CAT5 Smart KVM Extender User Guide International HQ Jerusalem, Israel North American HQ Tel: + 972 2 535 9666 Linden, New Jersey Tel: + 1 908 4862100 [email protected] [email protected] www.minicom.com European HQ Dübendorf, Switzerland Italy Rome Tel: + 41 1 823 8000 Tel: + 39 06 8209 7902 [email protected] [email protected] Customer support - [email protected] 5UM30096 V2.3 12/03 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Welcome................................................................................... 2 Introduction ............................................................................. 3 The system components ........................................................ 3 The KVM Extender units ......................................................... 4 Pre-installation instructions................................................... 5 The KVM Extender cables ...................................................... 6 The 3 in 1 CPU cable ............................................................... 6 Power supply ........................................................................... 6 The KVM Extender as an extender ........................................ 7 Giving 2 users access to 1 computer.................................... 8 The KVM Extender as a 2-port KVM Switch.......................... 9 Operating the KVM Extender................................................ 10 Adjusting the picture ............................................................ 10 Timeout .................................................................................. 10 Locking KVM control ............................................................ 11 KVM Extender Settings mode .............................................. 11 Changing the hotkey............................................................. 12 Changing the Timeout period .............................................. 12 Enabling/disabling lock control ........................................... 12 Making advanced adjustments ............................................ 13 Replacing a computer........................................................... 13 Keyboard settings when replacing a computer ................. 14 Mouse driver settings when replacing a computer............ 14 Replacing a mouse type ....................................................... 15 Viewing the settings.............................................................. 16 Exiting the Settings mode .................................................... 16 Cascading Smart Extenders................................................. 17 Transmitter Power adapter................................................... 18 Switching on .......................................................................... 18 Technical specifications....................................................... 19 KVM Extender configuration ................................................ 20 1 USER GUIDE 1. Welcome The CAT5 Smart KVM Extender system is produced by Minicom Advanced Systems Limited. Technical precautions This equipment generates radio frequency energy and if not installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause radio frequency interference. This equipment complies with Part 15, Subpart J of the FCC rules for a Class A computing device. This equipment also complies with the Class A limits for radio noise emission from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of the Canadian Department of Communications. These above rules are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when operating the equipment in a commercial environment. If operation of this equipment in a residential area causes radio frequency interference, the user, and not Minicom Advanced Systems Limited, will be responsible. Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by Minicom Advanced Systems Limited could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. Minicom Advanced Systems Limited assumes no responsibility for any errors that appear in this document. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Minicom Advanced Systems Limited. © 2003 Minicom Advanced Systems Limited. All rights reserved. Trademarks PS/2 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER 2. Introduction The CAT5 Smart KVM Extender (KVM Extender) system from Minicom is an advanced KVM switch that performs the following functions: • Extends KVM control over a computer* up to a distance of 110m / 360ft • Gives 2 users at 2 workstations control of 1 computer* • A 2-port KVM Switch for 1 or 2 users * Wherever the word ‘computer’ appears in this guide it can equally refer to a KVM switch. 3. The system components The KVM Extender system consists of the following: • Transmitter • Receiver • 3 in 1 CPU cable • 1 Power adapter for the Receiver A Shielded CAT5 FTP (Foil Shielded Twisted Pair) Solid Wire 2x4x24 AWG cable terminated with RJ-45M connectors connects the KVM Extender system. The Receiver can be up to 110m/360ft away from the Transmitter. This Guide illustrates the KVM Extender system and explains how to install and operate it. 3 USER GUIDE 4. The KVM Extender units The figures below illustrate the Transmitter and Receiver units. Built-in KVM Power connector cables Mouse Monitor 6VDC CPU Side A SYSTEM Side B Keyboard LEDs Figure 1 The 2 Transmitter side panels Select button LEDs POWER CONTROL SELECT Figure 2 The Receiver front panel 4 System cable CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER Computer Keyboard port Computer Monitor port Monitor Keyboard USER COMPUTER Computer Mouse port Mouse Figure 3 The Receiver rear panel Picture adjuster Power connector 6VDC PICTURE SYSTEM System cable Figure 4 The Receiver side panel 5. Pre-installation instructions Disconnect all computers from the electrical power supply. Place cables away from fluorescent lights, air conditioners, and machines that are likely to generate electrical noise. 5 USER GUIDE 6. The KVM Extender cables The Transmitter comes with built-in KVM cables that connect to the computer’s Video card, Mouse and Keyboard ports. The 3 in 1 CPU cable The 3 in 1 CPU cable –illustrated below – is only used when the Receiver connects to a computer. The cable connects to the Computer section of the Receiver rear panel, see Figure 3. Figure 5 The 3 in 1 CPU cable 7. Power supply Connect the Receiver to the power supply with the Power adapter and Power cord provided. The Transmitter receives its power from the connected computer and does not generally need an external power supply. However, when cascading Smart Extenders, some of the Transmitters need an external power supply. Use a Minicom Power adapter p/n 5PS20025. The power supply specifications are: Regulated 6VDC 2 Amp, minus on internal pin . Cascading is discussed on page 17. 6 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER 8. The KVM Extender as an extender Extend the KVM workstation from the computer up to a distance of 110m/360ft. To use the KVM Extender as an extender, connect the system as in Figure 6. P110 Transmitter To System port CAT5 To User Mouse port SMART CAT5 FTP cable Extender MINICOM To User Monitor port www.minicom.com Computer CAT5 To System port SD To Keyboard port To wall socket Ω DESKPRO To User Keyboard port 6VDC Up to 110m / 360ft TRANSMITTER SD To Video card Power adapter To Power port SMART Extender To Mouse port Figure 6 The KVM Extender as an extender 7 MINICOM RECEIVER www.minicom.com Receiver USER GUIDE 9. Giving 2 users access to 1 computer To give 2 users access to 1 computer connect the system as in Figure 7. The connections are the same as in Figure 6, with the addition of a KVM workstation for user 2. Access to the computer is on a first-come-first-served basis. P110 SD User 2 P110 SD User 1 To Monitor port CAT5 FTP cable CAT5 SMART Up to 110m / 360ft Extender To Mouse port TRANSMITTER MINICOM 6VDC To Keyboard port www.minicom.com Transmitter CAT5 SMART SD Extender DESKPRO Ω MINICOM RECEIVER www.minicom.com Receiver Computer Figure 7 Giving 2 users access to 1 computer 8 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER 10. The KVM Extender as a 2-port KVM Switch Figure 8 illustrates the system connected to 2 computers and 2 workstations. User 1 can access his local computer or the remote computer. User 2 can only access his local computer. The connections are the same as in Figure 7, with the addition of the 3 in 1 CPU cable that connects a 2nd computer to the Receiver. P110 SD User 2 P110 SD User 1 To Computer Monitor port To Computer Mouse port CAT5 SMART CAT5 FTP cable Extender Up to 110m / 360ft TRANSMITTER To Computer Keyboard port 6VDC MINICOM www.minicom.com Transmitter CAT5 SMART SD Extender DESKPRO Ω MINICOM RECEIVER Computer Computer www.minicom.com Receiver SD Ω DESKPRO To Keyboard port 3 in 1 CPU cable To Video card To Mouse port Figure 8 As a 2-port KVM Switch The option in Figure 8 can also work with only 1 user workstation connected at the Receiver. There is another configuration diagram on the last page of this Guide, and more on the Marketing & Documentation CD. 9 USER GUIDE 11. Operating the KVM Extender Once the system is connected there are 2 ways to switch between the 2 computers / KVM workstations. • On the Receiver press the Select button • On the keyboard press Shift followed by + or -. Or When the Receiver works at its computer, its Control LED is off. When the Receiver controls the Transmitter computer its LED is on. The Receiver’s LED blinks when the Transmitter controls its own computer. At the Transmitter its Control LED remains off unless the Receiver is working on the Transmitter computer. Adjusting the picture When the Receiver has control of the Transmitter’s computer, adjust the picture quality where necessary using a small flat screwdriver to turn the Picture adjuster located on the Receiver’s rear panel. See Figure 4. Timeout When there are 2 workstations in the system you can gain control at each workstation when the other workstation is idle for 2 seconds. This timeout period can be altered in the settings mode to between 1-99 seconds, as explained below. 10 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER Locking KVM control When there are 2 users using the system, either user can override the Timeout feature and retain control indefinitely. Do so by locking the system so that only one user has control. To lock control: On the keyboard press Shift followed by F12. To relinquish control: On the keyboard press Shift followed by Esc. In the settings mode you can disable the lock control function. This is explained in the Settings mode paragraph below. 12. KVM Extender Settings mode Enter the Settings mode to: • Change the hotkey • Change the Timeout period • Enable/disable lock control • Make advanced adjustments • View settings To enter the Settings mode: Press Shift then, F2. Release Shift before pressing F2. All 3 keyboard LEDs glow when in the Settings mode. 11 USER GUIDE Changing the hotkey You can change the hotkey from Shift to Alt or Ctrl. Once changed, all references in this Guide to Shift now refer to the new hotkey. To change the hotkey in the Settings mode: To Alt Ctrl Shift Type the letters HA HC HS Changing the Timeout period To change the Timeout period in the Settings mode: Press T followed by a 2-digit time period of between 01-99 seconds. The 3 keyboard LEDs blink and the new setting is now functional. Enabling/disabling lock control By default both users can lock control. You can disable the lock control function. To disable lock control type DL. To enable lock control type EL. 12 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER Making advanced adjustments The KVM Extender operates with: • Windows, Linux, Novell or UNIX systems • 2 or 3 or 5 button PS/2 mouse, Intellimouse or Wheel mouse When connected and switched on as set out above, the KVM Extender automatically operates with the computer and mouse types connected to it. Replacing a computer When a computer is replaced with a different computer type while the KVM Extender is in use, we recommend turning the new computer off before connecting it to the KVM Extender. When turning the computers off is inconvenient, do the following: In the Settings mode adjust the KVM Extender keyboard and mouse modes to be compatible with the new computer. See the tables below. 13 USER GUIDE Keyboard settings when replacing a computer For Type the letters PC (Windows, Linux, Novell) PC UNIX console mode UC UNIX graphics mode UG Set the keyboard mode setting to: • PC when operating Intel based computers. • UC when operating UNIX computers in console mode. • UG when operating UNIX computers in graphics mode. Mouse driver settings when replacing a computer For Type the letters Wheel mouse or Intellimouse IN 2 or 3 button mouse PS 5-button mouse EP 14 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER Set the mouse setting to IN when the computer has an operating system that supports Wheel mouse functionality: (Windows 98 and Linux*). Set the mouse setting to PS when the computer has an operating system that does not support Wheel mouse functionality: (Windows 95, NT4, DOS, Linux*, UNIX and Novell). *Depending on the version. Set the mouse setting to EP when the computer has an operating system that supports Explorer mouse functionality: (Windows – ME, 2000, and XP). Replacing a mouse type When a mouse is replaced with a different mouse type (not necessarily a different mouse) while the KVM Extender is in use, press and hold the Select button for more than 5 seconds. Release the Select button after your monitor blinks once. 15 USER GUIDE Viewing the settings View the settings and firmware revision in any text editor. To view the settings: 1. Before entering to the Settings mode switch the keyboard layout to English. 2. Open any text editor, e.g. Notepad. 3. Press Shift, followed by F2 to enter the Settings mode. 4. Press F. The settings appear in the text editor. Exiting the Settings mode To save changes and exit the Settings mode: Press Esc. 16 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER 13. Cascading Smart Extenders Cascade two or more Smart Extenders to get more than one remote workstation working from one computer. One possible configuration is shown on the diagram below. Smart Extender Transm itter 1 Smart Extender Transmitter 2 SM ART SYS TE M CAT 5 SYS TE M C AT 5 SM ART M IN ICO M www. minicom .com TRANSM ITTER TRAN SM ITTER M IN ICO M ww w.mi ni com .com 6VD C Extender 6VD C Extender P ower Supply +6VDC 2A To W all Socket CAT5 Cable CAT5 Cable Remote W orkstation 2 Remote Workstation 1 S D P 1 1 0 S D P 1 1 0 C OM PU T ER U SER USE R CA T5 PIC TU R E PIC TU R E Extender SMART Extender S YST EM SY ST EM 6VD C 6VD C M INICO M RECEIVER Power Supply w ww.m inicom .com Pow er Supply SE LE CT +6VDC 2A C OM PU T ER C AT 5 SM ART +6VDC 2A Smart Extender Receiver 2 To W all Socket M IN ICO M RECEIVER ww w.m inicom .com SEL EC T Smart Extender Receiver 1 To W all Socket Figure 9 Cascading Smart extenders 17 USER GUIDE Transmitter Power adapter To ensure mouse and keyboard functionality when cascading, connect an external Minicom Power adapter +6VDC 2A (P/N 5PS20025) and Power cord (P/N 5CB60431) to the second Transmitter unit. See Figure 9 above. Switching on Switch the system on in the following order: 1. The second Smart Extender Transmitter unit 2. The rest of the system, including the shared computer. 18 CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER 14. Technical specifications System System cable Maximum distance Mouse support: Operating systems Screen resolution Operating temperature Storage temperature Cables Connectors Dimensions Weight Shipping weight Power supply CAT5 FTP cable 2x4x24 AWG Solid Wire 110m/360ft 2 or 3 or 5 button PS/2, Wheelmouse DOS, Windows (3x, 9x, 2000, NT, ME, XP), Novell, Linux, UNIX, HP UX, QNX, SGI, FreeBSD, BeOS, Open VMS Up to 1600X1200 @ 75Hz (depends on cable length) 0°C to 50°C -40°C to 70°C Transmitter Receiver Built-in KVM VGA – HDD15M Keyboard – MiniDin6M Mouse – MiniDin6M System – RJ45 85 x 113 x 25mm/ 0.28 x 0.37 x 0.08ft 3 in 1 CPU VGA – HDD15F Keyboard – MiniDin6F Mouse – MiniDin6F System - RJ45 85 x 49 x 25mm/ 0.28 x 0.49 x 0.08ft 380g 1.70 Kg From computer keyboard External power 5V 220mA adapter 6VDC 2A 19 USER GUIDE 15. KVM Extender configuration In Figure 10 the KVM Extender system is connected to a KVM Switch and computer rack. User 1 can access his local computer or the computer rack through the KVM Switch. User 2 can access the computer rack through the KVM Switch. SD P110 User 2 SD User 1 SYSTEM CAT5 cable Extender USER CAT5 SMART COMPUTER P110 PICTURE CAT5 SMART Extender 6VDC 6VDC SYSTEM MINICOM TRANSMITTER www.minicom.com Transmitter MINICOM RECEIVER www.minicom.com SELE CT Receiver KVM Switch SERIAL MOUSE STATION 2 COMPUTER 5 COMPUTER 6 COMPUTER 7 COMPUTER 8 COMPUTER 1 COMPUTER 2 COMPUTER 3 COMPUTER 4 SD POWER KB PS/2 MOUSE SCREEN DESKPRO Ω ProLiant DL360 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI ProLiant DL360 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI ProLiant DL360 Computer rack 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI ProLiant DL360 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI ProLiant DL360 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI ProLiant DL360 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI 9.1 - GB 10k ULTRA2 SCSI Figure 10 KVM Extender with a KVM switch 20 21