Raritan PARAGON II Series User manual

Copyright © 2009 Raritan, Inc.
PII-0S-v4.6-E
May 2009
255-30-6000-00
Paragon II
User Guide
Release 4.6

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, Inc.
© Copyright 2009 Raritan, Inc., CommandCenter®, Dominion®, Paragon® and the Raritan company
logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Raritan, 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 trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their
respective holders.
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.
VCCI Information (Japan)
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.
Power 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 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.

iv
Contents
What's New in the Paragon II User Guide x
How-To: Paragon Essentials xi
Case 1. Setting the Network Configuration .................................................................................. xi
Case 2. Multiple Write Access to the Same Server......................................................................xii
Case 3. Controlling a Device's Power ..........................................................................................xii
Case 4. Local Video Redirection (Forced Video) ........................................................................xiii
Case 5. Using Multiple Video Ports.............................................................................................xiv
Case 6. Restoring Settings to Factory Defaults........................................................................... xv
Case 7. Using the Integrated Card Reader .................................................................................xvi
Case 8. Creating Multiple Paths to the Same Server(s).............................................................xvii
Case 9. Upgrading the Firmware of Paragon Switches...............................................................xix
Case 10. Upgrading the Firmware of User Stations.................................................................... xx
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Paragon II Overview ......................................................................................................................1
Main Units............................................................................................................................3
CIMs ....................................................................................................................................3
User Stations.......................................................................................................................5
Product Photos ..............................................................................................................................5
Product Features ...........................................................................................................................7
Package Contents..........................................................................................................................9
Chapter 2 Quick Start 11
Basic Installation..........................................................................................................................11
Step (A): Connect Stacking Units......................................................................................11
Step (B): Connect User Stations .......................................................................................13
Step (C): Connect Servers ................................................................................................14
Initial Verification..........................................................................................................................15
Chapter 3 Rackmount and Installation 17
Rack-Mounting.............................................................................................................................17
Forward Mount...................................................................................................................17
Rear Mount........................................................................................................................18
A KVM System with A Single Paragon Switch ............................................................................19
A KVM System with Cascaded Paragon Switches......................................................................24
Guideline for Turning On a Cascaded System..................................................................29

Contents
v
Installing a P2-UMT832S Stacking Unit.......................................................................................29
Installing a P2-UMT1664S Stacking Unit.....................................................................................30
Note for Turning Off the Stacking Unit ..............................................................................31
Installation of the HubPac............................................................................................................31
Installing a HubPac............................................................................................................32
Channel Configuration.......................................................................................................35
Using the OSUI for Initial Configuration.......................................................................................36
Chapter 4 Front Panel Display and Controls 38
Introduction to Front Panel Components.....................................................................................38
Start-Up Display...........................................................................................................................38
Normal Display.............................................................................................................................39
Power Up Option..........................................................................................................................39
Function Selection Screen...........................................................................................................40
Selecting a Function ....................................................................................................................40
Display Ver./SN .................................................................................................................40
Test User UST1.................................................................................................................41
Test Chan. UKVM..............................................................................................................41
Stacking Support ...............................................................................................................41
Test Stack Unit ..................................................................................................................42
Set LCD Contrast ..............................................................................................................42
Re-Configure .....................................................................................................................42
Set IP Address...................................................................................................................42
Reset Unit..........................................................................................................................43
Chapter 5 Information about Keyboard, Mouse and Video 45
Support for Widescreen LCD Monitors........................................................................................45
Connecting the DDC2 Adapter..........................................................................................45
Compatible USB Combination Keyboards...................................................................................47
How to Connect a USB Combo Keyboard ........................................................................47
Replacing or Reconnecting the USB Mouse.....................................................................48
Changing the Keyboard Layout Settings.....................................................................................48
USB Keyboard Layout Settings (P2CIM-AUSB, P2CIM-AUSB-B or P2ZCIM-USB) ........49
Sun Keyboard Layout Settings (P2CIM-SUN or P2CIM-ASUN).......................................51
Sun Keyboard Layout Settings (P2ZCIM-SUN) ................................................................52
Switching between 101 and 102 keys (P2CIM-APS2)......................................................53
Kensington Mouse Type Settings................................................................................................53
Emulating Sun Keys with a PS/2 Keyboard.................................................................................55
Macintosh Key Mapping ..............................................................................................................56
Chapter 6 Operation - User Functions 57
Login............................................................................................................................................58
Video Gain and Skew Compensation..........................................................................................60
Video Gain Adjustment......................................................................................................60
Skew Compensation with P2-EUST or P2-EUST/C..........................................................61

Contents
vi
Selecting a Server........................................................................................................................62
Messages Shown in Public View (P-View) Mode..............................................................65
Blocked Channels Identification in Private Mode..............................................................66
Manually Selecting the Access Path .................................................................................67
Path Overlapping Constraint .............................................................................................69
Switching between Previous and Next Channels........................................................................72
Definition of the Previous and Next Channels...................................................................73
Performing the Up/Down Channel Function......................................................................73
User Profile Customization ..........................................................................................................76
User Profile Parameters and How to Change Settings.....................................................77
Help Menu....................................................................................................................................80
Keyboard-Controlled OSUI Functions .........................................................................................80
Information Menu.........................................................................................................................82
Concurrent Multiple Video Outputs..............................................................................................83
Naming Convention for Multiple Video..............................................................................84
Connecting CIMs to a Multi-Channel Video Server...........................................................84
Operation Rules.................................................................................................................85
Messages on the ACTIVATOR User Station.....................................................................86
Messages on the FOLLOWER User Stations...................................................................87
Using P2-USTIP for Multiple Video Outputs......................................................................87
Authentication with a Smart Card................................................................................................87
Installing the P2CIM-AUSB-C Driver in Windows .............................................................88
Requisites for Card Reader Functionality..........................................................................91
Using the Card Reader......................................................................................................94
Chapter 7 Operation - Administrator Functions 97
The Administration Menu.............................................................................................................97
Guidelines for System Configuration...........................................................................................98
System Configuration...................................................................................................................99
Video Redirection (Forced Video)..............................................................................................103
Operating Forced Video Using OSUI..............................................................................104
Operating Forced Video Using Paragon Manager..........................................................105
User Station Receiving Forced Video .............................................................................105
Channel Association for Multiple Video.....................................................................................106
Channel Association Guidelines......................................................................................107
User Configuration.....................................................................................................................107
Channel Configuration...............................................................................................................109
Video Display Adjustment for P2-EUST..........................................................................111
User Station Profile....................................................................................................................112
Keyboard Type ................................................................................................................112
Video Delay .....................................................................................................................113
User Port Timeout ...........................................................................................................114
Group Settings (Access Rights).................................................................................................114
Recommendations.....................................................................................................................117
System Reboot and System Reset............................................................................................117
System Reboot................................................................................................................117
System Reset ..................................................................................................................118

Contents
vii
Network Settings........................................................................................................................119
Autoscan and Autoskip..............................................................................................................121
Power Management...................................................................................................................121
Configuring and Naming the Power Strip........................................................................122
Associating a Device with a Power Outlet.......................................................................123
Controlling Power to an Outlet.........................................................................................124
Paragon II Network Port ............................................................................................................125
Chapter 8 P2ZCIMs and Z-CIMs 126
Introduction................................................................................................................................126
P2ZCIM Features ............................................................................................................126
Z-CIMs Features (For Paragon Release 4.4 or Earlier)..................................................127
Paragon II and P2ZCIMs...........................................................................................................127
Connecting P2ZCIMs as Tiers.........................................................................................128
P2ZCIM LED Status........................................................................................................132
Paragon II and Z-CIMs (For Paragon Release 4.4 or Earlier)...................................................133
Connecting Z-CIMs as Tiers............................................................................................134
Using a UKVMSPD Z-CIM with a Local PC ....................................................................137
Chapter 9 Managing IBM BladeCenter Servers 139
Refreshing Channel Status........................................................................................................140
Renaming a BladeCenter Chassis.............................................................................................141
Renaming a Blade Server..........................................................................................................142
Chapter 10 Configurations 144
Principles of Re-Connection......................................................................................................144
Tiered Configurations.................................................................................................................145
Standard Tiered Configurations.......................................................................................145
Non-Standard Tiered Configurations...............................................................................148
Stacked Configurations..............................................................................................................153
Definition of Stacked Configuration.................................................................................153
System Constraints .........................................................................................................153
Standard Stacked Configurations....................................................................................154
Loop-Back Configuration...........................................................................................................157
P2-HubPac Configuration and Multiple Video...........................................................................158
Configuration for Multiple Video ......................................................................................158
Chapter 11 User Station Direct Mode 162
Chapter 12 Firmware Upgrade 164
General Update Procedure........................................................................................................164
STEP (A): Download the Latest Firmware and Release notes.......................................164
STEP (B): Establish a Connection between the Device and the PC...............................165

Contents
viii
STEP (C): (Optional) Verify the Stacking-Related Configuration....................................166
STEP (D): Launch the Paragon Update Utility................................................................166
Failsafe Upgrade Feature..........................................................................................................167
Main Units........................................................................................................................168
Stacking Units..................................................................................................................169
User Stations...................................................................................................................172
P2-HubPac Upgrade Operation.................................................................................................173
STEP (A): Get the Latest Firmware, Driver and Release Notes.....................................173
STEP (B): Connect One Cluster of the HubPac to the PC..............................................174
STEP (C): Install the USB-to-RS485 Driver on the PC...................................................176
STEP (D): Launch the Paragon Update Utility................................................................180
STEP (E): Repeat Steps (B) and (D) for the Other Clusters...........................................181
Appendix A Specifications 182
Specifications of Paragon II Components..................................................................................182
Cat5 Cable Guidelines...............................................................................................................186
Appendix B Tiering and Compatibility 188
Tiering Matrix.............................................................................................................................188
Compatibility Matrix....................................................................................................................190
Double Diamond Configuration..................................................................................................192
Appendix C Recommendation for Better Video Quality 193
Deployment Recommendations.................................................................................................193
Supported Resolutions on P2-EUST and P2-EUST/C..............................................................194
Appendix D Connecting Serial Devices to Paragon II System 195
Introduction to Serial CIMs ........................................................................................................195
Installing a Serial CIM................................................................................................................196
Installing P2CIM-SER or P2CIM-SER-EU.......................................................................196
Installing AUATC .............................................................................................................196
Operating a Serial CIM ..............................................................................................................198
P2CIM-SER or P2CIM-SER-EU......................................................................................198
AUATC.............................................................................................................................199
Configuring AUATC.........................................................................................................203
Troubleshooting AUATC..................................................................................................204
Appendix E Other Raritan Components Working with Paragon II 206
Paragon Manager Overview......................................................................................................206
Installing Paragon Manager.............................................................................................206
Remotely Refreshing IBM BladeCenter Channel Status.................................................207
CommandCenter Secure Gateway Integration..........................................................................207
PCCI Integration..............................................................................................................208

Contents
ix
Dominion KX II Integration...............................................................................................209
Appendix F Integration with Third-Party Switching Devices 212
Using the OmniView Secure KVM Switch .................................................................................212
Special Notice with the P2-EUST/C Card Reader...........................................................214
Supported Keyboards......................................................................................................214
Using the NVISION NV5128 Multi-format Router......................................................................216
STEP (A): Install Appropriate Audio/Video Equipment ...................................................217
STEP (B): Associate Router Ports with Paragon Ports in Paragon Manager.................218
STEP (C): Keep Paragon Manager Running and Connected.........................................219
Illustration: Routing a Server's Audio Signals..................................................................219
Audio/Video Routing Characteristics...............................................................................221
Appendix G Downloading Release 4.4 Firmware 223
Appendix H More Resources or Information 224
Powering-On Sequence of Multi-Tier Configuration..................................................................224
Quick Reference Chart ..............................................................................................................225
Password.........................................................................................................................225
Hot Key Settings..............................................................................................................225
Autoscan Settings............................................................................................................225
Timeout Settings..............................................................................................................226
Network Settings .............................................................................................................226
Channel Access...............................................................................................................226
Video................................................................................................................................227
Power...............................................................................................................................228
Product Information .........................................................................................................228
Reset ...............................................................................................................................228
Troubleshooting.........................................................................................................................228
Paragon II FAQs Online.............................................................................................................230
Index 231

x
The following sections have changed or information has been added to the
Paragon II User Guide based on enhancements and changes to the
equipment and/or user documentation.
•Product Features (on page 7)
•Package Contents (on page 9)
•Common Guidelines for Tiering Configuration (on page 145)
•CommandCenter Secure Gateway Integration (on page 207)
PCCI Integration (on page 208)
Dominion KX II Integration (on page 209)
Supported Distancefor KX II Integration (on page 211)
•Integration with Third-Party Switching Devices (on page 212)
•Using the NVISION NV5128 Multi-format Router (on page 216)
STEP (A): Install Appropriate Audio/Video Equipment (on
page 217)
STEP (B): Associate Router Ports with Paragon Ports in
Paragon Manager (on page 218)
STEP (C): Keep Paragon Manager Running and Connected
(on page 219)
Illustration: Routing a Server's Audio Signals (on page 219)
Audio/Video Routing Characteristics (on page 221)
•Quick Reference Chart (on page 225)
•Troubleshooting (on page 228)
Please see the Release Notes for a more detailed explanation of the
changes applied to this version of Paragon II.
What's New in the Paragon II User
Guide

xi
This chapter includes 10 of the most common use cases to help familiarize
users quickly with practical utilization of the Paragon system. Please note
that this section provides common examples, which could vary according
to your actual configuration and operations.
Case 1. Setting the Network Configuration
Purpose: To set the network configuration of the Paragon switch, such as
an IP address, so it can be accessed or upgraded through the network.
1. Log in to the Paragon system as an administrator.
a. Type admin in the User Name field and press Enter.
b. Type raritan (the default password; all lowercase) in the
Password field and press Enter. Note the password is
case-sensitive.
2. Press F5 --> select Network Setting.
3. Configure the Current IP field. For example, if you want to assign
90.180.52.157 as the IP address, you do this:
a. Highlight the first number in the IP field.
b. Press Enter to turn the highlight color to green.
c. Type 090 and press Enter. (Note that Paragon does not support
the use of the keypad.)
d. Repeat similar steps to modify remaining numbers in this field.
4. Configure remaining fields respectively, including Net Mask, Gateway
IP and Port No.
5. (Optional) By default, Encryption is set to “Off.” To change this
setting:
a. Press Enter to turn the highlight color to green.
b. Press the arrow keys ( , , , ) to switch between options
and press Enter.
6. (Optional) Configure the Keys field if you select “On” in the
Encryption field.
7. Press Sto save the changes. The system restarts itself.
See Network Settings (on page 119) for details.
How-To: Paragon Essentials

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xii
Case 2. Multiple Write Access to the Same Server
Purpose: To enable various users to view the same server simultaneously
and to grant them equal opportunity to compete for the control/operation of
the server when the keyboard/mouse activity in the server has become
inactive for a preset period of time (1 second by default unless it is
customized). Only one person is allowed to control/operate the server at
one time.
1. Log in to the Paragon system as an administrator.
a. Type admin in the User Name field and press Enter.
b. Type raritan (the default password; all lowercase) in the
Password field and press Enter. Note the password is
case-sensitive.
2. Press F5 --> select System Configuration.
3. Press the arrow keys ( , , , ) to highlight the Operation Mode
field.
4. Press Enter to turn the highlight color to green.
5. Press the arrow keys ( , , , ) to select the option "PC Share"
and press Enter.
6. Press Sto save the changes.
See System Configuration (on page 99) for details.
Now every user can access the same server simultaneously.
Case 3. Controlling a Device's Power
Purpose: To control the power supply of specific servers, devices or even
Paragon switches as long as they are connected to any power strip in the
Paragon system. These devices can be turned on, turned off or power
cycled as you wish.
1. Log in to the Paragon system as an administrator.
a. Type admin in the User Name field and press Enter.
b. Type raritan (the default password; all lowercase) in the
Password field and press Enter. Note the password is
case-sensitive.
2. Associate the power outlets of the power strip with the connected
devices. For example, if a router receives power from outlet No. 1 of
the power strip, and both of the power strip and router are connected
to the same Paragon switch. The router is named “Router-Win” in the
system. Do the following to associate them.
a. Press F5 --> select Channel Configuration.

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xiii
b. Highlight the channelof the power strip. For example,highlight the
channel No. 25 if the power strip is connected to that channel.
c. Press Gto enter the Outlet Configuration screen of the power
strip.
d. Change the type of outlet No. 1: press Enter --> press the arrow
key to select “CPU” --> press Enter.
e. Associate the outlet No. 1 with therouter: press the right arrow key
to move the highlight --> press Enter --> highlight the router name
“Router-Win” --> press Enter.
See Associating a Device with a Power Outlet (on page 123) for
details.
f. Press Sto save the power association.
3. Now you can control the power supply to “Router-Win” by doing this:
a. Press F2 to return to the Selection Menu screen.
b. Highlight the channel associated with the power strip. For example,
highlight the channel No. 33 if the router “Router-Win” is
connected to that channel.
c. Press F3 to view the associated power outlet screen.
d. Highlight one or more power outlets, and choose the action you
want to carry out:
Desired result Do this
Power off the outlet(s) Press X--> type yes
Power on the outlet(s) Press O(alphabetical character)
Power cycle the outlet(s) Press R--> type yes
See Controlling Power to an Outlet (on page 124) for details.
Case 4. Local Video Redirection (Forced Video)
Purpose: To locally direct a server to output its video/keyboard/mouse
data to a specific user station so the user of the specified user station can
be assigned to view and even work on the server.
1. Log in to the Paragon system as an administrator.
a. Type admin in the User Name field and press Enter.
b. Type raritan (the default password; all lowercase) in the
Password field and press Enter. Note the password is
case-sensitive.
2. Press arrow keys ( , ) to highlight the channel of the server whose
data you want to direct.

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xiv
3. Press Tab and the message "Force switch to user port" appears on
the message bar.
4. Type the port number of the desired user station. For example, if you
want to direct the data to the user station connected to the user port
No. 3, type 3and press Enter.
See Video Redirection (Forced Video) (on page 103) for details.
Case 5. Using Multiple Video Ports
Purpose: To have the access to a specific video port automatically trigger
the video outputs of the other video ports on the same server (Paragon is
designed to output a maximum of four video ports of a server).
1. Connect the four video ports of the server respectively to four
channels of the same Paragon switch via four CIMs. Three of the CIMs
must be P2CIM-AUSB and one could be either P2CIM-AUSB or
P2CIM-APS2. For example, you may connect them to channel port No.
1, 2, 3 and 26.
See Connecting CIMs to a Multi-Channel Video Server (on page 84)
for details.
2. The Paragon administrator sets up the channel association group
using Paragon Manager. Do this:
a. Launch Paragon Manager.
b. Connect and log into the Paragon system by doing this: choose
Session > Connect --> choose the Paragon switch you want to
connect --> type the administrator name/password --> click Login.
c. Create the association group consisting of channel numbers 1, 2,
3 and 26: choose Set up > Multiple Video > New --> type
necessary data --> select four channels 1, 2, 3 and 26 --> click
OK.
d. Ensure the channel triggering the video outputs of the other
channels is set as the “first” channel. For example, the
administrator may choose 3 in the First Channel field so channel
No. 3 will be the channel which causes the other three channels to
output their video data.
See Channel Association for Multiple Video (on page 106) and
Paragon Manager User Guide for details. This user guide is available
on Raritan website's Firmware and Documentation section
(http://www.raritan.com/support/firmware-and-documentation/).
3. Any user who wants to perform the Multiple Video function logs into
the Paragon system. For example, one user uses the user station
connected to the user port No. 2 to log into the system with the
following user name which has no password required.
user name: user02
password: <no password>

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xv
4. Select the “first” channel of the association group on the On-Screen
User Interface (OSUI). In this example, highlight channel number 3
and press Enter.
5. The other video ports of the same server connected to channel
numbers 1, 2 and 26 automatically output their video data to three user
stations subsequent to the one where user02 is operating, which are
connected to user port No. 3, 4 and 5 respectively.
6. When user02 disconnects the channel number 3 or even logs out of
the system, the three subsequent user stations are also logged off.
See Concurrent Multiple Video Outputs (on page 83) for details.
Case 6. Restoring Settings to Factory Defaults
Purpose: To reset the Paragon switch to its factory default settings when
you want to clear customized settings, such as the device name, system
settings, and so on.
1. Log in to the Paragon system as an administrator.
a. Type admin in the User Name field and press Enter.
b. Type raritan (the default password; all lowercase) in the
Password field and press Enter. Note the password is
case-sensitive.
2. Press F5 --> select System Reset Settings.
3. Highlight the field(s) that you want to reset, and change the setting to
Yes by doing this: press Enter --> press any arrow key --> press Enter.
The affected scope of different fields are described below:
Field Settings returning to factory defaults
Device Name The Device ID field in the System Configuration
submenu
Network
Settings All settings in the Network Setting submenu
User Profiles All settings of the following submenus or settings:
User Configuration
User Station Profile
User Profile settings that are displayed
when pressing F4
System
Configuration All settings in the System Configuration submenu except for the Device ID field
Channel
Configuration All settings or records of the active and inactive channels in the Channel Configuration submenu are

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xvi
Field Settings returning to factory defaults
cleared, but the data of active channels is rebuilt
automatically after the reset
4. Now reset the selected items. Press O(alphabetical character) -->
type yes --> press Enter.
5. The system will log out all of logged-in users and return the selected
settings to factory defaults.
See System Reset (on page 118) for details.
Case 7. Using the Integrated Card Reader
Purpose: To pass the login authentication configured in specific servers
that require the input of the data stored in an appropriate smart card. This
function requires the card reader-enabled firmware and devices, including
the Paragon switch with firmware 4.3 or above, P2-EUST/C and
P2CIM-AUSB-C.
1. Log in to the Paragon system utilizing a user station with an integrated
card reader (P2-EUST/C).
2. Access the server where the appropriate authentication software and
driver have been installed and configured properly and which is
connected to the Paragon system via P2CIM-AUSB-C.
3. When you see the blank screen or a message prompting you to insert
the card, insert your smart card into the card reader of the user station.
4. Depending on the configuration of the target server or authentication
software, you may also need to enter a PIN.
5. After the login authentication and authorization has been completed,
you can start working on the server.
6. When you complete your work, press the hot key (default: Scroll Lock)
twice quickly to trigger the OSUI.
See Using the OSUI for Initial Configuration (on page 36) for
details.
7. Press Shift +F9 to disconnect the server, and then remove the card.
See Using the Card Reader (on page 94) for details.
The card's authentication data is not stored in the Paragon system so you
must repeat Steps 3 to 5 if you want to access the same server again.

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xvii
Case 8. Creating Multiple Paths to the Same Server(s)
Purpose: To ensure that there is redundant access to specific servers. In
this example, we will create three available paths for access to specific
servers using the structure of multiple Base Units.
Note: A Base Unit is the “first-tier” Paragon switch.
1. Prepare six Paragon switches, such as P2-UMT1664M and/or
P2-UMT832M.
2. Choose three of them as Base Units, two as the 2nd tier, and one as the
3rd tier. If these switches do not share the same firmware version,
make sure the versions of lower tiers are later than those of upper tiers.
For example, Base Unit is with firmware version 4.2 and 2nd Tier with
version 4.0.
3. Connect all of these Paragon switches with Category 5 (Cat5) UTP
cables from the channel ports of lower tiers to user ports of upper tiers
as illustrated below:
CChannel ports
UUser ports
1(A) ~ 1(C) Base Units (first-tier Paragon switches)
2(A) ~ 2(B) Second-tier Paragon switches
3(A) Third-tier Paragon switch
See Tiered Configurations (on page 145) for details.

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xviii
4. Connect servers to the “3rd Tier” Paragon switch with the Cat5 UTP
cables. The connection configuration looks like this:
S(1) ~ S(X) Servers
1(A) ~ 1(C) Base Units
2(A) ~ 2(B) Second-tier Paragon switches
3(A) Third-tier Paragon switch
5. Connect user stations to Base Units 1(A), 1(B) and 1(C) with the Cat5
UTP cables.
6. Connect the keyboard, mouse and monitor to each user station.
See Basic Installation (on page 11) section for details.

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xix
7. Now three different paths (blue solid lines as illustrated below) are
available for users to access any servers connected to the “3rd Tier.”
See Configurations (on page 144) for more details.
Case 9. Upgrading the Firmware of Paragon Switches
Purpose: To upgrade Paragon II switches and benefit from recent
enhancements to the Paragon product line. (Please note the description
herein refers to regular firmware upgrade and does not apply to “special”
firmware upgrade which involves the boot loader or failsafe feature.)
1. Verify that the Main Switching Unit (Main Unit) is connected to the
network, and relevant network settings, such as the IP address, are
configured properly.
See Case 1. Setting the Network Configuration (on page xi) for
details.
2. (Optional) If there has been any Stacking Unit connected to the Main
Unit, keep them attached and turned on. For example, you may
upgrade one P2-UMT832M (Main Unit) and three P2-UMT832S
(Stacking Units) which are connected to it altogether. Also verify the
following Stacking-related settings:
The “Stacking Support” setting in the Main Unit is appropriate.
The value of the “Set Stack ID” setting in every connected Stacking
Unit is unique.

How-To: Paragon Essentials
xx
See General Update Procedure (on page 164) for details.
3. Download the firmware from the Raritan website
(http://www.raritan.com): click Support > Firmware and
Documentation > Paragon II, and click the latest version to start the
download.
4. Unzip the downloaded file. Among the unzipped files, there are a file
named ParagonUpdate_xxx.exe and a firmware file named
P2-xxx.hex (xxx represents the version). For example, the firmware
file for version 4.2 is named P2-3E5.hex.
5. Double click “ParagonUpdate_xxx.exe” to execute the program.
6. Enter the information of the Main Unit in the Paragon Update utility.
For example:
In the Name column, type Paragon832M
In the IP address/Serial column, type 90.180.52.157
In the Port column, type 3000
If you have assigned the Encryption keys in the Paragon system,
remember to type the same encryption data in the Encryption
Key column
See Paragon Manager User Guide for details. This user guide is
available on Raritan website's Firmware and Documentation
section
(http://www.raritan.com/support/firmware-and-documentation/).
7. Ensure the checkbox before the Main Unit is selected ( ).
8. Click Load Hex File to select the firmware file “P2-xxx.hex”. For
example, choose the file “P2-3E5.hex”to upgrade to firmware version
4.2.
9. Click Send To Paragon --> Yes. Then the utility starts to upgrade the
Main Unit and every connected Stacking Unit (if any).
10. Once all of the upgrade is completed, a message appears.
Case 10. Upgrading the Firmware of User Stations
Purpose: To upgrade the user stations and benefit from recent
enhancements to the Paragon product line.
1. Connect the user station to the serial port (e.g. COM 2) of a computer
via an RS-232 male-to-female serial cable shipped with the user
station.
2. Download the firmware from the Raritan website
(http://www.raritan.com): click Support > Firmware and
Documentation > Paragon II, and click the latest version to start the
download.