Avocent HMX 1050 Installation and maintenance instructions

Installer/User Guide
For Technical Support:
www.avocent.com/support
590-821-501A
HMX 1050
User Station

USA Notification
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Canadian Notification
This class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Safety and EMC Approvals and Markings
FCC Class B, EN 55022 Class B, EN 61000-3-2/-3-3, CISPR 22 Class B, EN 55024/CISPR 24, (EN 61000-4-2,
EN 61000-4-3, EN 61000-4-4, EN 61000-4-5, EN 61000-4-6, EN 61000-4-8, EN 61000-4-11), EN 60950/IEC
60950-Compliant, UL Listed (USA), CUL Listed (Canada), TUV Certified (Germany), CE Marking (Europe)

HMX 1050 User Station
Installer/User Guide
Avocent, the Avocent logo and Emerge are registered trademarks of
Avocent Corporation. All other marks are the property of their respective
owners.
©2007 Avocent Corporation. All rights reserved. 590-821-501A

Instructions
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
Dangerous Voltage
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the
product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
Power On
This symbol indicates the principal on/off switch is in the on position.
Power Off
This symbol indicates the principal on/off switch is in the off position.
Protective Grounding Terminal
This symbol indicates a terminal which must be connected to earth ground prior to making any other
connections to the equipment.

iii
Chapter 1: Product Overview.......................................................................................... 1
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................1
Features and Benefits ........................................................................................................................1
Safety Precautions .............................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Installation ..................................................................................................... 9
Getting Started...................................................................................................................................9
Needed to install the HMX 1050 user station.............................................................................9
Needed for non-standard installations .......................................................................................9
Mounting Option..............................................................................................................................10
Installation Options .........................................................................................................................10
Point-to-point installation ........................................................................................................10
Connecting Power ....................................................................................................................15
Networked Installation .............................................................................................................15
Chapter 3: Operations ................................................................................................... 19
Overview..........................................................................................................................................19
LED Identification....................................................................................................................19
Accessing the System .......................................................................................................................20
Accessing the OSD...........................................................................................................................20
Displaying system information using the OSD.........................................................................22
The Serial Menu...............................................................................................................................24
Accessing the serial menu.........................................................................................................25
Navigating the serial menu.......................................................................................................27
Configuring Network Settings..........................................................................................................27
Detecting an HMIQDI IP Address...................................................................................................35
Authentication..................................................................................................................................37
Flash Upgrading your HMX 1050 User Station..............................................................................41
Restoring Factory Default Settings..................................................................................................46
Resetting the HMX 1050 User Station.............................................................................................46
Viewing System Information............................................................................................................47
Configuring Video Input Settings ....................................................................................................49
Session Retry Settings......................................................................................................................50
Configuring the OSD Hotkey Sequence...........................................................................................51
TABLE OF CONTENTS

iv HMX 1050 User Station Installer/User Guide
OSD Inactivity Timeout ...................................................................................................................53
Audio Performance Settings ............................................................................................................54
Appendices..................................................................................................................... 59
Appendix A: Technical Specifications .............................................................................................59
Appendix B: Factory Default Settings .............................................................................................65
Appendix C: Technical Support.......................................................................................................67
Appendix D: Troubleshooting..........................................................................................................68
Appendix E: Login error messages..................................................................................................72
License Information....................................................................................................... 75

1
Product Overview
Introduction
The HMX 1050 user station provides users with a full computer desktop experience from anywhere
on the corporate TCP/IP network, while maintaining the computers securely housed in a corporate
data center. This desktop experience includes access for the desktop user to keyboard, mouse,
video, audio and USB mass storage devices.
The HMX 1050 user station can operate in two modes: Extender Mode and Desktop Mode.
In Extender Mode the platform auto-connects an HMIQDI to a user station on a point-to-point link.
The HMX Manager is not required as part of the system.
In Desktop Mode a user station can be connected to a specific HMIQDI from many potential
HMIQDIs on a network. The specific HMIQDI being connected to is configured by the
administrator via the HMX Manager. The HMX Manager is a hardware appliance residing on the
same network as the user stations and IQs with a web server application that can be accessed by the
administrator through a standard web browser.
The administrator can change the mode of a user station to Extender or Desktop via serial port CLI.
Features and Benefits
The HMX 1050 user station is the user station hardware that is located at the user's desk and
connects via TCP/IP to an HMIQDI also located on the same TCP/IP local area network.
CHAPTER
1

2HMX 1050 User Station Installer/User Guide
Figure 1.1: HMX 1050 User Station- Basic System
HMX Manager
The HMX Manager is a web browser-based management solution that allows administrators to
remotely manage and monitor networks of user stations and HMIQs that comprise the HMX
system.
Using the HMX Manager, an administrator can add units, view and edit unit properties and initiate
a variety of other operations.
Table 1.1: Description of Figure 1.1
Number Description
1Rack Mounted PCs
2Gigabit Ethernet
Switch
3HMX Manager
4User Station
5Ethernet LAN
1
2
3
4
5

Chapter 1: Product Overview 3
HMIQDI
The HMIQDI connects externally to the video, audio and USB ports of the remote computer.
The HMIQDI is attached directly to the remote computer and draws its power directly from two
USB ports on the remote computer. This removes the need for additional power supply connections
at the rack.
NOTE: If the remote computer cannot supply the required power or if two USB connections are not available, an
external power supply can be obtained from Avocent.
The HMIQDI captures, compresses and encrypts the computer’s media streams and transmits them
to the receiver over a standard TCP/IP network.
HMX 1050 user station
The HMX 1050 user station enables the desktop user’s keyboard, mouse, video, audio and mass
storage devices to connect to the target computer via a network connection to the IQ module which
is directly connected to the target computer.
Automatic connection
In Extender Mode when the HMX 1050 user station is powered up, a connection is automatically
established with the remote computer via the HMIQDI. No intervention is required from the user.
See Accessing the System on page 20.
In Desktop Mode, the user station and HMIQDI reside on an IP network and an HMX Manager is
present. The user gains access to their target PC by logging into any user station on the network.
There is a fixed (configurable) association between the user and the target PC.
NOTE: In Desktop Mode the administrator uses the HMX Manager to configure the target HMIQDI. An HMIQDI
is associated with a specific user, in which case the HMIQDI is independent of the user station used, or a specific
user station can be configured to connect to a specific HMIQDI, independent of the user using the user station.
Autologin
When in Desktop Mode autologin can be enabled by the administrator. When enabled, the
administrator sets the relationship so that the user has to use a specific user station. Then, when the
user turns on this user station, they automatically gain access to their target PC.
Ethernet addressing
The HMX 1050 user station and the HMIQDI are IP-addressable devices, giving you the flexibility
to locate back-racked computers anywhere within your enterprise and at any distance from your
desktop users. The HMX 1050 user station and the HMIQDI use standard network protocols to
transfer data streams between the remote computer and the peripheral devices located at the user’s
desk. The HMX 1050 user station can operate on a network connection of 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps. For
optimum performance a 1 Gbps connection is recommended. For more information see Chapter 2.

4HMX 1050 User Station Installer/User Guide
Interface to external system
The HMX 1050 user station interfaces to a DHCP server. In Desktop and Extender Modes, the user
station and HMIQDI can obtain their IP address data from a DHCP server.
Multiplatform support
The HMIQDI is connected to the remote computer via USB connectors. This enables the HMX
1050 user station to interoperate seamlessly with PC, Sun and Macintosh target computers. PC, Sun
and Macintosh USB keyboards can be connected to the HMX 1050 user station. PS/2 keyboards
and mice can also be used.
You can attach the HMX 1050 user station to computers running the following operating systems:
• Microsoft WindowsTM
•Linux
•Solaris
• Microsoft Windows VistaTM
• MacOS
The default keyboard drivers for these operating systems are fully supported by the HMX 1050
user station.
Flexible installation
The HMX 1050 user station provides you with the following flexible installation options:
• The HMX 1050 user station can be desk mounted or mounted on the back of a monitor
• Installation requires no new drivers or software
• Standard UTP cabling makes installation simple and keeps costs low
Security
The HMX 1050 user station supports Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) over a TCP/IP connection. All
media streams transmitted between the HMX 1050 user station and the HMIQDI are encrypted.
Password protection is also provided to control access to all administration functions, such as
network configuration.
On-Screen Display (OSD)
The HMX 1050 user station includes an OSD that allows you to view information about the
configuration of your system.
Operations administration and maintenance
The HMX 1050 user station incorporates a serial menu that allows you to perform administration
and maintenance tasks for both the HMX 1050 user station and the HMIQDI. Examples of tasks
you can perform include configuration of network settings and firmware Flash upgrades.

Chapter 1: Product Overview 5
If you are in Desktop Mode, the HMX Manager application forms the operations, administration
and maintenance interface for the HMX 1050 user station system. It also manages authentication,
authorization, initiation and removal of media sessions between the user station and HMIQDI.
NOTE: For more information see the HMX Manager - Installer/User Guide
Flash upgradeable
Upgrade your firmware at any time using the XMODEM or HTTP protocols to ensure that your
HMX 1050 user station is always running the most current version available. Both the HMIQDI
and the HMX 1050 user station are Flash upgradeable.
Upgrades can also be carried out via the HMX Manager.
Support for keyboards and mice
USB and PS/2 keyboards and mice are fully supported by the HMX 1050 user station. The system
also allows for mix and match of USB and PS/2 peripherals. For example, it is possible to use a
USB keyboard in conjunction with a PS/2 mouse. The default keyboard and mouse drivers of the
remote computer are fully supported. This enables the HMX 1050 user station to support 2, 3 and
5-button mice with scroll and tilt-wheel capability. Composite mouse and keyboard devices are also
supported.
USB support
The HMX 1050 user station is compatible with the USB 2.0 standard. The HMX 1050 user station
provides four USB 2.0 compliant ports that can be used to access USB keyboards and mice. Hot-
plugging of USB devices is supported.
NOTE: A hub cannot be used to expand the number of USB ports available.
The HMIQDI provides two USB interfaces:
• One is a low/full speed port that is used for all keyboard and mouse peripheral devices
interfacing with the target PC, along with providing power for the HMIQDI.
• The other is a high-speed port that is used for virtual media (mass storage devices)
peripheral devices interfacing with the target PC, along with proving power for the
HMIQDI.
Virtual media
Mass storage devices, such as removable drives and external CD-ROM drives, can be attached to
the HMX 1050 user station and will function as if they are directly connected to the remote
computer. Data can be both read from and written to these mass storage devices. You can connect
both a removable drive and an external drive at any one time to the HMX 1050 user station.
The transfer speed between the mass storage device and the remote computer is dependant on the
Ethernet network. A 1 Gbps connection is required for high-performance virtual media transfer.
The system is capable, however, of operating over a 100 Mbps Ethernet connection.

6HMX 1050 User Station Installer/User Guide
The following mass storage devices are supported:
• Removable drives
• External USB hard drives
• External USB CD-ROM drives
• External USB DVD-ROM drives
•USBmemorysticks
Hot plugging of USB mass storage devices is supported.
NOTE: The system supports the default drivers for mass storage devices.
Audio
The HMX 1050 user station supports CD-quality stereo from the remote computer to peripheral
speakers, and mono-quality audio from a peripheral microphone to the remote computer.
Video
Video of 24-bit color depth up to a resolution of 1280 x 1024 at 60 Hz is supported by the HMX
1050 user station. Both CRT and flat-panel LCD monitors are supported, and can be connected to
the HMX 1050 user station via a DVI-I video connector. VGA monitors can be attached to the
system by using a DVI to VGA adaptor. The system supports DDC version 2B.
Screen aspect ratio
The HMIQDI can be configured through the serial console to allow either normal aspect
resolutions or wide screen resolutions as the preferred setting on its EDID table.
Bandwidth usage
It is possible to restrict the aggregate bandwidth used on the Ethernet link from the serial console.
The bandwidth options are:
• Unlimited
• 100MBits/s
• 50MBits/s
• 20MBits/s
• 10MBits/s
Reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
The HMX system delivers significantly lower TCO when compared to traditional distributed
computer systems. Centralized maintenance enables greater security and convenience as well as
reduced workplace disruption and down-time. IT administration costs are also significantly reduced
by housing all PCs in one central location. Relocating the computer away from the user frees up

Chapter 1: Product Overview 7
valuable office space and reduces desktop power and heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) requirements.
Safety Precautions
To avoid potential video and/or keyboard problems when using Avocent products:
• If the building has 3-phase AC power, ensure that the computer and monitor are on the same
phase. For best results, they should be on the same circuit.
To avoid potentially fatal shock hazard and possible damage to equipment, please observe the
following precautions:
• Do not use a 2-wire extension cord in any Avocent product configuration.
• Test AC outlets at the computer and monitor for proper polarity and grounding.
• Use only with grounded outlets at both the computer and monitor. When using a backup
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), power the computer and the HMIQDI off the same
supply.
NOTE: The AC inlet is the main disconnect.

8HMX 1050 User Station Installer/User Guide

9
Installation
Getting Started
Before installing your HMX 1050 user station, refer to the list below to ensure that you have all the
items necessary for installation.
NOTE: For installation of the HMX Manager, see the HMX Manager Installer/User Guide.
Needed to install the HMX 1050 user station
• HMX 1050 user station
• HMIQDI (ordered separately)
• External power supply for the HMX 1050 user station
• IEC power cord
• HMX 1050 User Station Quick Installation Guide
• Three-wire serial cable or null modem cable (not supplied)
Needed for non-standard installations
To connect a VGA monitor to the HMX 1050 user station:
• A DVI to VGA adaptor (not supplied)
To connect the HMIQDI to a remote computer that has VGA video output:
• A VGA to DVI-I adaptor (not supplied)
To connect the HMIQDI to a remote computer that has DVI-D video output:
• A DVI-D to DVI-I adaptor (not supplied)
To power the HMIQDI if a remote computer does not have two available USB ports:
• An optional power supply, available from Avocent
CHAPTER
2

10 HMX 1050 User Station Installer/User Guide
Mounting Option
The HMX 1050 user station features the following mounting option that allows you to adapt easily
to most work environments:
• Mounting to the rear of a flat-panel monitor via a mounting plate accessory
NOTE: Mounting accessories are ordered separately. Contact Avocent for more information.
Installation Options
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to your equipment, disconnect the power from the
HMX 1050 user station by unplugging the power supply from the electrical outlet.
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to your equipment, power up the remote computer and
the HMX 1050 user station in the order described in the following procedures.
You can install the HMX 1050 user station in one of two ways:
1. Point-to-point
2. Networked
Point-to-point installation
The following instructions will enable you to install your HMX 1050 user station in a point-to-
point configuration. In a point-to-point configuration no administrator setup of the HMIQDI or the
HMX 1050 user station is required. This enables you to install the system quickly, directly out-of-
the-box. However, if you choose the point-to-point configuration you can install only one HMIQDI
and HMX 1050 user station pair on a subnet. If you use this configuration you must also locate both
the HMIQDI and the HMX 1050 user station on the same subnet.

Chapter 2: Installation 11
Figure 2.1: Point-to-point Installation
To connect the HMIQDI:
Before connecting the HMIQDI to the remote computer, ensure that the resolution and the refresh
rate of the remote computer are supported by the HMX 1050 user station system. Set the screen
resolution and refresh rate of the remote computer (see Appendix A). Unsupported settings will
cause blank video at the user station.
NOTE: Go to www.avocent.com for updated information on supported resolutions and refresh rates.
1. Power down the remote computer.
2. The HMIQDI has two USB connectors. Connect each of these connectors to a corresponding
USB port on the remote computer.
NOTE: The HMIQDI provides two USB interfaces:
3. Connect the video connector on the HMIQDI to the appropriately labeled port on the back of
the computer.
Table 2.1: Figure 2.1 Descriptions
Number Description
1HMIQDI
2Remote computer
3User Station
1
3
2

12 HMX 1050 User Station Installer/User Guide
NOTE: A VGA-only computer can be connected to the HMIQDI using a VGA to DVI-I adaptor. You must
configure the HMIQDI video settings for VGA through the serial menu. For more information see Configuring
Video Input Settings on page 49.
4. Connect the HMIQDI’s audio and microphone connectors to the appropriately labeled ports on
the back of the computer.
NOTE: For CD-quality audio, you must configure the HMIQDI and the user station using the serial menu. For
more information see Audio Performance Settings on page 54.
5. Connect the UTP cable to the HMIQDI’s RJ-45 connector.
6. Turn on the computer.
7. Route the other end of the UTP cable to the location you have chosen for the HMX 1050 user
station. If necessary you can extend the UTP cable via junctions or a hub - subject to normal
Ethernet cabling practices.
The HMIQDI draws electrical power from two USB ports on the remote computer. One USB port
is not sufficient to power the HMIQDI. If you have only one USB port on your remote computer,
you will need to order an external power supply for the HMIQDI from Avocent.
.
Figure 2.2: HMIQDI
2
134

Chapter 2: Installation 13
To connect the HMX 1050 user station:
1. Connect your keyboard, monitor, mouse and other peripherals cables to the appropriately
labeled ports on the back of the HMX 1050 user station.
2. Connect the UTP cable to the RJ-45 port on the back of the HMX 1050 user station.
3. Turn on the HMX 1050 user station. A connection will be automatically established with the
remote computer.
NOTE: VGA monitors can be connected to the HMX 1050 user station by using a DVI-I to VGA adaptor.
Table 2.2: Description of HMIQDI Connectors
Number Description
1USB
2Video
3Mic
4Line Out

14 HMX 1050 User Station Installer/User Guide
Figure 2.3: HMX 1050 User Station and HMIQDI Installation
Table 2.3: Figure 2.3 Descriptions
Number Description
1HMX 1050 user station
2Microphone port
3Speaker port
4External power supply
5PS/2 ports
6Serial port
7Remote PCs
8Local peripherals
(attached via USB)
9HMIQDI
2
3
6
9
7
1
8
45