StarTech.com SVx41HDI Series Manual

SVx41HDI Series Server Remote Control: Instruction Guide
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
FEATURES 1
BEFORE YOU BEGIN 1
Required Cables and Hardware 1
INSTALLING THE SERVER REMOTE CONTROL 2
Disabling Mouse Acceleration on the Managed Computers 3
NETWORK CONFIGURATION METHODS EXPLAINED 3
Web Configuration Using DHCP 4
Terminal Configuration Using a Serial Cable 4
CONFIGURING THE KVM FOR YOUR NETWORK 6
Using the Web Interface 6
Using the Terminal Interface via Serial Port 12
ACCESSING THE VNC INTERFACE 13
Web Interface 13
Native VNC Client 14
SSH Tunnel (with Native VNC client) 15
USING THE VNC MENU 15
Welcome Window 16
Bribar Feature 16
Main Menu 18
VirtKeys Menu 19
Video Tuning Menu 19

SVx41HDI Series Server Remote Control: Instruction Guide
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ACCESSING KVM FEATURES 22
Cascade Configuration 22
OSD Operations 23
Hot Key Commands 27
Changing Your Configuration 28
TROUBLESHOOTING 29
SPECIFICATIONS 31
SUPPORTED PROTOCOLS 32
SUPPORT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION 33
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS 33
APPENDIX A: ABOUT SECURITY CERTIFICATE WARNINGS 34
APPENDIX B: USING THE ADVANCED VIDEO TUNING FEATURE 35
APPENDIX C: GETTING PEAK PERFORMANCE 37
APPENDIX D: THE IPMI UPGRADE OPTION 38
APPENDIX E: THE MODEM OPTION UPGRADE 45
APPENDIX F: USING OPTIONAL R-PORT DEVICES 51
NOTE: Since firmware for our Server Remote Control Products is constantly evolving to
offer more functionality and improvements, some of the options and instructions presented
in this manual may differ from your unit. To obtain the latest documentation and support
information for this product, please visit www.startech.com.
4 August 2004 (Rev. A)

SVx41HDI Series Server Remote Control: Instruction Guide
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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com SVx41HDI series Server Remote Control with
integrated KVM. Using the Internet or your TCP/IP enabled network, you can now remotely
monitor and control critical PC servers and workstations using an industry-standard Web
browser or VNC client.
Features
•Supports industry-standard networking and management protocols such as TCP/IP and
SNMP
•Offers secure management options including SSL encryption, SSH tunneling, and RADIUS
authentication
•Platform independent: can be managed using any Java-enabled Web browser
•One remote management point for multiple computers
Before You Begin
This section describes the cables and other hardware that you may wish to use when setting up
and configuring your new Server Remote Control. We suggest you review this section carefully
before beginning the installation process.
Contents
Your package should contain the following:
•1 x SVx41HDI Server Remote Control unit
•1 x Power adapter
•1 x Instruction Guide
•1 x Rack Mount screw kit
•1 x DB9 RS-232 null modem serial cable
Required Cables and Hardware
Depending on your needs, you may need one or more of the following
cables:
All applications
•1 x Straight-through Ethernet patch cable (connects unit to your LAN)
StarTech.com part number: M45PATCHxxxx
•StarTech.com PS/2 3-in-1 KVM Cables (1 for each managed computer
connected via PS/2)
StarTech.com part number: SVECONxx
•StarTech.com USB 3-in-1 KVM Cables (1 for each managed computer connected via USB)
StarTech.com part number: SVECONUSxx
SVECONxx
SVECONUSxx

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DC 12V Serial VGA Out Managed Computer Input (Non-Cascadable)
(Power)
Installing the Server Remote Control
NOTE: The instructions here and elsewhere in the manual refer to port designations of the
SV1641HDI, the 16-port version of the Server Remote Control. For other versions, note the
following:
SV841HDI: Ports PC A~H = Ports PC A~D and Ports PC 1~8 = PC 1~4 on your product
SV441HDI: Ports PC A~H = Ports PC A~B and Ports PC 1~8 = PC 1~2 on your product
The restrictions on functions such as cascading and the assignment of master and slave
units also apply to all versions of the product.
1. Ensure that the Server Remote Control unit and the computers to be managed are powered
off.
2. If desired, mount the unit in a standardized rack or cabinet.
3. Connect a standard straight-through Ethernet patch cable to the LAN port on the rear panel
of the unit.
4. Connect the opposite end to your network hub, switch, or terminated wall outlet.
5. If you wish to use the product as a local console, connect a standard keyboard (purple
connector) and mouse (green connector) to the PS/2 ports, as marked on the rear panel.
6. Connect a VGA monitor to the video-out port on the rear panel of the unit.
7. (a) If you are using PS/2 connections to your managed computers, connect the end of the
SVECONxx cable that has three connectors (keyboard, video, mouse) to the keyboard,
mouse, and VGA Out ports on a computer (often a server or other critical system). Connect
the opposite end (with a single VGA-style connector) to one of the PC A~H or PC 1~8 ports
on the rear panel of the Server Remote Control. Repeat this procedure for each PS/2-enabled
managed computer. You will be able to add additional managed computers later with the
Server Remote Control powered on.
(b) If you are using USB connections to your managed computers, connect the end of the
SVECONUSxx cable that has two connectors (USB, video) to an available USB port and
VGA Out port on the computer (often a server or other critical system). Connect the
opposite end (with a single VGA-style connector) to one of the PC A~H or PC 1~8 ports on
the rear panel of the Server Remote Control. Repeat this procedure for each USB-enabled
managed computer. You will be able to add additional managed computers later with the
KVM powered on.
LAN Keybd/Mouse Managed Computer Input (Cascadable)

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8. Power on the Server Remote Control by connecting the AC adapter to a suitable power
source and connecting the opposite end to the DC 12V port on the rear panel of the unit.
9. Power on each of the managed computers, observing normal startup procedures.
NOTE: You can choose to mix managed computers connected via PS/2 and USB connections as
necessary with no impact on features or functionality.
NOTE: Steps 5 and 6 are necessary only if you wish to have the ability to manage the KVM and
its computers locally (i.e. not over the Internet or LAN). While not required, adding these
devices is highly recommended for ease of administration.
NOTE: The KVM also has the ability to “cascade” multiple KVMs to increase the total number
of possible managed computers. If you wish to take advantage of this feature, refer to the section
“Cascade Configuration” in this manual.
Disabling Mouse Acceleration on the Managed Computers
Many operating systems offer a feature called mouse acceleration that allows the user to adjust
the responsiveness of the cursor on the screen to physical movements of the mouse. While this is
usually a beneficial interface enhancement, it can interfere with the operation of the unit and
should be disabled on the managed computers before a remote session is attempted. Follow the
instructions below to disable mouse acceleration for the operating system installed on each
managed computer.
Windows 98
1. From the Control Panel, click on Mouse.
2. From Mouse Properties, click on Motion tab.
3. Make sure the Pointer speed bar is centered and Acceleration is set to None.
Windows 2000
1. From the Control Panel, Click on Mouse.
2. From Mouse Properties, click on Motion tab.
3. Make sure that the Pointer speed bar is centered and Acceleration is set to None.
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
1. Go to “Pointer Options “ and turn off “Enhance Pointer Precision.”
2. Make sure that the Pointer speed bar is centered.
Linux, Unix and X-Windows
1. Add this command to your xinitrc, xsession or other startup script:
xset m 0/0 0
Network Configuration Methods Explained
The Server Remote Control offers two distinct methods for configuring the unit for your
network. The method that will work best for you will depend on your level of experience and
your specific network configuration.

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Web Configuration Using DHCP
This method requires that your network implement DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol), usually on a server or network access device such as a router that dynamically allows
devices to join the network without pre-configuration. It also assumes that you will have easy
access to your network’s DHCP log, since you will need to know the IP address of the unit to
complete the configuration over your Web browser. (If you are unsure of how to access your
network’s DHCP log, contact your System Administrator for details.) If the unit is powered on
and connected to the network via LAN port on the rear panel, it will automatically attempt to
lease an IP address using DHCP. Before you can begin the configuration process, you will need
to access the DHCP log from your file server or other device that acts as the DHCP server on the
network. A simple DHCP log looks similar to the following:
The information displayed for your own network may vary significantly from the data displayed
in the image, but should supply (at minimum) three essential details: IP address, MAC address,
and device (or machine) name for the computers and other devices connected to your network.
The values for the unit tested above are as follows:
IP Address: 192.168.22.4
MAC Address: 00-0E-C5-00-08-1A
Device Name: (none)
The easiest way to identify your Server Remote Control on the network is by its MAC address, a
unique hardware identifier that is specific to your unit. The MAC address of the unit can be
found on a white sticker on the bottom of the unit. Write down this number and keep it for
future reference. Once you locate the MAC address of your unit in the DHCP log, you can
match it to its leased IP address and proceed with the Web configuration.
NOTE: Once you have located the IP address of the unit switch and wish to proceed with the
Web configuration, do not power off the unit or your DHCP server, since it might lease a
different IP address. Should this happen, re-examine the DHCP log to verify the IP address
again.
Terminal Configuration Using a Serial Cable
Configuring the unit using a serial cable is the best choice if you need to pre-configure the unit
before attaching it to a network, i.e. when sending to a branch office, customer site, etc. or are
not using DHCP on your network. In general, the Web configuration is far preferable because of
its intuitive interface and the fact that you do not have to be within close physical proximity to do
the configuration. However, if you wish to use the serial cable method to configure the Server

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Remote Control, you can use any typical communication software package (UNIX: tip, cu,
kermit, minicom; Windows: HyperTerminal, kermit).
Using the DB9 female-to-female null-modem serial cable (provided) connect one end of the
cable to the SERIAL port on the rear panel of the SVx41HDI. Connect the opposite end to the
serial port on the computer you are using to configure the unit. Configure the terminal software
with “8N1” settings:
Connection speed: 115200 bps
No. of bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop bits: 1
Flow Control: None

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Configuring the KVM for Your Network
NOTE: As firmware for this product evolves, some of the menu options may change and
therefore these screenshots and instructions may differ slightly from the options displayed on
your screen.
Using the Web Interface
The Web interface is the most intuitive way to configure the Server Remote Control. It also
offers a Java-based VNC client that you can use to control the managed computers from a remote
location. The unit supports any industry-standard HTML Web browser. You can access the
Web interface by opening your Web browser and entering the IP address of the unit you wish to
access/configure. The IP address will be either a) the address assigned by your DHCP server as
identified in the previous section, or b) the address you configure through the terminal via a
serial cable (see the section “Using the Terminal Interface via Serial Port” for more information).
The Login Screen
Before you can access the Web configuration interface, you must
enter a user name and password. The default username and
password as shipped from the factory is username admin with a
password of admin.
NOTE: Before the login screen appears, your Web browser may
display a warning about an invalid security certificate. This does not affect the security of your
data in any way. Whenever you are prompted about a certificate security problem by your
browser or the Java VNC client, always choose the option to continue. For more
information, please consult Appendix A, “About Security Certificate Warnings”.
The Home Screen
The Home screen serves two functions. First, it is a place to check the status of the unit, view
essential system information, and
capture screen shots from the
managed computers. Second, it is
where you can start the integrated
Java VNC client to interact with the
managed computers by clicking on
the large screen shot or choosing one
of the VNC client links.
The Admin/Setup Screen
This is the menu that will allow you
to access all the features you will
need to perform an initial
configuration of the Server Remote
Control. Each of the options is
explained in detail here.

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Network Configuration (IP address. netmask, gateway)
Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol
(DHCP)
Automatic network
configuration using DHCP
is: Enabled/Disabled.
This feature applies to the
LAN port on the rear panel,
and is enabled by default.
When enabled, the unit will
automatically configure
itself with an IP address
when a DHCP server is present. When disabled, the LAN port will use the values
assigned to it on the IP Addresses and Routing table below.
IP Addresses and Routing
This table allows you to assign IP information for the LAN port. If you are using DHCP,
the values for the LAN port will be filled in automatically and any changes made will not
affect the setup.
Domain Name Server (optional)
This section allows you to specify DNS servers and the default DNS domain suffix in use
on the network. If DHCP is enabled, some of these values may be supplied
automatically.
Commit Network Changes
Clicking the Commit button applies any changes made on the page to the configuration,
but leaves the old settings
active until the next time
the unit restarts. Clicking
Make changes effective
now applies the changes
and restarts the unit so the
new settings take effect
immediately.
User accounts: add, delete and
change passwords
This menu will allow you to add
accounts other than admin to the
system. These accounts will not
have the authority to change settings, but can access the Web interface and log in the VNC