HP 400338-001 - KVM Switch User manual

owner’s manual
Owner’s Manual
Manuel du propriétaire
Manual del propietario
Manual do Proprietário
HP J1473A 4-port Console Switch
HP J1474A 8-port Console Switch
HP J1475A Console Switch Expansion Kit

©2001 Hewlett-Packard Company. All rights reserved.
IBM, PC/AT and PS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. ScrollPoint is a trademark
of International Business Machines Corporation. Expert Mouse is a registered trademark of Kensington Technology Group.
Microsoft, Logitech and Kensington are registered trademarks of their respective companies. MouseMan, Marble and
TrackMan are registered trademarks of Logitech, Inc. IntelliMouse is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Hewlett-Packard Company
www.hp.com

Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate
the equipment.
Note: This equipment has been tested and 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.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n'émet pas de bruits radioélectriques les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la class A prescrites dans le Règlement
sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le Ministère des Communications
du Canada.
FCC Notification
Canadian Notification
Japan - VCCI Class A ITE

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
Declaration of Conformity
(according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN45014)
Manufacturer’s Name: Hewlett-Packard
Manufacturer’s Address: 10955 N. Tantau Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014-0770 U.S.A.
Declares that the product:
Product Name: Rackmount Console Switch 4-Port / 8-Port / Expansion
Product Type: Console Controllers
Model Numbers: J1473A / J1474A / J1475A
Product Options: All
Conforms to the following Product Specifications:
Safety: IEC 950:1991+A1+A2+A3+A4
EN 60950:1992+A1+A2+A3+A4
EMC: CISPR 22:1993 / EN 55022:1994 - Class A
(1)
EN 50082-1:1992
IEC 801-2:1991 / prEN 55024-2:1992 - 4kV CD, 8kV AD
IEC 801-3:1984 / prEN 55024-3:1991 - 3V/m
IEC 801-4:1988 / prEN 50024-4:1992 - 1kV power lines
- 0.5kV signal lines
Supplementary Information:
The product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive
73/23/EEC and 93/68/EEC and the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and 92/31/EEC and
93/68/EEC and carries the CE Marking, accordingly.
(1)
The product was tested in a typical configuration with a Hewlett-Packard computer system.
Cupertino, CA, USA November 1, 1999
_________________ _________________ _____________________________
Location Date John McBain, Sr. Quality Engineer
Only for Regulatory Compliance Information:
European Contact: Your local Hewlett-Packard Sales & Service Office or Hewlett-Packard GmbH,
Department HQ-TRE / Standards Europe, Herrenberger Strasse 130, D-71034 Böeblingen
(Fax: [phone]).
USA Contact: Hewlett-Packard Company, Regulatory Affairs Office, 3000 Hanover Street,
Palo Alto, CA 94304 (Tel. [phone]).

Table of Contents
Chapter 4 - On-Screen Display Operations
Activating OSD ................................................................................................................................17
The OSD Window............................................................................................................................18
The Command Menu .....................................................................................................................19
Basic
Port
Port Maintenance............................................................................................................... 20
The ID Window ............................................................................................................................... 22
Administrator Functions ...............................................................................................................24
Chapter 7 - Appendices
A: Specifications ............................................................................................................................. 33
B: FLASH Upgrading..................................................................................................................... 34
C: Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................... 39
D: Problem Report ......................................................................................................................... 44
Chapter 6 - Port Scanning
Choosing a Scanning Method ....................................................................................................31
Turning Scanning On and Off.................................................................................................... 32
Chapter 2 - Installation
Basic Install......................................................................................................................................... 5
Advanced Install .............................................................................................................................12
Chapter 1 - Product Overview
Feature Overview............................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 3 - Basic Operations
Keyboard Control ............................................................................................................................13
Keyboard Switching........................................................................................................................14
System Control & Maintenance .................................................................................................15
Chapter 5 - Console Switch 2 User Expansion Kit (Optional)
Multiuser Operation.......................................................................................................................27
Multi Chassis Operation .............................................................................................................. 28

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
INSTRUCTIONS: The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle
is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying
the appliance.
DANGEROUS VOLTAGE: The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol,
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence
of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product's enclosure that
may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock
to persons.
PROTECTIVE GROUNDING TERMINAL: A terminal which must be
connected to earth ground prior to making any other connections to
the equipment.
POWER ON: This symbol indicates the principal on/off switch is in
the on position.
POWER OFF: This symbol indicates the principal on/off switch is in
the off position.

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1
Product Overview
1
Feature Overview
The Hewlett-Packard Rackmount Console Switch allows you to control multiple
servers with one keyboard, monitor and mouse. The switch is available in two
models: the J1473A and the J1474A. These models support four and eight attached
servers respectively. Each server can be up to 15 feet away from the switch and
peripherals. The Rackmount Console Switch works with IBM PC/AT and PS/2
systems, and 100% compatible computers with support for VGA, SVGA, XGA
and XGA-II video. PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse peripherals are supported
through the rear of the unit.
The J1473A and J1474A Rackmount Console Switches can be upgraded to support
two simultaneous users in the system by purchasing the J1475A Console Switch
Expansion kit (only available in North America and Latin America). Within the
base unit, the switch performs as a matrix, with both users independently accessing
any of the attached servers at the same time. Your second user can be as far as 500
feet away from the switch. This extension capability lets you place your second
keyboard, monitor and mouse wherever you need them most.
The Rackmount Console Switch is FLASH upgradable. This means that you can
update your firmware at any time through a simple serial connection.
The Rackmount Console Switch offers support for numerous mice including:
MicrosoftIntelliMouse,IBMScrollPoint,LogitechMouseMan+,LogitechMarblePlus,
Logitech Marble FX and the Kensington Expert Mouse.
The Rackmount Console Switch supports Plug and Play video and is compliant
with the VESA DDC2B standard.
Share Mode enables two users to view information on a single server at
the same time and allows either user to have keyboard and mouse access
to that server.
Extensive mouse
support
Multiuser, remote
access capability
FLASH upgrade
capability
Plug and play
Share mode

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A J1473A Rackmount Console Switch will support up to four attached servers, or
ports -J1474A models support eight.If more portsare needed, multiple units canbe
cascadedtogetherforexpansion.Uptotwotiersofunitscanbe connectedforatotal
of 16 (J1473A) or 64 (J1474A) attached servers in one system.
The Rackmount Console Switch’s “Keep Alive” feature allows attached servers to
power the unit in the event of a switch power failure. This prevents attached servers
from locking up and keeps you from losing valuable time and data.
Use the advanced multi-level security feature to configure and control server
access for every type of user in the system. The administrator has full access
privileges, while individual users can have viewing or viewing/editing capability
for each attached server.
Configure and control your switch with on-screen menuing! Name your servers
anything you wish, then select the desired server from an easy-to-use menu.
Servers can be listed by name or by port. Secondary menus let you configure and
initiate scanning and other features.
The AutoBoot feature boots all attached servers during initial power-up or after
a power failure. Servers are booted transparently without operator intervention,
and may be powered-up one-at-a-time or all at once. When the power stabilizes,
a port may be selected.
A built-in scanning feature allows you to automatically monitor, or scan, your
servers without intervention. When keyboard activity is detected, scanning is
suspended until all activity stops. Scanning then resumes with the next port in
sequence. Scan ports by name, by address or configure your own customized
scanning order.
The Rackmount Console Switch’s ID Window feature displays the name of your
selected port for easy reference. Size, color, position and length of time the window
remains on-screen are all user configurable.
On-screen menus guide you through quick troubleshooting procedures. Menu
selections allow you to reset your keyboard and mouse or display your switch’s
current firmware revision for easy system maintenance.
Built-in scanning
capabilities
“Keep Alive”
feature
AutoBoot
technology
On-screen display
capability
Advanced security
for total control
over system access
Expansion for up to
64 servers
Configurable
ID Window
Easy maintenance and
troubleshooting

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Product Overview
Save System Settings
Hot Pluggable
Can be mounted in
non-HP racks
System settings such as mouse sampling rate and keyboard status indicators are
saved automatically by the Rackmount Console Switch, eliminating unneeded
menu options or keyboard sequences.
Since the Rackmount Console Switch is “Hot Pluggable” you can add and remove
peripherals without powering down the computers or the switch.
For easy integration into your current configuration, you can mount the
Rackmount Console Switch in any standard rack - even if it is not a Hewlett-
Packard rack.
A typical configuration is shown below.

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5
1. Power down all servers that will be part of your Rackmount
Console Switch system.
Connecting your Local User
2. Locate your PS/2 keyboard, VGA video monitor and PS/2 mouse.
3. Plug your VGA monitor cable into the port labeled on the back of your
Rackmount Console Switch. Plug your PS/2 keyboard cable and your PS/2
mouse cable into the ports labeled and respectively.
Installation
2
Basic Install
VGA MONITOR CABLE
PS/2 KEYBOARD CABLE
PS/2 MOUSE CABLE

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Connecting Servers to the Rackmount Console Switch
4. Locate your first input cable. It will have a 25-pin “D” connector at one end.
Plug this cable into any numbered port on the rear of the Rackmount Console
Switch. The other end of the input cable will have three connectors: a 15-pin
“HDD” connector for video, a 6-pin miniDIN connector for a PS/2 keyboard
connection, and a 6-pin miniDIN connector for a PS/2 mouse connection. The
PS/2 mouse connector is designated by a mouse icon.
Plug these connectors into the matching ports on your server.
PS/2 KEYBOARD CABLE
PS/2 MOUSE CABLE
VGA MONITOR CABLE
(J1474A MODEL SHOWN)
5. Locate your next input cable. Repeat step 4 until all servers are properly
attached to the Rackmount Console Switch.
6. Locate the power cord that came with your Rackmount Console Switch. Plug
it into the IEC power connector on the switch. Make sure that the power
switch is off, then plug the other end of the power cord into an appropriate
AC outlet or Power Distribution Unit in the rack. This outlet must be near
the equipment and easily accessible to allow for unplugging prior to any
servicing of the unit.

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Installation
7. Power-up your Rackmount Console Switch first, then power up all
attached servers.
The Rackmount Console Switch and all attached servers should
be powered-down before servicing the unit. Always disconnect
the power cord from the wall outlet.

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Connecting the Optional J1475A HP Console Switch 2 User
Expansion Kit (available in North America and Latin
America only)
1. Plug a standard Category 5 Unshielded Twisted Pair cable (up to 500 feet) into
the RJ-45 style modular jack on the rear of the Rackmount Console Switch.
Make sure the Category 5 cable is wired straight through (no crossing of
wires) and that it is terminated to the EIA (TIA) 568 B standard, commonly
used for 10BaseT Ethernet.
2. Route the Category 5 cable to the location where you intend to place the
secondary monitor, keyboard and mouse.
3. Place the Console Expansion Box near the monitor and connect your monitor,
keyboard and mouse to the connectors on the rear of the Expansion Box
just as you would connect them to your server. Make sure you connect your
monitor’s power supply to appropriate electrical outlets. (Please note that
the connector on the rear of the Expansion Box is not used. Do not

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9
connect anything to the connector on the rear of the Expansion Box.)
4. Connect the Category 5 cable to the modular jack on the rear of the
Expansion Box.
5. Connect the circular power plug from the included power supply to the
power port on the Expansion Box. Then plug the power supply into a conve-
nient electrical outlet. (See the table on the following page for additional
power cord information.) Verify that the Expansion Box’s POWER light is
now lit.
Installation

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Cord Set HP
Part Number
Description Some Countries or
Areas Where Used
Approximate
Appearance of Plug
End of Cord Set
8120-8367
RA/2 (Straight) connector: IEC 320-1
C7 (Straight) cable: 1 8 meters, Black,
250V, 2 5A
Argentina
8120-8373
8120-6312
8120-6313
8120-6314
8120-8699
PRC/3 (Straight) connector: IEC
320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1 8 meters,
Black, 250V, 2 5A
AS3112-2 (Straight) connector: IEC
320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1 8 meters,
Black, 250V, 2 5A
NEMA 1-15P (Straight) connector:
IEC 320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1 8
meters, Black, 125V, 2 5A
CEE 7 - XVI (Straight) connector: IEC
320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1 8 meters,
Black, 250V, 2 5A
BS 1363-5 (90 degree) connector:
IEC 320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1 8
meters, Black, 250V, 2 5A
China (PRC)
Austrailia, New
Zealand
United States, Canada,
Mexico, Taiwan
Continental Europe,
Israel
United Kingdom,
Singapore, Hong
Kong, Malaysia
Additional Power Plug nformation

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8120-6316
8120-6317
8120-8441
8120-8452
JIS C8303 (Straight) connector: IEC
320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1.8 meters,
Black, 125V, 2.5A
SABS 164 (90 degree) connector:
IEC 320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1.8
meters, Black, 250V, 2.5A
KSC 8305 (Straight) connector: IEC
320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1.8 meters,
Black, 250V, 2.5A
CEI 23-16 (Straight) connector: IEC
320-1 C7 (90 degree) cable: 1.8
meters, Black, 250V, 2.5A
Japan
South Africa, India
Korea
Chile
Cord Set HP
Part Number
Description Some Countries
Where Used
Approximate
Appearance of Plug
End of Cord Set
8121-0664 NEMA 1-15P (Straight) connector: IEC
320-1 C7 (Straight) cable: 1.8 meters,
Black, 250V, 2.5A
Brazil, Thailand
Additional Power Plug Information Continued
Installation

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Attaching Multiple Rackmount Console Switches
1. Follow steps 1-3 of the Basic Install section for each cascaded unit.
2. Plugthe 25-pin“D”connector ofyourinputcable intoanyavailableserverport
on the rear of your base Rackmount Console Switch.
3. Plug the 15-pin video connector on the other end of the cable into the port
labeled on your first cascading switch. Plug the PS/2 mouse connector,
designated by a mouse icon, into the port. Plug the remaining 6-pin
miniDIN keyboard connector into the port.
4. Repeat steps 4-7 in the section ‘Connecting Servers to the Rackmount Console
Switch’ for each attached server.
Advanced Install
CASCADING
UNIT
BASE UNIT
PS/2 KEYBOARD CONNECTOR
PS/2 MOUSE
CONNECTOR
VIDEO
CONNECTOR
(J1474A MODELS SHOWN)

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Basic Operations
3
The following notational conventions appear throughout this chapter to illustrate
commands for operating the Rackmount Console Switch. Whenever you see one
of the symbols listed on the left side of the table, substitute the corresponding
steps or values listed on the right.
Keyboard Control
Convention Key Sequence or Value
Enter Command Mode:
<CM> 1. Press and hold down the ‘Num Lock’ key.
2. Press and release the minus (-) key on the numeric keypad.
3. Release the ‘Num Lock’ key.
Note: For alternate hot-key sequences, see ‘System Control &
Maintenance’ later in this chapter.
<Enter> Press the ‘Enter’ or ‘Return’ key. The <Enter> command is used to
execute an instruction and exit from Command Mode.
Addr The numbers on your Rackmount Console Switch are your servers'
addresses. Enter the number for the server you're selecting. For
cascaded systems, enter the port address on the base unit where
the second switch is attached, then a period (.) followed by the
address of the server in your cascaded unit.
Example: A switch is cascaded from port 2 of your base unit.
To access the server at port 3 of this second (cascaded) unit,
enter 2.3.
<ESC> Press the ‘Escape’ key. The <ESC> command is used to exit
Command Mode without executing an instruction.
Regarding OSD on-screen menu commands, the words ‘choose’ and ‘select’
indicate that a users should highlight the relevant command and press the
enter key.

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Key Sequence Action
<CM>Addr<Enter> Selects an active port via keyboard.
Keyboard
Switching
One of the ways to change the active port in a non-secured Rackmount Console
Switch system is by entering a short sequence of keystrokes on the keyboard. This
is called keyboard, or hot-key, switching.
Note: Hot-keyswitchingisonlyavailableinthedefaultnon-securestate.Formore
information on secure versus non-secure operation, see the ‘Administrator
Functions’ section of Chapter 4.
The first set of keystrokes places your system in Command Mode. A blue window
with a line for commands will appear. As long as you are operating in Command
Mode, whatever you type will be interpreted as port switch commands until
the Enter or the ESC key is pressed to terminate Command Mode. None of
the keystrokes entered will be forwarded to the attached server until you exit
Command Mode.
Next, enter the address (Addr) for the port you wish to select.
PressEnter to accept thenew port. Thefollowingcommandline shows the proper
format used to switch your active port via keyboard.
Below is a sample of a keyboard switching session, with an accompanying
explanation for each step.
Key Sequence Action
1. <CM>4<Enter> Selects Port 4 on the base unit as the active port.
2. <CM>3.2<Enter> Selects the switch attached to Port 3 on the base unit, then
selects Port 2 on the cascaded unit.
3. <CM>1<Enter> Selects Port 1 on the base unit as the active port.
4. <CM>2.1<ESC> Exit Command Mode. The instruction is not executed. Port
1 is still the active port.