Black Box ServSwitch Spectra User manual

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ServSwitch™Spectra
At last—a keyboard/video/
mouse switch that’s both
simple and stylish.

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11/14/2011
#25010
The ServSwitch Spectra is a KVM switch for the rest of us—
it’s easy to install, it’s easy to use, and it even looks good on the desktop.
» Control two PCs with one keyboard, monitor,
and mouse, plus (if you like) a pair of speakers
or headphones.
» Powerful video support (up to 1600 x 1280
at up to 100 Hz).
» Handles most mice, including wheel mice.
» Translates to serial-mouse protocol for older
computers.
» Switch between PCs with a button press
or a keyboard command.
» Powered by the PCs.
» Contemporary styling.
FEATURES
We know about that promise you made to yourself. You wouldn’t
be caught dead installing a keyboard/video/mouse switch for your
two PCs, even though you could use one to clear the extra user
equipment off your desk.
You’ve got good reasons. Most KVM switches are way too
complicated. The ones you can afford turn out to be weak, feature-
poor, inflexible, and unreliable. And there isn’t a single model that
you’d want an office visitor to see—even the most exciting-looking
ones resemble a shoebox with blinking lights.
Maybe our ServSwitch™Spectra can tempt you to break that
promise. For starters, it’s a lot more handsome than your average
KVM switch. It’s in a sleek, compact case that’s taller that it is wide,
so that it takes up very little desktop space.
But the Spectra is more than eye candy. In addition to the usual
support for using one monitor, keyboard, and mouse to control a
pair of IBM®PC type computer CPUs, the Spectra has audio jacks
for attaching headphones or speakers and switching the PC’s audio
output as well.
(What if you’re listening to a CD or Web radio that one of
the computers is playing and don’t want it to be interrupted?
No problem—audio switching can be turned on and off with
quick three-key commands.)
OVERVIEW
The ServSwitch Spectra can also handle PC video at resolutions
and refresh rates that would swamp a lot of bigger, more expensive
switches. It supports VGA, SVGA, or XGA at up to 1600 x 1280 pixels,
at refresh rates up to 100 Hz.
It also handles most PS/2 type mice—two-button, three-button,
or wheel mice such as the Microsoft®IntelliMouse®. It doesn’t support
serial mice, but it can translate PS/2 mouse signals into serial-mouse
protocol, so you can still use your older workhorse PCs that have serial
mouse ports only.
The Spectra has the usual pushbutton for switching and the usual
LEDs to tell you which CPU is selected, but it also has a full set of
keyboard commands for switching or scanning between computers,
for troubleshooting your system, and more.
Lastly, even though it’s a stellar performer, it’s still not complicated
at all. Look at the picture on the next page: Just plug your user
equipment right into its labeled ports, run one CPU-extension cable
and (if necessary) one audio cable from each of the PCs to its labeled
ports, and you’re ready to go. (The Spectra is powered by the PCs—
no AC outlet is required.)
The Spectra comes with a mounting plate you can use to attach
it to a flat surface. If you get the ServSwitch Spectra Kit (product code
SW681A-K), you also get two of the standard CPU-extension cables.
Optional 3.5-mm Stereo Audio
Cable, Male/Male (EJ110)
CPU 2
Standard CPU Cable (EHN404)
Standard
CPU Cable
(EHN404)
Optional 3.5-mm Stereo Audio Cable,
Male/Male (EJ110)
User Station
CPU 1
Optional
Headphones
ServSwitch Spectra

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Item Code
ServSwitch Spectra SW681A
✦Includes [1] mounting plate.
ServSwitch Spectra Kit SW681A-K
✦Includes [1] ServSwitch Spectra, (1) mounting plate, and (2)10-ft.
(3-m) PS/2 Standard CPU Cables (EHN404-0010).
You might also need…
ServSwitch Standard CPU Cables
5-ft. (1.5-m) EHN404-0005
10-ft. (3-m) EHN404-0010
15-ft. (4.6-m) EHN404-0015
20-ft. (6.1-m) EHN404-0020
ServSwitch Coax CPU Cables
5-ft. (1.5-m) EHN408-0005
10-ft. (3-m) EHN408-0010
20-ft. (6.1-m) EHN408-0020
30-ft. (9.1-m) EHN408-0030
3.5-mm Stereo Audio Cables, Male/Male
10-ft. (3-m) EJ110-0010
20-ft. (6.1-m) EJ110-0020
IBM AT Keyboard Adapter,
6-Pin Mini-DIN Female to 5-Pin DIN Male FA212-R2
Mouse Adapter,
6-Pin Mini-DIN Female to DB9 Female FA312
PS/2 Type Keyboard Surge Protector SP519A-R2
(Call Black Box for help determining your best options for AC-power
backup and protection.)
What’s included
SW681A:
✦(1) ServSwitch Spectra
✦(1) mounting plate
✦(1) users’ manual
SW681A-K:
✦(1) ServSwitch Spectra
✦(1) mounting plate
✦(2) 10-ft. (3-m) PS/2 Standard CPU Cables (EHN404-0010)
✦(1) users’ manual
SW681A
TECH SPECS
Compliance — CE, FCC Part 15, Subpart B, Class A, IC Class/classe A
Standards —
With standard Serv cabling: VGA video;
With standard Serv cabling (minimal) or coaxial cabling
(recommended): SVGA video;
With coaxial cabling: XGA video
Resolution and Refresh Rate — With standard CPU-Extension
Cable: Up to 1024 x 768 noninterlaced at up to 75 Hz;
With coaxial CPU-Extension Cable: Up to 1600 x 1280
noninterlaced at up to 100 Hz
Maximum Distance — Up to 20 ft. (6.1 m) of CPU-Extension Cable from
the ServSwitch Spectra to either attached CPU, but this will depend on
the type of cable, the CPU, the monitor, and the video resolution
User Controls — Keyboard commands;
Top-mounted CPU-selection pushbutton;
Rear-mounted reset pushbutton
Interfaces — Video (pinned as VGA, standards listed above):
IBM®PS/2 keyboard and mouse—with adapters,
also supports IBM AT®keyboards and CPUs with
AT keyboard ports, as well as (when EHN408 cables are used)
CPUs with serial-mouse ports;
3.5-mm stereo audio
Connectors — All rear-mounted:
To user station:
(1) HD15 female to VGA monitor;
(2) 6-pin mini-DIN female: (1) to PS/2 keyboard,
(1) to PS/2 mouse;
(1) 3.5-mm jack to speakers/headphones;
To CPUs:
(1) HD15 female to video-output ports;
(4) 6-pin mini-DIN female: (2) to PS/2 keyboard ports,
(2) to PS/2 mouse ports;
(2) 3.5-mm jack for audio-output ports
Indicators — (2) Front-mounted selected-CPU LEDs
Maximum Altitude — 10,000 ft. (3048 m)
Temperature Tolerance — 32 to 131°F (0 to 55°C)
Humidity Tolerance — 5 to 80% noncondensing
Enclosure — High-impact plastic
Power — From the interface
Size — 6.2"H x 2.7"W x 5"D (15.7 x 6.9 x 12.7 cm)
Weight — Net: 1 lb. (0.5 kg);
Shipping: 2 lb. (0.9 kg)