Minicom IP Control User manual

www.minicom.com
InternationalHQ
Jerusalem,Israel
Tel:[phone]
[e-mail]
NorthAmericanHQ
Linden,NJ,USA
Tel:[phone]
[e-mail]
EuropeanHQ
Dübendorf,Switzerland
Tel:[phone]
[e-mail]
Technicalsupport - [e-mail]
5UM70166 V1.6 8/07
IPControl
UserGuide

IPCONTROL
1
TableofContents
1. Welcome......................................................................................................................3
2.Introduction.................................................................................................................4
3. Keyfeatures................................................................................................................4
4. Systemcomponents....................................................................................................4
5. TheIPControlunit......................................................................................................5
6. Pre-installationguidelines...........................................................................................5
7. Terminology................................................................................................................6
8. Clientcomputeroperating system..............................................................................6
9. Connectingthesystem...............................................................................................6
10.Initial settings............................................................................................................8
11. DefaultIPaddress.....................................................................................................8
11.1StaticIPaddressesforanumberofunits........................................................................................9
12.Logging intotheWebinterface.................................................................................9
12.1SSLCertificatenotes......................................................................................................................10
13. Network>Configuration.........................................................................................10
13.1LAN1...............................................................................................................................................10
14. Savingchanges.......................................................................................................10
15. Administration >UserSettings...............................................................................11
15.1Addingauser..................................................................................................................................12
15.2Editingauser..................................................................................................................................12
15.3Deletingauser................................................................................................................................12
15.4Blocking auser................................................................................................................................12
16. Administration >SwitchConfiguration...................................................................12
17. Administration >SerialSettings.............................................................................14
17.1Show................................................................................................................................................14
17.2Assign toRPS.................................................................................................................................14
18. Security>Settings..................................................................................................14
19. Security>SSLCertificate.......................................................................................15
20.Maintenance>FirmwareUpgrade...........................................................................16
21. RestoreFactorySettings.........................................................................................17
22.Logging out.............................................................................................................17
23. Starting aremotesession.......................................................................................17
23.1Taking overabusyremotesession................................................................................................18
23.2Fullscreen mode.............................................................................................................................18
23.3MovingorhidingtheToolbar..........................................................................................................19
23.4Switchingtoadifferentserver/device............................................................................................19
23.5Changingtheperformancesettings...............................................................................................19
23.6Adjusting theVideo settings...........................................................................................................20
23.6.1Refresh....................................................................................................................................20
23.6.2Manual Video Adjust...............................................................................................................21
23.6.3AutoVideo Adjust...................................................................................................................22
23.7Powercycle.....................................................................................................................................22

USERGUIDE
2
23.8Keyboardkeysequences...............................................................................................................22
23.9Synchronizingmousepointers.......................................................................................................24
23.9.1Aligningthemicepointers......................................................................................................24
23.9.2Calibrating micepointers........................................................................................................24
23.9.3Manual micesynchronization.................................................................................................25
23.10Minicomlogomenufeatures........................................................................................................26
23.11Disconnectingtheremotesession...............................................................................................27
24.Troubleshooting -Restoringfactorydefaults.........................................................27
25.Technical specifications..........................................................................................29
26. Videoresolution and refreshrates..........................................................................29
27. Safety.......................................................................................................................30
28. Userguidefeedback................................................................................................30
29. WEEECompliance...................................................................................................30
©2007CopyrightMinicomAdvancedSystems.Allrightsreserved.

IPCONTROL
3
1.Welcome
Thank youforbuyingtheIP Controlsystem. ThissystemisproducedbyMinicom
AdvancedSystemsLimited.
ThisdocumentprovidesinstallationandoperationinstructionsforMinicom’sIP
Control. Itisintendedforsystemadministratorsand networkmanagers,and
assumesthatreadershavea generalunderstandingofnetworks, hardwareand
software.
Technicalprecautions
Thisequipmentgeneratesradiofrequencyenergyandifnotinstalledinaccordance
withthemanufacturer’sinstructions,maycauseradiofrequencyinterference.
ThisequipmentcomplieswithPart15,SubpartJoftheFCCrulesforaClassA
computingdevice. ThisequipmentalsocomplieswiththeClass Alimitsforradio
noiseemissionfromdigitalapparatussetoutintheRadioInterferenceRegulation
oftheCanadianDepartmentofCommunications. Theseaboverulesaredesignedto
providereasonableprotectionagainstsuchinterferencewhenoperatingthe
equipmentina commercialenvironment. If operationofthisequipmentina
residentialarea causesradiofrequencyinterference, theuser,and notMinicom
AdvancedSystemsLimited,willberesponsible.
Changesormodificationsmadetothisequipmentnotexpresslyapprovedby
MinicomAdvancedSystemsLimitedcouldvoidtheuser’sauthoritytooperatethe
equipment.
MinicomAdvancedSystemsLimitedassumesnoresponsibilityforany errorsthat
appearinthisdocument. Informationinthisdocumentissubjecttochangewithout
notice.
Nopartofthisdocumentmaybereproducedortransmittedinany formorbyany
means, electronicormechanical, forany purpose, withouttheexpress written
permissionofMinicomAdvancedSystemsLimited.
Trademarks
Alltrademarksand registeredtrademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespective
owners.

USERGUIDE
4
2.Introduction
TheIP ControlextendsyourKVM(keyboard, video,mouse)fromany computeror
serveroverTCP/IPvia LAN, WANorInternetconnection. Nowyoucancontrol,
monitorand manageyourserversfromwhereveryouare, insideoroutsidethe
organization. TheIP Controlisa cost-effectivehardwaresolution, forsecure
remoteKVMaccess &controlofa computer/serverfromtheBIOS level-
independentoftheOS. Itisdesignedtoconnecttoa singlecomputerortoaKVM
switchtoControlmultipleservers, overTCP/IPcommunication.
3.Keyfeatures
BIOSlevelcontrol toanyserver’sbrand and model, regardless oftheserver
conditionandnetworkconnectivity, coveringtheentirespectrumofcrash
scenarios.
Compatible withall majoroperatingsystems. Supportsmanyhardwareand
softwareconfigurationsfortheremoteclientandthetargetservercomputers,as
wellastheKVMswitchinuse.
Web-basedControl- BrowserControltoa targetserver, fromany location via
securedstandardIP connection.
Multi-userviewmode- Allowssimultaneoususerstoviewremotesessions.
Remotecontrolcanbeintuitivelyhandedbetweenuserswithappropriate
permissions.
4.Systemcomponents
TheIP Controlsystemconsistsof:
·1IPControl(p/n1SU70017)
·1KVMcable(p/n5CB00565)
·1RS232 Cross cable(p/n5CB00566)
·1Universalpoweradapter(p/n5PSB0005)
TheRS232 Cross cableconnectstheIP ControltoSerialmanageabledevicessuch
asPowerManagementunits, Routers, etc.
Youcanorderbracketstorack-mounttheIP Control.

IPCONTROL
5
5.TheIPControlunit
Figure1illustratesthefrontpaneloftheIP Control.
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
LAN(Ethernet)
connector
LAN
Figure1IPControl ports–side1
For(optional)localaccess totheconnectedcomputeryouconnecta keyboard,
monitorand mousetotheaboveKVMports.ConnecttheIP Controltoa 10/100
MbitEthernetusingtheLANport.
KVM In Serial
3.3V/2A
Go Local
Power
KVMIn Serial
Power
GoLocal
button
Power
LED
Figure2IPControl ports–side2
Connecta computerorKVMswitchtotheKVMInportusing the1to3CPU
cable. Youpress the GoLocal button todisconnecttheremotesessionand access
thecomputerlocally.
ConnectanRS232devicetotheSerialportusingtheRS232 Cross cable.
6.Pre-installationguidelines
Placecablesawayfromfluorescentlights,airconditioners, and machinesthatare
likelytogenerateelectricalnoise.

USERGUIDE
6
7.Terminology
Belowaresometermsand theirmeaningsusedinthisguide.
Term Meaning
Targetserver Thecomputers/serversthat areaccessedremotelyviatheIP
Control.
Clientcomputer ThePCrunningaremoteIPControlsession
RemoteSession Theprocess ofaccessing and controllingTarget Servers
connectedtoIPControlfromaUserworkstation
8.Clientcomputeroperatingsystem
Windows2000 orhigher, withInternetExplorer6.0orlaterversion. 128 bit
encryptionsupportisrequired.
9.Connectingthesystem
ConnecttheTargetServer/KVMswitchtotheIP Controlasfollows:
1.ConnectthesingleconnectoroftheKVMcabletotheKVMInportoftheIP
Control.
2.ConnecttheotherendoftheKVMcabletotheKVMportsoftheTargetServer
/KVMswitch.
3.Connecta NetworkcabletotheIP ControlLANportandtoanEthernetporton
yourNetworkswitch.
4.Connectthepoweradapter.
Figure3and Figure4illustratetheconnectionstoa computerand KVMswitch
respectively, withtheoptionalKVMconsole.

IPCONTROL
7
SD
P110
KVM cable
TargetPC
MINICOM
IP CONTROL
KVMIn Serial3.3V/2A
LAN
MINICOM
UseroverIP
Internet/VPN/ LAN
Figure3IPControl connectionstoacomputer

USERGUIDE
8
Computerrack
ProLiantDL360
9.1-GB10k
ULTRA2SCSI
9.1-GB10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1-GB10k
ULTRA2SCSI
9.1-GB10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1-GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
9.1-GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1-GB10k
ULTRA2SCSI
9.1-GB10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1-GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
9.1-GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1-GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
9.1-GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
COMPUTER1COMPUTER2
COMPUTER6COMPUTER5STATION2
SCREENPS/2MOUSEKB
POWER
SERIALMOUSE
COMPUTER3COMPUTER4
COMPUTER8COMPUTER7
KVMswitch
SD
P110
KVMcable
MINICOM
IP CONTROL
LAN
MINICOM
UseroverIP
Internet/ VPN/LAN
Figure4IPControl connectionstoaKVMswitch
10.Initialsettings
ThefollowingsectionsprovideinstructionsforsettingtheIP address fortheIP
Controlunit.
11.DefaultIPaddress
Bydefault, IP ControlbootswithanautomaticallyassignedIP address froma
DHCP (DynamicHostConfigurationProtocol)serveronthenetwork. TheDHCP
serverprovidesa validIP address, gatewayaddress andsubnetmask.
ToidentifytheIP address, theIP ControlMACaddressappearson theundersideof
theIP Controlbox. Thedevicenumber(D.N.)canalsobefoundthere.
If noDHCP serverisfoundonthenetwork, IPControlbootswiththestaticIP
address:192.168.0.155.
Note! If a DHCP serverlaterbecomesavailable, theunitpicksup theIP settings
fromDHCP server.TokeepthestaticIP address, disableDHCP –explainedin
section 13.1on page10.

IPCONTROL
9
11.1StaticIPaddressesforanumberofunits
Whereyouwanttoconnectmorethan1IPControltothesamenetworkandthere
isnoDHCP server, oryouwanttousestaticIP addresses, dothefollowing:
ConnecttheIP Controlunitsoneata timeandchangethestaticIPaddress ofeach
unitbeforeconnectingthenextunit.
12.LoggingintotheWebinterface
Completetheinitialsetup via theWebconfiguration interface:
1.OpenyourWebbrowser(InternetExplorerversion6.0orhigher).
2.TypetheIP ControlsystemIP address -https://IPaddress/config-and press
Enter. Theloginpageappears,seeFigure5.
Figure5Login page
3.TypethedefaultAdministratorusername -admin -andpassword -access -
(bothlowercase).
4.Press Enter. TheWebinterfaceopensattheNetworkConfigurationpage. See
Figure6.
5.Bookmarkthepageforeasyreference.
Figure6IPControl Web interface

USERGUIDE
10
12.1SSLCertificatenotes
WhenfirstconnectingtoIP Control’shttpsconfigurationpage, 2browsersecurity
warningsappear.Click Yes toproceed.
Thefirstwarningdisappearsupon firstIPControlclientinstallation, when
Minicom’srootcertificateisinstalled.
13.Network>Configuration
ConsultyourNetworkAdministratorforthenetworksettings.
Devicename- Typea namefortheIP Control. Defaultdevicenameconsistsofthe
letter‘D’followedbythe6-digitdevicenumber(D.N.)foundonthesilverlabelon
theundersideoftheIP Controlbox.
FirstTCPPort -Choose3consecutiveports,and type inthefirstportnumberof
theseries. Thedefaultport–900–issuitableforthemajorityofinstallations.
Note
Firewallorroutersecurityaccess listmustenableinboundcommunicationthrough
theselectedTCPportsfortheIP Control’sIP address.
ForClientcomputeraccess froma securedLAN, theselectedportsshouldbeopen
foroutboundcommunication.
13.1LAN1
UnderLAN1inFigure6, isthefollowing:
EnableDHCP –Whena DHCPserverisactiveonthesamenetworktowhichIP
Controlisconnected, DHCP providesautomaticIP assignment.
WhenDHCP isdisabled–(Recommended)–Youcanassigna fixedIP address to
theIP Control.
ConsultyourNetworkAdministratorregarding theuseoftheDHCP. Note! Where
youhaveaccess totheserver–yourconfigured(ordefault)IPControldevice
namewillappearon theDHCP server’sinterface,makingiteasytolocate.
WhenDHCP isdisabled,enter the IPAddress, SubnetMask, and Default
Gateway for LAN 1,asgivenbyyourNetworkAdministrator.
14.Saving changes
Click tosaveany configurationchangesand restarttheIPControl
system.

IPCONTROL
11
15.Administration>UserSettings
From the menuclick User Settings, Figure7appears.
Figure7UserSettings
OnthispageanAdministratorcreatesand editsusers.
Thereare3levelsofuseraccess:
·Administrator
·User
·Viewonly
Administrator
AnAdministratorhasunrestrictedaccess toall windowsand settingsandcan“take
over”any activesession(explainedinsection 23.1on page18). AnAdministrator
canchangethenameandpasswordofall users.
User
AUsercanaccess/controlTargetServers, butcannotusethefollowing:
·Advancedmousesettings
·Powercycle
AUserhasno access totheWebconfigurationinterface.
Viewonly
ViewonlycanviewthescreenofanyTargetServerwithoutkeyboardand mouse
control. A“viewonly”indicatorappearson theviewer’slocalmousepointer.

USERGUIDE
12
15.1Addingauser
Toadd a user:
1.Click and typea nameanda password. Thepasswordmustbeat
least6characters–lettersornumbers,and mustnotincludetheusername,even
ifothercharactersareadded.
Note! Thefollowing“special”characters:&,<,>,”, {,}cannotbeusedfor
eithertheusernameorpassword.
Dependingonthesecuritylevelchosentheusernameandpasswordparameters
aredifferent. Seesection 18 on page14.
2.Selectthepermissiontypefromthe Permission box.
3.Click ,theuserappearsinthelistofusers.
15.2Editingauser
Toedita user:
1.Selecttheuserfromthelist.
2.Click . Youcannowchangeall theparameters–username,
permissionandpassword.
3.Click ,thechangesaresaved.
15.3Deletingauser
Todeletea user:
1.Selecttheuserfromthelist.
2.Click .
3.Click ,thechangesaresaved.
15.4Blockingauser
Analternativetodeletinga userisblocking a user.Thismeansthattheuser’sname
and passwordisstored, buttheuserisunabletoaccess thesystem. Check Block to
blocka user.Uncheck Block toallowtheuseraccess.
16.Administration>SwitchConfiguration
Whena KVMswitchisconnectedtotheIP Controlsystem,youmustconfigurethe
switchparameters.

IPCONTROL
13
Todo so:
1.Fromthemenu click SwitchConfiguration. TheKVMSwitchConfiguration
windowappears,see Figure8.
Figure8SwitchConfiguration
2.Choosethemanufacturerand modeloftheconnectedKVMswitch. Thenumber
ofpossibleconnectedserversappearsinthe Server Name section.
3.Changethenameoftheconnectedserversbyhighlightingtheserverand typing
a newname. Click tosavechanges.
Note! Servernamesleftas UNUSED cannotbeaccessed.
Sync. Caps/Scroll/NumLockState –ChecktosynchronizetheCaps,Scroll and
NumLockkeysstatebetweentheremoteconsolekeyboardand Targetserver. If
leftunchecked, theremoteconsolekeyboardmaynotreflectthestatusoftheabove
keysasseton theTargetserver.
Installswitchdefinitionfile
WheretheKVMswitchtypeisnotlistedin the manufacturer/modeldrop-down
lists, youcanfindthecorrectSwitchDefinition fileintheSupportsectionofour
website- www.minicom.com.
1.LoadthefileontotheClientcomputer.
2.Locateand installtheKVMswitchdefinitionfile. Theswitchdefinitionfileis
replaced.

USERGUIDE
14
17.Administration>Serial Settings
Whereyouhavea Serialdeviceconnectedtothesystemyoumustconfigurethe
RS232settings.
Todo so:
From the menuclick SerialSettings, the SerialSettings appear,seeFigure9.
Figure9Serial Settings
Typea devicenameandchoosethecorrectdeviceparameters. Note!Whereyou
havea MinicomSerialRemotePowerSwitchconnected, seebelow Assignto
RPS.
17.1Show
Tick Show tomaketheSerialdeviceappearinthelistofservers/devicesthatcan
beaccessed.
17.2AssigntoRPS
Wherea MinicomSerialRemotePowerSwitch(RPS)isconnectedtotheSerial
port,tickthisbox. Allotherparametersarethengrayedout.SeetheRPS
InstallationGuideforfurtherinformation oninstallingand operatingtheRPS.
18.Security>Settings
Configurethesecurityfeatures, suchasAccountBlocking, PasswordPolicyand
IdleTimeout, asexplainedbelow.
From the Security sectionclick Settings, the Security Settings appear, see Figure
10.

IPCONTROL
15
Figure10 SecuritySettings
ThesecuritySettings elements:
AccountBlocking –decideonthenumberofattemptstologinwitha wrong
usernameorpasswordafterwhichthereisa timelockoratotalblock.
PasswordPolicy –Youhavetheoptionofa standardorhighsecuritylevelof
password. Thetablebelowshowstheparametersofthe2options.
StandardsecuritypolicyHigh securitypolicy
6charactersormore8charactersormoremustincludeatleast 1digit
and1uppercaseletterand1“special”character
asfollows!@#$%^*()_-+=[]’:;?/
Mustnot includetheusernameMustnot includetheusername
Checktheboxtoenablethehighsecuritypasswordpolicy. Unchecked, the
standardsecuritypolicyapplies.
IdleTimeout –SelecttheTimeoutinactivityperiodafterwhichtheuseris
disconnectedfromthesystem. Choose NoTimeout todisableTimeout.
19.Security>SSLCertificate
Youcaninstall anSSLcertificate.
Todo so:
Fromthemenu, select SSLCertificate, theinstallSSLCertificatepageappears,
seeFigure11.

USERGUIDE
16
Figure11 Install SSL Certificatepage
CertificateFile -Browsetolocatethe cer file.
PrivateFile -Browsetolocatethe privatekey file.
KeyPassword -Typethe“privatekey”password.
Click .
20.Maintenance >FirmwareUpgrade
UpgradetheIP Controlfirmwaretotakeadvantageofnewfeatures. Downloadthe
firmwarefromMinicom’swebsite. SavethefirmwarefileontheClientcomputer.
Fromthemenu select Firmware Upgrade. TheFirmwareUpgradeappearssee
Figure12.
Figure12 FirmwareUpgrade
1.Locateand uploadthefirmwarefile.
2.Verifythecurrentand uploadedversionofthefirmware.
3.Click .Theupgradestarts.Oncompletion, click .
Theunitreboots. Afterabout30secondstheLoginpageappears.
Note!
Dependingonthetypeoffirmwareupgrade, thefollowingsettingsmaybeerased:
Usersettings, KVMswitchsettings, mouseandvideoadjustmentsand RS232
settings. Formoreinformationrefertothefirmwarereleasenotes.
Thenetworksettingsremainintact.

IPCONTROL
17
21.RestoreFactorySettings
YoucanrestoretheIP Controlunittothefactorysettings. Thisrestorestheoriginal
IP Controlparameters,resettingalltheinformationaddedbytheadministrators,
including:Networksettings*, Servers, Switches, Users,Passwordsetc.
*YouhavetheoptiontopreserveNetworksettings–explainedbelow.
Warning!Once resetthedatacannotberetrieved.
Torestorefactorysettings:
1.Fromthemenu select Restore FactorySettings. RestoreFactorySettings
appearsseeFigure13.
Figure13 Restorefactorysettings
2.ChecktheboxifyouwanttopreserveNetworksettings.
3.Click
22.Loggingout
ToexittheConfigurationmenuandclosethesession, click .
OnlyoneAdministratorcanlogintotheConfigurationareaatatime.Anidle
timeoutof30 minutesterminatesthesession.
23.Startingaremote session
Ata ClientcomputeropenInternetExplorer(6.0and above)andtypetheIP
Control’sIP address. https://IPaddress. TheLoginpageappears.Typeyour
usernameandpasswordand press Enter. Bydefault, theusernameis: admin and
thepasswordis access, (bothlowercase).
Onfirstconnectioninstall theMinicomcertificateand ActiveXcontrol. Youmust
loginasanAdministratortoyourcomputertoinstalltheActiveXcontrol. Oncethe
ActiveXcontrolisinstalled, all typesofuserscanlogin.
ThescreenoftheTargetServerconnecteddirectlytoIP Control, orthecurrently
selectedserverontheKVMswitchwithIP ControltoolbarappearsseeFigure14.

USERGUIDE
18
Figure14 Remotesession window
23.1Takingoverabusyremotesession
Whenconnectingtoa busyTargetServeranAdministratorhastheoptiontotake
overtheTargetServer. AUseronlyhasthisoptionwhenthecurrentsessionisrun
byanotherUser, butnotbyanAdministrator.Thefollowingmessageappears
Figure15 Busyremotesession options
ChoosetoTakeOverorViewOnlyorCancel.
23.2Full screenmode
WorkontheTargetServerasifyouareworkingona localcomputer, withfull
screenmode.
Toworkinfullscreenmode:
1.EnsurethattheClientcomputerhasthesamescreenresolutionastheTarget
Server.
2.Press F11.TheInternetExplorerwindowdisappears, leavingtheInternet
Explorermenu baratthetop.

IPCONTROL
19
3.RightclicktheInternetExplorermenubarand checkAuto-Hide. TheInternet
Explorermenu bardisappears.Youareinfullscreenmode.
Toexitfullscreenmode:
Press F11. OrplacethemouseatthetopofthewindowtodisplaytheInternet
Explorertoolbarand clicktheRestorebutton.
Note!FullscreenmodecanalsobeactivatedfromtheToolbarmenu, seepage27.
23.3MovingorhidingtheToolbar
TheToolbarcanbedraggedanddroppedtoanywhereonthescreen, byclicking
and draggingthelogo .
TohidetheToolbar,either:
Double-clicktheIP ControlSystemtrayIcon .
Or
Press F9.
TodisplaytheToolbarrepeattheaboveactions. Seealsopage27.
TominimizetheToolbar:
Clickthearrow .ClickagaintomaximizetheToolbar.
23.4Switchingtoadifferentserver/device
Toconnecttoa differentserver/device:
1.FromtheToolbar,click , orright-click .Alistofconnected
servers/devicesappears.
2.ClickthedesiredserverorSerialdevice. ThescreenoftheserverortheSerial
devicewindowappears.
23.5Changingtheperformance settings
YoucanalterthebandwidthsettingsfromtheToolbar.
Toalterthesettings:
FromtheToolbar,click .TheSettings.. boxappears,seeFigure16.