Black Box ServSwitch Duo KV6EXTB-R2 User manual

NOVEMBER 2001
KV6EXT-R2
KV6EXTB-R2
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:

1
THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY
Welcome to the ServSwitchTM Family!
Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX®ServSwitch™Brand KVM-switch
accessory! 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™ Duo Extender,
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:
KV6EXT-R2
KV6EXTB-R2
This manual also includes information about the Extender’s Rackmount Kit, whose
product code is:
RMK19WX

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SERVSWITCH™DUO 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.
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 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™DUO 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 to attach computer equipment to this device in order
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™DUO 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 ............................................ 12
2.2 The Complete Extender Package .................................................... 13
2.3 The Extender Illustrated .................................................................. 14
2.4 Safety Concerns ................................................................................. 14
3. Installation ................................................................................................ 15
3.1 What You Will Need .......................................................................... 15
3.2 Placement .......................................................................................... 16
3.3 Connecting Your Devices ................................................................. 17
3.3.1 Connecting User Equipment ................................................. 17
3.3.2 Connecting a Local CPU (Optional, KV6EXT-R2 Only) ..... 17
3.4 Connecting the Extender to the Duo .............................................. 19
3.5 Powering the Extender and Attached Devices ................................ 20
4. Configuration ........................................................................................... 21
4.1 Configuring an Attached PC (KV6EXT-R2 Only) .......................... 21
4.2 Configuring the Extender ................................................................ 22
4.2.1 Setting the Hotkey ................................................................ 22
4.2.2 Using Configuration Mode .................................................. 24
4.2.2.A Setting the Video Compensation ........................... 24
4.2.2.B Issuing Other Configuration-Mode
Keyboard Commands ........................................... 26
4.3 Setting a Password for the Extender ................................................ 27

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SERVSWITCH™DUO EXTENDER
Contents (continued)
Chapter Page
5. Operation ................................................................................................. 29
5.1 Power-Up Status .............................................................................. 29
5.2 The Extender’s LEDs ..................................................................... 30
5.3 How the Extender Uses the Keyboard LEDs ................................ 31
5.4 Switching Between the Duo System and a Local CPU
(KV6EXT-R2 Only) ..................................................................... 33
5.5 Contending for Control of Duo-System CPUs .............................. 34
5.6 Things to Keep in Mind About the Keyboards and Mice ............ 35
5.7 Keyboard Control: Hotkey Commands ......................................... 36
5.8 Mouse Switching (KV6EXT-R2 with Local CPU Only) ................ 38
5.9 Hot-Plugging a PS/2 Mouse or Mouse Port into the Extender
or Re-Enabling a Disconnected PS/2 Mouse Port
(KV6EXT-R2 with Local CPU Only) .......................................... 39
6. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 41
6.1 Things to Try ..................................................................................... 41
6.2 Clearing the Extender’s Password ................................................... 43
6.3 Restoring the Extender to Its Factory-Default Configuration ........ 43
6.4 Displaying the Extender’s Firmware Revision ................................. 44
6.5 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 44
6.6 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 45
Appendix A: Guidelines for Twisted-Pair Cabling ........................................ 46
Appendix B: Rackmounting ........................................................................... 48

9
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
1. Specifications
Cable Required: Between the Duo and the Extender: 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 B Class A,
IC Class/classe A
Standards: VGA, SVGA, XGA, or XGA-2 video
Interfaces: Video: VGA;
Keyboard and mouse: IBM PS/2 compatible; with
appropriate adapters, both models can support IBM
PC/AT keyboards and the KV6EXT-R2 can support
PC/AT keyboard ports and EIA/TIA RS-232 serial
mouse ports;
Serial (nonfunctional): EIA/TIA RS-232, pinned
according to TIA-574, DCE;
KV6EXT-R2 only: Audio (nonfunctional): 3.5-mm stereo
Resolution and
Refresh Rate: At Duo-to-Extender 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
Maximum
Distance: Between the Duo and the Extender: Up to 200 m
(655 ft.) of unshielded twisted-pair cable or 100 m
(325 ft.) of shielded twisted-pair cable;
From Extender to the attached keyboard, monitor, or
mouse: 10 m (32 ft.);
From Extender to any attached CPU: 20 m (65 ft.)