Black Box ACUREM User manual

APRIL 2002
ACUREM
ACUMREM
ACUSREM
ACUVREM
ACUWREM
ACUREMSW
ACU1006MRA
ACU1006MRVA
Interconnect
REMOTE
Brightness Focus
Installation Guide for
ServSwitch™ Brand
CAT5 KVM Extender
Standalone Remote Units
and Remote Hubs
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 2002. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
Customer Support Information:
REMOTE-1G5

1
THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY
Welcome to the ServSwitchTM Family!
Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX®ServSwitch™Brand CAT5 KVM
Extender model! We appreciate your business, and we think you’ll appreciate the
many ways that your enhanced keyboard/video/mouse system 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 installation guide will tell you how to configure and install your new
ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM Extender Standalone Remote Unit or Remote
Hub. For an introduction to the Remote Unit or Remote Hub, see Chapter 2. The
Extender Standalone Remote Unit and Remote Hub product codes covered in this
guide are:
ACUREM
ACUMREM
ACUSREM
ACUVREM
ACUWREM
ACUREMSW
ACU1006MRA
ACU1006MRVA
Document REMOTE-1G5

2
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch,
ServSwitch Multi, and ServSwitch Wizard Pro are trademarks, of Black Box
Corporation.
Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
AT&T is a registered trademark of AT&T.
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
IBM, PC/AT, PS/2, and RS/6000 are registered trademarks, and PC/XT is a
trademark, of International Business Machines Corporation.
IntelliMouse, Microsoft, and Windows are registered trademarks and/or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.
Sun Microsystems is a trademark or registered trademark 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
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 B 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.
Shielded PC-equipment 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.
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.
FCC/IC STATEMENTS

4
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
WARNING!
This is a class A product. In a domestic environment, this product might
cause radio interference, in which case the user might be required to
take adequate remedial measures.
This product complies with the following harmonized standards:
• EN55022 (1994), EN55024 (1998)
• EN61000-3-2 (1995), EN61000-3-3 (1995), EN60950 (2000)
When you use this product in environments that have high levels of
electromagnetic interference, you might experience some slight disturbance in its
operation. If this occurs, please refer to the Troubleshooting chapter of this
installation guide or call technical support.
To maintain compliance, use only cables supplied (or recommended) for use
with this product.

5
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.
NOM STATEMENT

6
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
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 ............................................................................................. 14
3. Configuration ........................................................................................... 17
3.1 Setting the 2-Position DIP Switch on the Micro Remotes .............. 17
3.2 Setting the Cable-Length Jumpers in
All Non-Micro Remote Units ......................................................... 19
3.3 Setting the 4-Position DIP Switch in
All Non-Micro Remote Units ......................................................... 21
3.3.1 ACUREM and ACUSREM ...................................................... 21
3.3.2 ACUREMSW and ACUVREM ................................................ 22
3.4 Setting the Data-Rate Jumper in the ACUSREM ............................ 23
3.5 Setting the Flow-Control Jumpers in the ACUSREM ..................... 24
3.6 Setting the Microphone-Amplification Jumper in the
KVM/Serial/Audio Remotes (Not Normally Necessary) ............ 24
4. Installation and Adjustment .................................................................... 26
4.1 Test-Placement (Optional) .............................................................. 26
4.2 Attaching Devices .............................................................................. 26
4.2.1 Special Concerns About Connecting Audio Devices to the
KVM/Serial/Audio Extender .............................................. 28
4.2.2 Attaching a CPU to the CPU Port on an ACUREMSW
Switching Remote Unit ........................................................ 29
4.2.3 Attaching a KVM Switch to the CPU Port on an
ACUREMSW Switching Remote Unit .................................. 30
4.2.4 Attaching User Equipment to the User Port ......................... 33
4.2.5 Attaching a KVM Switch to the User Port ............................. 34
4.3 Finishing Your Installation ............................................................... 37
4.4 Adjusting the Video Compensation on a
Non-Micro Remote Unit ................................................................ 39
5. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 40
5.1 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 40
5.2 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 40

8
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
Appendix Page
Appendix A: Twisted-Pair Cable Pinning/Pairing ........................................ 41
Appendix B: Rackmounting Remotes ........................................................... 42
Appendix C: Setting Your KVM/Serial Extender System to 1200 bps ........ 44
Appendix D: Keyboard-Command Summary ............................................... 46
Appendix E: Distinguishing Features and Compatibility ............................. 48

9
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
1. Specifications
Cable Required: Between Remote and Local: Category 5 solid unshielded
or shielded twisted pair (UTP or STP), wired to the
EIA/TIA-568A or (preferred) -568B standard,
terminated with RJ-45 male connectors; for
pinning/pairing, see Appendix A
Compliance: CE Class A, FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class A, IC Class/
classe A
Compatibility: Video: VGA, SVGA, XGA, XGA-2, or RGsB (sync on
green), although if your system has monitor ID-bit
requirements, you might need to call Black Box for
technical support;
Keyboard: IBM PC/AT®or PS/2®compatible (PC/AT
types require connector adapter);
Mouse: IBM PS/2 compatible two-button, Microsoft®
IntelliMouse®, or Logitech®PS/2 compatible 3-button
Interfaces: Between Locals and Remotes: Proprietary composite of
all supported types of computer I/O;
To attached user-station equipment:
Depending on the type of unit, either separate or
proprietary composite VGA video and IBM PS/2
compatible keyboard and mouse;
KVM/Serial and KVM/Serial/Audio Remotes only:
EIA/TIA RS-232, DTE;
KVM/Serial/Audio Remotes only: Bidirectional
3.5-mm mini stereo audio
Video Bandwidth
(to –3 dB): All non-Micro models:
Intrinsic: 300 MHz;
Across 100 meters (330 feet) of UTP: 95 MHz (with
equalization)

10
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
Resolution: With Micro Remotes: Up to 1280 x 1024 noninterlaced;
With other types of Remotes:
Up to 1600 x 1280 noninterlaced at up to 60 m
(200 ft.);
Up to 1280 x 1024 noninterlaced at up to 120 m
(400 ft.);
Up to 1024 x 768 noninterlaced at up to 300 m
(1000 ft.)
Video I/O
Signal Levels: 0.7 volts peak-to-peak
Video
Compensation: With Micro Remotes: For short- or long-distance (user-
switchable);
With other types of Remotes: 3-stage continuously
variable
Synchronization: H/V or composite, TTL signal levels; sync polarity is
preserved
Video Coupling: DC
Serial
Characteristics: KVM/Serial models:
Data rate: 9600 or 19,200 bps (user-selectable); can
also be set to 1200 bps (see Appendix C);
Data format: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (fixed);
Flow control:
Hardware: RTS/CTS passed through or looped back,
DTR/DSR passed through or looped back, or
none (user-selectable);
Software: Transparent to software flow control;
KVM/Serial/Audio models:
Data rate: Transparent to data rates up to 19,200 bps;
Data format: Transparent to data format;
Flow control: Transparent to hardware and software
flow control (RTS, CTS, DTR, and DSR are all passed
through across the link)

11
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Audio
Characteristics: KVM/Serial/Audio models:
Signal format: Digitized at almost CD quality (16-bit
sampling at 38.4 kHz);
Signal levels: Line level (5 volts peak-to-peak
maximum);
Input impedance: 47 kΩ;
Signal direction: Simultaneous bidirectional;
Extra microphone support at Remote Unit: Pullup
resistor provides bias for condenser microphone;
optional amplification to +17 dB for external
microphone
Maximum
Distance: 5 m (16 ft.) from the Remote to the attached remote
equipment;
50 m (160 ft.) between a Local and a Micro Remote;
300 m (1000 ft.) between a Local and any other type of
Remote
NOTE
With high-quality cables, it might be possible to run
farther than 5 m (16 ft.) from the Remote Unit to attached
equipment.
User Controls: All full-size (non-Micro) Remotes:
(2) Front-mounted dials: Brightness and Focus;
(3) Internal video-distance (cable-length) jumpers;
(1) Internal 4-position DIP switch for various options;
ACUMREM, ACUWREM: (1) Bottom-mounted
2-position DIP switch for video distance (cable length)
and keyboard-command recognition;
ACU1006MRA, ACU1006MRVA: (6) Internal 2-position
DIP switches for video distance (cable length) and
keyboard-command recognition, (1) for each Local-to-
Remote link;
ACUSREM only:
(1) Internal data-rate jumper;
(1) Internal flow-control jumper block;
ACUVREM, ACUWREM:
(1) Internal microphone-amplification jumper;
ACU1006MRVA only:
(6) Internal microphone-amplification jumpers,
(1) for each Local-to-Remote link

12
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
Indicators: None
Connectors: Remote Units support (1) user station and Local-to-
Remote link, Remote Hubs support (6);
On the right side of ACUREM, on the front of all other
models:
(1) RJ-45 female for each Local-to-Remote link;
On the right side of ACUREM, on the rear of all other
models:
(1) 2.5-mm center-positive barrel jack for power;
On the left side of ACUREM, on the rear of all other
models:
(1) HD15 female for video output to each user
station’s monitor;
(2) 6-pin mini-DIN female for input from each user
station’s keyboard and mouse;
On the rear of each KVM/Serial and KVM/Serial/Audio
model:
(1) DB9 male for serial I/O to/from each user
station’s RS-232 device;
On the rear of each KVM/Serial/Audio model:
(2) 3.5-mm mini stereo jacks for each user station:
(1) for speaker/headphone output, (1) for
microphone input;
On the rear of each ACUREMSW only:
(1) DB25 female for composite I/O to/from the
keyboard, mouse, and video ports of the remote CPU
Temperature
Tolerance: 32 to 104˚F (0 to 40˚C)
Humidity
Tolerance: 5 to 90% noncondensing
Enclosure: Steel

13
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Power: From desktop power supply (certified to the relevant
international safety standards):
Input: 100 to 240 VAC at 50 to 60 Hz from utility-power
outlet, through detachable power cord and IEC 320
male inlet, to external transformer;
Output (isolated from mains ground): 9 VDC
regulated, at up to 1 amp, from transformer to
Remote Unit
CAUTION!
If you ever need to replace the Remote Unit’s
power supply, the replacement power supply must
have identical output characteristics. Using a
power supply with different output—even if it’s
“almost the same”—could damage your
equipment.
Size: ACUMREM: 1.1"H x 4.4"W x 3.3"D (2.8 x 11.2 x 8.4 cm);
ACUWREM: 1.7"H x 4.4"W x 3.3"D (4.3 x 11.2 x 8.4 cm);
ACUVREM: 1.75"H (1U) x 7.7"W x 4"D (4.4 x 19.6 x
10.2 cm);
ACU1006MRA and ACU1006MRVA: 1.75"H (1U) x
17.25"W x 4.2"D (4.4 x 19.6 x 10.2 cm); rear-panel
connectors protrude an additional 0.2" (0.5 cm);
All other models: 1.4"H x 7.7"W x 4"D (3.6 x 19.6 x
10.2 cm)
Weight: ACUMREM: 8.3 oz. (235 g);
ACUREMSW: 1.4 lb. (0.6 kg);
ACU1006MRA and ACU1006MRVA: 4 lb. (1.8 kg);
All other models: 1.1 lb. (0.5 kg)

14
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
2. Introduction
NOTE
There are a large number of different models in the Rackmount Extender
series. If you ever need a quick rundown of the features of any particular
model, refer to Appendix E.
You can use a ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM Extender Standalone Remote
(Remote Unit or Remote Hub) with one of several types of Extender Locals (Local
Units or Local Hubs) to extend the distance from a PC-compatible CPU to user
equipment including a VGA monitor, keyboard, and mouse across as much as
300 meters (1000 ft.) of industry-standard Category 5 UTP or STP 4-pair cable.
This installation guide describes how to install six types of Extender Standalone
Remote Units: non-serial KVM (product code ACUREM), non-serial KVM
Switching (ACUREMSW), non-serial KVM Micro (ACUMREM), KVM/Serial
(ACUSREM), KVM/Serial/Audio (ACUVREM), and KVM/Serial/Audio Micro
(ACUWREM). It also describes how to install two types of 6-Port Extender Remote
Hubs: non-serial KVM Micro (ACU1006MRA) and KVM/Serial/Audio Micro
(ACU1006MRVA).
CAUTION!
There are three main varieties of CAT5 KVM Extender equipment: non-
serial, KVM/Serial, and KVM/Serial/Audio. Do not connect Locals of one
variety to Remotes of a different variety. Extender systems with
mismatched Locals and Remotes do not work.
• One or two ACU1006MRA Remote Hubs, or two or more ACUREM,
ACUREMSW, or ACUMREM Remote Units, can be used with a 6-Port
(ACU1006RA) or 12-Port (ACU1012RA) Single-Access Rackmount
ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM Extender Local Hub so that you can keep
multiple CPUs in a central location and control them using user stations that
are clustered (with Remote Hubs) or kept in widely separated locations (with
Remote Units). The ACUREM, ACUMREM, and ACU1006MRA can also be
used for this purpose with a 6-Port Dual-Access Extender Hub
(ACU1006DRA). The ACUSREM KVM/Serial Remote Unit can be used in the
same way with the 6-Port Single-Access (ACU1006SRA) or Dual-Access
(ACU1006DSRA) KVM/Serial Extender Hub. The ACUVREM KVM/Serial/
Audio Remote Unit and ACU1006MRVA KVM/Serial/Audio Remote Hub can
be used in the same way with the 6-Port Single-Access KVM/Serial/Audio Hub
(ACU1006VRA).

15
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
• A regular ACUREM Remote Unit can also replace the one that came with your
Single-Access (ACU1001A) or Dual-Access (ACU1009A) ServSwitch™ Brand
CAT5 KVM Extender. An ACUMREM Remote Unit can replace the one that
came with your Single-Access (ACU3001A) or Dual-Access (ACU3009A) KVM
Micro Extender. An ACUSREM KVM/Serial Remote Unit can replace the one
that came with your Single-Access (ACU1002A) or Dual-Access (ACU1008A)
KVM/Serial Extender. An ACUVREM KVM/Serial/Audio Remote Unit can
replace the one that came with your Single-Access (ACU1022A) or Dual-Access
(ACU1028A) KVM/Serial/Audio Extender. An ACUWREM KVM/Serial/
Audio Micro Remote Unit can replace the one that came with your Single-
Access (ACU3022A) KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extender.
• You can use one Remote Hub to replace several Remote Units in different
Extender systems, so that multiple Local Units in different locations can be
controlled from a centralized group of user stations (or a single user station on
a KVM switch). Use an ACU1006MRA KVM Remote Hub to control CPUs
attached to any mix of non-serial KVM and KVM Micro Local Units
(ACU1001A, ACU1009A, ACU3001A, and/or ACU3009A). Use an
ACU1006MRVA to control CPUs attached to any mix of full-size KVM/Serial/
Audio and KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Local Units (ACU1022A, ACU1028A,
and/or ACU3022A).
• With any of the Local types mentioned in the previous paragraphs, it is
possible to connect different Remotes at different times in order to create a
“switched” KVM-extension system with multiple user stations. You can do this
by moving cable between patch-panel ports or directly between Remotes,
though you should do this as infrequently as possible to avoid wearing out the
connectors on your cable and devices. Or you can use a CAT5 switch, but the
switch must carry all eight wires (maintaining the twists between the wire pairs)
and must have enough bandwidth to support your system’s video demands.
Please call Black Box Technical Support to discuss your application before
installing such a system.
• As the ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM Extender product line grows, Remotes
might also be usable with other types of Locals. Call Black Box Technical
Support if you’re not sure whether you can use your Remote with a particular
type of Extender Local.

16
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
At the time of this writing, these items should be included with your Extender
Standalone Remote package:
• (1) Remote Unit or Remote Hub.
• (1) 9-VDC, 1-amp power-supply transformer and output cord.
• (1) Input cord for the power supply, suitable for your country or region.
• (1) Copy of this installation guide.
•Switching Remote Unit (ACUREMSW) only: (1) 1-m (3.3-ft.) three-to-one CPU
KVM-extension cable that will run from the Remote Unit to the remote CPU.
This cable has a DB25 male connector on the Extender end and an HD15
male and two 6-pin mini-DIN male connectors on the CPU end.
•Remote Hub (ACU1006MRA and ACU1006MRVA) only: (2) Rackmount brackets
for mounting the Remote Hub in a standard 19" rack (see Appendix B).
The components of the Extender package are, however, subject to change without
notice.
Please contact Black Box right away if any of these items are damaged when you
receive them.

17
CHAPTER 3: Configuration
3. Configuration
The users’ manuals for the various ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM Extender
systems and/or their Locals identify the cables you’ll need to connect various types
of equipment to the system, so this guide will only deal with configuring the
Remotes and attaching devices directly to them.
The two-position DIP switches on the Micro Remotes are external; see
Section 3.1. All of the Remote’s other configuration controls are internal, but
should only need to be set once; see the relevant sections starting with Sections 3.2.
To get at them, first open the Remote by unscrewing the four screws on its case
and lifting off the top half of the case. When you’ve finished setting the
configuration jumpers and switches as described in the rest of this chapter, close
the Remote by replacing the top half of the case and screwing the screws back in.
CAUTION!
The Remote’s circuit boards can be damaged by static electricity, so take
every reasonable precaution against it. At the very least, discharge yourself
on a metallic surface before opening it; if possible, stand on an anti-
static mat and wear a grounding strap or anti-static gloves.
3.1 Setting the 2-Position DIP Switch on the Micro Remotes
There’s a two-position DIP switch on the bottom of the ACUMREM and
ACUWREM Micro
Remote Units, and there are six of these two-position DIP
switches on the bottom of the ACU1006MRA and ACU1006MRVA Extender Micro
Remote Hubs. Position 1 of each switch governs the Micro Remote’s video
equalization for that link, while position 2 controls how the Micro Remote handles
keyboard-command recognition:
•Position 1 (video equalization): The Micro Remote contains video-equalization
circuitry which compensates for the loss in image quality that occurs when you
drive video across cables longer than 25 m (80 ft.). If you’ll be running cable
to such distances between your Local and the Micro Remote, you need to
configure the Extender for extra equalization before you install it.
To do this, set position 1 of the Remote’s DIP switch for that link to UP
(OFF) if you’ll be running cable for that link up to (but not more than) 25 m
(80 ft.). To boost the equalization if you’ll be running cable between 25 and
50 m (80 and 160 ft.), move position 1 to the DOWN (ON) setting.
If you are not running the cable too far but your video looks bad no matter
how you set this DIP switch, the problem is almost certainly being caused by
one of two things. First, check your interconnect-cable routing—does the cable
pass close to a motor, generator, fluorescent lights, etc.? Second, check the

18
SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER STANDALONE REMOTES
wiring of the interconnect cable. Compare its pinning and pairing with those
shown in Appendix A. (Please realize that signal equalization cannot be exact;
regardless of the setting of this DIP switch, the remote video image might
never appear quite as sharp as it would appear with the monitor directly
attached to the CPU.)
•Position 2 (keyboard-command recognition): The function of this position
depends on which type of Micro Remote you have:
– On the ACUMREM and ACU1006MRA, position 2 controls how the Remote
handles [Scroll Lock]. Normally, pressing [Scroll Lock] on the Micro
Remote’s attached keyboard causes the Extender to reset itself or, in Dual-
Access systems, to go into Private Mode. But the Extender treats this
keypress as a command and absorbs it, so there’s no way to send [Scroll
Lock] to the PC or KVM switch attached to the corresponding CPU port on
the Extender’s Local.
Leave position 2 of the Micro Remote’s DIP switch 2 in the factory-default
UP (OFF) setting if [Scroll Lock] isn’t necessary for your application and
can continue to be used to trigger reset/Private Mode on that Local CPU
port. If you need to be able to use the [Scroll Lock] key for something else
on that port, move position 2 to the DOWN (ON) setting to disable reset
and Private Mode and cause the Extender to pass [Scroll Lock] through to
the attached PC or switch.
– On the ACUWREM and ACU1006MRVA, position 2 controls the Remote’s
keyboard-command hotkey, the character that you can send from that link’s
attached keyboard to cue the Extender to expect to receive a command.
Each time you press the hotkey, it will be absorbed by the Extender if it’s
followed by a valid command character.
The hotkey can be either left-[Ctrl] or right-[Ctrl]. In position 2’s factory-
default OFF setting, right-[Ctrl] is the hotkey. But you might want to use left-
[Ctrl] for a particular link instead, particularly if (a) a KVM switch you’ll be
attaching to its CPU port uses right-[Ctrl] as its command hotkey, or (b) a
computer you’ll be attaching to the Extender is a workstation such as a
Compaq Alpha, HP, etc. (Instead of a standard right-[Ctrl] key, these
workstations’ keyboards have a [Compose] key, which shouldn’t be
absorbed by the Extender because it’s required for use with some of the
software written for these workstations.) To have a link use left-[Ctrl] for its
hotkey, move position 2 to ON. (If neither right- nor left-[Ctrl] are suitable
for this purpose in your application, please call Black Box Technical
Support.)

19
CHAPTER 3: Configuration
3.2 Setting the Cable-Length Jumpers in All Non-Micro Remote Units
The full-size (non-Micro) Remote Units contain video-equalization circuitry which
compensates for the loss in image quality that occurs when you drive video across
long cables. With cables in the neighborhood of 300 meters (1000 feet) long, this
loss is considerable.
There are three jumpers on the main circuit board of these Remote Units that
you can use to select an equalization-adjustment range appropriate to the length of
the interconnect cable you’ll be running between the Remote Unit and the Local.
(Figure 3-1 on the next page shows where these jumpers are.) Once you set them,
you can alter the compensation level with the two rotary controls on the Remote
Unit’s front panel while the Extender is operating in order to “tune in” the image
more precisely (see Section 4.4).
The three cable-length jumpers should be set as follows (all three jumpers must be
set the same way):
Cable Length in Jumper
Meters (Feet) Position
0 to 100 (0 to 330) Off (factory default)
100 to 200 (330 to 655) A
200 to 300 (655 to 1000) B
NOTE
If you will be running cable to near the limit of one of these cable-length
ranges, say as far as 80 m (260 ft.), and you will be using high-resolution
(1024 x 768 or higher) video, you might be able to achieve more accurate
video compensation (see Section 4.4) by selecting the higher cable
length range (the 100-to-200-m range in this case).
If you are conducting a same-room test prior to your final installation, as we
recommend—see the “Test-Placing the Extender” section in the users’ manual for
your Extender system—set the jumpers as appropriate for the length of the test
cable first; then, if the Units pass the test, reset the jumpers for your actual
installation length.