Minicom RJ-45 User manual

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Smart IP Link
User Guide
5UM20115 V1 9/03

SMART IP LINK
Welcome
The Smart IP Link system is produced by Minicom Advanced Systems Limited.
Technical precautions
This equipment generates radio frequency energy and if not installed in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause radio frequency interference.
This equipment complies with Part 15, Subpart J of the FCC rules for a Class A
computing device. This equipment also complies with the Class A limits for radio
noise emission from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of
the Canadian Department of Communications. These above rules are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when operating the
equipment in a commercial environment. If operation of this equipment in a
residential area causes radio frequency interference, the user, and not Minicom
Advanced Systems Limited, will be responsible.
Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by
Minicom Advanced Systems Limited could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
Minicom Advanced Systems Limited assumes no responsibility for any errors that
appear in this document. Information in this document is subject to change without
notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written
permission of Minicom Advanced Systems Limited.
© 2003 Minicom Advanced Systems Limited. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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USER GUIDE
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Features of IP Link ........................................................................................................................ 4
3. Remote power management ........................................................................................................5
4. System components ..................................................................................................................... 5
5. The IP Link cables ......................................................................................................................... 5
6. IP Link front panel ......................................................................................................................... 6
7. The IP Link rear panel ports ......................................................................................................... 6
8. Pre-installation instructions......................................................................................................... 7
9. Connecting the IP Link to the host computer/KVM switch ....................................................... 7
10. Connecting the Power management option ............................................................................... 9
11. Connecting to Ethernet................................................................................................................. 9
12. 10 Mbps Connection ..................................................................................................................... 9
13. 100 Mbps Connection ................................................................................................................. 10
14. Switching on ................................................................................................................................ 10
15. Configuring the system .............................................................................................................. 10
16. Configuring system via DHCP server........................................................................................ 10
17. Configuring system via local console ....................................................................................... 11
18. IP Link Video Modes ................................................................................................................... 12
19. Operating the IP Link system..................................................................................................... 12
20. Logging in .................................................................................................................................... 13
21. Server Power Status ................................................................................................................... 14
22. Timeout......................................................................................................................................... 14
23. Remote Console .......................................................................................................................... 14
24. Keyboard layout .......................................................................................................................... 15
25. Toolbar buttons and icons ......................................................................................................... 15
26. The Video settings ...................................................................................................................... 16
27. Mouse synchronization .............................................................................................................. 17
28. Single mouse mode .................................................................................................................... 18
29. Synchronizing the client and host mice.................................................................................... 18
30. Remote Console Settings ........................................................................................................... 19
31. SSL settings................................................................................................................................. 19
32. Mouse Settings ............................................................................................................................ 21
33. Remote Console Type................................................................................................................. 21
34. Mouse hotkey .............................................................................................................................. 22
35. Remote Console Button Keys.................................................................................................... 22
36. Network Settings ......................................................................................................................... 23
37. Dynamic DNS ............................................................................................................................... 25
38. Serial Settings ............................................................................................................................. 26
39. User settings................................................................................................................................ 30
40. Maintenance................................................................................................................................. 31
41. Frequently Asked Questions...................................................................................................... 33
42. Glossary of terms........................................................................................................................ 34
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SMART IP LINK
Appendix A: IP Link Video modes ........................................................................ 35
Appendix B: Key codes.......................................................................................... 36
Appendix C: Pin assignments ............................................................................... 38
Appendix D: Technical specifications .................................................................. 40
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USER GUIDE
1. Introduction
The Smart IP Link (IP Link) from Minicom Advanced Systems redirects a host
keyboard, mouse and video data to a client computer. Data is transmitted via IP
protocol.
IP Link features, remote KVM access and control via a LAN or Internet connection.
IP Link provides a non-intrusive solution for remote access and control. Remote
access and control software runs on the IP Link embedded processors only and not
on the servers, so there is no interference with server operation or impact on server
performance.
The IP Link can also be used in a multi-administrator and multi-server environment.
Combining one or several IP Links with a matrix KVM switch allows access to
multiple remote servers via a single remote console. The IP Link combines digital
remote KVM access via IP networks with a comprehensive and integrated system
management.
Figure 1 illustrates the connections of IP Link to its host, and to the local area
network.
KVM signals
Host
Server
IP Network
Administrator
Smart IP Link
Client server
MINICOM
IP Link
SMART
Activity
System OK
Figure 1 IP Link usage scenario
IP Link is multi-user capable, i.e. up to 20 concurrent users may use IP Link to
manage a remote site.
2. Features of IP Link
• KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) access over IP, or analogous telephone line.
• Automatically senses video resolution for best possible screen capture
• High-performance mouse tracking and synchronization
• Client Mouse suppression (only when using SUN's Java Virtual Machine)
4

SMART IP LINK
IP Link supports PS/2 type keyboards and mice and HD 15 video output. See the pin
assignments in Appendix C.
IP Link automatically detects the current video mode of the console, however
manual tuning is recommended to get the best video quality. IP Link will accept
video streams up to 110 MHz dot clock. This results in a screen resolution of
1280x1024 dots with a refresh rate of 75 Hz.
3.
4.
5.
Remote power management
The remote power management option can be the external Peppercon IPM 220-L, or
any other option using the built-in Telnet server.
With this option it is possible to perform a remote reset, power cycle, and power
on/off.
System components
• 1 IP Link Extender box
• Cables - 3in 1 CPU cable. Null Modem cable (illustrated below)
• Power cord
• Marketing & Documentation CD
The IP Link cables
The IP Link package contains the following cables.
3 in 1 CPU cable
Null Modem cable
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USER GUIDE
6. IP Link front panel
Figure 2 illustrates the IP Link front panel.
MINICOM
SMARTIP Link
Activity
System OK
Figure 2 Front panel
The table below explains the front panel LEDs.
LED Function
Activity LED blinks when Network connection is functioning
System OK LED solid when IP Link system connected and functioning
7. The IP Link rear panel ports
The figure below illustrates the ports on the IP Link.
Video In
port
Power connector
Mouse
In port
Keyboard
Out port
Mouse
Out port
Keyboard
In port
Serial
port
Video Out
port
Ethernet
port
www.minicom.com
ETHERNETSERIAL
POWER
100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz
RST
USER COMPUTER
Figure 3 IP Link ports
You can work locally on the host system by connecting a KVM console to IP Link
rear panel.
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SMART IP LINK
Reset button
The Reset button resets the IP Link.
Serial port
The Serial port is used as follows:
• Serial pass-through via Telnet
• Serial output for external modem dial-in connection
• Initial configuration
• External power option
Ethernet port
Connects the IP Link to an Ethernet network.
8.
9.
Pre-installation instructions
Place cables away from fluorescent lights, air conditioners and other machines that
are likely to generate electrical noise. Switch off the computer and disconnect the
keyboard monitor and mouse.
Connecting the IP Link to the host computer/KVM switch
Connect the host computer / KVM switch to the IP Link as follows:
1. Connect the connectors of one end of the 3 in 1 CPU cable to the
Computer/Switch KVM ports of the IP Link.
2. Connect the connectors of other end of the 3 in 1 CPU cable to the KVM ports of
the host computer / KVM switch.
3. Connect the power cord and Ethernet or modem connection.
4. You can connect a local KVM console to the IP Link and work on the host
computer. Figure 4 and Figure 5 illustrate the connections to a computer and
KVM switch respectively.
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USER GUIDE
SD
P110
Smart IP Link
3 in 1 CPU cable
Computer
www.minicom.com
ETHERNETSERIAL
POWER
100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz
RST
USER COMPUTER
Figure 4 IP Link connections to a computer
SD
P110
Smart IP Link
3in1CPUcable
Computer rack
ProLiantDL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
ProLiantDL360
9.1- GB 10k
ULTRA2 SCSI
9.1 - GB 10k
ULTRA2SCSI
COMPUTE R 1 COMPUTER 2
COMPUTER 6COMPUTE R 5STATION 2
SCREENPS/2 MOUSEKB
POWER
SERIAL MOUSE
COMPUTER 3 COMPUTER 4
COMPUTER 8COMPUTER 7
KVM switch
www.minicom.com
ETHERNETSERIAL
POWER
100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz
RST
USER COMPUTER
Figure 5 IP Link connections to a KVM switch
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SMART IP LINK
10. Connecting the Power management option
Figure 6 gives an overview of the Power management option.
Server
KVM
Serial
External power
Switch -
IPM 220-L Inline
Power module, or
3rd party unit
Keybd Mous e 10 0T
VideoSerial A
Parallel
Serial B
Mains
www.minicom.com
ETHERNETSERIAL
POWER
100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz
RST
USER COMPUTER
Figure 6 Power management option
11.
12.
Connecting to Ethernet
The Ethernet connector on the IP Link can be used either for a 100 Mbps 100BASE-
TX connection or for a 10 Mbps 10BASE-T connection. The Ethernet adapter
adjusts to the appropriate operation mode automatically.
10 Mbps Connection
For 10BASE-T Ethernet networks, the Fast Ethernet adapter uses Category 3, 4, or 5
UTP/FTP cable. To establish a 10 Mbps connection, the cable must be connected to
a 10BASE-T hub. Ensure the cable is wired appropriately for a standard 10BASE-T
adapter. Align the RJ-45 plug with the notch on the adapter's connector and insert it
into the adapter's connector.
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USER GUIDE
13. 100 Mbps Connection
For 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet networks, the IP Link supports Category 5 UTP
cabling. To establish a 100 Mbps connection, the cable must be connected to a
100BASE-TX hub.
1. Make sure that the cable is wired appropriately for a standard 100BASE-TX
adapter.
2. Align the RJ-45 plug with the notch on the adapter's connector and insert it into
the adapter's connector.
Note! The UTP/FTP wire pairs and configuration for 100BASE-TX cable are
identical to those for 10BASE-T cable when used with Category 5 UTP/FTP cable.
14.
15.
16.
Switching on
After connecting IP Link to the computer, switch on IP Link first and then the
computer.
Configuring the system
The IP Link's communication interfaces are based on TCP/IP protocol, and it comes
configured with the values listed below.
• DHCP - active
• IP address - 192.168.0.220
• Net mask - 255.255.255.0
• Default Gateway - None
If the above values are unsuitable, change the IP configuration. This can be done in a
number of ways:
Configuring system via DHCP server
By default, IP Link will try to contact a DHCP server in the subnet to which it is
physically connected. If a DHCP server is found it may provide a valid IP address,
gateway address and net mask. Before connecting the IP Link to your local subnet
complete the corresponding configuration of your DHCP server.
We recommended configuring a fixed IP assignment to the MAC address of IP Link.
You can find the MAC address on the IP Link's underside. If the DHCP connection
fails on boot up, IP Link will boot with the last known IP configuration. So for the
initial use this would be the preconfigured IP address as set out above.
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SMART IP LINK
17. Configuring system via local console
There are two ways of doing this:
(A) Connect the NULL modem cable to the computer and to IP Link’s Serial
port. Use any Terminal software to connect to IP Link. The screen shots
below use Windows Hyperterminal.
1. Choose Start/Programs/Accessories/Communications/Hyperterminal.
2. When prompted enter a name and click OK. The Connect To box appears.
See Figure 7.
3. Fill in the connection details. Select COM 1 in the Connect using box and
click OK. The COM 1 properties box appears. See Figure 8.
Figure 7 Connect To box
Figure 8 COM 1 Properties box
4. Set the port settings to the following values:
• Bits/second - 115200
• Data bits - 8
• Parity - None
• Stop bits - 1
• Flow Control - None
5. Click OK. The Hyperterminal appears. See Figure 9.
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USER GUIDE
Figure 9 The Hyperterminal
6. Press Enter. Some device information and a prompt appear.
7. Type config and press Enter. Configuration questions appear. DHCP must be
disabled. You can change the IP address, net mask and default gateway. Pressing
Enter without entering values keeps the default values. To contact IP Link from
outside the LAN configure a gateway. To remove an already configured gateway,
type 0.0.0.0.
Enable IP access control – concerns switching IP packet filtering on or off. This
can re-enable access to IP Link after an incorrect IP access configuration has
been activated.
8. Confirm the settings, IP Link resets the configuration.
(B) Use a crossover Ethernet cable to connect the IP Link to the computer back-to-
back.
Set the IP address of the computer to 192.168.0.1 and type 192.168.0.220 into the
Address box of the web interface to carry out the IP configuration.
18.
19.
IP Link Video Modes
IP Link recognizes a limited number of common video modes. When running X-
Window on the host system, don't use any custom modelines with special video
modes. If you do, IP Link may not be able to detect these. Use any standard VESA
video mode. Refer to Appendix A on page 35 for a list of all known modes.
Operating the IP Link system
Operate the IP Link system through one of the following interfaces:
1. HTTP/HTTPS - Any standard Web browser. Depending on the Web browser,
you can access the IP Link using the unsecured HTTP protocol or, in case the
browser supports it, the encrypted HTTPS protocol. We recommend using
HTTPS when possible.
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SMART IP LINK
2. Telnet - Use a standard Telnet client to access an arbitrary device connected to
the IP Link's Serial port via a terminal mode.
All the above interfaces are accessed using the TCP/IP protocol. They can thus be
used via the built-in Ethernet adapter or modem.
The Web browser must come with a Java Runtime Environment version 1.1 or
higher. Without Java support, you can still maintain the remote host system using
the web interface displayed by the browser, but you can’t operate the host computer.
We recommend the following browsers for an unsecured connection:
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher with Windows 98, ME,
2000 and XP
• Netscape Navigator 7.0 or Mozilla 1.0 with Windows 98, ME, 2000, and
XP, Linux and other UNIX like operating systems
To access the remote host system using a securely encrypted connection you need a
browser that supports the HTTPS protocol. Strong security is only assured by using
key length of 128 Bit. We recommend the following browsers.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher with Windows 98, ME,
2000 and XP
• Netscape Navigator 7.0 or Mozilla 1.0 with Windows 98, ME, 2000, and
XP, Linux and other UNIX like operating systems
20. Logging in
Type the configured IP address into the Web browser. Either http://192.168.0.220
for an unsecured connection. Or https://192.168.0.220 for a secured connection. The
Login screen appears. See Figure 10
Figure 10 The Login screen
Initially there is only one user configured who has unrestricted access to all IP Link
features. Type the default Login name ‘super’ and Password ‘smart’ and click
Login. Note! These are case sensitive! The IP Link Home page appears. See Figure
11.
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USER GUIDE
Toolbar
buttons
Preview
screen
Figure 11 The IP Link Home page
21.
22.
23.
Server Power Status
The power status of the server only appears if there is an Inline Power Module (IPM
220-L) attached and is configured in the Serial Settings. See section 38.
Timeout
After half an hour of non-activity the system automatically logs out. Clicking
anywhere on the screen will lead back to the Login screen.
Remote Console
Click the preview screen or Click to open. The remote console appears. See Figure
12.
Information ba
r
Toolbar icons
Button keys
Figure 12 The remote console
You can work on it with the keyboard and mouse. The delay with keyboard and
mouse reactions - if any - depends on the line connection bandwidth.
14

SMART IP LINK
24. Keyboard layout
Your client keyboard changes its layout to match the host system. So for example if
the host system uses a US English keyboard layout, special keys on a German
keyboard won't work but will function as US English keys.
To solve this problem, adjust the client system keyboard to the same mapping as the
host one. Alternatively, use the Soft-Keyboard that is part of the Remote Console
applet.
The Remote Console window is a Java Applet that tries to establish its own TCP
connection to IP Link. The protocol that is run over this connection is not HTTP or
HTTPS but a protocol called RFB (Remote Frame Buffer Protocol). Currently RFB
tries to establish a connection to port number 443. Your local network environment
must allow this connection to be made, i.e. your firewall and, in case you have a
private internal network, your NAT (Network Address Translation) settings must be
configured accordingly.
In case IP Link is connected to your local network environment and your connection
to the Internet is available using a proxy server only without NAT being configured,
the Remote Console is very unlikely to be able to establish the according
connection. This is because today's Web proxies are not capable of relaying the RFB
protocol. In case of problems, please consult your network administrator in order to
provide an appropriate network environment.
The Remote Console window shows the host screen at its optimal size. However,
you can always resize the Remote Console window in your client window system.
Hint: Unlike the host system, the Remote Console window on your client window
system is just one window among others. To make the keyboard and mouse work,
your Remote Console window must have the input focus.
25. Toolbar buttons and icons
The toolbar buttons and icons have the following functions:
etc.- Press to send the key combinations to the host system.
Section 35 explains how to add Button keys.
Auto adjust - Adjusts the screen to the best visual quality
Sync mouse - Synchronizes the client and host mice. Necessary when
using accelerated mouse settings on the host system. There is generally no need to
change mouse settings on the host.
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USER GUIDE
- Single/Double mouse mode - Discussed on page 18.
The Options menu
Click the Options button to get the following menu:
Scaling - Scale down the Remote Console. Not all display details will be preserved.
Mouse handling - The submenu for mouse handling offers two options for
synchronizing the client and the host mouse pointer - explained on page 18. The
option for 'Fast Sync' shows the hotkey if you defined one using the Remote
Console Settings.
Local cursor - Choose a cursor shape for the client mouse. The number of available
shapes depends on the Java Virtual Machine, only version 1.2 or higher offers the
full list.
Video Settings – discussed below.
Refresh video - Refreshes the video.
Local Keyboard - Used to change the language mapping of your browser machine
running the Remote Console Applet. Normally the Applet determines the correct
value automatically. However, depending on your particular JVM and your browser
machine settings this is not always possible. A typical example is a German
localized system that uses a US-English keyboard mapping. In this case you have to
change the client keyboard setting manually to the right language.
Hotkeys – These hotkeys are the same as the Button keys that appear in the top left
hand corner of the Remote console. Activate them from the buttons or from the
Options menu.
Information bar - Shows the console and connection state and host screen size. The
value in round brackets describes the connection to the host system: Norm stands for
a standard connection without encryption; SSL stands for a secured connection.
Double click the bar to see a history of all the status information.
26. The Video settings
From the Options menu choose Video Settings. The Video Settings box appears. See
Figure 13.
16

SMART IP LINK
Figure 13 The Video settings
The parameters have the following functions:
Brightness - Brightness control.
Contrast Red/Green/Blue- RGB contrast control.
Black level - Sets the intensity of the color black.
Clock - Sets the horizontal frequency for a video line, this depends on the video
mode. Different video cards may require different values. The default settings and
auto adjustment procedure should be adequate for all common configurations. If not
change this setting together with the sampling phase.
Phase - Sets the phase for video sampling.
Horizontal Offset - Moves the picture in a horizontal direction.
Vertical Offset - Moves the picture in a vertical direction.
- Resets mode to factory defaults.
- Resets all modes to factory defaults.
- Saves changes.
- Undoes changes that have not yet been saved.
27. Mouse synchronization
The correct operation of the host mouse depends on the Host system mouse settings.
IP Link works with accelerated mice and is able to synchronize the client with the
host mouse pointer.
The following may prevent proper mouse synchronization.
• Special vendor-specific Mouse drivers disrupt the synchronization process.
Ensure these are not on the host system
• Windows XP has a setting 'Enhance pointer precision'. Deactivate it.
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USER GUIDE
• Active Desktop. Disable it. Or do not use a plain background use
Wallpaper.
Check the synchronization by putting the client mouse cursor into the upper left
corner of the Remote Console and move it slightly back and forth. Observe the
behavior of the host mouse in accordance to the client one. If the mice
desynchronize quickly one of the above may be the reason.
28. Single mouse mode
The information above applies to the Double Mouse Mode, where host and
client mouse pointers are visible and need to be synchronized. There is also
the Single Mouse mode. In this mode only the host mouse pointer is visible.
Single Mouse mode needs a Sun Java Virtual Machine 1.3 or later.
Select the mode in the Remote console - see Figure 12 above.
From the Options menu choose Mouse Handling/Mouse Mode/ Single Mouse
Mode. Or press from the Control Buttons toolbar. The host mouse
pointer can be controlled directly.
To leave this mode, you must define a m
29.
ouse hotkey in the Remote Console
Settings – see section 34 below. Press this key to free the captured client
mouse pointer.
Synchronizing the client and host mice
There are two ways to synchronize the client and host mice:
(a) Choose Options / Mouse Handling / Fast Sync. This corrects a temporary, but
fixed skew.
(b) Intelligent Sync. If the Fast Sync doesn't work or the mouse settings have been
changed on the host system use the Intelligent Sync option.
For the Intelligent Sync to work, the picture MUST be correctly adjusted. Use the
Video Settings panel to adjust the picture. The video must also be of sufficiently
good quality.
Choose Options / Mouse Handling / Intelligent Sync.
Pressing the button usually leads to a fast sync, except when the video
mode recently changed.
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SMART IP LINK
30. Remote Console Settings
From the IP Link Home page click . The Remote Console Settings
window appears. See Figure 14.
Figure 14 The Remote Console Settings
The settings and their functions are now explained. All settings are user specific.
NOTE! For any of the changes below to take effect, click at the bottom of
the page.
31. SSL settings
Force HTTPS - Access the Web front-end only using an HTTPS connection. IP
Link won't listen on the HTTP port for incoming connections.
KVM encryption - Controls the encrypting of the RFB protocol, used by the
Remote Console to transmit the screen data to the administrator machine and
keyboard and mouse data back to the host.
Off - No encrypting used.
Try - Tries to make an encrypted connection. If unsuccessful, an unencrypted
connection is used.
Force - Tries to make an encrypted connection.
19