IBM 17353LX - 1x8 Console Switch User manual

Installation and User’s Guide
43V6019 590-701-501B For 17353LX and 17354LX
Rack Console
Switch

Rack Console Switch
Installation and User’s Guide

Notices and Statements Used in This Document
•Note: These notices provide important tips, guidance, or advice.
•Important: These notices provide important information or advice that might help you avoid
inconvenient or problem situations.
•Attention: These notices indicate possible damage to programs, devices or data.
An attention notice is placed just before the instruction or situation in which damage could
occur.
•Caution: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially hazardous to you. A cau-
tion situation is placed just before the description of a potentially hazardous
procedure step or situation.
•Danger: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially lethal or extremely haz-
ardous to you. A danger statement is placed just before the description of a
potentially lethal or extremely hazardous procedure step or situation.
Important:
All caution and danger statements in this documentation begin with a number. This number is used
to cross reference an English caution or danger statement with translated versions of the caution or
danger statement in the IBM Safety Information book.
For example, if a caution statement begins with a number 1, translations for that caution statement
appear in the IBM Safety Information book under statement 1.
Be sure to read all caution and danger statements in this documentation before performing the
instructions. Read any additional safety information that comes with your server or optional device
before you install the device.

vii
l of Contents
List of Figures .................................................................................................................ix
List of Tables................................................................................................................... xi
Chapter 1: Product Overview.......................................................................................... 1
Models and Features .........................................................................................................................2
IBM Conversion Options and Console Switch Cables ......................................................................2
OSCAR Graphical User Interface .....................................................................................................3
Security ..............................................................................................................................................3
Video..................................................................................................................................................3
Plug and Play.....................................................................................................................................4
Firmware Upgrades...........................................................................................................................4
Tiering Expansion..............................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Installation ..................................................................................................... 7
Safety Precautions .............................................................................................................................8
Mounting the Rack Console Switch .................................................................................................10
Installing the switch vertically in the side of a rack.................................................................11
Installing the switch horizontally in the 1 U rack mounting space ..........................................11
Configuring the Rack Console Switch.............................................................................................12
Daisy-chaining Servers....................................................................................................................14
Tiering Rack Console Switches........................................................................................................16
Adding Earlier-model Switches .......................................................................................................18
Configuring Access to the Rack Console Switch System.................................................................21
Chapter 3: Using the OSCAR Interface........................................................................ 23
Accessing the OSCAR Interface.......................................................................................................23
Hot keys ....................................................................................................................................23
When logging in is required .....................................................................................................24
Viewing and Selecting Servers.........................................................................................................24
Navigating the OSCAR Interface.....................................................................................................27
Configuration from the Setup Window ............................................................................................29
Configuring server names.........................................................................................................31
Specifying the number of ports on a tiered switch....................................................................32
TABLE OF CONTENTS

viii IBM Rack Console Switch Installation and User’s Guide
Configuring the display behavior.............................................................................................34
Configuring the status flag .......................................................................................................35
Configuring rack console switch security.................................................................................37
Accessing Options and Buttons on the Commands Window............................................................40
Using the Version Window ..............................................................................................................41
Resetting the Keyboard and Mouse.................................................................................................44
Configuring Scanning......................................................................................................................44
Running System Diagnostics............................................................................................................46
Broadcasting to Servers...................................................................................................................48
Configuring the Switch Mode and Share Mode...............................................................................50
Setting the Language when a Non-English Keyboard is Used........................................................51
Setting the Language for the OSCAR interface ...............................................................................52
Chapter 4: Configuring Restricted Access.................................................................. 55
Appendices..................................................................................................................... 59
Appendix A: Firmware Upgrades....................................................................................................59
Appendix B: Technical Specifications .............................................................................................62
Appendix C: Getting Help and Technical Assistance......................................................................63
Appendix D: Notices........................................................................................................................66
Index................................................................................................................................ 73

ix
List of Figures
Figure 1.1: Options for connecting servers that have PS2-based KVM ports ..................................2
Figure 1.2: Options for connecting servers that have USB-based KVM ports .................................3
Figure 1.3: Example rack console switch configuration (for 2 x 16)................................................5
Figure 2.1: Rack console switch vertical installation .....................................................................11
Figure 2.2: Rack console switch horizontal installation .................................................................12
Figure 2.3: Example rack console switch configuration (2 x 16 model).........................................13
Figure 2.4: Daisy chaining using KCOs .........................................................................................14
Figure 2.5: Daisy-chaining using UCOs.........................................................................................15
Figure 2.6: Rack console switch configuration with a tiered switch (2 x 16 model shown)...........17
Figure 2.7: IBM 2 x 16 Rack Console Switch example configuration with an earlier-model switch .
20
Figure 3.1: Login window ...............................................................................................................24
Figure 3.2: Example Main window with server names configured.................................................25
Figure 3.3: Setup window................................................................................................................29
Figure 3.4: Setup window (user) .....................................................................................................29
Figure 3.5: Names window..............................................................................................................31
Figure 3.6: Name modify window....................................................................................................32
Figure 3.7: Devices window............................................................................................................33
Figure 3.8: Device modify window..................................................................................................33
Figure 3.9: Menu window................................................................................................................34
Figure 3.10: Flag window ...............................................................................................................36
Figure 3.11: Set position window....................................................................................................36
Figure 3.12: Security window..........................................................................................................37
Figure 3.13: Security window (user)...............................................................................................38
Figure 3.14: Commands window.....................................................................................................40
Figure 3.15: Commands window (user)..........................................................................................40
Figure 3.16: Version window ..........................................................................................................41
Figure 3.17: Target Selection window ............................................................................................42
Figure 3.18: Target Version window...............................................................................................42
Figure 3.19: Firmware warning dialog box....................................................................................43
Figure 3.20: Scan window...............................................................................................................45
LIST OF FIGURES

xIBM Rack Console Switch Installation and User’s Guide
Figure 3.21: Diagnostics window....................................................................................................47
Figure 3.22: Diag Warning window................................................................................................48
Figure 3.23: Broadcast window ......................................................................................................49
Figure 3.24: Broadcast enable window...........................................................................................50
Figure 3.25: Switch window............................................................................................................51
Figure 3.26: Keyboard window.......................................................................................................52
Figure 3.27: Keyboard Warning window........................................................................................52
Figure 3.28: Language window.......................................................................................................53
Figure 4.1: User Setup window.......................................................................................................56
Figure 4.2: User Edit window (Admin user only) ...........................................................................57
Figure 4.3: User Access window.....................................................................................................57
Figure A.1: CO Status window........................................................................................................60
Figure A.2: CO Upgrade window....................................................................................................61

xi
List of Tables
Table 1.1: Rack console switch models, ports, users, maximum tiered and daisy-chained servers..2
Table 1.2: Console switch cable resolution and refresh rate............................................................3
Table 2.1: Tiering of rack console switches....................................................................................16
Table 2.2: Earlier model switches with support for one-level tiering.............................................18
Table 2.3: IBM LCM2 support for two-level tiering .......................................................................19
Table 3.1: Main menu column headings and definitions.................................................................25
Table 3.2: OSCAR interface status symbols....................................................................................26
Table 3.3: OSCAR interface navigation basics ...............................................................................27
Table 3.4: Setup buttons for configuring the switch, user access, and attached servers ................30
Table 3.5: OSCAR interface status flags .........................................................................................35
Table 3.6: Diagnostic test details....................................................................................................47
LIST OF TABLES

xii IBM Rack Console Switch Installation and User’s Guide

1
CHAPTER
1Product Overview
The IBM®1 x 8 Rack Console Switch and IBM 2 x 16 Rack Console Switch are described in this
installation and user’s guide. These rack console switches integrate analog keyboard, video, and
mouse (KVM) switching technology with advanced cable management and a graphical user
interface.
Analog rack interface (ARI) ports with RJ-45 receptacles are provided for attaching servers. The 1
x 8 models support attaching eight servers. The 2 x 16 models support attaching sixteen servers.
Both types of switches support tiering of one level of additional switches.
USB ports are provided along with standard PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice from
local user stations.
The On-Screen Configuration and Activity Reporting (OSCAR®) graphical user interface is used
for system configuration and server selection. Using the OSCAR interface, an administrator can
optionally configure users to restrict access to specified servers.
The firmware is upgradable through a configuration port. The firmware provides support for the
following types of intelligent connectors:
• IBM Conversion Options (KCO and UCO)
• IBM Console Switch Cables (PS/2 and USB)
Before a server can be attached, the server must be connected either to a conversion option (CO) or
to a console switch cable. The firmware also supports daisy-chaining of up to 16 servers off each
ARI port using up to 16 KCO or UCO conversion options.
CAT 5 cabling used with the intelligent connectors reduces cable clutter while providing optimal
video display resolution and video settings. The connectors’ built-in memory simplifies
configuration by storing and retaining digital IDs for attached servers along with optional server
names that may be assigned by the administrator. Each type of intelligent connector is powered
directly from the server to which it is connected. Keep Alive functionality on the connectors
emulates a keyboard to prevent server lock-up even if the rack console switch is not powered up or
the connection to the rack console switch is interrupted.

2IBM Rack Console Switch Installation and User’s Guide
Models and Features
An IBM 1 x 8 Rack Console Switch supports access by a single local user. An IBM 2 x 16 Rack
Console Switch supports simultaneous access by two local users. The following table summarizes
the features provided by the two types of switches.
IBM Conversion Options and Console Switch Cables
COs are first connected to the servers and then are connected to ARI ports on the rack console
switch by means of separate CAT 5 cables. Firmware on the COs may also be upgraded.
Each console switch cable has a built-in 3 meter (10 foot) CAT 5 cable for connecting a server to an
ARI port. Firmware on the console switch cables is not upgradable.
The
KVM (KCO) and USB (UCO) conversion options each have two ARI jacks on the back. For
daisy-chaining, one ARI jack can be connected to an ARI port on the rack console switch, and the
other jack can be connected either to another CO of the same type (KCO or UCO) or to a terminator
plug. Up to 16 KCO or UCO conversion options can be connected to a single rack console switch
port to daisy-chain up to 16 servers per port.
Either a PS/2 console switch cable or a KCO can be used to connect a server that has PS/2-based
KVM ports.
Figure 1.1: Options for connecting servers that have PS2-based KVM ports
Table 1.1: Rack console switch models, ports, users, maximum tiered and daisy-chained servers
Model ARI Ports Local Users Maximum Servers Connected to Tiered Switches or Daisy-chained
1 x 8 8 1 (A) 128
2 x 16 16 2 (A and B) 256
PS/2 console switch cable
KCO

Chapter 1: Product Overview 3
Either a USB console switch cable or a UCO can be used to connect a server that has USB-based
KVM ports.
Figure 1.2: Options for connecting servers that have USB-based KVM ports
OSCAR Graphical User Interface
The OSCAR interface provides intuitive menus to configure the rack console switch and select
servers. Administrators can assign unique names to servers through the interface. See Chapter 3 for
more information.
Security
Administrators can use the OSCAR interface to configure up to four user accounts and require
users to enter a password before accessing the switch, restrict access to individual servers, and
provide further protection with a screen saver. After a user-defined time, the screen saver mode
engages, and access is prohibited until the appropriate password is entered to reactivate the system.
Video
The rack console switch provides optimal resolutions for analog VGA, SVGA, and XGA video.
You can achieve resolutions up to 1280 x 1024 with a 50 foot (15 meter) cable.
USB console switch cable
UCO
Table 1.2: Console switch cable resolution and refresh rate
Maximum Resolution Refresh Rate Refresh Rate
720 x 400 70 Hz VGA
640 x 480 60 Hz VGA
640 x 480 72 Hz VESA
640 x 480 75 Hz VESA

4IBM Rack Console Switch Installation and User’s Guide
Plug and Play
The rack console switch also supports Display Data Channel (DDC) Plug and Play, which
automates configuration of the monitor and is compliant with the VESA DDC2B standard.
Firmware Upgrades
To update the rack console switch firmware, use the update utility that is available with the
firmware update that you download from the IBM Web site. For earlier console switch models
17351LX and 17352LX, you can update the firmware to add new features and support for COs.
Contact your IBM marketing representative or authorized reseller for details.
You can use the OSCAR interface to upgrade firmware on COs that are connected to the switch.
See “Firmware Upgrades” on page 59 for more information.
Tiering Expansion
The IBM Rack Console Switch can be tiered with current and earlier-model rack console switches.
The 1 x 8 IBM Rack Console Switch (17353LX) can scale to support up to a total of 128 servers,
while the 2 x 16 IBM Rack Console Switch (17354LX) can scale to support up to a total of 256
servers. See “Tiering Rack Console Switches” on page 16 in Chapter 2 for more information.
800 x 600 56 Hz VESA
800 x 600 60 Hz VESA
800 x 600 72 Hz VESA
800 x 600 75 Hz VESA
1024 x 768 60 Hz VESA
1024 x 768 70 Hz VESA
1280 x 1024 75 Hz VGA
Table 1.2: Console switch cable resolution and refresh rate (Continued)
Maximum Resolution Refresh Rate Refresh Rate

Chapter 1: Product Overview 5
Figure 1.3: Example rack console switch configuration (for 2 x 16)
Earlier-model switch (tiered)
Console switch
cable or CO
Rack console switch
(main)
Local user B
Rack console switch (tiered)
Rack of servers
Local user A
Critical server

6IBM Rack Console Switch Installation and User’s Guide