Black Box ServSwitch ACS251A-R2 User manual

1
THE SERVSWITCH FAMILY
Welcome to the ServSwitch Family!
Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX®ServSwitch Brand 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 manual will tell you all about your new ServSwitch Brand Fiber KVM
Extender II or II-SM, including how to install, operate, and troubleshoot it. For an
introduction to the extender, see Chapter 2. The extender product codes covered
in this manual are:
ACS250A-R2
ACS251A-R2

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SERVSWITCH™ BRAND FIBER KVM EXTENDER II AND II-SM
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
IBM, PC/AT, and PS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation.
IntelliMouse and Microsoft are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Sun and Sun Microsystems are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in
the United States and other countries.
UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the
trademark owners.

3
FCC AND IC RFI 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 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.
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.

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SERVSWITCH™ BRAND FIBER KVM EXTENDER II AND II-SM
EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This is to certify that, when installed and used according to the instructions in this
manual together with the specified cables, the ServSwitch Brand Fiber KVM
Extender II and II-SM are shielded against the generation of radio interference in
accordance with the application of Council
Directive 89/336/EEC.
The extenders were tested in a typical configuration.
LASER-SAFETY STATEMENT
To meet laser-safety requirements, the extender operates its optical transceivers
within their maximum ratings. The transceivers must always be terminated with an
optical connector or dust cap. For full optical specifications, see Chapter 1.
CAUTION!
Using lenses, magnifying glasses, or other optical instruments with this
product could pose extreme eye hazards. All necessary adjustments
have already been made at the factory prior to the shipment of the
extender. Even if it doesn’t result in damage or injury (which is likely),
tampering with or modifying the extender, or changing the way it
performs, could void the extender’s original certifications.

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.

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SERVSWITCH™ BRAND FIBER KVM EXTENDER II AND II-SM
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.

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CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications ........................................................................................ 8
2. Introduction ........................................................................................ 11
2.1 Overview ....................................................................................... 11
2.2 Key Features ................................................................................. 12
2.3 The Complete Package ............................................................... 12
3. Compatibility and Signal Processing ................................................. 13
3.1 Video Processing ........................................................................... 13
3.2 Mouse Compatibility .................................................................... 14
3.3 Sound Processing ......................................................................... 15
4. Installation .......................................................................................... 16
4.1 Guidelines and Limitations for Attaching Equipment .............. 16
4.1.1 CPU ..................................................................................... 16
4.1.2 Monitor ............................................................................... 16
4.1.3 Keyboard and Mouse ......................................................... 16
4.2 An Extender Installation Illustrated ........................................... 17
4.3 Installing the Local Unit and Local Devices .............................. 18
4.4 Installing the Remote Unit and Remote Devices ...................... 20
4.5 Finishing Your Installation .......................................................... 22
5. Operation ............................................................................................ 23
6. Troubleshooting ................................................................................. 24
6.1 Calling Black Box .......................................................................... 24
6.2 Shipping and Packaging .............................................................. 24

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SERVSWITCH™ BRAND FIBER KVM EXTENDER II AND II-SM
1. Specifications
Cable Required: ACS250A-R2: 50/125-µm or (to lesser distances) 62.5/
125-µm multimode duplex fiberoptic cable;
ACS251A-R2: 9/125-µm single-mode duplex fiberoptic
cable
Compliance: CE; FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class A, IC Class/classe A
Interfaces: Extension:
ACS250A-R2: Duplex multimode fiberoptic;
ACS251A-R2: Duplex single-mode fiberoptic;
Video: VGA compatible (DOS mode, VGA, SVGA, XGA,
SXGA, UXGA); Plug-and-play for monitors and DDC is
supported;
Keyboard and mouse: IBM PS/2 compatible;
Sound: 3.5-mm mono audio
Resolution and
Refresh Rate: Supports resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 and refresh rates at
75 Hz; maximum pixel clock (bandwidth) is 108 MHz
Optical Type and
Wavelength: ACS250A-R2: 850-nm multimode;
ACS251A-R2: 1300-nm single-mode
Transmitter
Launch Power: ACS250A-R2: Into either 50-µm or 62.5-µm cable: From -4.5
to -9 dBm;
ACS251A-R2: Into 9-µm cable: From -3 to -9 dBm
Receiver
Sensitivity: ACS250A-R2:
With 62.5-µm cable: -12.5 dBm;
With 50-µm cable: -13.5 dBm;
ACS251A-R2: -14.4 dBm
Optical
Budget: ACS250A-R2:
With 62.5-µm cable: 6.7 dB maximum;
With 50-µm cable: 7.5 dB maximum;
ACS251A-R2: 10.5 dB maximum

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CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Maximum
Distance: Between extender’s local and remote units:
ACS250A-R2:
Over 62.5-µm cable: 720 ft. (219.5 m);
Over 50-µm cable: 1310 ft. (399.3 m);
ACS251A-R2: 6.2 mi. (10 km)
User Controls: None
Connectors: On local unit:
Front-mounted:
(4) 6-pin mini-DIN female:
(1) for CPU’s keyboard port;
(1) for CPU’s mouse port;
(1) for optional local keyboard;
(1) for optional local mouse;
(1) HD15 female for CPU’s video port;
(1) HD15 female for optional local monitor;
(1) 3.5-mm stereo audio jack (~0.7 Veff/~2 Vpp) for
CPU’s audio-out port;
Rear-mounted:
(1) Duplex SC female for fiber link (transmitter on
left, receiver on right);
(1) 2.1-mm barrel jack for power;
(1) 8-pin mini-DIN for service (reserved for
manufacturer use);
On remote unit:
Front-mounted:
(2) 6-pin mini-DIN female:
(1) for remote keyboard;
(1) for remote mouse;
(1) HD15 female for remote monitor;
(1) 3.5-mm stereo audio jack (~0.7 Veff/~2 Vpp) for
remote audio device (outputs mono on both stereo
channels);
Rear-mounted:
(1) Duplex SC female for fiber link (transmitter on
left, receiver on right);
(1) 2.1-mm barrel jack for power;
(1) 8-pin mini-DIN for service (reserved for
manufacturer use)

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SERVSWITCH™ BRAND FIBER KVM EXTENDER II AND II-SM
Indicators: (1) Front-mounted green LED on each unit:
Local unit: LED is steadily lit during normal operation,
flashes if unit is powered but no video signal is present
at VGA input;
Remote unit: LED is steadily lit during normal operation,
flashes if no fiber connection is detected or local unit is
outputting no signal
Temperature
Tolerance: Operating: 50 to 104˚ F (10 to 40˚ C);
Storage: 32 to 158˚ F (0 to 70˚ C)
Humidity
Tolerance: Up to 70% noncondensing
Enclosure: Aluminum, powder-coated
Power: From utility-power (mains) outlet, through detachable
input cord and IEC 320 male inlet to external
transformer:
Input: 90 to 264 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz, autosensing, at up to
~200 mA at 115 VAC or ~100 mA at 230 VAC;
Maximum inrush current: 40 amps;
Output: 12 VDC at up to 2 amps (local unit draws only 1
amp maximum, remote unit only 1.1 amps);
Consumption:
Local unit: 8.7 watts maximum;
Remote unit: 9 watts maximum
Size: Each unit: 2.6"H x 7.3"W x 7.1"D (6.6 x 18.5 x 18 cm)
Weight: Net, local unit: 2.4 lb. (1.1 kg);
Net, remote unit: 2.2 lb. (1 kg);
Shipping: Approximately 10 lb. (4.5 kg)