port using a USB-B <> USB-A cable and the Tx
“LINK IN” port to the IP Switch using a CAT 5e/6 cable – maximum length is 100 meters.
(Cables and adapters are not included as standard). Except for POE models, or if a POE
switch is not used, connect the power supply and lock the DC input jack to secure the
power connection.
With the KVM-IP-Tx-PL module or the OG-KVM-IP-Tx card you can use the HDMI loop out
(HDMI Out) to connect to a local console monitor, for example.
Tx modules / cards with IP Fiber connectivity will require installing a SPF (may or may not
be included depending on how it was ordered) and connect to the IP Switch over Fiber.
Connect the optional signals (Analog audio, RS-232, InfraRed) in case they are being
used.
Rx modules: Connect Rx video ouput to the console monitor, the keyboard and mouse to
the two “USB 1.1” ports, and the Rx “LINK OUT” port to the IP Switch using a CAT 5e/6
cable – maximum length is 100 meters. (Cables and adapters are not included as
standard). Except for POE models, or if a POE switch is not used, connect the power
supply and lock the DC input jack to secure the power connection.
Rx modules / cards with IP Fiber connectivity will require installing a SPF (may or may not
be included depending on how it was ordered) and connect to the IP Switch over Fiber.
Connect the optional signals (Analog audio, RS-232, InfraRed) in case they are being
used.
Start: You are now ready to apply power to the modules / cards. The front Tx and Rx
LEDs activity is a simple way to figure out the modules status: At boot up the green LED
does short blinks. When the boot up is complete, the LED is permanently lit. If the module
is connected to the network the yellow LED blinks. When a Tx with a valid video input
signal is being switched to one or more Rx consoles, the yellow LED is permanently lit on
the corresponding modules.
(Check the manual for an exhaustive descrition of the LEDs activity).

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
[e-mail] – Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone] – www.apantac.com
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Configuration
When shipped, Tx and Rx are configured with Static IP addresses, with all the modules
usually set for the same subnet (10.0.90.xxx subnet, typically). The screen captures of
this document are based on the A.7.3.1.3 version of the FW.
•First, copy the “AV-95x0 Setting Ver 5.2” Windows configuration application to the
configuration PC and install it.
•Connect the configuration PC to the IP Switch
•Set its IP parameters for the same subnet as the one you plan to use for the Tx
and Rx.
•Launch the application (choose the proper network adapter when asked). Allow it a
bit of time for discovery and ensure the application discovers all of them - even if
your PC IP is not set for the same subnet as the Tx and Rx for now.
At this point you shall see all the Tx and Rx modules that are attached to the network.
You may want to disconnect all the Tx and Rx and only connect one at a time to identify
and configure them. Note that it takes a bit of time to discover again a Tx or Rx once it
has been connected.
For a quicker update, you may want to shut down the application and launch it again.

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
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Tx Configuration – first pass
Double click on the row of the Tx you
want to configure. The following menu
will pop up. Here are the
recommended settings:
•Device name: Enter the Tx
name. (10 characters max
without spaces).
•IP Mode: Leave it on Static.
•IP Address, Subnet Mask,
Gateway: Enter the IP
parameters you want to assign
to this Tx.
•Casting mode: Leave it on
Multicast.
•Multicast IP address: Leave it as is. (Each Tx Multicast address should be unique
when shipped).
•Set “Video Wall” and “Serial over IP” to “N,” USB over IP to “Y” and ignore the Serial
Communication Parameters.
•Press “Save”. The Tx will reboot. This Tx row will disappear from the GUI and pop
up again with the new settings.
•Repeat until all Tx are configured.

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
[e-mail] – Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone] – www.apantac.com
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Rx Configuration – first pass
Double click on the row of the Rx you
want to configure. The following menu
will pop up. Here are the recommended
settings:
•Device name: Enter the Rx name.
(10 characters max without
spaces).
•IP Mode: Leave it on Static.
•IP Address, Subnet Mask,
Gateway: Enter the IP
parameters you want to assign
to this Rx.
•Casting mode: Leave it on
Multicast.
•Multicast IP address: Leave it as is. (Each Tx Multicast address should be unique
when shipped).
•Connection Method. Leave it as is.
•Set “Video Wall” and “Serial over IP” to “N”, USB over IP to “Y” and ignore the Serial
Communication Parameters.
•Press “Save.” The Rx will reboot. This Rx row will disappear from the GUI and pop
up again with the new settings.
•Repeat until all Rx are configured.
The application GUI shall now display all the TX and Rx in your configuration with all the
settings you have already completed and the name you have assigned to each.
Quickly check that all settings are OK and that all Tx and Rx are running the same FW
version (ignore extra characters after Ax.x.x.x, if any). You may have to resize the
columns to see all the information. You can also sort the modules based on different
criteria by clicking on the corresponding column name.

APANTAC LLC, 10200 SW Allen Blvd. Suite C, Beaverton, OR 97005 USA
[e-mail] – Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone] – www.apantac.com
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You are now ready to start the “configuration second pass.” Each Tx and Rx has a web
configuration page that can be accessed using a web browser (Chrome recommended).
You can either directly enter the module IP address in the browser or you can click on the
corresponding row in the application and press the “Chrome” button.
Only the parameters you should check/change in a typical configuration will be
documented here. Some menus may be slightly different depending on the FW version,
but the important functions are identical. Ignore the other ones for now or refer to the
product documentation for more details.
Tx Configuration – second pass
Here is what you get when you connect to a Tx. There are three tabs, each one with its
own settings.