HP J1473A User manual

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

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
www.hp.com/enclosures
©1999 Hewlett-Packard Company. All rights reserved.
IB , PC/AT and PS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business achines Corporation. ScrollPoint
is a trademark of International Business achines Corporation. Expert ouse is a registered trademark of
Kensington Technology Group. icrosoft, Logitech and Kensington are registered trademarks of their
respective companies. ouse an, arble and Track an are registered trademarks of Logitech, Inc.
Intelli ouse is a trademark of icrosoft Corporation.
Hewlett-Packard Company
www.hp.com

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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 present appareil numerique n'emet pas de bruits radioelectriques les
limites applicables aux appareils numeriques de la class A prescrites dans
le Reglement sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministere des
Communications du Canada.
FCC Notification
Canadian Notification
Japan - CCI Class A ITE

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
www.hp.com/enclosures
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 pecifications:
afety: 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
upplementary Information:
The product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive
73/23/EEC and 93/68/EEC and the E C Directive 89/336/EEC and 92/31/EEC and
93/68/EEC and carries the CE arking, 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, r. 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]).

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Table of Contents
Chapter 4 - On-Screen Display Operations
Activating OSD ...................................................................................................................................... 15
The OSD Window .................................................................................................................................. 16
The Command Menu ........................................................................................................................... 17
Basic Po t Maintenance ...................................................................................................................... 18
The ID Window ...................................................................................................................................... 20
Administ ato Functions ..................................................................................................................... 22
Chapter 7 - Appendices
A: Specifications .................................................................................................................................... 31
B: FLASH Upg ading ............................................................................................................................ 32
C: T oubleshooting................................................................................................................................ 34
D: P oblem Repo t................................................................................................................................. 39
Chapter 6 - Port Scanning
Choosing a Scanning Method .......................................................................................................... 29
Tu ning Scanning On and Off........................................................................................................... 30
Chapter 2 - Installation
Basic Install ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Advanced Install ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Chapter 1 - Product Overview
Featu e Ove view ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 3 - Basic Operations
Keyboa d Cont ol .................................................................................................................................. 11
Keyboa d Switching ............................................................................................................................. 12
System Cont ol & Maintenance ....................................................................................................... 13
Chapter 5 - Console Switch 2 User Expansion Kit (Optional)
Multiuse Ope ation ............................................................................................................................. 25
Multi Chassis Ope ation ..................................................................................................................... 26

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
www.hp.com/enclosures
IN TRUCTION : The exclamation point within an equilateral tri-
angle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important oper-
ating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature ac-
companying the appliance.
DANGEROU VOLTAGE: The lightning flash with arrowhead sym-
bol, 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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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 IB 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. 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:
icrosoft Intelli ouse, IB ScrollPoint, Logitech ouse an +, Logitech
arble Plus, Logitech arble FX and the Kensington Expert ouse.
The Rackmount Console Switch supports Plug and Play video and is
compliant with the VESA DDC2B standard.
Share ode 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.
1
Extensive mouse
support
Multiuser, remote
access capability
FLASH upgrade
capability
Plug and play
Share mode

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
www.hp.com/enclosures2
A J1473A Rackmount Console Switch will support up to four attached
servers, or ports - J1474A models support eight. If more ports are needed,
multiple units can be cascaded together for expansion. Up to two tiers of
units can be connected for a total 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.
enu 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

www.hp.com/enclosures 3
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.

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
www.hp.com/enclosures

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1. Power down all servers that will be part of your Rackmount
Console witch 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.
5
Installation
2
Basic Install
GA MONITOR CABLE
PS/2 KEYBOARD CABLE PS/2 MOUSE CABLE

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
www.hp.com/enclosures
Connecting ervers to the Rackmount Console witch
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.
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. ake sure that the
power switch is off, then plug the other end of the power cord into an
6
PS/2 KEYBOARD CABLE
PS/2 MOUSE CABLE
GA MONITOR CABLE
(J1474A MODEL SHOWN)

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

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
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Connecting the Optional J1475A HP Console Switch 2 User
Expansion Kit
1. Plug a standard Category 5 Unshielded Twisted Pair cable (up to 500
feet) into the R -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 electri-
cal outlets. (Please note that the connector on the rear of the
Expansion Box is not used. Do not 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 convenient electrical outlet. (See the table for additional
power cord information.) Verify that the Expansion Box’s POWER
light is now lit.

www.hp.com/enclosures 9
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Installation

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
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Attaching Multiple Rackmount Console witches
1. Follow steps 1-3 of the Basic Install section for each cascaded unit.
2. Plug the 25-pin “D” connector of your input cable into any available
server port 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
IDEO
CONNECTOR
(J1474A MODELS SHOWN)
10

www.hp.com/enclosures 11
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 alue
Ente Command Mode:
<CM> 1. P ess and hold down the ‘Num Lock’ key.
2. P ess and elease the minus (-) key on the nume ic keypad.
3. Release the ‘Num Lock’ key.
Note: Fo alte nate hot-key sequences, see ‘System Cont ol &
Maintenance’ late in this chapte .
<Enter> P ess the ‘Ente ’ o ‘Retu n’ key. The <Enter> command is used to
execute an inst uction and exit f om Command Mode.
Add The numbe s on you Rackmount Console Switch a e you se ve s'
add esses. Ente the numbe fo the se ve you' e selecting. Fo
cascaded systems, ente the po t add ess on the base unit whe e
the second switch is attached, then a pe iod (.) followed by the
add ess of the se ve in you cascaded unit.
Example : A switch is cascaded f om po t 2 of you base unit. To
access the se ve at po t 3 of this second (cascaded) unit, ente 2.3.
<ESC> P ess the ‘Escape’ key. The <ESC> command is used to exit
Command Mode without executing an inst uction.
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.

Rackmount Console Switch Owner’s Manual
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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-key switching is only available in the default non-secure state.
For more 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 ode. A blue
window with a line for commands will appear. As long as you are operating
in Command ode, whatever you type will be interpreted as port switch
commands until the Enter or the E C key is pressed to terminate Command
ode. None of the keystrokes entered will be forwarded to the attached
server until you exit Command ode.
Next, enter the address
(Addr) for the port you wish to select.
Press Enter to accept the new port. The following command line 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 Po t 4 on the base unit as the active po t.
2.<CM>3.2<Enter> Selects the switch attached to Po t 3 on the base unit, then
selects Po t 2 on the cascaded unit.
3.<CM>1<Enter> Selects Po t 1 on the base unit as the active po t.
4.<CM>2.1<ESC> Exit Command Mode. The inst uction is not executed. Po t 1
is still the active po t.
Key Sequence Action
<CM>Add <Enter> Selects an active po t via keyboa d.