Raritan MasterConsole Z User manual

MasterConsole™Z
User Manual
Copyright © 2006 Raritan Computer, Inc.
MCZ-0B-E
May 2006
255-33-1200

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Copyright and Trademark Information
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated into another language
without express prior written consent of Raritan Computer, Inc.
© Copyright 2006 Raritan, MasterConsole, Paragon, and the Raritan company logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Raritan Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. Java is a
registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Internet Explorer is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation. Netscape and Netscape Navigator are registered trademarks of Netscape
Communication Corporation. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
FCC Information
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a commercial installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential environment may cause harmful interference.
Japanese Approvals
Raritan is not responsible for damage to this product resulting from accident, disaster, misuse,
abuse, non-Raritan modification of the product, or other events outside of Raritan’s reasonable
control or not arising under normal operating conditions.
LISTE
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I.T.E.
For assistance in the North or South America, please contact the Raritan Technical Support Team
by telephone [phone], by fax [phone], or by e-mail [email protected]
Ask for Technical Support – Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 8:00pm, Eastern.
For assistance around the world, please see the last page of this guide for
regional Raritan office contact information.

Safety Guidelines
To avoid potentially fatal shock hazard and possible damage to Raritan equipment:
•Do not use a 2-wire power cord in any product configuration.
•Test AC outlets at your computer and monitor for proper polarity and grounding.
•Use only with grounded outlets at both the computer and monitor. When using a backup UPS,
power the computer, monitor and appliance off the supply.
Rack Mount Safety Guidelines
In Raritan products which require Rack Mounting, please follow these precautions:
•Operation temperature in a closed rack environment may be greater than room temperature.
Do not exceed the rated maximum ambient temperature of the appliances (see Appendix A:
Specifications).
•Ensure sufficient airflow through the rack environment.
•Mount equipment in the rack carefully to avoid uneven mechanical loading.
•Connect equipment to the supply circuit carefully to avoid overloading circuits.
•Ground all equipment properly, especially supply connections, such as power strips (other
than direct connections), to the branch circuit.

CONTENTS i
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................. 1
MasterConsole Z Overview.........................................................................................1
Product Photos............................................................................................................1
Product Features.........................................................................................................2
User Station (MZUST) Features .................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Installation.................................................................... 5
Pre-configuration Notes ..............................................................................................5
Hardware Installation ..................................................................................................5
Chapter 3: Operation ...................................................................... 9
OSD Functions............................................................................................................9
Help Menu.......................................................................................................................................10
Administration Menu........................................................................................................................12
Appendix A: Specifications .......................................................... 15
Appendix B: Troubleshooting ....................................................... 17
Appendix C: Glossary ................................................................... 19
Appendix D: FAQs ......................................................................... 21
UTP Cabling FAQs....................................................................................................25

ii FIGURES
Figures
Figure 1 MasterConsole Z User Station (MZUST).......................................................................................1
Figure 2 MasterConsole Z Computer Interface Module (MZCIM-PS2)........................................................1
Figure 3 MZCIM-USB ..................................................................................................................................2
Figure 4 MZCIM-SUN ..................................................................................................................................2
Figure 5 MZCIM Installation........................................................................................................................5
Figure 6 On-Screen Display (OSD)..............................................................................................................7
Figure 7 MZUST Selection Menu Screen ....................................................................................................9
Figure 8 F1 Help Menu ..............................................................................................................................10
Figure 9 Selection Menu by Name.............................................................................................................10
Figure 10 CIM Configuration Menu...........................................................................................................11
Figure 11 Administrative Menu ..................................................................................................................12
Figure 12 User Station Information Menu ..................................................................................................12
Figure 13 User Security Profile Menu ........................................................................................................13
Figure 14 User Preferences Screen...........................................................................................................13

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
Chapter 1: Introduction
MasterConsole Z Overview
The MasterConsole Z switchless access system consists of two components – a User Station
(MZUST) and an MZ-Computer Interface Module (MZCIM), connected with Enhanced Category
5e UTP cable. The MZCIMs are linked in a chain via Category 5e UTP cable, and servers are
connected to each of the MZCIMs. Please note that these MZCIMs are not compatible with
P2ZCIMs or ZU4200 CIMs.
With a MasterConsole Z system, you can:
•Add a computer anywhere in the chain at any time
•Hot connect a user console to any server
•Hot-swap components with no impact on server operation
•Select computers by name from on-screen menus
•Locate user up to 700 feet (213m) away with Category 5e UTP cable
Product Photos
Figure 1 MasterConsole Z User Station (MZUST)
Figure 2 MasterConsole Z Computer Interface Module (MZCIM-PS2)

2 MASTERCONSOLE ZUSER GUIDE
Figure 3 MZCIM-USB
Figure 4 MZCIM-SUN
Product Features
•Innovative zero-U design supports up to 64 computers, any combination of PS/2, USB, and
SUN, on a single Cat5 chain
•Simple Plug and Play installation
•Keep-alive keyboard/mouse emulation for flawless operation
•Password authorization
•PC share/video share capability
•User Station supports PS/2 or USB keyboards and mice
•Automatic Video Tuning (AVT) adjusts video quality automatically
•Supports high-resolution video to 1024X768
•Admin Port for on-site flash firmware upgrade of the User Station and MZCIMs
•Long-cable MZCIMs for servers with cable management arms

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 3
User Station (MZUST) Features
Front Panel
•Status LED: Indicates power and operational status of MZUST User Station
Rear Panel
•AC Power:
−Connector: for AC power cable (100V – 240 VAC, 47 Hz – 63 Hz)
−On/Off Switch: for powering ON or OFF the MZUST User Station
•PS/2 Keyboard: Connect PS/2 keyboard to operate MZUST.
•PS/2 Mouse: Connect PS/2 Mouse to operate MZUST.
•VGA Monitor: Connect multisync VGA monitor to view connected computers.
•Cat5 Ports In: Connect up to 64 computers, using Cat5 UTP cable and a chain of MZCIMs.
•Cat5 PC Share OUT: Connect (pass through) a second MZUST User Station.
•USB K/M: Connect a USB keyboard/mouse to operate the MZUST User Station.
•Admin: Proprietary serial port used to upgrade MZUST and MZCIM firmware. When
available, new firmware will be posted on Raritan website http://www.raritan.com.

4 MASTERCONSOLE ZUSER GUIDE

CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION 5
Chapter 2: Installation
Pre-configuration Notes
MasterConsole Z installation requires that a Port Name is assigned to each computer as it is added
to the MZCIM chain during installation. Ports are organized alphabetically by assigned name or
by the default name (the MZCIM’s serial number), not by order of placement in the
MasterConsole Z chain. Raritan recommends that you assign port names as you connect
computers instead of connecting all computers first and then assign port names – it may be
difficult to locate the respective port for each computer.
Hardware Installation
Important: MZUST must be powered OFF prior to installation.
1. Install MasterConsole Z User Station (MZUST):
A. Connect one end of an AC power cable to the MZUST and plug the other end of the
power cord into an AC power source.
B. Connect a PS/2 (or USB) keyboard, VGA monitor, mouse to the appropriate ports on the
rear panel of the MZUST.
C. Plug in and power ON the VGA monitor.
D. Power ON the MZUST using the AC Power switch on the rear panel.
Figure 5 MZCIM Installation
2. Connect Computers to MZUST using MZCIMs
2.1 For MZCIM-PS2:
A. Attach an MZCIM-PS2 video (HD15) connector to the computer’s video port.
B. Connect the MZCIM-PS2 keyboard and mouse connectors to the computer’s keyboard
and mouse ports.

6 MASTERCONSOLE ZUSER GUIDE
C. Connect one end of a Category 5e UTP cable to the O (Out) Cat5 port on the MZCIM-
PS2. Connect the other end of the cable to the In Cat 5 Port on the rear panel of the
MZUST.
D. If you are not adding more computers to the User Station, insert a TER-ZCIM terminator
in the MZCIM-PS2 I (In) port.
E. The MZCIM-PS2 factory name and serial number appears on the User Console attached
to the MZUST; this represents the connected computer.
F. To connect additional computers:
Remove the TER-ZCIM terminator from the (last) MZCIM-PS2 I (In) port and set it
aside.
Connect one end of a Category 5e UTP cable to the MZCIM-PS2 I (In) port from
which the terminator has been just removed.
Connect the other end of the Category 5e UTP cable to the O (Out) port on the next
MZCIM-PS2 being added.
If no additional computers are being added, insert the TER-ZCIM terminator into the
last MZCIM-PS2 I (In) port.
G. Press the default hot key (Scroll Lock) twice rapidly at the MZUST User Console to
activate the On-Screen Display (OSD).
H. Press F2 to activate the Selection Menu.
I. The computer you just connected appears as a new channel in the Selection Menu at the
MZUST User Console. The MZCIM-PS2 factory name and serial number appear.
2.2 For MZCIM-USB:
A. Attach an MZCIM-USB video (HD15) connector to the computer’s video port.
B. Connect the MZCIM-USB keyboard/mouse USB connector to the computer’s USB
keyboard/mouse port.
C. Connect one end of a Category 5e UTP cable to the O (OUT) Cat5 port on the MZCIM-
USB. Connect the other end to the Cat 5 Ports In on the User Station (MZUST).
D. If you are not adding more computers to the User Station, insert a TER-ZCIM terminator
in the MZCIM-USB I (IN) port.
E. The MZCIM-USB factory name and serial number appear in the Selection Menu of the
User Console attached to the MZUST. This represents the connected computer.
F. To connect additional computers:
Remove the TER-ZCIM terminator from the (last) MZCIM-USB I (IN) port and set
aside.
Connect one end of a Category 5e UTP cable to the MZCIM-USB I (IN) port from
which the terminator has been just removed.
Connect the other end of the Category 5e UTP cable to the O (OUT) port on the next
MZCIM-USB being added.
If no more computers are added, insert the TER-ZCIM terminator into the last
MZCIM-USB I (IN) port.
G. Press the default hot key (Scroll Lock) twice rapidly at the MZUST User Console
activate the OSD.
H. Press the F2 key to activate the Selection Menu.
I. The computer you just connected appears as a new channel in the Selection Menu at the
User Console of the MZUST. The MZCIM-USB factory name and serial number appear.

CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION 7
2.3. For MZCIM-SUN:
A. Attach the MZCIM-SUN video (HD15) connector to the computer’s video port.
B. Connect the MZCIM-SUN keyboard/mouse connector (8-pin mini-DIN) to the SUN
computer’s keyboard/mouse port.
C. Connect one end of a Category 5e UTP cable to the O (OUT) Cat5 port on the MZCIM-
SUN. Connect the other end to the Cat 5 Ports In on the User Station (MZUST).
D. If you are not adding more computers to the User Station, insert a TER-ZCIM terminator
in the MZCIM-SUN I (IN) port.
E. A MZCIM-SUN factory name and serial number appear in the Selection Menu of the
User Console attached to the MZUST. This represents the connected computer.
F. To connect additional computers:
Remove the TER-ZCIM terminator from the (last) MZCIM-SUN I (IN) port and set
it aside.
Connect one end of a Category 5e UTP cable to the MZCIM-SUN I (IN) port from
which the terminator has been just removed.
Connect the other end of the Category 5e UTP cable to the O (OUT) port on the next
MZCIM-SUN being added.
If no more computers are added, insert the TER-ZCIM terminator into the last
MZCIM-SUN I (IN) port.
G. Press the default hot key (Scroll Lock) twice rapidly at the MZUST User Console to
activate the OSD.
H. Press F2 to activate the Selection Menu.
I. The computer you just connected appears as a new channel in the Selection Menu at the
User Console of the MZUST. The MZCIM-SUN factory name and serial number appear.
Note: Installation requires basic operation of On-Screen Display (OSD) menus. Press the default
Hot Key activator (Scroll Lock) twice rapidly to activate the OSD. Function keys F1, F2, and F5
are used to switch OSD menus. PressF1 (while the OSD is on screen) to activate the Help Menu,
which lists all available menu options. When the OSD is onscreen, the user console keyboard’s
Scroll Lock LED indicator blinks. Please see Chapter 3: Operation for additional information on
OSD usage.
Figure 6 On-Screen Display (OSD)

8 MASTERCONSOLE ZUSER GUIDE

CHAPTER 3: OPERATION 9
Chapter 3: Operation
The Selection Menu appears automatically upon boot-up. Press the F1 key to view the help menu,
or refer to the OSD Function table below for other commands.
Figure 7 MZUST Selection Menu Screen
OSD Functions
The OSD allows you to control, configure, and operate all facets of MasterConsole Z
functionality. Press the Scroll Lock key on your keyboard twice rapidly to activate the OSD.
PRESS WHEN YOU WANT TO
F1 View the Help Menu listing all function keys.
F2 View the Selection Menu listing available channels, serial numbers, and
scan rates. The Selection Menu is used to switch between selected
channels to access computers.
F5 View the Administrative Menu.
F6 Toggle Scan On/Off. The base of the OSD indicates that the Scan
function is ON when the word “Scan” is highlighted in yellow.
F7 Toggle Skip On/Off.
F8 View System Information.
F9 Log Out.
ESC Exit the OSD.

10 MASTERCONSOLE ZUSER GUIDE
Help Menu
Press F1 to view the Help Menu, which lists all functions keys in a quick and easy reference.
Figure 8 F1 Help Menu
Selection Menu
Press F2 to view the Selection Menu, which lists all port names currently detected by the system,
sorted by computer name in alphabetical order.
Press the Ç, È, PageUp or PageDown keys on your keyboard to select a channel, and then press
ENTER to switch to the selected port and view that port’s Configuration Menu.
Figure 9 Selection Menu by Name

CHAPTER 3: OPERATION 11
Configuration Menu
When you select a port and press ENTER, that port’s Configuration Menu appears. Use this
menu to make changes to the computer channel name, scan rate, and the time interval (in seconds)
that a channel’s computer remains displayed on the monitor during scanning, as well as to
designate a channel as a Home computer.
1. Press the Ç, È, Å,or Ækeys to highlight the field to be edited in yellow.
2. Press ENTER to edit the field; the highlight turns green.
3. Edit name and/or scan time.
4. Press ENTER when finished; the highlight turns yellow again.
5. Press Sto save changes and exit, or press ESC to exit without saving changes.
6. Press F2 to return to the Selection Menu.
7. Verify that new channel name appears in the Selection Menu in green.
Figure 10 CIM Configuration Menu

12 MASTERCONSOLE ZUSER GUIDE
Administration Menu
Press F5 to view the Administrative Menu, where you can set User Station Information, Security
Profile, and Preferences.
Figure 11 Administrative Menu
User Station Information
On the Administration Menu, press the Çor Èkey to highlight option 1 User Station
Information and press ENTER.
The User Station Information menu lists critical firmware and hardware data about the User
Station.
Figure 12 User Station Information Menu

CHAPTER 3: OPERATION 13
User Security Profile
On the Administration Menu, press the Çor Èkey to highlight option 2 User Security Profile
and press ENTER.
Note: This feature is currently disabled.
Figure 13 User Security Profile Menu
User Preferences
On the Administration Menu, press the Çor Èkey to highlight option 3 User Preferences and
press ENTER.
The User Preferences Menu lets you set your personal preferences for MasterConsole Z
operation.
Figure 14 User Preferences Screen
1. Navigate to fields you want to edit using the Ç, È, Å,or Ækeys.
2. When you reach the field you want to edit, it is highlighted in yellow. Press ENTER to begin
editing, and the highlight turns green. Use the Çand Èkeys to select choices in each field,
or make entries as explained below.
3. Press ENTER when finished, and the highlight turns from green to yellow.
4. Press Sto save changes, and press ESC to exit System Profile Menu.
5. To exit without saving changes, press ESC and then press Nor press ESC again.

14 MASTERCONSOLE ZUSER GUIDE
•Scan Mode: Press the F6 key to toggle ON scan mode. The user station can scan through all
attached computer channels at a specified time interval. Global or Individual scanning is
available; default scan setting is Global. When Scan Mode is activated, the word “Scan” at
the bottom of the OSUI is highlighted in yellow.
−Global: Scans each channel for the same amount of time, as indicated under Global Scan
Rate.
−Individual: Scans each channel for the specified time set per channel, as shown in
Selection Menu. Individual channel scan times can be set between 03 and 30 seconds.
Default is 03 seconds.
•Global Scan Rate: Sets the time duration for which each channel will be scanned. Use Çand
Èto set duration from 03 to 30 seconds. Default rate is 03 seconds.
•ID Display: The ID Display is a small window that shows the computer name when
switching or scanning between channels. Two fields control the display:
−On/Off: Use Çand Èto toggle between on and off.
−Time: Use Çand Èto increase or decrease the time period. A dashed line (- -) indicates
the ID window will be shown continuously. Default setting is On/03 seconds.
•Green Mode (PowerSave Mode): Blackens the screen if the user console is idle for a
specified time period. Two fields control Green Mode:
−On/Off: Use Çand Èto toggle between on and off.
−Time: Use Çand Èto increment or decrement. Default setting is Off/03 minutes.
•Display Position: Changes the position of the On-Screen Menu and ID Display Window.
Select Menu or ID and press Enter. Use Ç, È, Å,and Æto change the position and press S
to save settings.
•Hot Key: Use Çand Èto select ScrollLock, CapsLock, NumLock or Left-ALT or Left-
SHIFT. Default setting is ScrollLock. Pressing the Hot Key twice activates MasterConsole’s
On-Screen User Interface (OSUI).
•Previous Channel Key: Use Çand Èto select ScrollLock, CapsLock, NumLock, Left-
ALT or Left-SHIFT. Default setting is NumLock. Rapidly pressing the selected Previous
Channel key twice enables user to go back to previously selected computer without going
through the OSUI.
Note: You cannot select the same key for Previous Channel Key and Hot Key.
•Scrolling Help: Use Çand Èto toggle between on and off. The message banner on your
screen can display in scroll (on) or non-scroll (off) mode. Default setting is On and Scrolling.