ATEN MASTER VIEW CS-124U User manual

User Manual
CS-124U
4 Port KVM Switch
2001-04-25

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
foraClassBdigitaldevicepursuantto SubpartJof Part15of theFCCRules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
wReorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
wIncrease the separation between the equipment and receiver.
wConnect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that which
the receiver is connected.
wConsult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.
2001-04-25

Packing List
The complete Master View CS-124U package consists of:
wOne CS-124U KVM Switch
wOne Power Adapter
wOne User Manual
Check to make sure that the unit was not damaged in shipping. If you encounter
a problem, contact your dealer.
Read this manual thoroughly and follow the installation and operation
procedures carefully to prevent any damage to the unit, and/or any of the
devices connected to it.
©Copyright 2001 ATENInternational Co., Ltd.
Manual Part No. PAPE-0184-100
Printed in Taiwan 04/2001
All brand names and trademarks are the registered property of their respective owners.
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual iii.

Contents
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Rear View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Before you Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Single Station Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Second Station Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Third Station Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Hot Plugging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Powering Off and Restarting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Port Selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Port ID Numbering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ID Numbering Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Port Key In Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Hotkey Summary Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
OSD Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
OSD Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
OSD Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
OSD Main Menu Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The Function Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Factory Default Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
OSD Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
2001-04-25
iv. CS-124U User Manual

Overview
The Master View Plus CS-124U represents a revolutionary new direction in
KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) Switches. The CS-124U is a control unit that
allows access to four computer systems from a single USB keyboard, USB
mouse, and monitor console in a cost effective manner. There are three
convenient methods to access the computers: (1) push button port selection
switches located on the unit’s front panel; (2) Hotkey combinations; and (3)
selecting from menus provided by the OSD (On Screen Display) feature. A
powerful Quick View Scan feature also allows you to autoscan and monitor the
activities of all operating computers on the installation one by one. Setup is fast
and easy; simply plug cables into their appropriate ports. There is no software to
configure, no installation routines, and no incompatibility problems. Since the
CS-124U intercepts keyboard input directly, it works on any hardware platform
and with all operating systems.
The CS-124U represents the second generation of KVM switches incorporating
USB technology to handle the keyboard and mouse data connection between
itself and the connected computers.
There is no better way to save time and money than with a Master View
CS-124U installation. Since a single console manages all of the computers, the
CS-124U setup: eliminates the expense of having to purchase a separate
keyboard, monitor, and mouse for each computer; saves all the space those
extra components would take up; saves on energy costs; and eliminates the
inconvenience and wasted effort involved in constantly moving around from one
computer to another.
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual 1

Features
wFull Speed Connectivity - USB Mouse and Keyboard
wEasy Installation
wNo Software Required - Computer Selection via Front Panel Switches, Hot
Keys, or OSD (On Screen Display)
wNew and Improved OSD Interface for Easier Control of Your Computers
wLED Display For Easy Status Monitoring
wQuick View Scan Feature for Monitoring Selected Computers
wComplete Keyboard and Mouse Emulation for Error Free Booting
wSuperior Video Quality; 1920x1440; DDC; DDC2; DDC2B
wHot Pluggable - Add or Remove Computers for Maintenance Without
Powering Down the Switch
wSupports Mac Keyboard Power On / Off Function
wSupports High Quality CS Connector Cables
wRack Mountable (with optional Rack Panel; Part No.2X-007)
2001-04-25
2 CS-124U User Manual

Hardware Requirements
Console
wA VGA, SVGA, or Multisync monitor capable of the highest resolution that
you will be using on any computer in the installation.
wA USB mouse
wA USB keyboard
Computer
The following equipment must be installed on each computer:
wA VGA, SVGA or Multisync card.
wUSB Type A port.
Cables
Use of substandard cables may damage the connected devices or degrade
overall performance. For optimum signal integrity and to simplify the layout, we
strongly recommend that you use the following high quality CS cables:
2L-1201U (1.2M) or 2L-1202U (1.8m).
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual 3

Introduction
Front View
1. Port LEDs
The selected LEDs light to indicate the currently selected port.
On Line: Lights 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 for Cascading to another
Master View switch.
Selected: Lights GREEN to indicate the currently selected port. The LED is
steady under normal conditions, but flashes when its port is
accessed under Auto Scan mode.
2. Port Selection Switches
wPress a switch to access the computer attached to the corresponding
port.
wPressing Buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously for 3 seconds performs a Key-
board and Mouse reset (K/M Reset).
3. Auto Scan Switch
wPress this switch again to activate Auto Scanning. To stop, press it
again, or press the keyboard’s Spacebar.
1
2 3
2001-04-25
4 CS-124U User Manual

Rear View
1. Power Jack
The unit is designed to use external power, the power adapter cable plugs in
here.
2. Console Port Section
Your monitor, keyboard and mouse plug in here.
3. CPU Port Section
The cables that link to the computers plug in here.
1 2 3
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual 5

Installation
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 have the Keyboard Power On function.
Otherwise, the switch will receive power from the computer.
2. To prevent damage to your equipment due to ground potential
difference, make sure that all devices on the installation are
properly grounded. Consult your dealer for technical details, if
necessary.
Single Station Installation
In a Single Stage installation, there are no additional Master View’s daisy
chained down from the first unit. To set up a single stage installation do the
following:
1. Plug your keyboard, mouse, and monitor into the unit’s Console Ports.
2. In a Single Stage Installation, computers connect to all of the Master View’s
CPU ports (1 - 4). Use connector cable sets (as described in the Hardware
Requirements section), to connect the monitor and any available USB (type
A) port of the computer to any CS-124U CPU port.
3. The unit is designed to use external power, plug the adapter cable into the
Master View’s Power Jack, then plug the power adapter into an AC power
source.
2001-04-25
6 CS-124U User Manual

4. Turn on the power to the computers.
Note: The unit must be plugged in and receiving power prior to turning on
the power to the computers.
Two Stage Installation
To control even more computers, up to four additional Master View CS-124U
units can be cascaded from the CPU ports of the First Stage unit. The cascaded
Master Views that connect back to the First Stage unit are considered Second
Stage units. As many as 16 computers can be controlled in a complete two
stage installation. A table showing the relation between the number of
computers and the number of Master View units needed to control them is
provided in the Appendix.
Note: Mixing different Master View models on the same daisy chain can cause
problems with Hotkey and OSD port switching. We strongly recommend
that you use CS-124Us for all the cascaded units.
To set up a two stage installation, do the following:
1. Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up, including
all pre-existing devices on the installation, have been turned off (unplug the
First Stage unit if it is plugged in to an AC source).
2. Use a connector cable set (described in the Cables section, p. 3), to connect
any available CPU port on the First Stage unit to the Console Port
connectors of the Second Stage unit.
3. Use connector cable sets (described in the Cables section, p. 3), to connect
any available CPU port on the Second Stage unit to the monitor, and any
available USB (type A) port of the computer you are installing.
4. Repeat steps 1 - 3 for any other Second Stage units you wish to connect.
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual 7

5. For each Second Stage unit, plug the power adapter cable into the Master
View’s Power Jack; plug the power adapter into an AC source.
6. Plug in the power adapter for the First Stage Master View unit.
7. Turn on the power to all the computers.
Note: The Power On sequence requires that all Second Stage units be
powered on first. After all the Second Stage units have been powered on,
then the First Stage unit must be powered on next. After the Second and
First stage units have been powered on, the computers can be powered
on.
2001-04-25
8 CS-124U User Manual

Three Stage Installation
The procedures for setting up a three stage installation are essentially the same
as for a two stage installation. With a three stage setup, as many as 64
computers can be controlled in a complete installation. A table showing the
relation between the number of computers and the number of Master View units
needed to control them is provided in the Appendix.
Note: Master View Plus units cannot be cascaded beyond the third level.
To set up a three stage installation, do the following:
1. Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up, including
all pre-existing devices on the installation, have been turned off (unplug the
First Stage unit and all Second Stage units).
2. Use a connector cable set (described in the Cables section, p. 3), to connect
any available CPU port on the First Stage unit to the Console Port
connectors of the Second Stage unit.
3. Use connector cable sets (described in the Cables section, p. 3), to connect
any available CPU port on the Third Stage unit to the monitor, and any
available USB (type A) port of the computers you are installing, as shown in
the diagram on page 10.
4. Repeat steps 1 - 3 for any other Third Stage units you wish to connect.
5. For each Third Stage unit, plug the power adapter cable into the Master
View’s Power Jack; plug the power adapter into an AC source.
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual 9

2001-04-25
10 CS-124U User Manual

Operation
Hot Plugging
The Master View CS-124U supports hot plugging - components can be
removed and added back into the installation by unplugging their cables from
the CPU ports without the need to shut the unit down. In order for hot plugging
to work properly, however, these procedures must be followed:
wHot Plugging CPU Ports:
When hot plugging cables from the CPU ports:
1. The cable must be plugged back into the same port it was removed from.
2. The mouse cable must be plugged in before the keyboard cable.
3. After plugging the cable back in, you must perform a KVM Reset by
simultaneously pressing the Port 1 / Port 2 buttons for three seconds.
wHot Plugging Console Ports:
The unit supports hot plugging of the keyboard, monitor, and mouse. When
hot plugging the mouse from the Master View’s console mouse port:
1. You may unplug the mouse and plug it back in again (to reset the mouse,
for example), as long as you use the same mouse.
2. If you plug in a different mouse, all the stations and all the computers on
the installation must be shut down for 10 seconds, then restarted. (Refer
back to the note on describing the Power On sequence on p.8, if
necessary.)
Note: If, after hot plugging (or at any other time), there is no response to mouse
and/or keyboard input, simultaneously press and hold Port Select buttons
1 and 2 for 3 seconds to perform a Keyboard and Mouse reset.
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual 11

Powering Off and Restarting
If it becomes necessary to Power Off one of the Master View units, before
starting it back up you must do the following:
1. Shut down all the computers that are attached to the unit, as well as all the
stations and all the computers that are daisy chained down from it (all the
child stations and the computers attached to them).
Note: 1. You must unplug the power cords of any computers that have the
Keyboard Power On function that are connected to the shut down
switches. Otherwise, the switches will still receive power from the
computers.
2. Unplug the power adapter cable.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then plug the Master View CS-124U stations back in,
starting with the last station in the chain and working back to the station you
originally shut down.
3. After all the Master View’s are up, power On the computers, starting with the
ones attached to the last station in the chain and working back to the station
you originally shut down.
2001-04-25
12 CS-124U User Manual

Port Selection
The Master View CS-124U provides three methods to obtain instant access to
any computer in your installation: Manual; Hotkey; and OSD.
wManual
Simply press the appropriate Port Selection Switch on the Master View’s
front panel. After you press the switch, the Selected LED lights to indicate
that the port is currently selected. The OSD (see p. 17) automatically
switches to highlight the computer that you have selected.
wHotkey Navigation
Hotkey navigation allows you to access any computer directly from the
keyboard, instead of having to manually select it with a Port Selection
switch. To select a port with the Hotkey method, do the following:
Press [Ctrl] + [Port ID Number] + [Enter]
(see Port ID Numbering, in the next section)
Note: 1Press the keys in sequence - one key at a time. First [Ctrl], then
[Port ID Number], then [Enter].
2. You must enter the sequence within 2 seconds of each keypress.
wOSD
OSD (On Screen Display), provides a menu driven interface to handle the
computer switching procedure. OSD operation is discussed in detail
beginning on page 17.
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual 13

Port ID Numbering
ID Numbering Overview
Each CPU port on a Master View installation is assigned a unique Port ID. You
can directly access any computer on any level of the installation by specifying
the Port ID of the CPU port that the computer is connected to - either with the
Hotkey port selection method, or from the OSD Main Menu.
The Port ID is a one, two, or three digit number that is determined by the Stage
Level and CPU port number of the Master View unit that the computer is
connected to. The first digit represents the CPU port number of the First Stage
unit; the second digit represents the CPU Port number of the Second Stage unit;
the third digit represents the CPU port number of the Third Stage unit.
For example, a computer attached to a First Stage unit has a one digit Port ID
(from 1 to 4), that corresponds to the CPU port number that the computer is
connected to.
A computer attached to a Second Stage unit has a two digit Port ID. The first
digit represents the CPU port number, on the First Stage unit that the Second
Stage unit links back to; the second digit represents the CPU port number on
the Second Stage unit that the computer is connected to. Therefore, a Port ID of
23 would refer to a computer that is connected to CPU port 3 of a Second
Stage unit that links back to CPU port 2 of the First Stage unit.
Likewise, a computer attached to a Third Stage unit has a three digit Port ID.
One with a Port ID of 241 would be connected to CPU port 1 of a Third Stage
unit, that links back to CPU port 4 of a Second Stage unit, which, in turn, links
back to CPU port 2 of the First Stage unit.
2001-04-25
14 CS-124U User Manual

Port Key In Examples
1. To access a computer attached to port 3 of a Single Stage installation, key in
3for the Port ID, as follows:
[Ctrl] + [3] + [Enter]
2. To access a computer attached to port 3 of a Second Stage unit that is
cascaded down from port 2 of the First Stage unit, key in 23 for the Port ID,
as follows:
[Ctrl]+[2]+[3]+[Enter]
Note: You must key in the numbers one at a time.
3. To access a computer attached to port 1 of a Third Stage unit that is
cascaded down from port 4 of a Second Stage unit, which, in turn, is
cascaded down from CPU port 2 of the First Stage unit, key in 241 for the
Port ID, as follows:
[Ctrl]+[2]+[4]+[1]+[Enter]
2001-04-25
CS-124U User Manual 15

Hotkey Summary Table
Combination Action
[Ctrl] + [Ctrl]* Invokes OSD (Default)
[Scroll Lock] + [Scroll Lock]* Invokes OSD (Alternate Method)
[Ctrl]+[Port ID]+[Enter]* Switches access to the computer that corresponds
to the Port ID number (see examples, above).
[Ctrl]+[1]+[Enter]* Selects the computer connected to Port 1
[Ctrl]+[2]+[Enter]* Selects the computer connected to Port 2
[Ctrl]+[3]+[Enter]* Selects the computer connected to Port 3
[Ctrl]+[4]+[Enter]* Selects the computer connected to Port 4
[Ctrl]+[9]+[Enter]* Activates Autoscan function
[F1]+[F1]** Select Previous Port (Default)
[F4]+[F4]** Select Next Port (Default)
[F5]+[F5]** Select Previous Port (Alternate)
[F8]+[F8]** Select Next Port (Alternate)
*Each key must be pressed in sequence (not simultaneously) within no more
than 2 seconds between key presses.
**Each key must be pressed in sequence (not simultaneously) within no more
than 1 second between key presses.
2001-04-25
16 CS-124U User Manual