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