Venus KVM 8 User manual

KVM 8 / 16
Combo-Free KVM Switch
User’s Manual
Rev 1.0

KVM 8/16 User ’ s Manual
I
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................ I
1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Features ............................................................................................. 1
1.2 Package Contents .............................................................................. 3
1.3 Technical Specifications ..................................................................... 4
1.4 System Requirements ........................................................................ 6
1.5 Cable Diagrams.................................................................................. 7
1.6 Rear Panel.......................................................................................... 8
2. Hardware Installation .................................................................................. 9
2.1 Rack Mount Installation ...................................................................... 9
2.2 Computer / Server Installation .......................................................... 10
2.3 Console Installation .......................................................................... 11
2.4 Optional Module Installation ............................................................. 12
2.5 Power ON......................................................................................... 13
2.6 CAT5 KVM Receiver (R-Box) ........................................................... 14
2.7 CAT5 Receiver Installation ............................................................... 14
2.8 When video signal is foggy or unclear.............................................. 14
2.9 Daisy Chain Connection................................................................... 14
3. Usage ........................................................................................................ 16
3.1 Buttons ............................................................................................. 16
3.2 Front panel PC port LED Indication: ................................................. 16
3.3 BANK 7-seg LED.............................................................................. 17
3.4 Hot plug ............................................................................................ 17
4. Hotkey....................................................................................................... 18
5. OSD (On Screen Display) ......................................................................... 20
5.1 Login Window ................................................................................... 21
5.2 Port Name ........................................................................................ 22
5.3 Main Menu........................................................................................ 23
5.3.1 LANGUAGE........................................................................... 23
5.3.2 PORT NAME EDIT ............................................................... 24
5.3.3 PORT SEARCH.................................................................... 25
5.3.4 USER SECURITY................................................................. 25
5.3.5 ACCESS LIST ...................................................................... 26
5.3.6 HOTKEY ............................................................................... 27
5.3.7 TIME SETTINGS .................................................................. 28
5.3.8 OSD MOUSE........................................................................ 28

II
6. Troubleshooting ......................................................................................... 30
7. Certifications .............................................................................................. 31

1. Introduction
The Venus 8/16-port KVM switch can control attaching servers and computers
from local or remote console. This KVM switch is loaded with features such as
one local console port, plus one optional CAT5-based remote console port
or one optional IP-based remote console Port, On Screen Display (OSD)
Menu, Password security, Hot key Control, Push Button and Auto Scan Control.
It has complete keyboard and mouse emulation for simultaneous PCs boot-up
process.
With the CAT5-based remote console port you can you remotely control servers
and computers 1000 feet away. In other words, you can locate your monitor,
keyboard and mouse up to 1000 feet away from the KVM switch. The built-in
CAT5 transmitter synthesizes VGA monitor and keyboard/mouse signals, and
transmit the signals to the remote CAT5 receiver over the popular LAN CAT5
cable.
With the IP-based remote console port you can control one or many computers
locally at the server site or remotely via the Internet using a standard browser.
You can securely gain BIOS level access to systems for maintenance, support,
or failure recovery over the Internet. Communication is secure via SSL
encryption.
1.1 Features
Dual Console 8/16-port KVM switch
Support combo interface for connecting to computer ports conveniently
Support one local console plus one optional remote console (CAT5 or IP)
CAT5 console up to 1000 feet away from KVM switch with superior
auto-adjust RGB gain/delay control capability
Support MS windows, Netware, Unix, and Linux
Support iMAC, Power MAC and Sun Micro Systems with USB port
No Software Required --- easy computer selection via On Screen Display
(OSD) Menu, Push Buttons, and Hotkeys
Provide various Hotkey (Scroll-Lock/ Cap-Lock/ Num-Lock/ L-Alt/ L-Ctrl/
L-Win/ R-Alt/ R-Ctrl/ R-Win) for switching computer port and other control
functions, so Hotkey function can be used in various types of keyboards,

and to avoid Hotkey duplicate problem.
Provide ACL (Access Control List) security function. Store up to 8
independent user accounts
Hot Plug --- add or remove connected computers without powering off the
KVM switch or computers
Support two user layers, and search computer/server name
Plug-n-Play monitor support
Keyboard status restored when switching computer
Support Daisy Chain function with both Bus (8-layer) and Tree (2-layer)
topologies

1.2 Package Contents
KVM Switch Unit 1 PCS
User’s manual CD-ROM 1 PCS
Quick Installation Guide 1 PCS
AC to DC Power Adapter 1 PCS
Rack Mount Kit 1 SET
Daisy Chain Cable (0.9M) 1 PCS
KVM Cable; HDDB-15 / VGA + PS/2 x 2 (1.8M)
1 PCS
KVM Cable; HDDB-15 / VGA + USB x 1 (1.8M)
1 PCS
Table 1-1. Package Contents

1.3 Technical Specifications
Feature Specification
KVM Type PS/2 and USB interface KVM switch
Console Ports One Local USB console
plus One Optional Remote Module
PC Port Connector HDDB-15
PC Ports 8/16
Max. Distance
(KVM switch -- Host) 6 feet (1.8m)
Video Resolution
(Local Console) 1920 x 1440
Video Resolution
(Remote Console)
1600 x 1200 for CAT5-Based 500 feet remote
console (ET101-C01),
1024 x 768 for CAT5-Based 1000 feet remote
console. (ET101-C04),
1600 x 1200 for IP-Based remote console
CAT5-Based Remote
Console Module
RJ-45 Connector,
CAT5 console up to 1000 feet away from KVM
switch with superior, auto-adjust RGB gain/delay
control capability
IP-Based Remote
Module
RJ-45 8P8C for 10/100M Ethernet,
DB9 male for Modem, Null modem and serial
power control,
Mini USB 2.0 receptacle
Daisy Chaining Support Daisy Chaining with both Bus (8-layer) and
Tree (2-layer) topologies, DB15 Female Connector
Computer port
selection
On Screen Display (OSD) Menu, Hot Key, Push
Button
Hotkey Provide various Hotkey (Scroll-Lock/ Cap-Lock/
Num-Lock/ Alt/ Ctrl/ Win)
PC Port LEDs 2 x LEDs per PC port: Power (Green), Online (Red)
7-seg LED for Bank
display 1 set
Security Provide ACL (Access Control List) security
function, store up to 8 independent controllable

Computers lists
Multilingual OSD (On
Screen Display) control
8 languages (English, France, Germen, Spanish,
Italian, Russian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese)
Auto-Scan Intervals 5 ~ 99 Sec.
Keyboard Emulation PS/2 or USB
Mouse Emulation PS/2 or USB
Housing Metal
Power DC Power adapter : 12VDC, 1A
Operation Temperature 0 ~ 50 ℃
Storage Temperature -20 ~ 60 ℃
Humidity 0 ~ 95%, Non-Condensing
Mechanical 19” Rack mount / 1U
Dimension 420 x 170 x 44 mm / 16.5 x 6.7 x 1.7 inches
Table 1-2. Technical Specifications

1.4 System Requirements
Model No. Venus 8
Local Console side One VGA Monitor
One USB Keyboard
One USB Mouse
Computer side 8 HDDB-15 pin male to one HDDB-15 pin,
one Mini Din 6 pin, and one USB special
cables
IP module One CAT5 cable
Network access environment
CAT5 module One CAT5 cable
R-Box (CAT5 KVM extender receiver)
One VGA Monitor
One USB Keyboard
One USB Mouse
Optional computer
Table 1-3. System Requirements
Model No. Venus 16
Console side One VGA Monitor
One USB Keyboard
One USB Mouse
Computer side 16 HDDB-15 pin male to one HDDB-15 pin,
one Mini Din 6 pin, and one USB special
cables
IP module One CAT5 cable
Network access environment
CAT5 module One CAT5 cable
R-Box (CAT5 KVM extender receiver)
One VGA Monitor
One USB Keyboard
One USB Mouse
Optional computer
Table 1-4. System Requirements

1.5 Cable Diagrams
PC Port Special Cable:
HDDB-15 pin male to one HDDB-15 pin male, one Mini Din 6 pin and one USB
special cables
Figure 1-1. HDDB-15 / VGA + USB x 1 (1.8M)
Figure 1-2. HDDB-15 / VGA + PS/2 x 1 (1.8M)
Daisy Chain Cable:
VGA Cable:
HDDB-15 pin Male to Male
Figure 1-3. Daisy Chain Cable
Daisy chain needs the cable all 15 lines connected. This is a
special VGA cable, normal VGA cable has unconnected lines. Do
not use other VGA cable for daisy chain.
CAT5/5E/6 Straight Through UTP/STP Cable
Figure 1-4. CAT5/5E/6 Straight Through UTP/STP Cable (8P8C)

1.6 Rear Panel
8 port Combo-Free KVM Switch:
16 port Combo-free KVM Switch:
8 port Combo-Free KVM Switch with IP module:
16 port Combo-Free KVM Switch with IP module:
8 port Combo-Free KVM Switch with CAT5 module:
16 port Combo-Free KVM Switch with CAT5 module:
Figure 1-5. Rear Panel

2. Hardware Installation
Before installation, please make sure all of peripherals and computers have
been turned off.
2.1 Rack Mount Installation
Find a convenient place to put your KVM Switch. The 19” rack mount form factor
makes it ideally mountable on a 19” rack. When mounting to a rack, attach the
included brackets to the sides of the KVM Switch. Take note of the length of your
cables so that your computers, KVM Switch, keyboard, mouse and monitor are
distanced properly.
Figure 2-1. Rack Mount Installation

2.2 Computer / Server Installation
Figure 2-2. Computer / Server Installation
3-in-1 HDDB-15 Cable Installation
Each computer port connector is HDDB-15 type. Inspect the 3-in-1 DB15 cable.
It will have a HDDB-15 male connector at one end. Plug it into computer port on
the rear of KVM switch. The other end of input cable has three connectors: a
HDDB-15 male type for computer video, a purple mini din 6-pin PS/2 connector
for keyboard and a green mini din 6-pin PS/2 connector for mouse. Plug these
three connectors into the respective ports of computer. Repeat the same
procedure for all other computers.
a. PS/2 computer --- Plug PS/2 mouse connector to computer mouse port and
PS/2 keyboard connector to computer keyboard port. Do not hot plug PS/2 port.
If you must do that make sure PS/2 mouse first then the PS/2 keyboard.

Figure 2-3. 3-in-1 HDDB-15 Cable
b. USB computer --- Plug in USB connector. This single USB connector can
handle both keyboard and mouse data, it work as a standard HID (Human
Interface Device) no extra driver needed.
Figure 2-4. HDDB-15 / VGA + USB Cable
2.3 Console Installation
Local Console
Connect the monitor to the HDDB-15 female port on the back of the KVM unit
labeled with the monitor symbol at the Local Console connector.
There may be USB local console or PS/2 local console. For USB local console,
connect the USB keyboard to either one of USB local port and USB mouse to
the other USB port. These USB ports are special designed for keyboard and
mouse, and can not work with USB hub or other USB devices. For PS/2 local
console, connect keyboard to purple PS/2 port and mouse to green PS/2 mouse
port. There is a Daisy chain port under VGA ports.

Figure 2-5. Console Installation
2.4 Optional Module Installation
IP Module
Please refer to “IP KVM Module User Manual” for details.
IP Remote Console
Installation: Power off the KVM switch firstly. Remove the cover of the add-on
slot, slide in the IP Module and make sure the module is fully inserted into the
slot.
The IP Module redirects local keyboard, mouse and video data to a remote
administration console. It allows you to control one or many computers locally at
the server site or remotely via the Internet using a standard browser.
Figure 2-6. IP Module Installation

CAT5 Module
CAT5 Remote Console
Installation: Power off the KVM switch firstly. Remove the cover of the add-on
slot, slide in the CAT5 transmitter module and make sure the module is fully
inserted into the slot.
To extending your console up to 1000 feet away by connecting the CAT5 cable
to the R-Box in the remote end.
Figure 2-7. CAT5 Module Installation
2.5 Power ON
Check connections and plug in power supply
Double check whether all cables/connectors are properly connected. You can
check the color of keyboard and mouse connector to make sure the keyboard
and mouse cables go to the correct ports.
Plug the power supply to the KVM switch and plug the AC power plug into the
electrical receptacle. Now you will see the LED of Port 1 lights up, and hear a
beep sound.

Recommend Power ON sequence as follows: Monitor, KVM Switch, finally
Computer.
2.6 CAT5 KVM Receiver (R-Box)
The CAT5 KVM receiver (R-Box) uses CAT5 cable to extend your keyboard,
mouse and monitor 1000 feet (300 meters) away from the KVM switch. It also
has built-in 2-to-1 OSD KVM switch for selecting remote or local Computer.
2.7 CAT5 Receiver Installation
1. Make sure the CAT5 cable is straight through type.
2. Plug one end of CAT5 cable into RJ-45 connector of the KVM switch CAT5
console port, and plug the other end of CAT5 cable into RJ-45 port of the
R-Box.
3. Connect keyboard, mouse and monitor to the R-Box console ports (USB
Keyboard/Mouse ports, and VGA port)
4. Connect Local Computer to R-box with the accompanied 3-in-1 HDDB-15
cable.
5. Power on the R-Box by plugging in the power adaptor
6. Push the SELECT button to select remote or local Computer.
2.8 When video signal is foggy or unclear
The R-Box (CAT5 Receiver) enables user to access to the computer, server, or
KVM switch up to 1000 feet (300 meters) away with superior auto-adjust RGB
gain/delay control capability
CAT5 cables has CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6 and STP/UTP types; If your application
need high VGA resolution and long distance please select high end cables.
It is highly recommended to use optimal CAT5 cable length to get the best video
quality and not waste unnecessary CAT5 cable.
2.9 Daisy Chain Connection
Use one end of daisy chain cable to connect to the Daisy Chain port of Master
KVM switch and connect the other end of daisy chain cable to the Local

Console port of the next Slave KVM switch. Please repeat the connection
procedures for next Slave KVM switch. You can daisy chain up to eight banks in
maximum.
Figure 2-8. Daisy Chain Connection
The console OSD menu will show only the port information of the master KVM
switch. When the master unit starts up, it will query all daisy chained Slave units,
and automatically set up the Bank ID for each Slave unit. So the 7-seg LED on
the Master unit will display 1, Slave 1 will display 2, Slave 2 will display 3, and so
on. If not so, please reset (press “BANK” and port button) the Master unit to
update the Bank ID immediately. Hot Plug function is supported in daisy chain
connection. The Master unit will auto-query the daisy chained Slaves every 30
seconds.

3. Usage
When you power on KVM switch, it will prompt a Login window waiting for user
name and password. Please refer to “Hotkeys and OSD manual” for details.
3.1 Buttons
The push Buttons 1~8 :
You can simply switch to a port by pressing the corresponding button. For 8
ports KVM Switch, please press button 1 ~ 8 directly to select the port you want.
For 16 ports KVM Switch, please press “Shift” button and individual button 1~8
simultaneously to switch to the port from port 9 to port 16. For example: Pressing
“shift” button and button 5 simultaneously to switch to port 13, and the port red
LED will turn on.
After power on the KVM switch, all of console ports (Local or Remote consoles)
will be linked to Computer port 1.
3.2 Front panel PC port LED Indication:
8 ports
16 ports
Figure 3-1. Front Panel
There are two LEDs for each port:
“P” power: the Green LED on indicating a Computer is connecting to the
port. Notice the PC99 Computer always power on the PS/2 ports even if
the Computer is not power on, so the Green LED will turn on.
“O” online: the Red LED on indicating the port has been selecting. The
Red LED flashing if there is no Computer connected to the port.
Press “BANK” button and the port button simultaneously will reset the
KVM switch.

3.3 BANK 7-seg LED
7-Segment BANK LED Indication :
When you want to view the next bank KVM switch, please press “BANK” push
button repeatedly to the destination bank. The bank LED will be changed from
bank 1 to the maximum daisy chain level and then to bank 1 again.
Bank 1 Bank 2 Bank 3 MAX. BANK
3.4 Hot plug
The KVM Switch supports “Hot Plug” function for any non-PS/2 connectors. You
may Hot Plug the USB mouse or USB keyboard as you like.
DO NOT hot plug PS/2 port.
Some O.S. (Operation Systems) like SCO Unix or Linux does
not support “Hot Plug” function. If you apply “Hot Plug” to this
kind of O.S., it will cause unpredictable behavior or shut down
the Computer. Before attempting to use “Hot Plug”, please
make sure your O.S. and mouse software driver support the
“Hot Plug” function.