Minicom CAT5 Smart KVM Extender User manual

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5UM30096 V2.1 11/02
CAT5 Smart KVM Extender
User Guide

1
1. What is the CAT5 Smart KVM Extender system?
The CAT5 Smart KVM Extender system from Minicom is an advanced KVM
switch that performs the following functions:
• Extends KVM control over a computer* up to a distance of 110m / 360ft
• Gives 2 users at 2 workstations control of 1 computer*
• A 2-port KVM Switch for 1 or 2 users
* Wherever the word ‘computer’ appears in this guide it can equally refer to a
KVM switch.
2. The system components
The Smart KVM Extender system consists of the following:
• Transmitter
• Receiver
• 3 in 1 CPU cable
• 1 Power adapter for the Receiver
A Shielded CAT5 FTP (Foil Shielded Twisted Pair) Solid Wire 2x4x24 AWG
cable terminated with RJ-45M connectors connects the Smart KVM Extender
system. The Receiver can be up to 110m/360ft away from the Transmitter.
This Guide illustrates the Smart KVM Extender system and explains how to
install and operate it.

2
3. The Smart KVM Extender units
The figures below illustrate the Transmitter and Receiver units.
CAT5
SMART
Extender
TRANSMITTER MINICOM
www.minicom. com
SYSTEM
6VDC
To computer’s Mouse port
To computer’s Video card
To computer’s Keyboard port
Figure 1 Transmitter bird’s-eye view
SYSTEM
CPU
Built-in KVM
cables
System
cable
Power
connector
6VDC
LEDs
MouseMonitor
Keyboard
Side A Side B
Figure 2 The 2 Transmitter side panels

3
6VDC
SYSTEM
CAT5
SMART
Extender
RECEIVER MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PICTURE
SELECT
USERCOMPUTER
Figure 3 Receiver bird’s-eye view
SELECT
POWER
CONTROL
Select
button LEDs
Figure 4 Receiver front panel

4
COMPUTER USER
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Computer
Mouse port
Computer Keyboard
port
Computer
Monitor port
Figure 5 Receiver rear panel
6VDC
SYSTEMPICTURE
Picture
adjuster
System
cable
Power
connector
Figure 6 Receiver side panel

5
4. Pre-installation instructions
Disconnect all computers from the electrical power supply.
Place cables away from fluorescent lights, air conditioners, and machines that are
likely to generate electrical noise.
5. The Smart KVM Extender cables
The Transmitter comes with built-in KVM cables that connect to the computer’s
Video card, Mouse and Keyboard ports.
The 3 in 1 CPU cable
The 3 in 1 CPU cable –illustrated below – is only used when the Receiver
connects to a computer. The cable connects to the Computer section of the
Receiver rear panel, see Figure 5.
Figure 7 The 3 in 1 CPU cable

6
6. Using the Smart KVM Extender as an Extender
Connect the system as in Figure 8 to use the Smart KVM Extender as an Extender.
Extend the KVM workstation from the computer up to a distance of 110m/360ft.
Connect the system as described below.
CAT5
SMART
Extender
RECEIVER MINICOM
www.m ini co m. c om
CAT5
SMART
Extender
TRANSMITTER MIN ICOM
www.minicom.com
6VDC
To Video card
SD
DESK PRO ΩTo wall
socket
SD
P110
Computer
To
Keyboard
port
To Mouse port
Transmitter
Receiver
To System port
CAT5 FTP cable
Up to 110m / 360ft
Power
adapter To
Power
port
To User Monitor port To User
Keyboard port
To User
Mouse
port
To System port
Figure 8 The Smart KVM Extender as an Extender

7
Connecting the Transmitter
Connect the Transmitter built-in cables to the computer as follows:
Connect the purple Mouse connector to the computer’s mouse port.
Connect the green Keyboard connector to the computer’s Keyboard port.
Connect the blue Video connector to the computer’s Video card.
Connecting the CAT FTP System cable
Connect the CAT FTP System cable to the System ports of the 2 Smart Extender
units.
Connecting the Receiver
Connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse to the User ports on the Receiver’s rear
panel.
7. Power supply
Connect the Receiver to the power supply with the Power adapter and Power cord
provided. The Transmitter receives it power from the connected computer and
does not generally need an external power supply. When cascading Smart
Extenders the Transmitter does need an external power supply. See page 19.
8. Using the Smart KVM Extender to give 2 users access to 1
computer
Connect the system as in Figure 9 to give 2 users access to 1 computer on a first-
come-first-served basis. The connections are the same as in Figure 8, with the
addition of a KVM workstation for user 2. Connect the workstation for user 2 as
described below.

8
CAT5
SMART
Extender
RECEIVER MINICOM
www.minicom.com
CAT5
SMART
Extender
TRANSMITTER MINI COM
www.minicom.com
6VD C
SD
DESKPRO Ω
SD
P110
Computer
Transmitter
Receiver
CAT5 FTP cable
Up to 110m / 360ft
To Monitor port
SD
P110
To Keyboard
port
To Mouse
port
User 1
User 2
Figure 9 Giving 2 users access to 1 computer
Connecting the KVM workstation for user 2
Connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse to the ports on the Transmitter’s side
panel.

9
9. Using the Smart KVM Extender as a 2-port KVM Switch
Figure 10 illustrates the system connected to 2 computers and 2 workstations. User
1 can access his local computer or the remote computer. User 2 can only access his
local computer. The connections are the same as in Figure 9, with the addition of
the 3 in 1 CPU cable that connects a 2nd computer to the Receiver.
CAT5
SMART
Extender
RECEIVER MINICOM
www.minicom.com
CAT 5
SMART
Extender
TRANSMITTER
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
6VDC
SD
DESKPRO Ω
SD
P110
Computer
Transmitter
Receiver
CAT5 FTP cable
Up to 110m / 360ft
SD
P110
User 1
User 2
3 in 1
CPU
cable
SD
DESKPRO Ω
To Video card
To
Keyboard
port
To Mouse port
To Computer
Monitor port
To Computer
Keyboard port
To Computer
Mouse port
Computer
Figure 10 As a 2-port KVM Switch
The option in Figure 10 can also work with only 1 user workstation connected at
the Receiver.

10
10. Smart KVM Extender connected to a KVM Switch and
computer rack
In Figure 11 user 1 can access a computer rack through a KVM Switch or the local
computer. User 2 can access the computer rack. To connect the KVM Switch to
the computers see the KVM Switch User Guide.
CAT5 cable
6VDC
SYSTEM
CAT5
SMART
Extender
RECEIVER MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PICTURE
SELE
CT
USERCOMPUT ER
CAT5
SMART
Extender
TRANSMITTER MINICOM
www.minicom.com
SYSTEM
6VDC
SD
DESKPRO Ω
COMPUTER 1 COMPUTER 2
COMP UTE R 6COMP UTER 5STATION 2
SCREENPS/2 MOUSEKB
POWER
SERIAL MOUSE
COMPUTER 3 COMPUTER 4
COMPUTER8COMPUTER7
KVM Switch
SD
P110
ProLiant DL3 60
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
ProLiant DL3 60
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
ProLiant DL3 60
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
ProLiant DL3 60
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
ProLiant DL3 60
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
ProLiant DL3 60
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
Transmitter
Receiver
SD
P110
Computer rack
User 1
User 2
Figure 11 Smart KVM Extender with a KVM Switch.

11
11. Smart KVM Extender connected to 2 Phantom systems
In Figure 12 two users have access to two Phantom systems. User 1 has access to
both systems while user 2 can access only the Phantom system he’s connected to.
To connect the Phantom systems to the computers see the Phantom User Guide.
CAT5
6VDC
SYSTEM
CAT5
SMART
Extender
RECE IVER MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PICTURE
SELE
CT
USERCOMPU TER
CAT5
SMART
Extender
TRANSMITTER MIN ICOM
www.minicom.com
SYSTEM
6VDC
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
www.minicom.com
USER COMPUTER
SYSTEM SERV ICEPOWER
85-265VAC 50/60 Hz
Link
Active
MINICOM
www. m ini c o m .c om
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www. m ini c o m .c om
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www. m ini c o m .c om
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www. m ini c o m .c om
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www. m ini c o m .c om
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www. m ini c o m .c om
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Phantom
System
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
ProLiant DL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCS I
www.minicom.com
USER COMPUTER
SYSTEM SERV ICEPOWER
85-265VAC 50/60 Hz
Link
Active
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Link
Active
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PHANTOM
Specter
OUT IN
Phantom
System
SD
P110
Transmitter
Receiver
User 1
User 2
SD
P110
Figure 12 Smart KVM Extender connected to 2 Phantom systems

12
12. Operating the Smart KVM Extender
Once the system is connected there are 2 ways to switch between the 2 computers /
KVM workstations.
• On the Receiver press the Select button
Or
• On the keyboard press Shift followed by + or -.
The Receiver Control LED
Status Meaning
Off User at Receiver working on Receiver computer
On User at Receiver working on Transmitter computer
Blinking User at Transmitter working on Transmitter computer
The Transmitter Control LED
Status Meaning
Blinking User at Receiver working on Transmitter computer
Off Any other situation
Adjusting the picture
When the Receiver has control of the Transmitter’s computer, adjust the picture
quality where necessary using a small flat screwdriver to turn the Picture adjuster
located on the Receiver’s rear panel. See Figure 6.

13
Timeout
When there are 2 workstations in the system you can gain control at each
workstation when the other workstation is idle for 2 seconds. This timeout period
can be altered in the settings mode to between 1-99 seconds, as explained below.
Locking KVM control
When there are 2 users using the system, either user can override the Timeout
feature and retain control indefinitely. Do so by locking the system so that only
one user has control.
To lock control:
On the keyboard press Shift followed by F12.
To relinquish control:
On the keyboard press Shift followed by Esc.
In the settings mode you can disable the lock control function. This is explained in
the Settings mode paragraph below.
13. Smart KVM Extender Settings mode
Enter the Settings mode to:
• Change the hotkey
• Change the Timeout period
• Enable/disable lock control
• Make advanced adjustments
• View settings

14
To enter the Settings mode:
Press Shift then, F2. Release Shift before pressing F2. All 3 keyboard LEDs glow
when in the Settings mode.
Changing the hotkey
You can change the hotkey from Shift to Alt or Ctrl. Once changed, all references
in this Guide to Shift now refer to the new hotkey.
To change the hotkey in the Settings mode:
To Type the letters
Alt HA
Ctrl HC
Shift HS
Changing the Timeout period
To change the Timeout period in the Settings mode:
Press Tfollowed by a 2-digit time period of between 01-99 seconds. The 3
keyboard LEDs blink and the new setting is now functional.
Enabling/disabling lock control
By default both users can lock control. You can disable the lock control function
in the Settings mode.
To disable lock control type DL.
To enable lock control type EL.

15
Making advanced adjustments
The Smart KVM Extender operates with:
• Windows, Linux, Novell or UNIX systems
• 2 or 3 or 5 button PS/2 mouse, Intellimouse or Wheel mouse
When connected and switched on as set out above, the Smart KVM Extender
automatically operates with the computer and mouse types connected to it.
Replacing a computer
When a computer is replaced with a different computer type while the Smart KVM
Extender is in use, we recommend turning the new computer off before connecting
it to the Smart KVM Extender.
When turning the computers off is inconvenient, do the following:
In the Settings mode adjust the Smart KVM Extender keyboard and mouse modes
to be compatible with the new computer. See the tables below.
Keyboard settings when replacing a computer
For Type the letters
PC (Windows, Linux,
Novell) PC
UNIX console mode UC
UNIX graphics mode UG

16
Set the keyboard mode setting to:
• PC when operating Intel based computers.
• UC when operating UNIX computers in console mode.
• UG when operating UNIX computers in graphics mode.
Mouse driver settings when replacing a computer
For Type the letters
Wheel mouse or
Intellimouse IN
2 or 3 button mouse PS
5-button mouse EP
Set the mouse setting to IN when the computer has an operating system that
supports Wheel mouse functionality: (Windows 98 and Linux*).
Set the mouse setting to PS when the computer has an operating system that does
not support Wheel mouse functionality: (Windows 95, NT4, DOS, Linux*, UNIX
and Novell).
*Depending on the version.
Set the mouse setting to EP when the computer has an operating system that
supports Explorer mouse functionality: (Windows – ME, 2000, and XP).
Replacing a mouse type
When a mouse is replaced with a different mouse type (not necessarily a different
mouse) while the Smart KVM Extender is in use, press and hold the Select button
for more than 5 seconds. Release the Select button after your monitor blinks once.

17
Viewing the settings
View the settings and firmware revision in any text editor.
To view the settings:
1. Before entering to the Settings mode switch the keyboard layout to English.
2. Open any text editor, e.g. Notepad.
3. Press Shift, followed by F2 to enter the Settings mode.
4. Press F. The settings appear in the text editor.
Exiting the Settings mode
To save changes and exit the Settings mode:
Press Esc.

18
A summary of the Settings mode operations
Operation Press
Enter Settings mode Shift, F2
Exit and save changes Esc
Change Hotkey to Alt HA
Change Hotkey to Ctrl HC
Change Hotkey to Shift HS
Change the Timeout period T, xx (01-99)
Enabling lock control EL
Disabling lock control DL
Keyboard setting – PC PC
Keyboard setting – UNIX
console mode
UC
Keyboard setting – graphics
mode
UG
Mouse setting - Wheel
mouse or Intellimouse
IN
Mouse setting – 2/3-button
mouse
PS
Mouse setting – 5-button
mouse
EP
View Settings F

19
14. Cascading Smart Extenders
Cascade two or more Smart Extenders to get more than one remote workstation
working from one computer. One possible configuration is shown on the diagram
below.
CAT5
SMAR T
Extend er
TRANSMITTER MINICOM
www.minicom.com
SYSTEM
6VDC
SD
P110
CAT5
SMART
Extender
TRANSMITTER MINICOM
www. min i com .com
SYSTEM
6VDC
6VDC
SYSTEM
CAT5
SMART
Extender
RECEIVER MINICOM
www.mi nico m.co m
PICTURE
SELECT
USERCOMPUTE R
SD
P110
6VDC
SYSTEM
CAT5
SMART
Extender
RECEIVER MINICOM
www.minicom.com
PICTURE
SELECT
USERCOMPUTER
CAT5 Cable
CAT5 Cable
Remote
Workstation 2
Remote
Workstation 1
Smart Extender
Transmitter 1
Smart Extender
Transm itter 2
Smart Extender R eceiver 2 Smart Extender Receiver 1
Power Supply
+6VDC 2A
To Wall Socket
Power Supply
+6VDC 2A
To W all Socket
Power S upply
+6VDC 2A
To Wall Socket