Black Box ACU1600A User manual

SEPTEMBER 2001
ACU1600A
Multimedia
KVM Extender
Power Primary
Control
Local
Control
LOCAL CONTROL STATION
PRIMARY COMPUTER OR KVM SWITCH
UNIT
A
PRIMARY CONTROL STATION
SERIAL
LOCAL COMPUTER
Power Primary
CPU
Local
CPU
UNIT
B
Multimedia
KVM Extender
FREE tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone].
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Dr., Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
World-Wide Web: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
© Copyright 2001. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
Customer Support Information:

SEPTEMBER 2001
ACU1600A
Addendum for ServSwitch™ Wizard
Multimedia KVM Extender
Multimedia
KVM Extender
Power Primary
Control
Local
Control
LOCALCONTROLSTATION
PRIMARY COMPUTER OR KVM SWITCH
UNIT
A
PRIMARYCONTROLSTATION
SERIAL
LOCALCOMPUTER
Power Primary
CPU
Local
CPU
UNIT
B
Multimedia
KVM Extender
There is an error in your manual dated December 1999 for the ServSwitch™
Wizard Multimedia KVM Extender. It says in Section 2.2 that the Extender comes
with a PS/2®to PC/AT®keyboard-port adapter and a PS/2 to serial mouse-port
adapter. The Extender doesn’t come with either of these adapters. If you need a
PC/AT keyboard-port adapter, order product code FA212 separately; if you need a
serial mouse-port adapter, order product code FA314. We apologize for this error.
CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
© Copyright 2001. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

1
THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY
Welcome to the ServSwitch™ Family!
Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX®ServSwitch™Brand KVM switch! We
appreciate your business, and we think you’ll appreciate the many ways that your
new ServSwitch keyboard/video/mouse switch will save you money, time, and
effort.
That’s because our ServSwitch family is all about breaking away from the
traditional, expensive model of computer management. You know, the one-size-
fits-all-even-if-it-doesn’t model that says, “One computer gets one user station, no
more, no less.” Why not a single user station (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) for
multiple computers—even computers of different platforms? Why not a pair of
user stations, each of which can control multiple computers? Why not multiple
user stations for the same computer?
With our ServSwitch products, there’s no reason why not. We carry a broad line
of robust solutions for all these applications. Do you have just two PCs, and need
an economical alternative to keeping two monitors, keyboards, and mice on your
desk? Or do you need to share dozens of computers, including a mix of IBM®PC,
RS/6000®, Apple®Macintosh®, Sun Microsystems®, and SGI®compatibles among
multiple users with different access levels? Does your switch have to sit solidly on a
worktable and use regular everyday cables? Or does it have to be mounted in an
equipment rack and use convenient many-to-one cables? No matter how large or
small your setup is, no matter how simple or how complex, we’re confident we
have a ServSwitch system that’s just right for you.
The ServSwitch™family from Black Box—the one-stop answer for all your KVM-
switching needs!
*
This manual will tell you all about your new ServSwitch™ Wizard Multimedia
KVM Extender unit, including how to install, operate, and troubleshoot it. For an
introduction to the Extender, see Chapter 2. The Extender product code covered
in this manual is:
ACU1600A
This manual also includes information about the Extender’s Rackmount Kit, whose
product code is:
RMK19WX

2
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch and
ServSwitch Wizard are trademarks, of Black Box Corporation.
Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Compaq is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation.
Gateway is a trademark of Gateway 2000 Corporation.
Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard.
IBM, PC/AT, PS/2, RS/6000, and ThinkPad are registered trademarks, and
PC/XT is a trademark, of IBM Corporation.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks, and IntelliMouse is a
trademark, of Microsoft Corporation.
Sun and Sun Microsystems are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in
the United States and other countries.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the
trademark owners.

3
FCC/IC STATEMENTS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO-FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not
installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested
and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance
with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own
expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the
interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
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 publié par Industrie Canada.

4
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A
computing device in accordance with the specifications in the European standard
EN55022. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio-
frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, might cause harmful interference to radio or television reception.
However, there is no guarantee that harmful interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment on and
off, you can correct the interference with one or more of the following measures:
(a) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
(b) Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
(c) Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
(d) Consult the supplier or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Shielded cables must be used with this equipment to maintain compliance with
radio frequency energy emission regulations and ensure a suitably high level of
immunity to electromagnetic disturbances.

5
NOM STATEMENT
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de
que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca
de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc.
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que
sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá
a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser
referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,
alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar
en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de
ventilación.
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.

6
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización
del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del
aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas
de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea
usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su
desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications ............................................................................................. 9
2. Introduction ............................................................................................. 12
2.1 Features and Benefits of the Extender ............................................ 13
2.2 The Complete Extender Package .................................................... 15
2.3 The Extender Illustrated .................................................................. 16
2.4 Safety Concerns ................................................................................. 17
3. Installation ................................................................................................ 18
3.1 What You Will Need .......................................................................... 18
3.2 Placement .......................................................................................... 19
3.3 Connecting Your Devices ................................................................. 20
3.3.1 Connecting User Equipment (Not Including
Serial Equipment) ................................................................ 20
3.3.2 Connecting CPU/KVM-Switch Ports (Not Including
Non-Mouse Serial Ports) ...................................................... 20
3.3.3 Connecting Serial Equipment/Ports (Optional) ................. 21
3.4 Interconnecting the Extender Units ............................................... 24
3.5 Powering the System ......................................................................... 24
4. Configuration ........................................................................................... 26
4.1 Configuring Your PCs ....................................................................... 27
4.2 Configuring the Extender ................................................................ 28
4.2.1 Setting the DIP Switches ....................................................... 28
4.2.2 Using Configuration Mode .................................................. 32
4.2.2.A Setting the Video Compensation ........................... 32
4.2.2.B Issuing Other Configuration-Mode
Keyboard Commands ........................................... 34
4.3 Configuring for a Serial Mouse ........................................................ 36
4.4 Setting a Password for the Extender ................................................ 36
4.5 Resetting the Extender to Its Factory-Default Configuration ........ 37

8
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
Contents (continued)
Chapter Page
5. Operation ................................................................................................. 38
5.1 Power-Up Status .............................................................................. 38
5.2 The Extender’s LEDs ..................................................................... 39
5.3 How the Extender Uses the Keyboard LEDs ................................ 40
5.4 Switching Between CPUs at the Primary Control Station ............ 42
5.5 Contending for Control of the Primary CPU ............................... 43
5.6 Things to Keep in Mind About the Keyboards and Mice ............ 45
5.7 Keyboard Control: Hotkey Commands ......................................... 46
5.8 Mouse Control ................................................................................ 48
5.9 Hot-Plugging PS/2 Mice and Mouse Ports into the Extender
and Re-Enabling Disconnected CPU PS/2 Mouse Ports .......... 49
5.10 Audio Support (Stereo Speakers/Headphones and
Microphone) ................................................................................ 51
5.11 RS-232 Serial Support ..................................................................... 52
6. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 54
6.1 Things to Try ..................................................................................... 54
6.2 Resetting the Extender (Hardware Reset) ...................................... 57
6.3 Displaying the Extender’s Firmware Revision ................................. 57
6.4 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 58
6.5 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 58
Appendix A: Guidelines for Twisted-Pair Cabling ........................................ 59
Appendix B: Serial Pinouts ............................................................................ 61
Appendix C: Rackmounting .......................................................................... 63

9
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
1. Specifications
Cable Required — Between Units A and B: Four-pair (eight-wire) Category 5
or higher unshielded twisted-pair (UTP); shielded
twisted-pair (STP) can also be used at shorter distances
Compliance — CE (EN55022 Class A); FCC Part 15 Subpart J Class A,
IC Class/classe A
Standards — VGA, SVGA, XGA, or XGA-2 video
Interfaces — Video: VGA;
Keyboard and mouse: IBM PS/2 compatible;
Serial: EIA/TIA RS-232, pinned according to TIA-574,
DCE;
Audio: 3.5-mm stereo
Resolution and
Refresh Rate — At distances to 65 m (210 ft.): Up to 1600 x 1280
noninterlaced at up to 85 Hz;
At distances to 100 m (325 ft.): Up to 1600 x 1280
noninterlaced at up to 65 Hz;
At distances to 200 m (655 ft.): Up to 1024 x 768
noninterlaced at up to 65 Hz;
See Section 4.1 for more details about these guidelines
Supported Serial
Characteristics — Transmission protocol: Asynchronous;
Handshaking/device protocol: Mouse (supersedes all
other RS-232 settings), hardware, or none, user-
selectable;
Data rate: 1200 or 9600 bps, user-selectable;
Data format: 7 or 8 data bits; even, odd, or no parity; and
1 or 2 stop bits; user-selectable

10
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
Maximum
Distance — Between Units: Up to 200 m (655 ft.) of unshielded
twisted-pair cable or 100 m (325 ft.) of shielded
twisted-pair cable;
From Unit A without optional power supply:
2 m (6 ft.) to any attached keyboard, monitor, or
mouse;
3 m (10 ft.) to any attached CPU;
10 m (32 ft.) to any attached audio or serial device;
From Unit B or from Unit A with optional power supply:
10 m (32 ft.) to any attached keyboard, monitor, or
mouse;
15 m (50 ft.) to any attached audio or serial device;
20 m (65 ft.) to any attached CPU
User Controls — Keyboard commands;
Mouse-click functions;
(1) Side mounted 8-position DIP switch on each Unit;
switches on Units A and B control different options
and functions
Indicators — (3) Top-mounted LEDs on each Unit:
On Unit A: Power (green), Primary Control (red), and
Local Control (red);
On Unit B: Power (green), Primary CPU (red), and
Local CPU (red);
Extender also indicates compensation, control-lockout,
and password-lockout modes by flashing various
patterns on the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock
LEDs of the attached keyboard(s)

11
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Connectors — All side-mounted on both Units A and B (user/
peripheral connections optional on Unit A, CPU
connections optional on Unit B):
(2) HD15 female: (1) to monitor, (1) to CPU’s video
port;
(4) 6-pin mini-DIN female: (1) to keyboard, (1) to
mouse, (1) to CPU’s keyboard port, and (1) to
CPU’s mouse port;
(4) 3.5-mm stereo jacks: (1) to audio-input device,
(1) to audio-output device, (1) to CPU’s audio-in
port, (1) to CPU’s audio-out port;
(1) DB9 female for serial-device attachment;
(1) Barrel jack for power-supply attachment
Power — Unit A without using included power supply:
5 VDC at 500 mA from attached CPU’s keyboard
interface;
Unit B or Unit A using included power supply:
Input: 100 to 240 VAC at 50 to 60 Hz from utility-power
(mains) outlet, through detachable power cord and
IEC 320 inlet, to external transformer;
Output: 5 VDC at up to 2.5 A from transformer to
Extender (Unit A normally draws only 500 mA,
Unit B draws only 1.5 A);
Consumption: Typically 2.5 watts by Unit A, 7.5 watts by
Unit B
Maximum
Altitude — 10,000 ft. (3048 m)
Temperature
Tolerance — 32 to 104˚F (0 to 40˚C)
Humidity
Tolerance — 5 to 60% noncondensing
Enclosure — Steel and aluminum
Size — 1.3"H x 6.5"W x 5.6"D (3.3 x 16.5 x 14.2 cm)
Weight — Net: 1.1 lb. (0.5 kg) per Unit;
Shipping: At least 7.5 lb. (3.4 kg)

12
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
2. Introduction
The ServSwitch™ Wizard Multimedia KVM Extender is a high-performance
keyboard-, monitor-, and mouse-extension device that supports a wide range of
IBM®PC compatible hardware and software platforms. It also supports audio and
serial extension, and it supports switching between remote and optional same-site
connections.
The Extender consists of a “Unit A” to which you’ll attach the I/O ports of a
computer CPU plus a “Unit B” to which you’ll attach a control station (keyboard,
monitor, mouse, and, if you want, audio-input and audio-output devices). These
two Units are linked together with cable rated to at least Category 5. You can even
attach a second control station to Unit A and/or a second CPU to Unit B and
switch between the primary and secondary equipment.
Important: Throughout this manual, we’ll use a set of terms to refer to the
components of an Extender system. Please familiarize yourself with these terms,
which are listed below, as you refer to the system diagram in Figure 2-1 on the next
page.
•Unit A is the unit attached to the primary CPU (the CPU that can be accessed
from either of the two control stations).
•Unit B is the unit attached to the primary control station (the control station
that can access either of the two CPUs).
• The primary CPU is the required CPU attached to Unit A. It can be accessed
either from the local control station, also attached to Unit A, or across the
Extender’s CAT5 link from the primary control station attached to Unit B;
these stations contend for access.
• The local CPU is the optional CPU attached to Unit B. It can be accessed only
by the primary control station, also attached to Unit B.
• The primary control station is the required control station attached to Unit B.
It can either access the local CPU, also attached to Unit B, or reach across the
Extender’s CAT5 link to access the primary CPU; this access is user-switchable.
• The local control station is the optional control station attached to Unit A. It
can access only the primary CPU, also attached to Unit A.

13
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
Figure 2-1. Attachment and control in an Extender system.
2.1 Features and Benefits of the Extender
Here are some of the useful features of the ServSwitch Wizard Multimedia KVM
Extender and some of the ways those features benefit you:
• Control a local PC from a remote keyboard, monitor, and mouse up to 200
meters (655 ft.) away.
• Optionally, you can also control the local PC from a local keyboard, monitor,
and mouse, or you can also control a remote PC from the remote keyboard,
monitor, and mouse.
• Uses a single Category 5 (or higher) unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable to
carry all supported signals between the local and remote sites.
• Supports IBM PS/2®, PC/AT®, RS/6000®, or compatible computers.
• Password protection prevents unauthorized use.
• Finely user-adjustable video compensation for the best possible video quality at
any supported cable length.
• Video compensation only needs to be done once, at installation time, because
the compensation setting is saved in EEPROM memory even when the
Extender is powered OFF.
• Supports high-bandwidth monitors at resolutions up to 1600 x 1280 pixels.
Extender
Unit B
Primary
Control Station
Primary CPU
Local CPU
Extension cable(s) Extension cable(s)
Direct connection
Direct connection
Local
Control Station
Extender
Unit A
control
control
control
(
s
w
i
t
c
h
i
n
g
)
(
c
o
n
t
e
n
t
i
o
n
)

14
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
• Emulates the presence of a keyboard and mouse at both the local and remote
sites. This means that the connected computer(s) can boot up automatically at
any time.
• Supports keyboard modes 1, 2, and 3, as well as both “prompt” and “stream”
mouse modes, for maximum compatibility.
• Mixed PC/AT and PS/2 keyboards and PS/2 and RS-232 mice supported as
standard.
• Support for Microsoft®IntelliMouse®and other common “wheel” mice.
• CPU switching with keyboard hotkey sequence or 3-button or wheel mouse.
• Automatically restores keyboard and mouse states when you switch between
local and remote PCs.
• Mouse-restoration functions to enable hot-plugging of certain systems.
• Supports stereo audio and microphone signals.
• Supports a single RS-232 serial link, which can be configured to suit most
standard applications.
• Supports IBM ThinkPad®and its “Y” cables.
• Includes screen-blank, variable-hotkey, hardware-reset, and variable control-
timeout options.
• LEDs on Extender indicate power status, the selected CPU, the controlling
station, and data activity.
• Flashes keyboard LEDs to indicate compensation, control, and locked modes.
• Includes all necessary cables, so installation is easy.
• Robust metal case ensures good shielding and video quality.

15
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2.2 The Complete Extender Package
You should have received these components with your ServSwitch Wizard
Multimedia KVM Extender:
• The Extender’s Unit A.
• The Extender’s Unit B.
• Unit B’s power supply.
• Unit A’s optional power supply.
• Four Velcro®mounting strips (see Section 3.2 for information about using
these).
• Two bonded three-to-three CPU-Extension Cables (product code EHN408),
one 5 ft. (1.5 m) long and one 10 ft. (3 m) long.
• Four 2.5-m (8.2-ft.) stereo audio cables, all with 3.5-mm stereo plugs. (These
will work fine with mono equipment).
• This manual.
If you didn’t receive everything, or if anything arrived damaged, contact Black Box
right away.

16
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
2.3 The Extender Illustrated
Figure 2-2. The Extender’s Unit A.
Figure 2-3. The Extender’s Unit B.
Connectors for cables running to the
primary CPU’s I/O ports:
From left to right, the video, microphone,
speaker, keyboard, and mouse ports
Connectors for cables running to the
optional local CPU’s I/O ports:
From left to right, the mouse, keyboard,
speaker, microphone, and video ports
Connectors for cables running to the
primary control station:
From left to right, to a mouse, keyboard,
speaker, microphone, and monitor
Connectors for cables running to the
optional local control station:
From left to right, to a monitor, microphone,
speaker, keyboard, and mouse
Auxiliary LEDs: Power
(green) and Primary
and Local Control (red)
Main LEDs: Power (green) and
Primary and Local Control (red)
Main (top) and
auxiliary (side) LEDs:
Power (green) and
Primary and Local
CPU (red)
Connector for the cable running
between Units A and B
Connector for the
cable running between
Units A and B
Connector for a
cable running to an
optional serial device
Connector
for a cable
running to
an
optional
serial
device
Connector for optional power supply
(5 VDC, at least 500 mA)
Connector for power supply
(5 VDC, at least 1.5 A)
DIP switch for
configuration
DIP switch for
configuration

17
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2.4 Safety Concerns
As you prepare to install the ServSwitch Wizard Multimedia KVM Extender, please
keep these things in mind, particularly if you purchase and use its optional power
supply:
• The Extender is for use in dry, oil-free indoor environments only.
•Warning: The Extender’s power supply contains no user-serviceable parts, but
it does contain parts capable of delivering hazardous electric shocks—do not
attempt to dismantle it!
• Plug the power supply into a socket outlet close to the Extender.
• Make sure that the rated current draw in amperes of all of the devices plugged
into the same outlet or circuit as the Extender does not exceed the outlet’s or
circuit’s rated current in amperes.
• Do not use the Extender’s power supply if its case becomes damaged, cracked,
or broken, or if you suspect that it is not operating properly.
• If the Extender’s power supply stops working, replace it with a manufacturer-
approved power supply of the same type only.

18
SERVSWITCH™ WIZARD MULTIMEDIA KVM EXTENDER
3. Installation
3.1 What You Will Need
These things must be in place before you can install your ServSwitch™ Wizard
Multimedia KVM Extender:
• Four-pair (eight-wire) twisted-pair cabling rated to at least Category 5. This
should be long enough to reach from your Extender’s Unit A to its Unit B, up
to a maximum of 200 meters (655 feet). Other specifications for this cabling
are given in Appendix A.
You can make use of any Category 5 structured-cabling systems that might
already be in place at your sites, but you should keep the number of cables and
connectors involved to a minimum in order to maximize signal quality.
• If you want to connect an older CPU with a PC/AT keyboard port and/or a
serial mouse port, you’ll need a PS/2 to PC/AT keyboard-port adapter
(product code FA212) and/or a PS/2 to serial mouse-port adapter (product
code FA314).
• Monitor(s) with a standard VGA/SVGA (HD15) connector that will work when
connected directly to each of your PCs. The Extender supports low- and high-
resolution monitors.
• Standard PC/AT or PS/2 style keyboard(s). If you are using a PC/AT
keyboard with a 5-pin DIN connector, you can connect it to the Extender
using a standard PC/AT to PS/2 keyboard adapter such as product code
FA211.
• A PS/2 style two- or three-button Microsoft or Logitech®compatible mouse or
a Microsoft IntelliMouse compatible mouse. If you want to use the mouse to
switch CPUs on the Extender, you will need a three-button mouse or an
IntelliMouse. (The Extender supports other “Internet mice” compatible with
the IntelliMouse—fitted with a wheel or other scrolling control, and
sometimes additional buttons—including the Logitech Pilot Mouse™+,
Logitech MouseMan®+, Genius®NetMouse®and Genius NetMouse Pro.)
Keep in mind that the Extender will operate without a mouse connected if
you don’t want to use one.