IOGear MiniView Extreme GCS1732 User manual

MiniView™ Extreme
Multimedia KVMP Switch
User Manual (GCS1732 / GCS1734)
®

Thank you for purchasing one of the most feature rich KVM and peripheral sharing switch on the market.
IOGEAR’s MiniView™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch brings extra value to conventional KVM switches
by offering USB peripheral sharing capabilities, audio and microphone support, and multi-platform support
for Mac, Sun, USB and PS/2. You can save money and space by eliminating the need for multiple monitors,
keyboards, mice, and peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, zip drives, and more. Up to 127
different USB devices can be daisy chained from this KVMP switch. Sharing speakers and a microphone
also offers extra value and convenience for the users.
USB and KVM technology together makes cross-platform management easy. A single USB console can
control a PC and a Mac, or even a Sun workstation, and share peripherals and audio devices between the
computers. Any USB-enabled computers, using any USB-compatible operating system, can benefit from
the efficiency, expense reduction and convenience of IOGEAR’s Miniview Extreme KVMP switch.
We hope you enjoy using your Miniview™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP switch, yet another first-rate
connectivity solution from IOGEAR.
©2005 IOGEAR. All Rights Reserved. PKG-M0085C
IOGEAR, the IOGEAR logo, MiniView, VSE are trademarks or registered trademarks of IOGEAR, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. Macintosh, G3/G4 and iMac are registered trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc. IOGEAR makes no warranty of any kind with regards to the information presented in this document. All information furnished here is
for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. IOGEAR, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors that may
appear in this document.

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Table of Contents
Package Contents
Overview
Features
Requirements
Introduction
Installation
Operation
Keyboard Emulation for Mac and SUN
The Firmware Upgrade Utility
Appendix
Specification
Technical Support
Radio & TV Interference Statement
Limited Warranty
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2
Package Contents
This package contains:
1 MiniView™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch (GCS1732 or GCS1734)
2 or 4 bonded KVM Cables (2 for GCS1732, 4 for GCS1734)
1 Power Adapter
1 Firmware Upgrade Cable
1 User Manual
1 Quick Start Guide
1 Warranty/Registration Card
If any items are damaged or missing please contact your dealer.

3
Overview
Overview
IOGEAR’s new MiniView™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch brings extra value to conventional KVM
switches by offering USB peripheral sharing capabilities, audio and microphone support, and multi-platform
support for Mac, Sun, USB and PS/2. You can save money and space by eliminating the need for multiple
monitors, keyboards, mice, and peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, zip drives, and more. Up to
127 different USB devices can be daisy chained from this KVMP switch. Sharing speakers and a microphone
also offers extra value and convenience for the users.
USB and KVM technology together makes cross-platform management easy. A single USB console can
control a PC and a Mac, or even a Sun workstation, and share peripherals and audio devices between the
computers. Any USB-enabled computers, using any USB-compatible operating system, can benefit from the
efficiency, expense reduction and convenience of IOGEAR’s Miniview™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP switch.

4
Features
Features
• Multi functional switch allows multiple USB or PS/2 (additional cables needed) computers to share one USB
console and two USB peripheral devices such as printers and scanners, as well as speakers and a microphone
• User can conveniently switch USB peripheral devices from one computer to another using Hot Keys
• USB peripheral devices and USB consoles can be switched asynchronously from one computer to
another using Hot Keys
• Fully compliant with USB 1.1 specifications and delivers a 12 Mbps data transmission rate
• Complete keyboard and mouse emulation for error free booting
• Support special keys on Mac and Sun keyboard
• Allows PC keyboards to simulate Mac and Sun special keys through Hotkeys
• Features AutoScan mode to monitor all computers
• LED display for easy status monitoring
• Superior video quality - supports resolutions up to 2048 x 1536
• Extra convenience offered through sharing of speakers and microphone
• Easy installation: no software required, hot swappable
• Compact design for easy placement

5
System Requirements
• Computers with USB or PS/2 connections (additional cables needed for PS/2 computers)
• Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP
• Mac OS 8.6 or greater
• Sun Solaris work station
• Linux, UNIX and other USB supported systems*
*Additional drivers and support may be needed
Audio
Only 2-piece, powered speaker system is supported
Requirements
Accessories
•PS/2 KVM Cable (G2L5302P)
• USB KVM Console Extender (GCE700)

Front View
1. Port Selection Buttons
•Press a switch for less than two (2)
seconds to bring only the KVM focus
to the computer attached to its
corresponding port
•Press a switch for longer than two
(2) seconds to bring the KVM, USB
hub, and Audio focus to the
computer attached to its
corresponding port
•Press switches 1 and 2
simultaneously for two (2) seconds
to start Auto Scan Mode.
•Press switches 3 and 4
simultaneously for two (2) seconds
to perform a keyboard and mouse
reset
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2. Port LEDs
The Port LEDs are built into the Port Selection Switches. The
upper ones are the KVM Port Status LEDs; the lower ones are
the USB Peripheral Selected LEDs:
KVM Status LEDs: Lights DIM ORANGE to indicate that
the computer attached to the corresponding port is up and
running (On Line); lights BRIGHT ORANGE to indicate that
the computer attached to its corresponding port is the one
6
Introduction

that has the KVM focus (Selected); flashes to
indicate that the computer attached to its
corresponding port is being accessed under Auto
Scan mode.
USB Peripheral Selected LEDs: Lights to
indicate that the computer attached to its
corresponding port is the one that has access to
the USB peripherals.
3. USB Console Ports
Your USB keyboard and USB mouse plug in here.
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Introduction

Back View
1. Console Audio Jacks
The cables from your microphone and
speakers plug in here. Each jack is marked
with an appropriate icon to indicate itself.
2. USB Peripheral Section
USB peripherals (printers, scanners, etc.)
plug in here.
3. Firmware Upgrade Section
• Firmware Upgrade Recovery Switch:
During normal operation and while performing
a firmware upgrade, this switch should be in
the NORMAL position.
• Firmware Upgrade Port:
The Firmware Upgrade Cable that transfers
the firmware upgrade data from the
administrator’s computer to the GCS1732 /
GCS1734 plugs into this RJ-11 connector.
See Pg. 25 for firmware upgrading details.
4. Power Jack
The power adapter cable plugs into this jack.
5. Monitor Port
The video cable from your monitor plugs in here.
6. CPU Port Section
The cables that link the switch to your computers plug
in here. Each CPU port is comprised of a microphone
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654
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Introduction

jack, speaker jack, and KVM data connector.
Note: The shape of these 15-pin KVM data connectors has been specifically modified so that only KVM cables designed to work with this switch can plug
in (see the Cables section for details). Do NOT attempt to use ordinary 15 pin VGA connector cables to link these ports to the computers
USB KVM Cable
PS/2 KVM Cable
9
Introduction
Cable
The USB KVM Cables are included in the package. DB-15 KVM data cable.
If you need some PS/2 KVM cable, please order G2L5302P (not included in this package).

Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up have
been turned off. You must unplug the power cords of any computers that
have the Keyboard Power On function. Otherwise, the switch will receive
power from the computer.
To prevent damage to your installation make sure that all devices on the
installation are properly grounded.
Before you Begin
10
Setup and Installation
Installation
1.
2.

11
Installation
Setup and Installation
Plug your USB keyboard and USB mouse into the USB Ports located on the unit’s front panel. Plug your
monitor into the Console monitor port located on the unit’s rear panel.
Plug the custom SPDB15 connector of the KVM cables into any available CPU ports on the switch and plug
the accompanying microphone and speaker cables into the CPU port’s microphone and speaker jacks.
Plug the other end of the KVM cable to the
respective ports on the computer.
1.
2.
3.
For a PS/2 connection, you will need to
purchase the PS/2 KVM cable (IOGEAR Part
No. G2L5302P), plug the keyboard, mouse,
video, microphone and speaker cables into their
respective ports on the computer.
Note: For computers with older operating systems, such as Windows ME or prior, you may have to load the USB driver. Keep your OS CD ROM
handy during installation. If it is the first time you load the USB driver on this type of computers, there is a big chance that you may need to keep the old
keyboard and mouse on that computer until the driver is loaded.

Repeat steps 3 and 4 for any other computers you are connecting up.
Plug the power adapter cable into the switch’s Power Jack, then plug the power adapter into an AC power
source.
Turn on the power to the computers.
4.
5.
6.
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Installation
(Connection for USB Computers) (Connection for PS/2 Computers)

13
Operation
Hot Plugging
The MiniView™ Extreme supports USB hot plugging – components can be removed and added back into
the installation by unplugging their cables from the CPU ports without the need to shut the unit down.
Powering Off and Restarting
If it becomes necessary to power off the MiniView™ Extreme unit, before starting it back up you must do
the following:
1. Shut down all the computers that are attached to the switch.
Note: You must unplug the power cords of any computers that have the Keyboard Power On function that are connected to the shut down switches.
Otherwise, the switches will still receive power from the computers.
2. Unplug the switch’s power adapter cable.
3. Wait 10 seconds, then plug the switch’s power adapter cable back in.
4. After the switch is up, power on the computers.

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Operation
Hotkey Operation
The GCS1732/GCS1734 provides an extensive, easy-to-use, hotkey function that makes it convenient to
control and configure your KVM installation from the keyboard.
The table below assumes the use of a PC-compatible keyboard with the Scroll Lock key. If you are using
a MAC keyboard (or a keyboard that does not have Scroll Lock key), you can configure the KVM to use
the Ctrl key instead, as described on Page 21 of the manual
Scroll Lock

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Cycling Through the Ports
Port Switching
All port switches begin with tapping the Scroll Lock key twice:
[Scroll Lock], [Scroll Lock] + any of the actions on the table below
Operation

16
Operation
Going Directly to a Port
Note: The n stands for the computer’s Port
ID number (1, 2, 3, or 4). Replace the n
with the appropriate Port ID when entering
hotkey combinations.

17
Operation
Auto Scanning:
The GCS1732 / GCS1734’s Auto Scan feature automatically cycles the KVM focus through the computer
ports at regular intervals. This allows you to monitor the computer activity without having to take the trouble
of switching from port to port manually. See the table below for details.
Note: The n stands for the number of seconds that the GCS1732 / GCS1734 should dwell on a port before
moving on to the next. Replace the n with a number between 1 and 99 when entering this hotkey
combination.

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OSD Operation
Operation
Hotkey Setting Mode (HSM)
For all Hotkey operations, you must use the number keypad on the right side of your keyboard.
To Invoke Hotkey Mode (PC-Compatible Keyboard):
1. Press and hold Num Lock key for two seconds
2. Press and hold Minus key [ – ] for one second
3. Release Minus key [ – ] and within one second also release Num Lock key
The KVM will now enter Hotkey mode, and the Caps Lock and Scroll Lock LEDs flash in succession to
indicate this. On PC-Compatible keyboards this LED is usually located on top right-hand corner.
If the KVM did not enter Hotkey mode, repeat the above procedure keeping in mind that this entire
procedure must be done within five seconds.
PC keyboard Num Lock
Minus