Black Box ServSwitch Wizard SW641A User manual

AUGUST 2000
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3
4
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Power
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SW641A
SW641A-K
SW642A
SW642A-K
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 2000. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.
Customer Support Information:

1
THE SERVSWITCH™FAMILY
Welcome to the
ServSwitch™Family!
Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX®ServSwitch™Brand KVM switch! 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™ Wizard unit,
including how to install, operate, and troubleshoot it. For an introduction to the
ServSwitch Wizard, see Chapter 2. The ServSwitch Wizard product codes covered
in this manual are:
SW641A SW641A-K
SW642A SW642A-K

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks, ServSwitch,
ServSwitch Duo, and ServSwitch Wizard are trademarks, and “The World’s
Source for Connectivity” is a service mark, of Black Box Corporation.
Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Compaq is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation.
Genius and Netmouse are trademarks of KYE Systems Corp.
Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard.
IBM, PC/AT, PS/2, RS/6000, and ThinkPad are registered trademarks of
International Business Machines Corporation.
Logitech and MouseMan are registered trademarks, and Pilot Mouse is a
trademark, of Logitech, Inc.
Microsoft, IntelliMouse, and Windows are registered trademarks or trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
SGI is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Sun and Sun Microsystems are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
in the United States and other countries.
Velcro is a registered trademark of Velcro USA Inc.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property
of the trademark owners.

3
FCC/IC RFI 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 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 classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B
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 may 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, the user is encouraged to 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 with this equipment 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.

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
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.
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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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications ......................................................................... 9
2. Introduction ........................................................................ 12
2.1 Features and Benefits of the ServSwitch Wizard ....... 12
2.2 The Complete ServSwitch Wizard Package ............... 15
2.3 The ServSwitch Wizard Illustrated ............................. 17
2.4 Safety Concerns .......................................................... 18
3. Installation ........................................................................... 19
3.1 What You Will Need ................................................... 19
3.2 Placement .................................................................... 21
3.3 Connecting Your Devices ........................................... 22
3.4 Connecting to AC Power (Optional) ........................ 27
4. Configuration ...................................................................... 29
4.1 Configuring Your PCs ................................................. 29
4.2 Configuring the ServSwitch Wizard ........................... 30
5. Operation ............................................................................. 34
5.1 The Power LED ............................................................ 34
5.2 The Channel LEDs ..................................................... 35
5.3 The Channel-Change Pushbutton ............................. 37
5.4 Things to Keep in Mind About the
Keyboards and Mice ............................................... 38
5.5 Keyboard Control: Hotkey Commands
(Including Autoscanning and Screen Blanking) ... 39
5.6 Mouse Control ............................................................ 43
5.7 Re-Enabling a Disconnected PS/2 Mouse ................ 44
5.8 Cascading ServSwitch Wizards ................................... 45

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
Chapter Page
6. Troubleshooting .................................................................. 48
6.1 Things to Try ............................................................... 48
6.2 The Maintenance-Mode Functions ........................... 53
6.2.1 Hot-Plugging Devices Into the
ServSwitch Wizard and Re-Enabling
Disconnected CPU PS/2 Mouse Ports .......... 55
6.2.2 Querying the Switch for Its
Firmware Version ........................................... 60
6.2.3 Resetting the Keyboard and Mouse ................. 60
6.3 Resetting the ServSwitch Wizard Itself ...................... 61
6.4 Calling Black Box ........................................................ 62
6.5 Shipping and Packaging ............................................. 63
Appendix: Cable and Connector Guidelines ............................. 64
A.1 Cabling: Keyboard, Monitor, and Mouse to
ServSwitch Wizard .................................................... 64
A.2 Cabling: ServSwitch Wizard to PCs ............................ 65

9
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
1. Specifications
Compliance — CE (EN55022 Class B); FCC Part 15 Subpart J
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, also supports
IBM PC/AT keyboard and EIA/TIA
RS-232 mouse
Resolution — Up to 1600 x 1200 noninterlaced at up to
100 Hz
Maximum
Distance — Without optional power supply:
2 m (6 ft.) to any attached keyboard,
monitor, and mouse;
10 m (32 ft.) to any attached CPU or
cascaded ServSwitch Wizard unit;
With optional power supply:
10 m (32 ft.) to any attached keyboard,
monitor, and mouse;
20 m (65 ft.) to any attached CPU or
cascaded ServSwitch Wizard unit;
40 m (130 ft.) to an attached ServSwitch Duo
Extender across Premium Extender Cable

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
User Controls — Keyboard commands;
Mouse-click functions;
(1) Top-mounted pushbutton
Indicators — All top-mounted:
(1) Power LED;
SW641A(-K): (2) Port (Channel) LEDs;
SW642A(-K): (4) Port (Channel) LEDs
Connectors — All side-mounted:
(1) HD15 female for monitor attachment;
(2) 6-pin mini-DIN female for keyboard
and mouse attachment;
(1) Barrel jack for optional power-supply
connection;
For each computer port, a set of (1) HD15
female (for video attachment) and
(2) 6-pin mini-DIN female (for
keyboard-port and mouse-port
attachment):
SW641A(-K): (2);
SW642A(-K): (4)

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CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Power — 5 VDC at 500 mA from attached CPUs’
keyboard interfaces;
With optional power supply PS649:
Input: 100 to 240 VAC at 50 to 60 Hz from
utility-power outlet, through detachable
power cord and IEC 320 inlet, to
external transformer;
Output: 5 VDC at up to 2.5 A from
transformer to Switch (Switch draws
only 500 mA);
Consumption: 2.5 watts
Maximum
Altitude — 10,000 ft. (3048 m)
Temperature
Tolerance — 32 to 104˚ F (0 to 40˚ C)
Humidity
Tolerance — 5 to 60% noncondensing
Enclosure — Steel and aluminum
Size — 1.1"H x 6.6"W x 4.5"D (2.8 x 16.8 x 22.1 cm)
Weight — 1 lb. (0.5 kg)

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
2. Introduction
The ServSwitch™Wizard is a high-performance
keyboard-, monitor-, and mouse-sharing device
that supports a wide range of IBM®PC compatible
hardware and software platforms.
2.1 Features and Benefits of the ServSwitch Wizard
Here are some of the useful features of the ServSwitch
Wizard and some of the ways those features benefit you:
• Control multiple PCs from a single keyboard,
monitor, and mouse.
• Draws its power from the attached computers—
and draws so little that even laptops can power it.
• Emulates the presence of a keyboard and mouse,
and all ports are active simultaneously. This means
all connected computers can boot up automatically
at the same time.
• Can be cascaded to control hundreds of CPUs.
• Mixed PC/AT®and PS/2®keyboards and PS/2
and RS-232 mice supported as standard.

13
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
• High-resolution circuitry ensures the best possible
video, even over extended distances (although long
distances might require the optional power supply).
• Channel switching with front-panel pushbutton,
keyboard hotkey sequence, or 3-button or wheel
mouse.
• Automatically restores keyboard and mouse states
when channel is changed.
• Supports high-bandwidth monitors at resolutions
up to 1600 x 1200 pixels.
• Supports keyboard modes 1, 2, and 3, as well as both
“prompt” and “stream” mouse modes, for maximum
compatibility.
• Support for Microsoft®IntelliMouse™ and other
common “wheel” mice.
• Mouse-restoration functions to enable hot-plugging
of certain systems.
• Supports IBM ThinkPad®and its “Y” cables.
• Includes screen-blank, autoscan, and variable-hotkey
options.

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
• Power and activity LEDs confirm correct operation;
standard cable connections make installation easy
and inexpensive; robust metal case ensures good
shielding and video quality.

15
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2.2 The Complete ServSwitch Wizard Packages
You should have received these components with your
regular ServSwitch Wizard (product code SW641A or
SW642A):
• The ServSwitch Wizard itself.
• Two Velcro®mounting strips (see Section 3.2 for
information about using these).
• This manual.
If you ordered a ServSwitch Wizard Kit, you should also
have received two (product code SW641A-K) or four
(SW642A-K) of each of these:
• 10-ft. (3-m) PS/2 style three-in-one CPU-Extension
Cables for attaching your PC CPUs to the Switch. As
shown in Figure 3-1 in Section 3.3, these cables have
keyboard and mouse strands with 6-pin mini-DIN
connectors bonded to a central video strand with
HD15 connectors. (If you ever need to replace
them, or if you ordered the ServSwitch Wizard only,
these cables are available separately as product code
EHN408-0010.)

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
• 6-pin mini-DIN female to 5-pin DIN male keyboard-
port adapters (in case your CPUs have the older
PC/AT style keyboard ports).
• 6-pin mini-DIN female to DB9 female mouse-port
adapters (in case your CPUs have the older PC/AT
style serial mouse ports).
If you didn’t receive everything, or if anything arrived
damaged, contact Black Box right away. (A power supply
is not included because it isn’t needed for most applica-
tions. You can purchase a power supply separately; order
our product code PS649.)

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CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2.3 The ServSwitch Wizard Illustrated
Fig. 2-1. The front and side of the 2-port ServSwitch Wizard (SW641A).
Fig. 2-2. The front and side of the 4-port ServSwitch Wizard (SW642A).
Connector for optional
power supply (9 VDC,
at least 500 mA)
Keyboard and mouse
connectors for
PCs 1 and 2
Video connectors
for PCs 1 and 2
Shared-keyboard
connector
Shared-mouse
connector
Shared-monitor
connector
Power LED
Channel LEDs
Channel-change button
(also used to enter
maintenance mode)
Option
switches
Connector for optional
power supply (9 VDC,
at least 500 mA)
Keyboard and mouse
connectors for
PCs 1 and 2
Keyboard and mouse
connectors for
PCs 3 and 4
Video connectors for
PCs 1 through 4
Shared-keyboard
connector
Shared-mouse
connector
Shared-monitor
connector
Power LED
Channel LEDs
Channel-change button
(also used to enter
maintenance mode)
Option
switches

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SERVSWITCH™WIZARD
2.4 Safety Concerns
As you prepare to install the ServSwitch Wizard, please
keep these things in mind, particularly if you purchase
and use its optional power supply:
• The Switch is for use in dry, oil-free indoor
environments only.
• Warning: The Switch’s power supply contains no
user-serviceable parts, but it does contain parts
capable of delivering hazardous electric shocks—
do not attempt to dismantle it!
• Plug the power supply into a socket outlet close
to the Switch.
• Do not use the Switch’s power supply if its case
becomes damaged, cracked, or broken, or if you
suspect that it is not operating properly.
• If the Switch’s power supply stops working, replace
it with a manufacturer-approved adapter of the
same type only.

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CHAPTER 3: Installation
3. Installation
3.1 What You Will Need
You’ll need these things to be in place before you can
install your ServSwitch Wizard:
• Cables to connect the ServSwitch Wizard to the
keyboard, video, and mouse ports of each of your
PCs. (If you ordered the SW641A-K or SW642A-K
Kit, these cables came with the Switch. See
Sections 2.2 and 3.3)
Cable specifications are given in the Appendix.
(You do not need to connect a mouse cable or cable
strand to a PC CPU if you won’t be using the mouse
with that CPU. If you need to connect the Switch to
the 5-pin DIN keyboard port of a PC/AT compatible
computer, use a standard PS/2 to AT keyboard
adapter such as our product code FA212—included
with the Kits. To connect the Switch to a CPU’s DB9
serial mouse port, use an FA314 adapter; these are
also included with the Kits.)
• A monitor with a standard VGA/SVGA (HD15)
connector that will work when connected directly to
each of your PCs. The ServSwitch Wizard supports
low- and high-resolution monitors.