Avocent DSRTM 1021 Installation and maintenance instructions

Installer/User Guide
DS R™1021

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 OFF
This symbol indicates the principal on/off switch is in the off position.
POWER ON
This symbol indicates the principal on/off switch is in the on 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.

Avocent, the Avocent logo, The Power of Being There, DSR,
DSView and OSCAR are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Avocent Corporation or its affiliates. All other marks are the
property of their respective owners.
© 2004 Avocent Corporation. All rights reserved.
DSR™1021
Installer/User Guide

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.
Japanese Approvals
Korean Class
A Statement
Safety and
EMC Standards
AS/NZS CISPR22, CSA C22.2 No. 950, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3, EN55022
Class A, EN55024,EN60950, FCC1 Part 15 Class A, ICES-003 Class A, IEC60950,
VCCI V.3 Class A, UL 1950

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Product Overview
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chapter 2: Installation
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installing the DSR Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chapter 3: Local Port Operation
Controlling Your System at the Local Port . . . . . . 21
Viewing and Selecting Ports and Servers . . . . . . . . 21
Navigating the OSCAR Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Configuring OSCAR Interface Menus . . . . . . . . . . 25
Changing the Display Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Controlling the Status Flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Broadcasting to Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Using Scan Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Setting Console Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Setting the Keyboard Country Code . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Managing Server Tasks Using the
OSCAR Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Viewing and Disconnecting User Connections . . . 41
Resetting Your PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . 42
Displaying Version Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Chapter 4: Terminal Operations
Accessing the Terminal Applications Menu . . . . . . 47
Appendices
Appendix A: FLASH Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Appendix B: Using the DSView Client Software
Over a Modem Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Appendix C: Using DSRIQ-SRL Modules . . . . . . . 64
Appendix D: UTP Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Appendix E: Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . 71
Appendix F: Sun Advanced Key Emulation . . . . . 73
Appendix G: Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Contents
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1
Product Overview

Chapter 1: Product Overview 3
Chapter 1: Product Overview
Features and Benefits
The Avocent DSR™1021 switch combines analog and digital technology to
provide flexible, centralized control of data center servers and facilitate the
OA&M (operations, activation and maintenance) of remote branch offices
where trained operators may be unavailable. This solution provides enterprise
customers with a significant reduction of cable volume, secure remote access
and flexible server management from anywhere at anytime.
The DSR1021 switch is a rack mountable keyboard, video and mouse (KVM)
switch configurable for analog (local) or digital (remote) connectivity. The
DSR1021 switch has ports for connecting servers and serial devices via DSRIQ
modules. A video resolution of 1280 x 1024 is supported for remote users of
the DSR switching system. Enhanced video quality of up to 1600 x 1280 is
available for the local user via the keyboard, video and mouse ports.
The DSR1021 switch includes an SPC, LAN and MODEM port. The SPC port
may be used to connect an SPC power control device to the DSR1021 switch.
An SPC device is an 8- or 16-outlet device that can be used to control the power
state of any attached servers or serial devices using the DSView®software
residing on the user PC. The LAN port is used to establish an Ethernet
connection to the switch. The MODEM port may be used by remote users to
access the switch using a dial-up connection when an Ethernet connection is
not available.
The DSR1021 switch works over standard LAN connections. Users can access
servers or serial devices using:
•A 100BaseT Ethernet connection
•A V.34, V.90 or V.92-compatible modem for remote KVM access
and administration
•The local port
The IP-based DSR1021 switch gives you flexible server management control
from anywhere in the world.
Reduce cable bulk
With server densities continually increasing, cable bulk remains one of
the major concerns of every network Administrator. The DSR1021 switch
significantly reduces KVM cable volume in the rack by utilizing the innovative
DSRIQ module and single, industry-standard Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
CAT 5 cabling. This allows a higher server density while providing greater
airflow and cooling capacity.

4DSR Installer/User Guide
The DSRIQ module is powered directly from the server and provides Keep
Alive functionality when the DSR1021 switch is not powered up.
The DSRIQ-SRL (serial) module is a DCE device that provides the primary
interface between a serial device and a DSR1021 switch. It provides VT100
terminal emulation, break suppression and port history in a compact,
convenient module.
Access the DSR1021 switch via network connection
No special software or drivers are required on the attached, or host, computers.
Users access the DSR1021 switch and all attached systems via Ethernet or
using a V.34, V.90 or V.92 modem from a PC running the DSView software
application residing on the user PC. User PCs can be located anywhere a
valid network connection exists. The DSR1021 switch can be configured on
a separate network from your data network, allowing access to your servers
even if your applications network is down.
Simple point and click access to any server
When a user activates DSView software, it will display a listing of all computers
and serial devices to which the user has access permission. When a user selects
a server from the list, the video of the selected server is displayed in a Video
Viewer window. Multiple servers can be accessed by one user. Each additional
computer’s video will appear in a separate program window.
Create and manage user permissions with DES
encrypted security
An Administrator describes the configuration of computers attached to the
DSR1021 switch using the DSAdmin management application. Once the
topology is described, the Administrator then establishes which computers a
user has permission to access. Usernames and passwords are derived from
Windows NT®, Windows®2000 or Windows XP, eliminating the need for
redundant user databases. Once the topology is established, the DSAuth
Server software manages the system’s user permissioning. The DSView
software polls the server running DSAuth Server software for access
permissions on power up and every time a switch is initiated for the most
current permissions possible. A refresh is also available for immediate
updates to a user’s access profile. In addition to the permissioning function,
the DSAuth Server software also stores pertinent information about attached
devices in a database. Room location, rack location and server type can all
be stored for quick reference.

Chapter 1: Product Overview 5
Figure 1.1: Example DSR1021 Switch Configuration
DSR1021 Switch
Ethernet
Telephone
Network
Modem
Analog User
(OSCAR®graphical
user interface)
Digital User
(DSView Software)

6DSR Installer/User Guide
Figure 1.2: The DSR1021 Switch
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 server 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 power cord in any Avocent product configuration.
•Test AC outlets at the server and monitor for proper polarity
and grounding.
•Use only with grounded outlets at both the server and monitor. When
using a backup Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), power the server, the
monitor and the DSR1021 switch off the supply.
NOTE: The AC inlet is the main disconnect.
Rack mount safety considerations
•Elevated Ambient Temperature: If installed in a closed rack assembly, the
operation temperature of the rack environment may be greater than room
ambient. Use care not to exceed the rated maximum ambient temperature
of the appliance.
•Reduced Air Flow: Installation of the equipment in a rack should be such
that the amount of airflow required for safe operation of the equipment is
not compromised.
•Mechanical Loading: Mounting of the equipment in the rack should be such
that a hazardous condition is not achieved due to uneven mechanical loading.
•Circuit Overloading: Consideration should be given to the connection
of the equipment to the supply circuit and the effect that overloading of
circuits might have on overcurrent protection and supply wiring. Consider
equipment nameplate ratings for maximum current.
•Reliable Earthing: Reliable earthing of rack mounted equipment should
be maintained. Pay particular attention to supply connections other than
direct connections to the branch circuit (for example, use of power strips).
Modem Digital 1
sessions/output
Ethernet Digital 1
sessions/output
DSR1021 Switch
Number of servers 8
Analog user 1

Contents
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installing the DSR Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2
Installation

Chapter 2: Installation 9
Chapter 2: Installation
The DSR switching system requires that the DSView software, DSAdmin
management application and DSAuth Server be installed prior to use. DSView
software allows a user to view and control a server attached to the DSR
switching system. The DSAdmin management application is used to configure
and maintain the system. The DSAuth Server is a Windows NT or 2000 service
used to prevent unauthorized access to the DSR switching system. More
information on the DS Management Software suite can be found in your
DSView Installer/User Guide.
The DSR switching system transmits keyboard, video and mouse (KVM)
information between operators and connected computers on a network using
either an Ethernet connection or a modem connection.
If you are using an Ethernet networking infrastructure, the TCP/IP protocol is
used for communications with the DSR1021 switch. Although 10BaseT
Ethernet may be used for an Ethernet connection, Avocent recommends a
dedicated, switched 100BaseT network.
If communication with the DSR1021 switch will be made using a V.34, V.90 or
V.92 modem, the PPP protocol will be used. You may specify Point-to-Point
Protocol (PPP) parameters using the Terminal Applications menu. See Chapter
4 for more information.
Getting Started
Before installing your DSR1021 switch, refer to the following lists to ensure you
have all items that shipped with the DSR1021 switch as well as other items
necessary for proper installation.
Supplied with the DSR1021 switch
The following items are supplied with your DSR1021 switch:
•DSR1021 switch
•Local country power cord
•Rack mounting brackets
•Null modem cable
•DSR Installer/User Guide
•DSR1021 Quick Installation Guide

10 DSR Installer/User Guide
Additional items needed
The following are additional items needed to use your DSR1021 switch:
•One DSRIQ module per server or DSRIQ-SRL module per serial device
•One CAT 5 patch cable per server or serial device (4-pair UTP, up to
10 meters)
•DSR software
•V.34, V.90 or V.92 - compatible modem and cables (for optional
modem connection)
Verification of Internet/server connections
DSR switch
The front panel of the DSR1021 switch features two LEDs indicating the
Ethernet connection. The top green LED is the Link indicator. It will
illuminate when a valid connection to the network is established and blink
when there is activity on the port. The lower amber LED, labeled 100M, will
indicate that you are communicating at the 100 Mb rate when using an
Ethernet connection.
Additionally, there are two LEDs above each port number on the front of your
DSR1021 switch: one green and one amber. The green LED will illuminate
when the attached system is powered. The amber LED will illuminate when
that port is selected.
DSRIQ modules
PS/2, Sun and USB DSRIQ modules are available for attaching computers to
your DSR switch.
The DSRIQ-SRL serial module is used to connect serial devices to your DSR
switch and features two green LEDs: a POWER LED and a STATUS LED.
The POWER LED indicates that the attached server is powered. The STATUS
LED indicates that a valid UTP connection has been made to a DSR switch.
The DSRIQ-SRL module prevents a serial break from the attached device if
the module loses power. However, a user can generate a serial break with the
attached device by pressing Alt-B in the Terminal Applications menu.

Chapter 2: Installation 11
Setting up your network
The DSR switching system uses IP addresses to uniquely identify the server
running the DSAuth application, the DSR switch appliances and the computers
running DSView software. The DSR1021 switch supports both Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and static IP addressing. Avocent recommends
that IP addresses be reserved for each appliance and that they remain static
while the DSR switch appliances are connected to the network. For additional
information on how the DSR switch uses the TCP protocol, see Appendix B of
the DSView Installer/User Guide. Figure 2.1 shows the DSR1021 switch in a
network configuration.
Figure 2.1: The DSR1021 Switch in a Network Configuration
Installing the DSR Switch
The following diagram illustrates one possible configuration for your DSR1021
switch. Follow the detailed instructions to successfully install your
DSR1021 switch.
DSR1021 Switch
Ethernet
Telephone
Network
Modem
Analog User
(OSCAR interface)
Digital User
(DSView Software)
Authentication
Services
(DSAdmin
Management
Application)

12 DSR Installer/User Guide
Figure 2.2: Basic DSR1021 Switch Configuration
A1
Digital User
SETUP Port
for updating
fi rmware
DSR1021 Switch
KVM
Connections
Power
Cord
CAT 5
Cable
Analog User
Server
DSRIQ Module
PS/2, USB, Sun
and serial adaptors
are available
Server
Server
Server
Ports
1-8
Internet Connection
Ethernet and/or
Modem
SPC
Power Control
Device
Ethernet
Telephone
Network
SPC Port
Connection

Chapter 2: Installation 13
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to your equipment -
- Do not disable the power cord grounding plug. The grounding plug is an important safety feature.
- Plug the power cord into a grounded (earthed) outlet that is easily accessible at all times.
- Disconnect the power from the appliance by unplugging the power cord from either the
electrical outlet or the appliance.
To install the DSR1021 switch hardware:
1. Remove the DSR1021 switch from the packing material.
2. Connect a terminal or PC running terminal emulation software (such as
HyperTerminal®) to the SETUP port on the back panel of the DSR1021
switch using the supplied null modem cable. The terminal should be set to
9600 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity and no flow control.
3. Plug the supplied power cord into the back of the DSR1021 switch and
then into an appropriate power source.
4. When the power is switched on, the Power indicator on the front of the
appliance will blink for approximately 30 seconds while performing a self-
test. Approximately 10 seconds after it stops blinking, press the Enter key
to access the main menu.
NOTE: The DSR1021 switch may be rack mounted in a 1U configuration. The DSR1021 switch
does not support a ØU configuration.
To configure the DSR1021 switch hardware:
1. You will see the Terminal Applications menu with ten options. Select
option 1, Network Configuration.
Figure 2.3: Network Configuration Menu

14 DSR Installer/User Guide
2. Select option 1 to set your network speed. When possible, you should set
your connection manually without relying on the auto negotiate feature.
Once you enter your selection, you will be returned to the Network
Configuration menu.
3. Select option 2 and specify if you are using a static or Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP) address. A static IP address may be used
to provide a user-defined IP address, netmask and default gateway for the
DSR1021 switch.
DHCP is a protocol that automates the configuration of TCP/IP-enabled
computers. When DHCP is selected, the IP Address, Netmask and Default
Gateway settings are automatically assigned to the DSR1021 switch and
may not be modified by a DS user. If you are using the DHCP option,
please configure your DHCP server to provide an IP address to the
DSR1021 switch, skip step 4 and continue to the next procedure.
4. Select options 3-6 from the Terminal Applications menu, in turn, to finish
configuring your DSR1021 switch for IP address, netmask, default gateway
and ping response. Once this is completed, type a Øand press Enter to
return to the main menu.
Adjusting mouse settings on target machines
NOTE: We highly recommend that all Windows systems attached to the DSR1021 switch use
the default Windows PS/2 mouse driver.
Before a PC running Windows NT, 2000 or XP that is connected to the DSR1021
switch may be used for remote user control, an adjustment to the target
mouse’s Motion tab must be made. Use the default Microsoft®Windows PS/2
mouse driver for all Microsoft Windows systems attached to the appliance.
For Microsoft Windows NT (using default drivers):
1. From the Desktop, select Start - Settings - Control Panel - Mouse. The
Mouse Properties dialog box will appear.
2. Click on the Motion tab.
3. Set the Pointer speed to Slow. This will also need to be done for any NT
user account that will be accessing the NT system through the
DSR1021 switch.
4. Set Acceleration to None for mouse sync.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Mouse Align in the DSView software remote session window(s) to
resynchronize the mouse.

Chapter 2: Installation 15
For Windows 2000 (using default drivers):
1. From the Desktop, select Start - Settings - Control Panel - Mouse. The
Mouse Properties dialog box will appear.
2. Click on the Motion tab.
3. Set Speed to the default of 50% (the sixth tick mark from the left).
4. Set Acceleration to None for mouse sync.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Mouse Align in the DSView software remote session window(s) to
resynchronize the mouse.
For Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 (using default drivers):
1. From the Desktop, select Start - Control Panel - Mouse. The Mouse
Properties dialog box will appear.
2. Click on the Pointer Options tab.
3. Set Speed to the default of 50% (the sixth tick mark from the left).
4. Uncheck the Enhance pointer precision checkbox.
5. Click OK.
6. Click Mouse Align in the DSView software remote session window(s) to
resynchronize the mouse.
For IntelliPoint drivers:
1. From the Desktop, select Start - Settings - Control Panel - Mouse. The
Mouse Properties dialog box will appear.
2. Click on the Pointer Options tab.
3. Set the speed setting to the default, which is the midpoint of the Pointer Speed
slider (five tick marks on each side of the slider).
4. Click Advanced. The Advanced Pointer Speed dialog box will appear.
5. Uncheck the Enable pointer acceleration checkbox, then click OK to close
the dialog box.
6. Click OK to close the Mouse Properties dialog box.
7. Click Mouse Align in the DSView software remote session window(s) to
resynchronize the mouse.

16 DSR Installer/User Guide
For Red Hat®Linux®drivers:
1. From the Desktop Controls, select the mouse settings.
2. Set acceleration to 1.0 and apply the changes.
3. Click Mouse Align in the DSView software remote session window(s) to
resynchronize the mouse.
For Sun Solaris™ drivers:
NOTE: To use a Sun Solaris driver, you must upgrade the DS Management Software suite
to version 1.0.9.202 or later on your host system and DSR1021 switch firmware to version
1.0.0.106 or later. See Installation in the DSView Installer/User Guide for information on
upgrading the DS Management Software Suite. See Appendix A for information on upgrading
DSR1021 switch fi r m w a r e .
1. From the Solaris Common Desktop Environment (CDE) front panel, select
File Manager - Applications. The Application Manager will appear.
2. From the Application Manager, double-click Desktop_Controls. The
Application Manager - Desktop_Controls will appear.
3. From the Application Manager - Desktop_Controls, double-click Mouse
Style Manager. The Style Manager Mouse dialog box will appear.
4. Set Acceleration to 1.0 for mouse sync.
5. Click OK.
6. In the DSView software remote session windows, select Video - Scaling -
Auto Scale.
7. In the DSView software remote session windows, select Mouse - Scale. The
Mouse Scaling dialog box will appear.
8. In the Scaling Type area, select Normal, then click OK.
9. Click Mouse Align in the DSView software remote session window(s) to
resynchronize the mouse.
To connect a DSRIQ module to each server:
1. Attach the appropriately color-coded connectors of a DSRIQ module to the
keyboard, monitor and mouse ports on the first server you will be connecting
to this DSR1021 switch.
2. Attach one end of the CAT 5 cabling that will run from your DSRIQ
module to the DSR1021 switch to the RJ-45 connector on the
DSRIQ module.