ATEN Master View CS-138A User manual

PackingListPackingList
The complete Master View CS-138A package consists of:
♦One Master View CS-138A KVM Switch
♦One Power Adapter
♦One User Manual
Check to make sure that the unit was not damaged in shipping. If you
encounter a problem, contact your dealer.
Please read this manual thoroughly, and follow the installation and operation
procedures carefully to prevent any damage to the Master View CS-138A
unit, and/or any of the devices connected to it.
Copyright 2000 ATEN

International Co., Ltd.
Manual Part No. PAPE-0115-400
Printed in Taiwan 03/2000
All brand names and trademarks are the registered property of their respective owners.

TableofContentsTableofContents
Overview................................................................................................1
Features.................................................................................................2
Hardware Requirements ........................................................................3
Console...............................................................................................3
PC ......................................................................................................3
Cables.................................................................................................4
Introduction.............................................................................................5
Front View...........................................................................................5
Rear View ...........................................................................................6
Installation..............................................................................................7
Single Stage Installation......................................................................7
Two Stage Installation.........................................................................8
Three Stage Installation ......................................................................9
Operation .............................................................................................11
Hot Plugging .....................................................................................11
Powering Off and Restarting .............................................................12
Port Selection ...................................................................................12
Port ID Numbering................................................................................14
Port Key In Examples........................................................................15
OSD Operation.....................................................................................16
Hotkey Navigation.............................................................................16
OSD Overview..................................................................................17
OSD Navigation................................................................................18
OSD Main Menu Headings................................................................18
The Function Keys ............................................................................19
Factory Default Settings....................................................................23
OSD Security....................................................................................24
Appendix..............................................................................................25
Master View - Computer Connection Table .......................................25
Mounting and Stacking......................................................................26
Troubleshooting ................................................................................27
Specifications....................................................................................28
Federal Communications Commission Statement.............................29
Limited Warranty...............................................................................29

- 1-
OverviewOverview
The Master View CS-138A KVM Switch is a control unit that allows access to
multiple computers from a single console (keyboard, monitor, and mouse).
Before the development of the Master View, the only way to control multiple
computer configurations from a single console was through a complex and
costly network system. Now, with the Master View CS-138A, you can easily
access multiple computers in a cost effective manner.
A Master View CS-138A unit can control up to 8 PCs. Units can be cascaded to
three levels, which means that up to 73 Master View units can control up to 512
PCs - all from a single console.
Setup is fast and easy; plugging cables into their appropriate ports is all that is
entailed. There is no software to configure, so there is no need to get involved in
complex installation routines or be concerned with incompatibility problems.
Since the Master View CS-138A intercepts keyboard input directly, it works on
any hardware platform and with all operating systems.
The Master View CS-138A provides three convenient methods to access any PC
connected to the system: (1) using the pushbutton port selection switches
located on each unit's front panel; (2) entering Hotkey combinations from the
keyboard; and (3) selecting from on screen menus provided by the On Screen
Display (OSD) feature. In addition, a powerful Quick View Scan feature allows
you to auto scan and monitor the activities of all operating PCs on the
installation one by one.
There is no better way to save time and money than with a Master View CS-
138A installation. By allowing a single console to manage all the attached PCs,
the Master View CS-138A eliminates the expense of purchasing a separate
keyboard, monitor, and mouse for each PC as well as saving all the space they
would take up. It also eliminates the inconvenience and wasted effort involved
in constantly moving around from one PC to another.

- 2-
FeaturesFeatures
♦Cascadable To Three Levels - Control Up to 512 PCs From a Single Console
♦No Software Required - PC Selection via Front Panel Switches, Hot Keys, or
OSD (On Screen Display)
♦Quick View Scan Feature for Monitoring Selected PCs
♦PS/2 and Serial Mouse Emulation Provided For System Bootup
♦Console's PS/2 Mouse Controls All Connected PCs - Even Those With
Serial Mice
♦PS/2 Compatible Mouse Support - Microsoft Intellimouse Pro, Logitech
FirstMouse, FirstMouse+, Support*
♦SVGA, VGA and Multisync Monitor Support
♦Superior Video Quality; 1920x1440; DDC2B
♦LED Display For Easy Status Monitoring
♦Supports High Quality CS Series Custom Connector Cables
♦Rack Mountable in 19" System Rack
♦Hot Pluggable - Add or Remove PCs for Maintenance Without Powering
Down the Switch
*1. PS/2 compatible mouse support is for three button (wheel) mice.
2. The Logitech Mouse Ware program’s Change Device procedure does
not work on Microsoft NT systems.

- 3-
HardwareRequirementsHardwareRequirements
Console
♦A VGA, SVGA, or Multisync monitor capable of the highest resolution that
you will be using on any PC in the installation
♦A PS/2 Style Mouse
♦A PS/2 Style Keyboard
PC
The following equipment must be installed on each PC that is to be connected to
the system:
♦A VGA, SVGA or Multisync card.
♦Either a 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), or DB-9 (standard serial), mouse port.
♦Either a 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2 Style) keyboard port with +5V DC on pin 4
and Ground on pin 3, or a 5-pin DIN (AT Style) keyboard port with +5V
DC on pin 5 and ground on pin 4.*
* See the note under Cables in the next section.

- 4-
Overview
Cables
Although it is possible to use standard extender cables to connect the PCs to the
Master View CS-138A, for optimum signal integrity and to simplify the layout,
we strongly recommend that you use the following high quality CS Custom
Cable sets:
PC Connector Type CS Custom Cable
AT (5 pin DIN) Keyboard and Serial Mouse
PS/2 (6 pin mini-DIN) Keyboard and Mouse
Daisy Chain Master View CS-138A Units
2L-1001P/C (1.8 m) or
2L-1003P/C (3 m)
Note: 1. If your PC uses a standard AT style keyboard socket you will need to
purchase a PS/2-to-AT keyboard adapter (Part No. 2A-106, or any
standard keyboard adapter), in order to plug the cable into the
computer's keyboard port.
2. If your PC uses a standard 9 pin serial port for the mouse, you will
need to purchase a PS/2-to-Serial mouse adapter (Part No. 2A-105; a
standard mouse adapter will probably not work). in order to plug the
cable into the computer's serial port.
3. Because of the wiring and pin assignments, you cannot use a Serial-
to-PS/2 adapter at the end that plugs into the CS-138A. Therefore,
attempting to use a standard serial extender cable with adapters at
both ends will fail.

- 5-
IntroductionIntroduction
Front View
1. Port LEDs:
On Line: Lights ORANGE to indicate that the PC 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
Press a switch to access the PC attached to the corresponding port.
♦Pressing Buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously for 3 seconds performs a
Keyboard and Mouse reset
♦Pressing Buttons 7 and 8 simultaneously starts Auto Scan Mode.
3. CS-138A Reset
To reset the CS-138A, use a thin object (such as the end of a paper clip, or a
ballpoint pen), to press this recessed switch in to initiate a warm reset. If the
switch is kept in for longer than three seconds, a cold reset takes place.
4. Sound Opening
System sounds (beeps, etc.), are emitted from this opening.
5. Power LED
Lights to indicate that the Master View CS-138A is receiving power.

- 6-
Rear View:
1. Power Jack
The power adapter plugs in here. The unit is designed to be non-powered
(no external power required), in which case it takes the necessary power for
its operation from the computers it connects to. Generally speaking, the only
time that external power is required is when you daisy chain it, or if
operation becomes erratic because the unit isn't obtaining enough power
from the computer connections. If you choose to use external power, the
power adapater cable plugs in here.
2. Console Port Section
♦If this is a first station unit, your monitor, keyboard and mouse plug in
here.
♦If this is a daisy chained unit, the cables that link back to a port on a
higher Master View unit plug in here.
3. CPU Port Section
The cables that link to the PCs plug in here.

- 7-
InstallationInstallation
Before you Begin
Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up
have been turned off. To prevent damage to your installation 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
The most basic installation is a Single Stage installation, in which no additional
Master View's are 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, PCs connect to all of the Master View's CPU
ports (1 - 8). Use connector cable sets (as described in the Hardware
Requirements section), to connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse ports of
the PCs to any available Master View CPU Port.
3. If you choose to use external power, plug the power adapter into an AC
power source, then plug the cable into the Master View's Power Jack.
The unit is designed for non-powered operation in a single stage
installation by taking its power from the computers via the
keyboard and mouse cables. If a computer, only supplies 3.3V of
power instead of 5V for the keyboard and mouse (as in the case of
Notebooks, for example), the unit will not receive enough power,
and you will need to use the external power adapter.
4. Turn on the power to the PCs.
Note: If you choose to use external power, the unit must be plugged in and
receiving power prior to turning on the power to the PCs.

- 8-
Two Stage Installation
To provide control for more than just eight PCs, additional Master View CS-
138A 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 64 PCs can be controlled in a complete two
stage installation. A table showing the relation between the number of PCs and
the number of Master View units needed to control them is provided in the
Appendix.
Note: While it is physically possible to mix different Master View models on
the same daisy chain, we strongly recommend against it, as doing so can
cause problems with Hotkey and OSD port switching. Please use all units
of the same model when daisy chaining.
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 preexisting devices on the installation) have been turned off.
2. Use a connector cable set (as described in the Hardware Requirements
section), to connect the Console Port connectors of the Second Stage Master
View unit to any available CPU Port on the First Stage unit.
3. Use connector cable sets (as described in the Hardware Requirements
section), to connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse ports of the PCs you
want to control to any available CPU Port on the Second Stage unit
4. Plug the power adapter into an AC source; plug the power adapter cable into
the Master View's Power Jack.
5. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for any other Second Stage units you wish to connect.
6. Plug in the power adapter for the First Stage Master View unit.
7. Turn on the power to all the connected PCs.
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.

- 9-
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, however, as many as
512 PCs can be controlled in a complete installation. A table showing the
relation between the number of PCs and the number of Master View units
needed to control them is provided in the Appendix.
Note: Master View 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 preexisting devices on the installation) have been turned off.
2. Use a connector cable set (as described in the Hardware Requirements
section), to connect from the Console Port connectors of the Third Stage
Master View unit to any available CPU Port on the Second Stage unit.
3. Use connector cable sets (as described in the Hardware Requirements
section), to connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse ports of the PCs you

- 10 -
want to control to any available CPU Port on the Third Stage unit, as shown
in the diagram below.
4. Plug the power adapter into an AC source; plug the power adapter cable into
the Master View's Power Jack.
5. Repeat steps 2 - 4 for any other Third Stage units you wish to connect.
6. Plug in the power adapters for all the Second Stage Master View units.
7. Plug in the power adapter for the First Stage Master View unit.
8. Turn on the power to all the connected PCs.
Note: The Power On sequence requires that all Third Stage units be
powered on first. After all the Third Stage units have been powered
on, then the Second Stage units must be powered on next. After all
the Second Stage units have been powered on then the First Stage
unit must be powered on. After all the Master Views have been
powered on, the computers can be powered on.

- 11 -
OperationOperation
Hot Plugging
The Master View CS-138A supports hot plugging - which means that
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. There
are certain procedures that must be followed in order for hot plugging to work
properly, however:
♦♦ Hot 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 on the
First Stage unit (by pressing the Reset switch In).
♦♦ Hot 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.
Note: All Master View units must be plugged in and receiving power
prior to turning on the power to the PCs.
♦♦ Keyboard and Mouse Reset
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 on the First Stage unit for 3 seconds to perform a Keyboard and
Mouse reset.

- 12 -
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 it, 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 PCs that are connected
to it that have the Keyboard Power On function, otherwise the
switch will still be receiving power from the computer.
2) If the unit is operating under external power, unplug the power
adapter cable.
2. Wait 10 seconds, then plug the Master View CS-138A stations back in,
starting with the last station in the chain and working back to the station you
originally shut down.
3. After the Master View's are up, power On the PCs, starting with the ones
attached to the last station in the chain and working back to the station you
originally shut down.
Port Selection
Controlling all the PCs connected up in your Master View CS-138A installation
from a single console could not be easier. Three methods are available that
provide instant access to any PC on the chain: Manual; Hotkey; and OSD.
ww Manual
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 On Screen Display (OSD, discussed
on p. 19) automatically switches to highlight the PC that you have selected.

- 13 -
Note: 1)On a daisy chained installation, you must press the Port Selection
switch on the Master View Station that connects directly to the
PC you want to access.
2) Simultaneously pressing Port Selection buttons 7 and 8 on the
First Stage unit initiates the CS-138A’s Quick View Scan feature,
in which all the ports currently selected for Quick View scanning
with the OSD function are cycled through. The length of time
spent on each port is determined with the OSD’s F6 SET function
(see the OSD Operation section for details).
ww Hot Key Navigation
Hotkey navigation allows you to conveniently access connected PCs directly
from the keyboard, instead of having to manually select them by pressing
Port Selection switches. To select a port with the Hotkey method, do the
following:
1. Press [Ctrl+Alt+Shift] to invoke the hotkey function.
2. Key in the Port ID number (see Port ID Numbering, below), then press
[Enter].
Note: After invoking the hotkey function with the [Ctrl+Alt+Shift]
combination, you must key in the Port ID and press [Enter] within
1 second for each keypress.
ww OSD
The OSD feature is invoked with a hotkey. To enter the OSD Main Menu,
press the Ctrl key twice ([Ctrl] [Ctrl]). You can use either the left or right
Ctrl keys, but they must both be on the same side (both left, or both right).
Note: You can optionally change the hotkey to the Scroll Lock key (see F6,
below), in which case you would press [Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock].
From there, either:
♦Invoke the Hotkey function with [Ctrl+Alt+Shift]; key in the Port ID (see
Port ID Numbering, below, for details); then press [Enter], or
♦Navigate with the Arrow Keys to move the Highlight Bar to the port you
want; then press [Enter].

- 14 -
PortIDNumberingPortIDNumbering
Since 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 that the computer is connected to using 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; the
third digit represents the CPU Port number of the Third Stage. For example, a
computer attached to a First Stage unit has a one digit Port ID Number (1 - 8),
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 number.
The first digit represents the CPU Port number (1 - 8), on the First Stage unit
that the Second Stage unit is cascaded down from; the second digit represents
the CPU Port number on the Second Stage unit that the computer is connected
to. For example, a Port ID of 23 refers to a computer that is connected to CPU
Port 3 of a Second Stage unit that, in turn, is cascaded down from CPU Port 2 of
the First Stage unit.
Likewise, a computer attached to a Third Stage unit has a three digit number.
For example, a Port ID of 241 refers to a computer that is connected to CPU
Port 1 of a Third Stage unit, that is cascaded down from CPU Port 4 of a Second
Stage unit, which, in turn, is cascaded down from CPU Port 2 of the First Stage
unit.

- 15 -
Port Key In Examples:
1. To access a computer attached to Port 3 of a Single Stage installation, key in
3 for the Port ID, as follows:
[Ctrl+Alt+Shift] 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+Alt+Shift] 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+Alt+Shift] 2 4 1 [Enter]

- 16 -
OSDOperationOSDOperation
Hotkey Navigation
Hotkey navigation can be used under OSD mode. To hotkey select a port from
the OSD, do the following:
1. Activate the OSD by pressing the Ctrl key twice ([Ctrl] [Ctrl]).
Note: 1. If the OSD is already active, when you are at the Main Menu you
can key in the hotkey without first having to press [Ctrl] [Ctrl].
2. You can optionally change the hotkey to the Scroll Lock key (see
F6, below), in which case you would press [Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock].
2. From the OSD Main Menu, key in the Port ID for the computer you wish to
access (see Port ID Numbering, above, for details), then press [Enter].
The console now controls the PC that you have selected, and the OSD
automatically closes.
When you key in the Port ID, note the following:
♦You must key in the Port ID and press [Enter] within 1 second for each
keypress after pressing the [Ctrl+Alt+Shift] combination.
♦Number keys must be pressed from the regular keyboard; not from the
numeric keypad.
♦The keys must be pressed and released one key at a time.
♦If you submit an incorrect Port ID, an error message displays, and you
are returned to the OSD Main Menu.

- 17 -
OSD Overview
On Screen Display (OSD), provides a menu driven interface to handle the PC
switching procedure. Although Hotkey switching still works, using OSD is a
great deal more convenient - especially in large, daisy chained installations
where a great number of PCs are connected to a several Master View CS-138A
units, and it is difficult to keep track of which port a particular PC is attached
to.
All operations start from the OSD Main Menu. To pop up the Main Menu, tap
either Ctrl key twice.
Note: You can optionally change the hotkey to the Scroll Lock key (see F6,
below), in which case you would press [Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock].
♦OSD always starts in List view, with the highlight bar at the same position it
was in the last time it was closed.
4. From the Main Menu, you can go directly to any port by keying in
[Ctrl+Alt+Shift], then the Port ID Number, and then pressing [Enter].
Note: With this method, although access switches to the port you just
specified, the highlight bar on the OSD screen doesn’t move.

- 18 -
OSD Navigation
♦[Esc] cancels the current selection, or dismisses the current menu and moves
back to the menu one level above. If you are at the highest menu level, it
deactivates OSD.
♦Use the Up and Down Arrow Keys to move up or down through the list one
line at a time
♦Use [Pg Up] and [Pg Dn] to move up or down through the list one screen at
a time
♦Click on the Up and Down Triangle symbols (st) to move up or down
through the list one line at a time
♦Click on the Up and Down Arrow symbols (éê) to move up or down
through the list one screen at a time
♦To activate a port, move the Highlight Bar to it then press [Enter].
♦After executing any action, you automatically go back to the menu one level
above.
OSD Main Menu Headings:
Port ID This column lists the Port ID numbers (Station Number - Port Number) for all the
CPU Ports on the installation. The simplest method to access a particular PC
(assuming you know which port it is attached to), is to use the Navigation Keys to
move the Highlight Bar to the desired location, then press [Enter].
QV Ports that have been selected for Quick View scanning (see F2 and F4, below),
have an arrowhead displayed in this column to indicate so.
PC Lists all the PCs that are Powered On and are On Line.
Name If a port has been given a name (see F5, below), its name appears in this column.