Black Box AC230A User manual

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
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Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
JUNE 1998
AC230A AC234A
AC231A AC235A
AC232A AC236A
AC233A AC237A
KVM Extender/Sharer (for VGA)
KVM EXTENDER/SHARER
LOCAL MODULE
POWER
KEYBOARD
MONITOR
HOST
MOUSE
KVM EXTENDER/SHARER
REMOTE MODULE
POWER
KEYBOARD
MONITOR
HOST
MOUSE
KVM EXTENDER/SHARER
HOST MODULE
REMOTE
MONITOR MOUSE
KEYBOARD
LOCAL
LOCAL
REMOTE

TRADEMARKS
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
AT, IBM, and PS/2 are registered trademarks, and PC/XT is a trademark,
of IBM Corporation.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowleged to be the property
of the trademark owners.
3

4
KVM EXTENDER/SHARERS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications ............................................................................................. 5
2. Introduction ............................................................................................... 6
2.1 General Overview ................................................................................ 6
2.2 Important Features ............................................................................. 6
2.3 What You Should Have Received ....................................................... 7
2.4 Other Items You Might Need ............................................................. 8
3. Installation .................................................................................................. 9
4. Operation ................................................................................................. 11
4.1 Plus Version Only: Setting Switch W4 .............................................. 12
4.2 Pro Version Only ............................................................................... 12
4.3 Types of Equipment Supported ....................................................... 13
4.3.1 Keyboards ....................................................................................13
4.3.2 Monitors ......................................................................................13
4.3.3 Mice .............................................................................................13
5. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 15
5.1 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 15
5.2 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 15
Appendix: Pinouts .......................................................................................... 16

5
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Standards — VGA
Interfaces — (4): PC keyboard, VGA video, PC serial
mouse, and proprietary composite
Maximum Distance — From Local module to Host module: 6 ft. (1.8 m);
From Host module to Remote module: 150 ft.
(45.7 m) with VGA KVM Extension Cable
(EHM027)
User Controls — Local modules: (1) Left-side-mounted toggle
switch for local vs. remote operation;
KVM Extender/Sharer Plus and Pro Host modules:
(1) Internal 4-position DIP switch for normal vs.
video-splitter operation
Indicator — Local and Remote modules: (1) Power LED (red)
Connectors — Communication between modules:
Host modules: (2) Rear-mounted DB15 female;
Local and Remote modules: (1) Right-side-
mounted DB15 male;
Keyboard: All modules: (1) Front-mounted 5-pin
DIN female;
Monitor:
Host modules: (1) Front-mounted DB15HD
male;
Local and Remote modules: (1) Right-side-
mounted DB15HD female;
Mouse: All modules: (1) Front-mounted DB25 male
Power — 5 VDC from the keyboard interface
Size — Host modules: 3.5"H x 5"W x 1"D
(8.9 x 12.7 x 2.5 cm);
Local and Remote Modules: 3"H x 5"W x 1"D
(7.6 x 12.7 x 2.5 cm)
Weight — Each Module: 0.6 lb. (0.3 kg)
1. Specifications

6
KVM EXTENDER/SHARERS
2.1 General Overview
The Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM) Extender/Sharers let you either
control a computer from a remote keyboard, monitor, and mouse, or share
a computer between two users (not at the same time). In Shared Mode, local
or remote user control is exercised through a switch on the Host Module of
the Extender/Sharer, which is connected directly to the computer.
The KVM Extender/Sharers work with IBM®PC/XT™, AT®, or PS/2®
computers and 100% compatibles. They support Video Graphics Array
(VGA) monitors and graphics, and are compatible with both powered and
nonpowered serial mice or any serial-interface device such as a trackball or
digitizer pad. They are transparent to application software, so remote displays
are updated immediately.
Your remote setup can be located up to 150 feet (45.7 m) away from the
computer. Of course, in order to share the computer between a local and
remote setup, an additional keyboard, monitor, and mouse (if the application
software requires one) must be purchased separately.
With the regular KVM Extender/Sharer, remote video is disabled when the
unit is switched to local operation and vice versa. With the KVM Extender/
Sharer Plus, video can be active at both sites, regardless of where the input is
coming from. And with the KVM Extender/Sharer Pro, not only can video
can be active at both sites, but you can switch control from site to site by
pressing any key on an inactive keyboard.
2.2 Important Features
• Can be used in Extension or Shared Mode—either operate your
computer solely from a Remote monitor, keyboard, and mouse, or
switch control back and forth between a Remote and a Local setup.
• Shared operation—your two sets of keyboard, monitor, and mouse can
be in different rooms, in different areas, or even on different floors, up
to 150 ft. (45.7 m) away.
• Remote lockout ability—prevents two users who are sharing a computer
from different locations from entering information at the same time.
• Transparent to all software and graphics—what you see on the local
monitor is what appears on the remote monitor.
2. Introduction

7
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
• Supports a serial input in addition to the keyboard at the remote site—
you can remotely use not only the keyboard but also any serial mouse,
trackball, light pen, or digitizer pad that complies with the Microsoft
Mouse standard.
• VGA Extender/Sharer Plus and Pro: Both monitors can display the same
screen simultaneously.
2.3 What You Should Have Received
AC230A (Complete VGA KVM Extender/Sharer system):
• (1) Host Module
• (1) Remote Module
• (1) Local Module
• (1) Cable to run from the PC’s keyboard port to the Host Module
(5-pin DIN male connectors on either end)
AC231A:
• (1) Host Module
• (1) Cable to run from the PC’s keyboard port to the Host Module
(5-pin DIN male connectors on either end)
AC232A:
• (1) Local Module
AC233A:
• (1) Remote Module
AC234A:
• (1) Host Module Plus
• (1) Cable to run from the PC’s keyboard port to the Host Module Plus
(5-pin DIN male connectors on either end)
AC235A (Complete VGA KVM Extender/Sharer Plus system):
• (1) Host Module Plus
• (1) Remote Module
• (1) Local Module
• (1) Cable to run from the PC’s keyboard port to the Host Module Plus
(5-pin DIN male connectors on either end)

8
KVM EXTENDER/SHARERS
AC236A (Complete VGA KVM Extender/Sharer Pro system):
• (1) Host Module Pro
• (1) Remote Module
• (1) Local Module
• (1) Cable to run from the PC’s keyboard port to the Host Module Pro
(5-pin DIN male connectors on either end)
AC237A:
• (1) Host Module Pro
• (1) Cable to run from the PC’s keyboard port to the Host Module Pro
(5-pin DIN male connectors on either end)
NOTE
All Host Modules and Systems also come with a copy of this manual.
2.4 Other Items You Might Need
You might need extra cabling and/or adapters to complete your
Extender/Sharer setup. See Figure 3-1 for where these components might
fit into your scheme.
• FA212: PS/2 Keyboard Adapter, 6-pin mini-DIN female to 5-pin DIN
male; allows you to plug PS/2 keyboards into Local or Remote Modules
or plug included keyboard cable from Host Modules into PS/2 CPU.
• EVNPS05-0005: VGA Video Extension Cable, 5 feet (1.5 m), to connect
Host Module or Host Module Plus to CPU’s VGA port.
• EHM027: VGA KVM Extension Cable (Host-to-Local-Modules and Host-
to-Remote-Modules Cable), up to 150 feet (45.7 m).

9
CHAPTER 3: Installation
The KVM Extender/Sharer modules are simple to install; Figure 3-1
below and Figure 3-2 on the next page show typical setups.
1. Connect the video, mouse, and keyboard cables from the computer
to the appropriately labeled connectors on the Host unit.
2. Run an appropriate extension cable (see Figure 3-1 or 3-2) from the
connector on the Host module labeled “Remote” to the connector on
the Remote module labeled “HOST.” Then run the cables from the
remote monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the appropriately labeled
connectors on the Remote Module.
3. Installation
= FA520 DB9F to DB25M
= FA-9027M DB9M to DB25F
= FA211 5 Pin Female to 6 Pin Male
= FA212 5 Pin Male to 6 Pin Female
Fig. 3-1. Typical application.
PC or PS/2
Keyboard Cable (included);
PS/2 users also need a
PS/2 Keyboard Adapter
(FA212)
VGA Video
Extension
Cable
(EVNPS05) RS-232 Cable
(ECN12C-MF)
Up to 150 ft. (45.7 m)
VGA KVM
Extension
Cable
(EHM027)
Local
Module
Mouse
Keyboard
Monitor
Host
Module
Remote
Module
Monitor
Mouse
Keyboard
[Only necessary for
PS/2 users: PS/2
Keyboard Adapter
(FA212)]
[Only necessary for PS/2 users: PS/2 Keyboard Adapter (FA212)]

10
KVM EXTENDER/SHARERS
If you’re going to use the Extender/Sharers in Shared Mode, run an
extension cable from the Host Module to the Local Module connector
labeled “HOST.” Then run the cables from your local monitor,
keyboard, and mouse (or other serial device) to the appropriately
labeled connectors on the Local Module.
NOTE
The Local Module should be placed no farther than 6 feet (1.8 m) from the
Host Module.
With all your cabling finished, you’re ready to start using your
Extender/Sharer equipment.
NOTE
You might need specialty cables for your Extender/Sharer application.
For example, in applications with PS/2 keyboards, you’ll need three PS/2
Keyboard Adapters (FA212). And to extend the distance between your
host and remote modules to 150 feet (45.7 m) for VGA, you’ll need an
extension cable. Refer to Section 2.4 for a complete list of cables and
adapters, and to Figure 3-1 for an illustration of where they fit in a typical
Extender/Sharer application.

11
CHAPTER 4: Operation
Once the computer system is booted, if you’re in the Extended Mode, you’re
ready to begin working.
NOTE
In Shared Mode, always cold-boot the system from the Local setup. If
you boot from the Remote Module, the results are unpredictable.
When the computer system is booted in the Shared Mode, the local user has
the option of remaining connected to the PC or switching control to the
remote keyboard, monitor, and mouse. There’s no need to go to the Remote
Module to power up, because both the Local and the Remote Modules are
powered from the computer.
To remain connected at the local setup, you don’t have to do anything. Just
type in commands or click on icons; control remains with the local display,
keyboard, and mouse.
To switch the connection to the remote location, the local user must flip a
switch on the Local module. With the switch in the “Remote” position,
“autosensing” is enabled. This means that the local keyboard can still be used,
but when a key is pressed on the remote keyboard, the remote site is activated
and the local keyboard is locked out. Connection can be returned to the local
user at any time by simply switching the “Local-Remote” switch to the “Local”
position.
Exit all applications before you switch control between Local and Remote
setups. This is because when you switch between Local and Remote operation
while running an application, no reset or initialize commands are sent to the
new setup (the application is already running—it doesn’t know about your
second keyboard, monitor, and mouse setup). Many keyboards and mice
cannot reset or initialize themselves; they require commands from the
computer. Without those commands, the keyboard and mouse at the location
you’ve just switched to might not work. If this happens, the application will
have to be rebooted once the second setup is connected to the computer.
4. Operation