Black Box AC815A User manual

CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S. 24 hours, 7 A.M. Monday to midnight Friday: 877-877-BBOX
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]
NOVEMBER 1998
AC815A
AC816A
4-Port Student Hub

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
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.

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
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.

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
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.
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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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
TRADEMARKS
AT and PS/2 are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation.
The trademarks mentioned in this manual are the sole property of their owners.

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
CONTENTS
1. Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1 Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.3 4-Port Student Hub. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.4 4-Port Student Hub Cable Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.1 Advantages of the 4-Port Student Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 Summary of Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3 How to Use this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3. Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1 4-Port Student Hub Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2 What You Need for a 4-Port Student Hub Classroom . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.3 Preparation and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.4 Sequential Numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.5 The Stages of the Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.6 Additional Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.7 Operating ClassWork Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4. The 4-Port Student Hub (4SIU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.1 The 4SIU Front Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.2 The Rear-Panel Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.3 Setting the DIP Switches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.3.1 Setting the Student Unit Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.3.2 Setting the DIP Switch for AT or PS/2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5. The Teacher Interface Unit (TIU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.1 The TIU Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.2 The Rear-Panel Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.3 Setting the DIP Switches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.3.1 Setting the ID Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.3.2 Setting the DIP Switch for AT or PS/2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
6. Installing the 4-Port Student Hub (4SIU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.1 Pre-Installation Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.2 Connecting the ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub. . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.3 Connecting the Cables to the 4-Port Student Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.3.1 Connecting the Audio Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.3.2 Connecting the System Cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
6.3.3 Connecting the Terminator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
6.3.4 Connecting the Com Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
6.3.5 Connecting the KVM Adapter Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
6.3.6 Connecting the CPU Adapter Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
6.3.7 Connecting the 4SIU to the Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
7. Installing the Teacher Interface Unit (TIU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
7.1 Connecting the Teacher Control Unit (TCU). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
7.2 Preparing the Teacher Interface Unit (TIU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
7.3 Connecting the Cables to the TIU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.3.1 Connecting the Control Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
7.3.2 Connecting the Mouse Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
7.3.3 Connecting the Keyboard Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
7.3.4 Connecting the System Cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
7.3.5 Connecting the Terminator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
7.3.6 Connecting the Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
7.4 Connecting the TIU to the Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
1. Specifications
1.1 Video
Bandwidth — Not less than 100 MHz
High resolution screen — Transfer of up to 1280 x 1024 pixels
and full-motion video
1.2 System
Keyboard — AT or PS/2
Mouse — Serial or PS/2
1.3 4-Port Student Hub
Size — 1.8"H x 10.9"W x 5.6"D (4.6 x 27.8 x 14.3 cm)
1.4 4-Port Student Hub Cable Connectors
CPU AT PS/2
Computer Connector DB25 male DB25 male
Keyboard 5-pin DIN male Mini 6-pin DIN male
Monitor HD DB15 male HD DB15 male
Mouse DB9 female Mini 6-pin DIN male
KVM AT PS/2
Station Connector DB25 female DB25 female
Keyboard 5-pin DIN female Mini 6-pin DIN female
Monitor HD DB15 female HD DB15 female
Mouse DB9 male Mini 6-pin DIN female
Audio Mini 8-pin DIN male
Com DB9 male
System DB25 male

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
2. Introduction
The ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub (4SIU) connects up to four student
positions and their CPUs to a single Interface Unit.
Compared to the ClassWork Plus Student Interface Unit, the 4SIU solution
reduces your need for hardware units by 75%.
For example, in a classroom of sixteen students you need just four 4SIUs
with one Teacher Interface Unit (TIU).
For the same classroom based solely on ClassWork Plus, with every student
position requiring a ClassWork Plus Student Interface Unit, you would need
an additional twelve hardware units.
So the 4-Port Student Hub solution saves valuable resources including costs
and space even though you still have access to all the ClassWork Plus functions.
Figures 6-11 and 6-12 illustrate the typical setup of a ClassWork Plus 4-Port
Student Hub Classroom.
2.1 Advantages of the 4-Port Student Hub
In addition to its cost effectiveness, the 4-Port Student Hub supports these features:
• Increased picture quality, since reduced bus length causes less resistance in the
ClassWork Plus System.
• Reduced material, since you need less hardware units and cables.
• Ease of installation, support, and maintenance, since technical problems
are easily isolated to one of the 4-Port Student Hubs.
• Linking in a daisy-chain pattern (bus) of up to 63 CPUs (99 CPUs when
combined with ClassWork Plus Student Interface Units).
• A maximum bus length of 246 ft. (75 m) which can be increased using
a Line Booster.

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
2.2 Summary of Abbreviations
• 4SIU: 4-Port Student Hub
• TCU: Teacher Control Unit
• TIU: Teacher Interface Unit
2.3 How to Use this Manual
This manual is divided into four sections:
1. Specifications (Chapter 1). This section contains reference material
on technical specifications.
2. Introduction and Overview (Chapters 2 and 3). This section summarizes
the setting up and configuration of the ClassWork Plus classroom.
3. The Units: The 4SIU and the TIU (Chapters 4 and 5). This section describes
the 4SIU and the TIU. It also includes diagrams illustrating the front and rear
panels of the units.
4. Installing the 4SIU and the TIU (Chapters 6 and 7). This section covers
pre-installation recommendations, plus 4SIU and TIU installation.

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
3. Overview
This chapter deals with configuring the ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub
classroom and summarizing its operation.
3.1 4-Port Student Hub Configuration
This section discusses:
• What you need for a ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub Classroom.
• The preparation and planning of the ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub
Classroom.
• The stages of the installation.
3.2 What You Need for a ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub Classroom
Configuring the ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub Classroom consists of a
combination of the basic computer equipment and the specialized ClassWork Plus
equipment, including:
• A TCU for each classroom.
• A TIU for each classroom.
• A 4SIU for every four students.
• A power supply for the TIU and for each 4SIU.
• Various cables.
• Desk bracket(s).
3.3 Preparation and Planning
Thorough planning is the key to successful configuration of your ClassWork Plus
4-Port Student Hub Classroom. Time spent prior to the actual installation, in
preparation and planning, will prove itself time well invested.
Draw a sketch of your proposed ClassWork Plus system, taking into account the
positioning of the CPUs, the 4SIUs, the TIU, and the TCU. Make provisions for:

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
• Electrical wall sockets—if necessary, a certified electrician should prepare
enough outlets before you install the ClassWork System.
NOTE
Each outlet should have the same phase and a common ground.
• Positioning of the System Cables—allow extra cabling for inside the plastic
duct installed around the classroom’s walls and any frames around doorways.
Minimize cabling likely to clutter the areas where students walk.
• Using Line Boosters—Black Box can preview your sketches, providing general
advice and further tips where required. Call Technical Support at
724-746-5500.
3.4 Sequential Numbering
Each 4-Port Student Hub serves up to four Student Positions, 1, 2, 3, and 4: the
numbering is sequential. Figure 3-1 illustrates two solutions to the need for
consecutive numbering where Table 1 has three Student Positions, Table 2 has two
Student Positions, Table 3 has one Student Position, and Table 4 has four Student
Positions.

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Figure 3-1. Sequential Numbering Example.
Table 1
123
Table 2
5 6 7
5678
45
Table 3
6
Table 4
789
1 2 3
1234
9-12
9 10 11
9 101112
12
10
Table 1
123
Table 2
4 5 6
5678
45
Table 3
6
Table 4
789
1 2 3
1234
9 10
9 101112
10
7 8
#1 1-4 #2 5-8 #3 9-12
#3 9-12
#2 5-8
#1 1-4

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Sometimes the solution to your layout is met by combining 4-Port Student Hubs
with the ClassWork Plus Student Interface Units or the ClassWork Plus Board
Version. Call Technical Support for details.
Figures 3-2 and 3-3 illustrate two ways to configure a classroom of forty students.
Figure 3-2 uses ten 4-Port Student Hubs.
Figure 3-3 combines eight 4-Port Student Hubs with other ClassWork Plus
products. It illustrates how you set the ID Numbering for 4-Port Student Hubs
and the ClassWork Plus Student Interface Units.
In Figure 3-3, for example, the computers are numbered 01, 02, 03, and 04.
You set the 4-Port Student Hub ID Number to 01.
The ClassWork Plus computer is numbered 05. You set its ID Number to 05.
You always set the ID Number for the TIU to 0.
For further information on Setting the ID Number of the Dipswitches for the
4-Port Student Hub, and the Teacher Interface Unit, see Sections 4.3 and 5.3,
respectively.

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Figure 3-2. ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub Configuration #1.
Teacher’s PC
Terminator 4-Port Student Hub (4-SIU)
40 Students + 1 Teacher using 10 4-SIUs (4 Students per 4-SUI)

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Figure 3-3. ClassWork Plus 4-Port Student Hub Configuration #2.
Terminator
4-Port Student Hub (4-SIU)
Teachers PC
5 5 5
ClassWork Plus Interface Unit
40 Students + 1 Teacher using (8) 4SIUs (4 Students per 4-SIU) with (8) ClassWork Plus or Classwork Plus Board Version Positions, without any Line Multiplier.

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4-PORT STUDENT HUBS
3.5 The Stages of the Installation
The order in which you install your ClassWork Plus system depends on common
sense and convenience. Every person has his or her way of doing the same thing.
Nevertheless, we do recommend the following guidelines:
• Before the day of the actual installation, check the classroom’s layout: the
positioning of the furniture, the lighting, electrical outlets, and that there is
sufficient plastic duct attached to the walls for the system cabling. This will
allow time for the classroom’s administrators to carry out any rearrangements
before the day of the actual installation.
• On the day of the actual installation, first make sure that the basic computer
equipment listed in Chapters 5 and 6is fully installed and operating. Switch
on all the CPUs to confirm that each workstation functions properly. Once
confirmed, switch off all the CPUs.
• Determine where in the classroom you are going to place the Teacher
Position. Usually the Teacher sits at the front of the class; but not always.
Figure 3-4 illustrates four different configurations for the Teacher Position.
Figure 3-4. Positioning the Teacher.
1
2
3
4
9
10
11
12
5 6 7 8
Teacher
1 2 3 4 9 10 11 12
5 6 7 8 13 14 15 16
Teacher
912
Teacher
14 15
1 4 13 16
23
23
14
10 11
Teacher
14
23
912
10 11
57
68
13 15
14 16

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3.6 Additional Guidelines
• Unpack and then position all the specialized ClassWork Plus equipment at its
place of installation.
• Affix each 4-Port Student Hub firmly to the top of the desk or table, or ideally
to the desk’s underside using brackets. Insert a piece of rubber between the
4-Port Student Hub and the brackets to keep the Hub in place.
3.7 Operating ClassWork Plus
For hardware operation using the TCU refer to the ClassWork Plus User’s Manual,
Chapter 5.

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4. The 4-Port Student Hub (4SIU)
This Chapter describes the front and the rear panels of the 4-Port Student Hub.
4.1 The Front Panel
Figure 4-1 illustrates the connectors, the indicators, and the DIP switches
on the 4-Port Student Hub’s front panel. Table 4-1 describes them.
Figure 4-1. Front Panel of the 4-Port Student Hub.
Table 4-1. Front Panel Connectors, Indicators, and DIP Switches.
Title Function
Audio Port (8-pin Mini DIN female) Connect the Audio Cable’s 8-pin Mini DIN
male connector
Active CPU Indicators Lights to identify an active CPU
Student Position Indicators Lights to identify a Student position functioning
as part of the ClassWork Plus system
System Port (DB25 female) Connect the System Cable’s DB25 male
connector
Com Port (DB9 female) Connect the Com Cable’s DB9 male connector
DIP Switches Set as required—see Section 4.3
Audio Port (8-pin Mini DIN
female connectors)
Student Position Indicators
Active CPU Indicators
System Port (DB25 female)
DIP Switches
COM Port
(DB9 female)

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4.2 The Rear-Panel Connections
Figure 4-2 illustrates the rear panel of the 4-Port Student Hub.
Table 4-2 describes the basic hardware connections.
Figure 4-2. The Rear Panel of the 4-Port Student Hub.
Table 4-2. Rear-Panel Connectors.
4.3 Setting the DIP Switches
You set the DIP switches as follows, as Figures 4-3 and 4-4 illustrate: When the first
4-Port Student Hub is configured as #1 (for computers 1, 2, 3, and 4), the second
Hub is configured as #5 (for computers 5, 6, 7, and 8), and the third Hub is
configured as #9.
Title Function
Computer # (DB25 female) Connect the CPU adapter cable’s DB25 male
connector to this port.
Station # (DB25 male) Connect the KVM adapter cable’s DB25
female connector to this port.
Power Connector Connect the power supply to this connector.
STATION 1 STATION 2 STATION 3 STATION 4
COMPUTER 1 COMPUTER 2 COMPUTER 3 COMPUTER 4
Power
Connector