Black Box ServSwitch ACU5002A User manual

ServSwitch™CX Extenders
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NETWORK SERVICES
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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]
CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
February2010
ACU5001A
ACU5002A

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Contents
Welcome
Introduction.................................................................................2
Installation & Operation
Connections .................................................................................4
Cable length advice ................................................................4
Connections at the SAM (local) unit......................................5
Connections at the CX Remote module ................................6
Operation.....................................................................................8
General use .............................................................................8
Locking and unlocking the system ........................................8
Special configuration
Configuration ..............................................................................9
What are hotkeys? .............................................................9
Entering, using and exiting configuration mode.............9
Password setting ...................................................................10
Hot plugging and mouse restoration..................................11
Which restore setting do I use?.......................................11
Microsoft and Logitech -specific mouse settings ................11
Video compensation (sharpness and brightness)................12
Miscellaneous settings..........................................................13
Performing flash upgrades .......................................................14
Further information
Getting assistance......................................................................15
Safety information ....................................................................15
Radio Frequency Energy............................................................16
Certification notice for equipment used in Canada................17
Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOM)
Instrucciones de seguridad ..............................................18
BlackBox subsidiary contact details..........................................20
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Welcome
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the ServSwitch CX extender
set from Black Box. These compact modules allow
you to place the controlling keyboard, video
monitor and mouse up to 328 feet (100 metres)
from a computer system.
Two types of CX extender sets are avilable:
ACU5001A for PS/2-style keyboard and mouse
connections and ACU5002A for USB-style
connections. The long distance link between the
modules is made via Category 5, 5e or 6 twisted
pair cabling.
Special circuitry within the remote module allows
you to make adjustments to the sharpness and
brightness settings to suit your own preferences.
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PC
USB
VIDEO
PS/2 KEYBOARD
PS/2 MOUSE
PSU
CX Remote
SAM
The SAM (Server Access Module)
connects to the video, mouse
and keyboard ports of the host
computer. Power for the SAM
is derived from the computer
keyboard (or USB) connection.
Up to 100 metres
separation between
the local and remote
modules via a single
Category 5, or higher,
cable
The video monitor, mouse
and keyboard connect to the
CX Remote module.

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Supplied items
CD-ROM
Four self-adhesive
rubber feet
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Power adapter
and country-
specific power
lead
Computer Access Module (SAM)ServSwitch CX
Remote Module
Package variants
ACU5001A For analogue video plus PS/2-style keyboard and mouse connections
ACU5002A For analogue video plus USB-style keyboard and mouse connections

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Installation & Operation
Connections
Installation of the ServSwitch CX extender set is straightforward and minimal
configuration requirements in most cases. The moulded SAM (Server Access
Module) connects directly to the system, while the CX Remote module is at the
other end of the twisted pair cable and attaches to the keyboard, mouse, etc.
• Connections at the SAM (local) unit
• Connections at the X100 (remote) module
Cable length advice
The ServSwitch CX extender set supports twisted-pair structured cabling within
categories 5, 5e and 6. Of these three cable types, category 5 generally provides
the best transmission of video signals because its four pairs of conductors are
the most evenly twisted.
Category 5e and 6 cables use conductor pairs that are unevenly twisted in order
to combat interference effects encountered within higher frequency networks.
While these uneven twists work well for Ethernet signals, they can impose
problems for the video signals transceived by the CX extender modules. The
CX extender modules send the red, green and blue video signals on separate
twisted pairs within the cable. If any of the colour signals are made to travel
slightly further or shorter distances than the others, the result is seen as mis-
aligned colours on screen. This is called skew and becomes more noticeable as
cable runs become longer and screen resolutions/refresh rates increase.
As an approximate guide, you should expect the following maximum cable
lengths (achievable at resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 @ 60Hz):
Category 5 Category 5e or 6
100m ¹50 to 100m ¹
¹ length limited by skew in the cable.
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Connections at the SAM (local) unit
1 Where possible ensure that power is disconnected from the system to be
connected.
(Note: If it is not possible to switch off devices prior to connection, then
a ‘Hot plug’ procedure is available – see the Hot plugging and mouse
restoration section for more details).
2 Locate the required SAM and attach its video, keyboard and mouse (PS/2-
style or USB) connectors to the relevant sockets on the computer system.
4 Attach the connector of the cable run to the socket of
the SAM. The other end of the cable run will attach to
the CX Remote module.
PS/2-style keyboard
Video
USB keyboard/mouse
PS/2-style mouse
The SAM provides
analogue video, plus
either PS/2-style or
USB-style keyboard and
mouse connections to
the host computer
Computer
Access
Module
Category 5, 5e or 6 cable
to X100 module
Green indicator - power present
Yellow indicator - signal activity
Note: SAMs derive power from the
computer system via either the PS/2-style
keyboard connector or USB connector.
3 Lay a suitable length of category 5, 5e or 6 cabling between the computer
system and the remote peripherals - see Cable length advice.

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Connections at the CX Remote module
1 Place the CX Remote module adjacent to the remote user location.
2 Attach the video monitor, keyboard and mouse connectors to the sockets of
the CX Remote module.
3 Attach the connector of the cable run leading from the SAM to the
TO LOCAL socket of the CX Remote module.
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From mouse
From keyboard
From video monitor
CX Remote
module
4 Insert the output connector of the power supply into the socket at the front
edge of the X100 module labelled POWER.
5 Insert the IEC connector of the supplied power lead into the corresponding
socket of the power supply. Connect the other end of the power lead to a
nearby mains socket.
6 Where necessary, use the in-built video compensation feature to eliminate
any effects caused by the cable run. See Video compensation for details.
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5500
From
power
adapter
Category 5, 5e or 6
cable leading to the
SAM module
CX Remote
module

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1
ON
4
23
1
ON
4
23
ON
Determines configuration
of hotkeys in conjunction
with switch 3
Reserved for
future use
OFF: Normal operation
ON: Flash upgrade
Determines configuration
of hotkeys in conjunction
with switch 2
Note: When shipped, all switches are set in the OFF positions and this will
produce normal operation.
CX Remote module switches
Certain aspects of operation can be affected by the switches on the CX Remote
module.
Switch 1
OFF: Normal operation.
ON: (Before power is applied) Places the CX Remote module into flash upgrade
mode so that the internal software can be changed. Please see the Flash
upgrade section in the ‘Special configuration’ chapter.
Switches 2 and 3
Switches 2 and 3 determine which two keyboard keys (when pressed in unison)
are to be designated as ‘hotkeys’. Hotkeys signal to the CX Remote module that
the next key to be pressed is a special configuration command for the module
and is not to be passed to the computer system.
2 OFF
3 OFF Hotkeys = CTRL and SHIFT
2 OFF
3 ON Hotkeys = ALT and SHIFT
2 ON
3 OFF Hotkeys = CTRL and ALT
2 ON
3 ON Hotkeys disabled
Switch 4
This switch is reserved for future use.

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Operation
General use
In use, the CX Remote modules should be transparent - the system and its
peripherals should operate exactly as normal, the only difference being that they
are now up to 100 metres apart.
In some installations, you may see some ‘shadows’ to the right of high contrast
screen characters. This can be caused by an incorrectly selected sharpness setting
and it may be necessary to make adjustments to correct this. Please see Video
compensation - sharpness and brightness in the ‘Special configuration’
section.
Locking and unlocking the system
In situations where the computer system (and its local SAM) can be locked away
the CX Remote modules offer a viable security system to deter unauthorised use.
Once a password has been set, a simple key sequence allows the system to be
quickly and securely detached from its peripherals. Only the correct password
will reconnect the remote and local modules.
To lock the system
1 First set a password. For further details, please refer to the Password
setting section in the ‘Special configuration’ chapter.
2 Simultaneously press the currently configured hotkeys (by default, and
) along with .
The screen will go blank and the three keyboard
indicators will begin alternately flashing between the
‘Num Lock’ and ‘Scroll Lock’, and ‘Caps Lock’. This
sequence indicates that a password is required.
To unlock the system
1 Enter the correct password and press .
Note: Passwords are NOT case sensitive.
Note: If an invalid password has been entered and the keyboard indicators
are not flashing as described above, press to clear the incorrect attempt.
2 If the correct password is entered, the screen will be restored and normal
operation can continue.
To enable the video
Simultaneously press the currently configured hotkeys (by default, and )
long with . This command will be required to restore the video if and
along with is used when no password has been set.
To disable the video
Simultaneously, press the currently configured hotkeys (by default, and )
along with .
Num
Lock Caps
Lock Scroll
Lock

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Special configuration
Configuration
You can alter the way that the ServSwitch CX extender modules operate to suit
your requirements. This is done using the Configuration mode and you can
affect the following settings:
• Password setting – allows you to lock the remote module to prevent
unauthorised system access.
• Mouse restoration and settings – allows you to restore mouse operation
and also to change the mouse type.
• Video compensation - sharpness & brightness – allows you to manually
adjust the video image to ensure that it is crisp and bright.
• Miscellaneous settings – report firmware version and restore settings.
What are hotkeys?
Hotkeys are two normal keyboard keys that, when pressed simultaneously with
a third key, signal to the modules that you are sending a message specifically to
them and not to the computer. The hotkeys are ordinarily and , while a
third keypress determines what you want the modules to do.
If the standard and hotkeys are also needed for computer tasks, you
can change them for another combination using switches 2 and 3 on the CX
Remote module:
2 OFF
3 OFF Hotkeys = and (default setting)
2 OFF
3 ON Hotkeys = and
2 ON
3 OFF Hotkeys = and
2 ON
3 ON Hotkeys disabled
Entering, using and exiting configuration mode
To enter and use configuration mode:
1 Simultaneously press the currently configured
hotkeys (by default, and ) along with .
The three keyboard indicators (‘Num Lock’, ‘Caps
Lock’ and ‘Scroll Lock’) will now begin to flash in
sequence to show that you are in configuration
mode.
2 Press the first letter of the required configuration
option, for instance .
All three keyboard indicators will illuminate
continuously.
3 Press the number of the required configuration
option, for instance .
The ‘Scroll Lock’ indicator will extinguish, leaving
the ‘Num Lock’ and ‘Caps Lock’ indicators lit.
4 Press to confirm your option.
The three keyboard indicators (‘Num Lock’, ‘Caps
Lock’ and ‘Scroll Lock’) will now begin to flash in
sequence again.
To exit from configuration mode:
1 Within configuration mode, the three keyboard indicators should be flashing
in sequence to show that the module is ready to receive a new command.
2 Press .
The three indicators will return to their normal states.
Num
Lock Caps
LockScroll
Lock
Num
Lock Caps
LockScroll
Lock
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