Avocent Outlook 180DX Installation and maintenance instructions

Installer/User Guide
OutLook 180DX

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.

OutLook 180DX
Installer/User Guide
Avocent, the Avocent logo and “The Power of Being There” are
trademarks of Avocent Corporation. OutLook and OSCAR are
registered trademark of Apex Inc. All other marks are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2001 Avocent Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les
limites applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement
sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le Ministère des Communications du Canada.
Japanese Notification
Agency Approvals
UL 1950, CSA C22. 2 No. 950, EN60950, IEC 60950
FCC part 15A, EN55022, EN55024

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Product Overview
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 2: Installation
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Rack Mounting your OutLook 180DX Unit . . . . . . 9
Installing an OutLook 180DX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installing a Multiple Switch System . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Powering up the OutLook Switch System . . . . . . . 16
Chapter 3: Basic Operations
Viewing and Selecting Ports and Servers . . . . . . . . 19
Setting up OSCAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Using Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Resetting your Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . . . . . 30
Displaying Version Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Sending the Print Screen Keystroke . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations
Assigning Device Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Accessing OSCAR at a Secondary Switch . . . . . . . 36
Broadcasting to Cascaded Configurations . . . . . . 36
Appendices
Appendix A: FLASH Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Appendix B: Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . 42
Appendix C: Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Appendix D: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Contents
1
Product Overview
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chapter 1: Product Overview 3
Chapter 1: Product Overview
Features and Benefits
The Avocent OutLook 180DX switch system consists of the user station (your
keyboard, monitor and mouse), the switch unit and the attached servers. You
can connect additional, or secondary, switches to the primary OutLook switch
(called cascading) to expand the 180DX system to 64 servers. This flexibility
allows you to add capacity as your data center grows.
Figure 1.1: OutLook 180DX Model
OSCAR user interface
OutLook switches are equipped with OSCAR, our patented On-Screen
Configuration and Activity Reporting interface. OSCAR features intuitive
menus to configure your switch system and select computers. Computers can
be identified by a unique name or port number, allowing you to select server
names that make sense to you.
Multiplatform support
The OutLook 180DX supports PS/2 and expands to support multiple platforms
with adaptors for Apple, Sun, Unix, IBM RS/6000, HP 9000 and serial devices.
Switch easily across platforms with OSCAR.
Security
Protect your system with a screen saver password. After a user-defined time,
the screen saver mode will engage. Access is prohibited until the appropriate
password is entered to reactivate the system.
Quality video support
The OutLook 180DX supports analog VGA, SVGA and XGA video. The
resolution you can achieve depends upon the length of cable separating your
switch and servers. Achieve resolutions of up to 1600 x 1200 with a 7 foot cable
and up to 800 x 600 with a 50 foot cable.
Plug and Play
The OutLook system supports Display Data Channel Plug and Play, which
automates configuration of the monitor and is compliant with the VESA
DDC2B standard.
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4 OutLook 180DX Installer/User Guide
FLASH upgradable
The OutLook 180DX is FLASH upgradable. This allows you to update your
firmware at any time through a simple serial connection to ensure that your
OutLook system is always running the most current version available.
Built-in scanning capabilities
A built-in scanning feature allows you to automatically monitor, or scan,
connected computers without intervention. When keyboard activity is
detected, scanning is suspended until all activity stops. Scanning then resumes
with the next server in sequence.
Cascading expansion
Each OutLook 180DX switch supports up to eight directly attached servers. If
more than eight are needed, multiple units can be cascaded together with one
unit designated as the primary switch and additional units connected to it as
secondary switches. This extra cascade of units allows you to attach up to 64
servers in one system.
Figure 1.2: Example OutLook Configuration

Chapter 1: Product Overview 5
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.
• Use only Avocent-supplied cable to connect computers and KVM switches.
Avocent warranties do not apply to damage resulting from user-supplied cable.
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 conguration.
• 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 power supply (UPS), power the computer, the monitor and
the OutLook unit 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 unit.
• Reduced Air Flow: Installation of the equipment in a rack should be such
that the amount of airow 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).

6 OutLook 180DX Installer/User Guide

Contents
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Rack Mounting your OutLook 180DX Unit . . . . . . 9
Installing an OutLook 180DX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Installing a Multiple Switch System . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Powering Up the OutLook Switch System . . . . . . . 16
2
Installation

Chapter 2: Installation 9
Chapter 2: Installation
Getting Started
Before installing your OutLook system, refer to the lists below to ensure that
you have all the items that shipped with the OutLook as well as all other items
necessary for proper installation.
Supplied with the OutLook
Your OutLook switch package contains the following items:
• OutLook 180DX unit
• Local country power cord
• OutLook 180DX Installer/User Guide
• OutLook 180DX Quick Installation Guide
• Download Instructions
Optional items
• 19 inch Switch Mounting Bracket Kit (available from Avocent)
• Serial cable, DB9 female, to update rmware
• Adaptors (available from Avocent)
• To connect a PC computer that has a serial mouse—ELC-11KM
• To connect a Macintosh computer with an ADB keyboard—ELC-12KM
• To connect a Sun workstation—ELC-11ST
• To connect a serial device—ELC-15TE
• To connect a Sync-on-green video card (option for HP9000/RS6000
computers)—ELC-11RVA, ELC-11RVB
Rack Mounting your OutLook 180DX Unit
You can either place your switch on your desktop or rack mount your unit into
an EIA standard rack.
Obtain a 19 inch Switch Mounting Bracket Kit (1U) to rack mount your
OutLook. Before installing the switch and other components in the rack,
stabilize the rack in a permanent location. Start rack mounting your
equipment at the bottom of the rack, then work to the top. Avoid uneven
loading or overloading of racks.
CAUTION: Rack Loading - Overloading or uneven loading of racks may result in shelf or rack
failure, causing damage to equipment and possible personal injury. Stabilize racks in a
permanent location before loading begins. Mount components beginning at the bottom of the
rack, then work to the top. Do not exceed your rack load rating.

10 OutLook 180DX Installer/User Guide
CAUTION: Power Considerations - Connect only to the power source specied on the unit.
When multiple electrical components are installed in a rack, assure the total component power
ratings do not exceed circuit capabilities. Overloaded power sources and extension cords
present re and shock hazards.
To install the switch mounting bracket:
1. Line up the holes in the “long side” of the kit’s side brackets with the
screw holes in the switch.
2. With an Allen wrench, fasten the mounting brackets to the switch using
two #8-32 button head socket cap screws on each side.
3. Attach the six rack nut/holders to the mounting rail of the rack so that the
nut is positioned on the inside of the rack.
4. Mount the switch assembly to the rack by matching the holes in the
“short side” of each bracket to an appropriate set of matching holes on
your equipment rack, then inserting #10-32 Phillips screws through the
slots in the bracket and the holes in the mounting rail and then into the
rack/nut holders.
Figure 2.1: Rack Mounting Diagram

Chapter 2: Installation 11
Installing an OutLook 180DX
The diagram below illustrates one possible configuration for your OutLook
180DX switch. Follow the step-by-step instructions to properly install your
new switch.
Figure 2.2: Installation Example
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 unit by unplugging the power cord from either the electrical
outlet or the unit.
100-240V -AC|1-.5 A
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
User A
OutLook 180DX
PS/2 Reset button
DB9 serial port for
updating firmware
Servers 2-8
Server 1

12 OutLook 180DX Installer/User Guide
To install an OutLook 180DX switch:
1. Prepare the location for the switch. See Rack Mounting your OutLook
180DX Unit in this chapter if you are rack mounting the unit.
2. Select cables with appropriate connectors and length. (See Appendix B for
cable specications.)
NOTE: Cable length affects video quality as well as keyboard and mouse data timing. The
maximum cable length is determined in part by the computer and peripherals used. Not all
systems will give satisfactory results at the maximum length.
3. Connect the mouse, video and keyboard cables to the appropriate switch
connectors. Note that all keyboard and mouse cables are 6-pin miniDIN
PS/2 style and all the video cables are 15-pin VGA/SVGA style. (These
connectors are located on the left rear of the switch unit.)
NOTE: Keyboard and mouse connectors on the OutLook switch work with cables that have a
locking mechanism. The cable lock prevents cables from becoming disconnected from the switch
connectors due to the weight of the cable bundles or accidental tension from handling cables.
4. Select the computer that is to be connected to Port 1. Attach the computer’s
mouse to the appropriate connector on Port 1. Attach the computer’s monitor
to the 15-pin VGA connector. Attach the computer’s keyboard to the
appropriate connector. Bundle and label the cables for easy identication.
5. Repeat step 4 for all remaining servers to be connected to the switch unit.
6. Connect the power cord to the switch unit.

Chapter 2: Installation 13
Installing a Multiple Switch System
The following diagram illustrates one possible cascading configuration using
your OutLook switch. Perform this installation if you want to add another
switch to your existing system. Follow the step-by-step instructions to properly
cascade your new OutLook switch.
Figure 2.3: Multiple Switch Installation Example
10 0 -2 4 0 V-AC| 1 -.5 A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10 0 -2 4 0 V-AC| 1 -.5 A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
User A
OutLook 180DX
Primary Switch
PS/2 Reset button
DB9 serial port
for updating
firmware
OutLook 180DX
Secondary Switch
Servers 2-8
Server 1
Servers 2-8

14 OutLook 180DX Installer/User Guide
Checklist of Steps for Adding a Secondary Switch
At the Primary Switch At the Secondary Switch
1. Select its location.
2. Connect cables to station connections.
3. Connect cables to a port.
4. Power up switch.
5. Plug in power cord and power up switch.
6. Assign specic device types.
7. Connect servers.
8. Power up servers.
9. If switch was previously used as a primary
device, then reset OSCAR defaults (optional).
10. Check status of secondary servers.
11. Check mouse, keyboard and video functions.
12. Perform Snapshot.
13. Perform Snapshot.
14. Turn off Delay Time.
To add a secondary switch to an OutLook switch system:
1. Place the secondary switch in the desired location. Make sure the switch
is turned off and unplugged.
2. Connect the video, mouse and keyboard interconnecting cables to the user
port connections on the secondary switch.
3. Connect the video, mouse and keyboard cables (in this order) to the user
port connections on the primary switch.
4. Power up the primary switch.
5. Plug the power cord into its socket on the secondary switch and power up
the secondary switch.
6. At the primary switch, open OSCAR to assign a specic device type. This
designation makes the primary switch aware of the secondary switch:
a. Press Print Screen to open the OSCAR Selection screen.
b. Highlight Setup - Devices and press Enter.
c. Highlight the port number you want to alter and use the Plus ( + ) or
Minus ( – ) keys to identify the number of ports of the secondary
switch: 4-port, 8-port, 10-port or 16-port.
d. Press Enter.
7. Leave the power turned on to the secondary switch and connect the video,
mouse and keyboard cables (in this order) from the servers to the switch port.