Black Box ACX4000 User manual

ACX4000
DVI-D-CatX-
Multiplex Repeater
Cross point Switch
Single head KVM- Switch
Dual head KVM- Switch
Manual
http://www.blackbox.com

ACX4000
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Welcome to the ACX4000 Family!
Thank you for purchasing a ACX4000 Switch! We appreciate your business, and we think
you’ll appreciate the many ways that your ACX4000 system will save you money, time, and
effort.
The ACX4000 Switch offers three fundamental uses:
•As a Multiplex Repeater: the DVI signals (+optional audio) coming from a signal
source are equalized and distributed on up to 7 equivalent outputs. A control is not
necessary. Distributed display systems can be realized (Digital Signage).
•As an 8-port Cross point Switch: each port can be switched optionally as an input or
output. You can, for example, switch and distribute the signals from 3 signal
sources on up to 5 displays (allowing simultaneous presentations on several
displays). Alternatively, signals coming from 7 signal sources can be switched in
turn to a single display. The changeover can be triggered remotely using the serial
interface (RS232) and/or by a push-button at the device.
•As a 7-port KVM Switch: up to 7 Single head ports (a “Single head” extender
system supports 1x monitor, 1x keyboard, 1x mouse) or up to 3 Dual head ports (a
Dual head extender system supports 2x monitor, 1x keyboard, 1x mouse). The
changeover can be triggered remotely using the serial interface (RS232) and/or by a
push-button at the device.
Cascade multiple devices in two stages for all applications to give up to 49/1 connections.
The ACX4000 Switch has the advantage that it can be positioned up to 140m away from both
your signal source and display device. This becomes possible by using the proven ACX4000-
Extender technology for the transmission of DVI- Monitor and USB-Keyboard and Mouse
signals over CATx- cable.
The operation of a ACX4000 Switch always requires at least one Local Unit and up to seven
Remote Units from the ACX4000-Extenders range.

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Wherever long distances cause problems for remotely locating and switching a monitor
(keyboard/mouse) signal, e.g. airports, industrial plants, call centres or in distributed
computer centres, the ACX4000 Switch is the best solution. Its flexibility allows it to tackle
many tasks.
In addition, there are 4 Media Extenders (DVI + optional audio) and 8 KVM- Extenders
(DVI+USB keyboard mouse + optional audio) available. The transmission of the signals
requires connecting CATx cable.
This manual will tell you all about your new ACX4000 Switch, including how to install,
operate and troubleshoot it. For an introduction to the Converter, see Chapter 2.
The Converter product codes covered in this manual are:
ACX4000: 7-port Switch
ACS4100A-T: ACX4000 DVI only Local Unit
ACS4122A-T: ACX4000 DVI + serial/audio Local Unit
ACS4001A-T: ACX4000- DVI + USB-HID Local Unit, Single head
ACS4201A-T: ACX4000- DVI + USB-HID Local Unit, Dual head
ACS4022A-T: ACX4000- DVI + USB-HID + serial/Audio Local Unit, , Single head
ACS4222A-T: ACX4000- DVI + USB-HID + serial/Audio Local Unit, , Dual head
ACS4100A-R: ACX4000 DVI only Remote Unit
ACS4122A-R: ACX4000 DVI + serial/audio Remote Unit
ACS4001A-R: ACX4000- DVI + USB-HID Remote Unit, Single head
ACS4201A-R: ACX4000- DVI + USB-HID Remote Unit, Dual head
ACS4022A-R: ACX4000- DVI + USB-HID + serial/Audio Remote Unit, , Single head
ACS4222A-R: ACX4000- DVI + USB-HID + serial/Audio Remote Unit, , Dual head

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Copyrights and Trademarks
©2008. All rights reserved. This information may not be reproduced in any manner without
the prior written consent of the manufacturer.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and the manufacturer shall
not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the use of this material.
All trademark and trade names mentioned in this document are acknowledged to be the
property of their respective owners.
Disclaimer
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, the manufacturer
assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither does the manufacturer assume any
liability for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. The
manufacturer reserves the right to change the specifications, functions, or circuitry of the
product without notice.
The manufacturer cannot accept liability for damage due to misuse of the product or due to
any other circumstances outside the manufacturer’s control (whether environmental or
installation related). The manufacturer shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or injury
arising directly, indirectly, or consequently from the use of this product.
Cautions and Notes
The following symbols are used in this guide:
CAUTION: This indicates an important operating instruction
that should be followed to avoid any potential damage to
hardware or property, loss of data, or personal injury.
NOTE. This indicates important information to help you make the best use of
this product.

LEERE SEITE
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ACX4000
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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 and the maximum CPU- cable length <3m,
the Units:
ACX4000
ACS4100A-T, ACS4122A-T, ACS4001A-T, ACS4201A-T, ACS4022A-T, ACS4222A-T,
ACS4100A-R, ACS4122A-R, ACS4001A-R, ACS4201A-R, ACS4022A-R, ACS4222A-R,
are shielded against the generation of radio interferences in accordance with the
application of Council Directive 89/336/EEC as well as these standards:
EN 55022: 1999 Class A
EN 55024: 1999
IEC 61000-4-2: 2001
IEC 61000-4-3: 2001
IEC 61000-4-4: 2001
EN 61000-3-2 2001
EN 61000-3-3 2002
The device was tested in a typical configuration with CPU.
This equipment has been found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.

SAFETY-PRECAUTIONS AND
INSTALLATION GUIDLINES
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Safety Precautions and Installation Guidelines
To ensure reliable and safe long-term operation, please note the following installation
guidelines:
•Do not use CATx- devices to link between buildings – please use fibre devices.
•Only use in dry, indoor environments.
•If the building has 3-phase AC power, try to ensure that equipment connected to the
Local and Remote Units is on the same phase.
•Try not to route a CATx- link cable alongside power cables.
•The Switch Unit, Remote Unit, Local Unit and any power supplies can get warm. Do not
locate them in an enclosed space without any airflow.
•Do not place a power supply directly on top of a unit.
•Do not obscure a unit’s ventilation holes.
To safeguard against personal injury and avoid possible
damage to equipment or property, please observe the
following:
•Only use power supplies originally supplied with the
product or manufacturer-approved replacements. Do not
attempt to dismantle or repair any power supply. Do not
use a power supply if it appears to be defective or has a
damaged case.
•Connect all power supplies to grounded outlets. In each
case, ensure that the ground connection is maintained
from the outlet socket through to the power supply’s AC
power input.
•Do not attempt to modify or repair this product, or make
a connection from the CATx- link interface (RJ45) to any
other products, especially telecommunications or
network equipment.

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Contents
1. Quick Setup 12
2. Overview 13
2.1 Introduction 13
2.2 Glossary 14
2.3 Example of a ACX4000- Switch System 15
2.4 Features 16
2.5 Product Range 17
2.6 Compatibility 18
Interface Compatibility 18
2.7 How to Use This Guide 19
Connection & Compatibility 19
DDC Information 19
Selecting the moment of switching to the next frame 19
Selection of Color reduction for transfer acceleration 19
3. Installation 20
3.1 Package Contents 20
3.2 Interconnection Cable Requirements 22
3.3 System Setup 23
3.4 Installation Instructions 25
4. Device Views 26
4.1 ACX4000- Switch for CATx 26
Configuration ‘Multiplex-Repeater’ – 1 Source up to 7 Displays 26
Configuration ‘Multiplex-Repeater’ – 2 Sources / each up to 3 Displays 26
Configuration ‘Multiplex-Repeater’ – 4 Sources on 4 Displays 27
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 1 Input / 7 Outputs 27
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 2 Inputs / 6 Outputs 28
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 3 Inputs / 5 Outputs 28
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 4 Inputs / 4 Outputs 29
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 5 Inputs / 3 Outputs 29
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 6 Inputs / 2 Outputs 30
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 7 Inputs / 1 Output 30
Configuration ‘Single head KVM-Switch’ 31
Configuration ‘Dual head KVM-Switch’ 31
4.2 ACX4000- Media Extender 33
4.3 ACX4000- KVM Extender 35
5. Diagnostic 40
5.1 ACX4000- Switch for CATx 40

CONTENTS
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5.2 ACX4000- Media/ KVM Extender 41
6. Service Setup 42
6.1 ACX4000- Switch for CATx 42
Operating Mode Selection 43
6.2 ACX4000- Switch Media/ KVM Extender 45
6.3 Setup at the Local Unit 46
DDC / colour depth 46
Loading the DDC Information from the Remote Monitor into the internal DDC
Table 47
Selection of Color depth 47
6.4 Setup at the Remote Unit 48
Selecting the moment of switching to the next frame 48
7. Operating Modes 49
7.1 Multiplex- Repeater 49
Configuration ‘Multiplex-Repeater’ – 1 Source up to 7 Displays 49
Configuration ‘Multiplex-Repeater’ – 2 Sources, each up to 3 displays50
Configuration ‘Multiplex-Repeater’ – 4 Sources on 4 Displays 50
Example Applications: 51
Indicator LEDs 53
Meaning of the diagnostic LEDs: 53
Setup 54
Operation 54
By serial interface 54
Control commands 54
7.2 Cross point- Switch 55
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 1 Input / 7 Outputs 56
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 2 Inputs / 6 Outputs 56
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 3 Inputs / 5 Outputs 57
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 4 Inputs / 4 Outputs 57
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 5 Inputs / 3 Outputs 58
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 6 Inputs / 2 Outputs 58
Configuration ‘Cross point-Switch’ 7 Inputs /1 Output 59
Example Application: 60
Setup 61
Indicator LEDs 62
Meaning of the diagnostic LEDs: 62
Operation 63
a) By push button: 63
b) By serial interface 63
Control commands 64
Examples: 64
7.3 Single head KVM- Switch 65
Configuration ‚Single head KVM- Switch’ 65
Example Application: 66
Setup 67
Master/Slave function 67
Operating mode after Reset/Power ON 67
Indicator LEDs 68
Meaning of the diagnostic LEDs: 68
Operation 69
a) By push-button: 69

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b) By serial interface 69
Control commands 70
Examples: 70
c) By the attached keyboard 71
User commands 71
Call of the command mode 72
Instructions within the command mode 73
Examples: 74
7.4 Dual head KVM- Switch 75
Configuration of ‘Dual head KVM- Switch’ 75
Example Application: 76
Setup 77
Master/Slave function 77
Operating mode after Reset/Power ON 77
Indicator LEDs 78
Meaning of the diagnostic LEDs: 78
Operation 79
a) By push-button: 79
b) By serial interface 79
Control commands 80
Examples: 80
c) By the attached keyboard 81
User commands 81
Call of the command mode 82
Instructions within the command mode 83
Examples: 84
7.5 Systeminfo 85
Control command 85
Available Information 85
7.6 Restore Factory Defaults 86
8. Troubleshooting 87
Monitor 87
USB-Keyboard/USB-Mouse 88
USB-HID device 89
Other USB-devices 89
Appendix A: Example Applications 90
Appendix B: Rack Mount Options 95
19“ rack mounting instruction ACX4000 Switch 98
Appendix C: Devices with serial/audio option 99
Serial Interface - Set Up and Operation 99
Serial Interface - Handling Multiple Serial Devices (Single head KVM devices only!) 99
Audio Interface - Set Up and Operation 100
Audio Interface - Using a Microphone 100
Appendix D: Protocol for command mode 101
Sequence of data communication 102
Telegrams, global functions 102
Switching functions 103
Glossary: 103
Telegrams, switching functions 103