Black Box Pow-R-Boot 5+ User manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 2000. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

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SUPPORT
INFORMATION
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FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
SEPTEMBER 2000
SWI020A-R2
SWI020AE-R2
Pow-R-Boot 5+

1
FCC STATEMENT
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.

2
POW-R-BOOT 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.

3
NOM STATEMENT
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.

4
POW-R-BOOT 5+
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
AT and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines
Corporation.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the
property of the trademark owners.

5
CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3 The Pow-R-Boot 5+ Illustrated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3.1 The Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3.2 The Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1 Setting the Rate Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.2 Rackmounting the Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3 Connecting the Master Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Connecting Devices to the RS-232 Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.4 Connecting Switched Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.5 Powering Up the System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4. Start-Up/Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The Power-Up Default String. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5. Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.1 Common Concerns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.1.1 No Power Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.1.2 Unit Does Not Respond to Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6.2 Calling Black Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.3 Shipping and Packaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

6
POW-R-BOOT 5+
1. Specifications
Compliance—FCC Class A, DOC Class/MDC classe A
Interfaces—RS-232 compatible serial DB9 (DTE)
Protocol—Asynchronous
Data Format—Receive: Either 7 data bits, even or odd parity, and 1 stop bit, or
8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (autosensing); Transmit: 8 data bits, no parity,
1 stop bit (fixed)
Flow Control—None
Data Rate—9600 or 2400 bps (user-selectable)
Maximum Distance—50 ft. (15.2 m) from control port to master device
User Controls—Commands from master device; (3) Rear-mounted: (1) 4-position
configuration DIP switch,(1) On/Off rocker switch, (1) Default switch
Indicators—(7) Front-mounted LEDs: (1) Power On, (1) Data Input, and
(5) Boot in Progress
Connectors—Data: Rear-mounted, DB9 male for connection to PC or modem;
AC Power Inlet: SWI020A-R2: Nondetachable power cord with NEMA 5-15P
plug; SWI020AE-R2: IEC 320 male; AC Power Outlets: SWI020A-R2: (5) NEMA
5-15R sockets; SWI020AE-R2: (5) IEC 320 female
Leads Supported—DB9 connector: Pins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 (RLSD [DCD], RD,
TD, DTR, SGND, and RTS respectively)
Temperature Tolerance—32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C)
Input Power—SWI020A-R2: 115 VAC, 60 Hz directly from outlet through
nondetachable 6-ft. (1.8-m) power cord; SWI020AE-R2: 230 VAC, 60 Hz
directly from outlet through detachable power cord (not included)
Output Power—SWI020A-R2: 115 VAC, 60 Hz, up to 15 amps on one outlet (but
not more than 15 amps total for all outlets); SWI020AE-R2: 230 VAC, 50 Hz, up
to 15 amps on one outlet (but not more than 15 amps total for all outlets)

7
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Size—18"H (1U) x 17"W x 6.5"D (4.6 x 43.2 x 16.5 cm); when rackmount
brackets are added, the unit is 19" (48.3 cm) wide
Weight—5 lb. (2.3 kg)

8
POW-R-BOOT 5+
2. Introduction
2.1 Overview
Network equipment sometimes “locks-up,” making it impossible to communicate.
The Pow-R-Boot 5+ (PRB 5+) remote power boot switch can switch AC power on
five individually controlled plugs, allowing attached equipment to reset (reboot).
ASCII commands are sent to the RS-232 control port to select plugs, and specify
On, Off, or Boot operations. A convenient Status Screen shows On/Off conditions
at each plug. The Pow-R-Boot 5+ includes a security password, Location I.D. field,
and plug labels to identify the device connected to each plug.
2.2 Features
• Remotely toggles AC power to five separate outlets.
• Serial RS-232 control port interfaces directly with a PC or external modem.
• Allowing local or remote control.
• Status display shows plug labels and on/off conditions.
• Simple ASCII commands for On, Off, or Boot (Off/On).
• User-selectable re-boot cycle duration (Off Time).
• User-programmable password feature.
• User-programmable Location I.D.
• User-selectable echo mode.
• User-programmable plug labels.
• User-programmable power-up defaults.
• Requires only one rack space.
• Available in 115-VAC or 230-VAC configurations.

9
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2.3 The Pow-R-Boot 5+ Illustrated
2.3.1 T HE F RONT
P ANEL
Figure 2-1. The front panel of the Pow-R-Boot 5+.
➀POWER ON: Lights when the Pow-R-Boot 5+ is receiving AC power and is
ready to receive commands.
➁DATA INPUT: Flashes when the Pow-R-Boot 5+ receives commands via the
control port.
③BOOT IN PROGRESS (Plugs 1 through 5): The LEDs light one at a time
when a reboot cycle is in progress at the Pow-R-Boot 5+’s corresponding AC
outlet.

10
POW-R-BOOT 5+
2.3.2 T HE R EAR P ANEL
Figure 2-2. The rear panel of the Pow-R-Boot 5+ (115-VAC model shown).
➀AC Outlets 1 through 5: The devices whose rebooting you want to control
must be plugged into these outlets. On the 115-VAC model (SWI020A-R2),
the outlets are North American standard NEMA 5-15R sockets; on the 230-
VAC model (SWI020AE-R2), they are international standard IEC 320 female
connectors. Each outlet can deliver up to 15 amps, and the total current
drawn from all five outlets must not exceed 15 amps. See Section 3.4 for
more information.
➁Rate Switch: A four-position DIP switch used to set the control port baud
rate, select the Off-Time, enable/disable the Password Option, and
enable/disable the Read-Only Mode. See Section 3.1 for more information.
➂RS-232 (Control) Port: A male DB9 connector used for connection to an
external modem or local PC. The Pow-R-Boot 5+ will switch plugs on/off in
response to ASCII commands received via the control port. See Section 3.3
for more information.
④Default Button: Reads Rate Switch settings and sets parameters accordingly.
This allows the user to change Rate Switch settings without re-booting the
Pow-R-Boot 5+ and connected devices. The Default button can also be used
to bypass the Password Prompt.
➄115-VAC Units (SWI020A-R2): Nondetachable 6-ft. (1.8-m) power cord with a
North American standard NEMA-5-15P plug.
230-VAC Units (SWI020AE-R2): An international standard IEC 320 male inlet
to which you can connect a power cord appropriate for your geographical
area.
➅Circuit Breaker: 15 amps
➆Power Switch

11
CHAPTER 3: Installation
3. Installation
3.1 Setting the Rate Switch
The Rate Switch selects the control port baud rate, sets the boot cycle Off-Time,
and enables/disables the Password Option and Read-Only Mode. If switch settings
are changed while the unit is powered on, press the Default button to re-read the
switch settings. The Default button allows the user to change switch settings while
power is on, without rebooting the PRB 5+ and connected devices.
NOTE
If Rate Switch settings are changed while the unit is powered on, new
settings will not take effect until the Default button is pressed, or the
Pow-R-Boot 5+ is powered off and on.
Switch Position Function UP DOWN
1 Control Port Baud Rate 2400 bps 9600 bps*
2 Off-Time 10 sec. 5 sec.*
3 Password Function Disable Enable*
4 Read-Only Mode Enable Disable*
* = Factory Setting
Control Port Baud Rate: Use DIP-switch-position 1 to select the data rate you want
the PRB 5+ to use for Control port communication. The device attached to the
Control port must be set to the same data rate.
Off-Time: Switch position 2 selects the “Off-Time” for the reboot cycle. The Off-
Time determines how long the Pow-R-Boot 5+ will keep AC power off before
restoring it when you send a reboot (toggle power) command.
Select the 10-second Off-Time if the attached device needs to be off longer than
5 seconds in order to properly reinitialize.
Password: When position 3 is set DOWN (factory setting), a password will be
required in order to access the Pow-R-Boot 5+ command mode. The default
password is [Enter]. To redefine the password, please refer to Chapter 4.

12
POW-R-BOOT 5+
Read-Only Mode: When position 4 is set in the UP position to enable the Read-
Only Mode, the /P command (Define Parameters) is disabled. This allows the
user to invoke On/Off/Boot commands, but prevents redefinition of parameters
such as the Password and Power-Up Default.
3.2 Rackmounting the Unit
You can use the included screws and rackmount brackets to mount the Pow-R-Boot
5+ in any standard 19" rack. If you would rather mount the PRB 5+ in a 24" rack,
call Black Box for a quote on special brackets.
3.3 Connecting the Master Device
The Control Area on the Pow-R-Boot 5+ rear panels includes a DB9 male
connector labeled “RS-232.” Use this input to connect the PRB 5+ to the master
device. Figure 3-1 shows the control port interface.
C ONNECTING D EVICES TO THE RS-232 P ORT
The PRB 5+’s RS-232 port is a DB9 male connector wired in a DTE configuration
similar to that of an IBM® AT®computer. When connecting an external modem,
use a standard AT modem cable (our product code EVMBMC).
Make certain the modem is initialized at the same baud rate as the PRB 5+ (Rate
Switch 1). The modem must be placed in auto-answer mode, and set to answer in
one ring. Please refer to your external modem’s users’ guide to determine the
appropriate AT command string.
Figure 3-1. Pinout of the RS-232 port.

13
CHAPTER 3: Installation
3.4 Connecting Switched Devices
Plug the power cords or the power-supply input cords of each of the devices whose
rebooting you want to control into one of the five AC outlets on the rear panel of
the Pow-R-Boot 5+. Make sure that the power switches of these devices are all
turned ON. When the PRB 5+ is powered up, the five AC outlets will be set ON or
OFF as determined by the Power-Up Default string (see Chapter 4).
Each of the PRB 5+’s AC outlets is capable of switching up to 15 amps of AC
power. The total current load on all five outlets cannot exceed 15 amps.
3.5 Powering Up the System
If your Pow-R-Boot 5+ is the 230-VAC model, connect an appropriate power cord
to the IEC 320 male power inlet on its rear panel.
Now plug the Pow-R-Boot 5+’s power cord into a working AC outlet and turn
ON the PRB 5+’s ON/OFF switch. The PRB 5+’s POWER ON LED should light.
When power is applied, the PRB 5+’s five AC outlets will be set ON or OFF as
determined by the Power-Up Default String (described in Chapter 4).
Figure 3-2. Typical application for the Pow-R-Boot 5+.
PRB 5+

14
POW-R-BOOT 5+
4. Start-Up/Configuration
This section describes the procedures used to access the Pow-R-Boot 5+ command
mode and configure the unit to fit the requirements of your application.
1. Access the Pow-R-Boot 5+: The PRB 5+ is transparent to parity and will accept
7 or 8 bit characters, but will always answer back at 8 bits, no parity. Make
certain your communications program (for example, ProComm®) is set for
the appropriate baud rate, bits, and parity. We recommend that you set the
communications program for TTY mode.
a) Via Modem: Start your communications program. Dial the external
modem connected to the PRB 5+. Wait for the Connect message and
proceed to Step 2.
b) Via Local PC: Start your communications program.
2. Password: If the Password function is enabled, the unit will display a prompt.
Key in the Password and press [Enter]. If the password has not yet been
defined, just press [Enter].
NOTE
The Password feature is case-sensitive.
If you forget your password, press the Default button when the
Password Prompt appears, then invoke the /P command to display the
password.
3. The PRB 5+ will display the Status Screen (Figure 4-1).
4. When the command prompt appears, type /P and press [Enter] to define
system parameters. The unit will display a series of prompts.
NOTES
Pow-R-Boot 5+ commands are not case-sensitive.
To skip a prompt without changing its current definition, press [Enter].
To exit from the Define Parameters function, press [Esc] at any time.
Parameters defined up to that point will be saved.
a) Location: Key in a text string that describes the Pow-R-Boot 5+ location
(up to 23 characters).

15
CHAPTER 4: Start-Up/Configuration
Figure 4-1. The Pow-R-Boot 5+ Status Screen.
b) Password: The currently defined password is displayed next to the
prompt. To re-define the password (Default = [Enter]), key in the new
password (up to 8 characters) and press [Enter]. The password can
include blank spaces and higher-order ASCII characters. Note that the
Backspace key will not function during password definition.
c) Default (Power-Up Default): Allows the user to define default On/Off
conditions for each switched plug as described in on the next page. Key in
the desired Power-Up Defaults and press [Enter].
d) Echo Mode: When Echo Mode is enabled, commands sent to the PRB 5+
will be echoed back to your PC or terminal, allowing keyboard entries to
be displayed by your communications program. To enable or disable the
Echo Mode, type Yor N, press [Enter], then continue with the parameter
definition routine. When the command prompt returns, type /D and
press [Enter].
Location:SITE I.D.
Default: 0110
Plug Label Condition
1 PRINTER Off
2 SERVER ONE On
3 SERVER TWO On
4 MODEM BANK On
5 FAX Off
Command Summary:
/S Status
/P Enter Parameters
/D Set Plugs to Default
/X Exit
To Switch /n s Where n=Plug and s=ON/OFF/BOOT

16
POW-R-BOOT 5+
NOTES
The Echo Mode will not be enabled/disabled until the /D command is
invoked.
If the Power-Up Default String includes invalid or missing characters,
the /D command will not function.
e) Plug Labels: Allows the user to identify the device connected to each plug
(for example, “SERVER”). Key in the desired name (up to 16 characters)
and press [Enter].
The Power-Up Default String
The Power-Up Default String allows the user to select default On/Off conditions
for each switched AC outlet. When the Pow-R-Boot 5+ is powered up, or when the
/D command (Set Defaults) is invoked, each outlet will be set according to the
Default String.
NOTES
The Power-Up Default String includes five characters; each character
determines the default On/Off condition for the corresponding plug. The
first character applies to plug 1, the second character applies to plug 2,
and so on.
To set a plug to default ON, enter a one (1); to set a plug to default OFF,
enter a zero (0).
If the Default String includes invalid or missing characters, plugs will be
switched OFF when the unit is powered up, regardless of the conditions
shown by the Status Screen. In addition, the /D command will not
function.
Example 1: To set default On/Off conditions as follows:
ON: Plugs 1 and 5
OFF: Plugs 2, 3, and 4
The Power-Up Default String would be defined as “10001.”
Example 2: To set default plug conditions as follows:
ON: Plugs 3, 4, and 5
OFF: Plugs 1 and 2
The Power-Up Default String would be defined as “00111.”

17
CHAPTER 5: Operation
5. Operation
The device connected to the control port must send ASCII characters at the same
data rate as the Pow-R-Boot 5+. The unit accepts 8 bits no parity, or 7 bits even or
odd parity, but will always answer back at 8 bits, no parity. Access the PRB 5+ as
described in Chapter 4, step 1. When the command prompt appears, the user may
invoke the following commands.
NOTES
Commands are not case-sensitive.
Wait for the command prompt to appear before entering commands.
The prompt will not re-appear until the previous command is complete.
If an invalid command or parameter is entered, the PRB 5+ will respond
with the “?” message.
1. Switch Plug(s) On: To power-on one or all of the five switched plugs, type
/n ON and press [Enter]. “n” is a plug number from 1 to 5 and an asterisk (*)
indicates the command should be applied to all plugs.
2. Switch Plug(s) Off: To power-off one or all of the five switched plugs, type
/n OFF and press [Enter]. “n” is a plug number from 1 to 5 and an asterisk
(*) indicates the command should be applied to all plugs. Note that “OFF”
can also be entered as “OF.”
3. Boot Plug(s): To initiate a Boot cycle at one or all of the switched plugs, type
/n BOOT and press [Enter]. “n” is a plug number from 1 to 5 and an asterisk
(*) indicates the command should be applied to all plugs. Note that “BOOT”
can also be entered as “B.” The PRB 5+ will display a series of periods (dots)
while the Boot cycle is in progress.
4. Status: To display the Status Screen, type /S and press [Enter].
5. Enter Parameters: To define parameters, such as the Location I.D., Power-Up
Default, and Plug Labels, type /P and press [Enter]. (Refer to Chapter 4, step
4.)
6. Set Plugs to Default: To set all plugs to the Power-Up Defaults, type /D and
press [Enter]. Note that if the Default String includes missing or invalid
characters, the /D command will not function.
7. Exit: To exit from command mode, type /X and press [Enter].