Adder Technology ADD0038-1 User Manual

About this manual

SmartView XPro - Installation and Use
First edition (April 2001) (c) 2001 Adder Technology Ltd.
Part No. ADD0038/1 www.addertec.com

All rights reserved. Whilst every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this
manual, Adder Technology Ltd assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information
contained herein. We reserve the right to change the specifications, functions and
circuitry of the product without notice. All trademarks acknowledged.

Safety information

For use in dry, oil free indoor environments only.
Do not attempt to service the SmartView XPro yourself.
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the SmartView XPro, its power

adapter and its accessories.

Warning - live parts contained within power adapter.
No user serviceable parts within power adapter - do not dismantle.
Plug the power adapter into a socket outlet close to the SmartView XPro.
Replace the power adapter with a manufacturer approved type only.
Do not use power adapter if power adapter case becomes damaged, cracked or

broken or if you suspect that it is not operating properly.

If you use a power extension cord with the SmartView XPro, make sure the total

ampere rating of the devices plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the
cord’s ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total ampere rating of all the
devices plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the wall outlet’s ampere
rating.

Warranty

Adder Technology Ltd warrants that this product shall be free from defects in
workmanship and materials for a period of XXXX years from the date of original
purchase. If the product should fail to operate correctly in normal use during the
warranty period, Adder will replace or repair it free of charge. No liability can be

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accepted for damage due to misuse or circumstances outside Adder’s control. Also
Adder will not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury arising directly or
indirectly from the use of this product. Adder’s total liability under the terms of this
warranty shall in all circumstances be limited to the replacement value of this
product. If any difficulty is experienced in the installation or use of this product that
you are unable to resolve, please contact your supplier.

Radio Frequency Energy

Shielded cables must be used with this equipment to maintain compliance with radio
frequency energy emission regulations and ensure a suitably high level of immunity
to electromagnetic disturbances.

European EMC directive 89/336/EEC

This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a class B computing
device in accordance with the specifications in
the European standard EN55022. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference. 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 or television
reception. However, there is no guarantee that
harmful interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause
interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the
equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to
correct the interference with one or more of the
following measures: (a) Reorient or relocate the
receiving antenna. (b) Increase the separation
between the equipment and the receiver. (c)
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is
connected. (d) Consult the supplier or an
experienced radio / TV technician for help.

FCC Compliance Statement (United States)

This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and if not installed and
used properly, that is, in strict accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause
interference to radio communication. It has been
tested and found to comply with the limits for a
class A computing device in accordance with the
specifications in Subpart J of part 15 of FCC
rules, which are designed to provide reasonable
protection against such interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area may cause interference, in
which case the user at his own expense will be
required to take whatever measures may be
necessary to correct the interference. Changes
or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications
RFI statement

This equipment does not exceed the class A
limits for radio noise emissions from digital
apparatus set out in the radio interference
regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de
bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la
classe A prescrites dans le règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectriques publié par le
ministère des Communications du Canada.

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Contents

1. Introduction.................................................................................... 5

1.1 Key features and benefits ......................................................................6

1.2 SmartView XPro package contents........................................................7

1.3 AdderLink XR receiver package contents..............................................8

1.4 AdderLink Gold XR receiver package contents ..................................... 8

1.5 Product information ...............................................................................9

2. Installation...................................................................................... 13

2.1 What you will need ................................................................................13

2.2 Mounting the SmartView .......................................................................15

2.3 Connecting your devices .......................................................................15

2.4 Configuring your PCs ............................................................................17

2.5 Structuring your SmartView XPro installation ........................................17

2.6 Maximising the video quality ................................................................. 22

2.7 Other useful installation information ......................................................23

2.8 Re-enabling a disconnected PS/2 mouse .............................................23

2.9 Hot plugging the SmartView into running systems and re-enabling

disconnected PS/2 CPU mouse connections .............................................. 24

3. Configuring the SmartView .......................................................... 26

3.1 Configuration summary..........................................................................26

3.2 Enabling password security ...................................................................27

3.3 Setting an ADMIN password..................................................................29

3.4 Creating and editing user accounts .......................................................29

3.5 Creating and editing computer names................................................... 29

3.6 Setting the SETUP OPTIONS and GLOBAL PREFERENCES..............33

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4. Using the SmartView XPro ........................................................... 39

4.1 Rear panel special function switches.....................................................39

4.2 Power supply connections and indicators .............................................39

4.3 USER display and key switch ................................................................ 39

4.4 COMPUTER display and key switch...................................................... 40

4.5 Activity indicators ..................................................................................41

4.6 Selecting a computer using the front panel controls..............................41

4.7 Logging on to the SmartView XPro........................................................43

4.8 Keyboard hotkeys .................................................................................43

4.9 Selecting computers using the mouse................................................... 46

4.10 Selecting computers using the on-screen menu..................................47

4.11 The reminder banner ...........................................................................49

4.12 Setting the USER PREFERENCES.....................................................50

4.13 Using the FUNCTIONS menu..............................................................51

4.14 Using the dual access ports (1 and 3) .................................................51

4.15 Cascading SmartViews .......................................................................52

4.16 Resetting user port keyboards and mice ............................................. 53

4.17 Using the AdderLink extender .............................................................53

4.18 What to do if you forget your ADMIN password ..................................54

5. Upgrading the SmartView's firmware ......................................... 55

Appendices

A - Cable and connector specifications................................................................60

B - Problem solving ..............................................................................................63

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1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Adder SmartView XPro. Your SmartView XPro is a
very high performance Keyboard, Video monitor and Mouse (KVM) sharing device
which supports a wide range of PC hardware and software platforms. The
SmartView XPro supports multiple users and enables each user to independently
access the connected computers.

An On-Screen-Display (OSD) menu system is provided for easy computer selection
and control. This enables users to select computers by name or description without
having to remember the port that the computer is physically connected to. The OSD
menu system also provides a security structure that enables the system
administrator to allocate access rights to each user on a login basis.

SmartView XPro products are fitted with one (2XPro) or two (4XPro) dual access
user ports. These dual access ports have both traditional KVM connectors for local
keyboard, monitor and mouse connections and an RJ45 link for connection to a
remote AdderLink extender unit. This gives the user the ability to connect to the
SmartView from up to 200 metres away using common twisted pair network cable
whilst still having the ability to access the SmartView using a local KVM console.

We trust that you will be delighted with the function of your new SmartView XPro.
We are always interested to hear any suggestions that you may have for additional
features or functionality (email to: [e-mail]). Product enhancement
upgrades are provided free of charge during the warranty period and may be
obtained by request from www.addertec.com. Some of the main features and
benefits that are offered by your SmartView XPro are listed in section 1.1

Adder explains:

What does KVM stand for?

Throughout this manual the abbreviation KVM is used to refer to the combination of
a Keyboard, Video monitor and Mouse that is used to access a computer. A KVM
console usually consists of a keyboard, monitor and mouse although sometimes
only a keyboard and monitor may be used. Devices such as the SmartView XPro are
generally known as KVM sharers or KVM switches.

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1.1 Key features and benefits

Enables many computers to be independently controlled by multiple users.
On-screen menu allows computers to be selected by name or description.
Configurable security enables administrator to assign access rights to users.
Dual-access port(s) with built-in 200 metre AdderLink extender connections

enable the SmartView to be controlled from local and remote KVM consoles.

Two independent users are supported on 2XPro models via one local KVM port

and one dual-access local / remote KVM port.

Four independent users are supported on 4XPro models via two local KVM ports

and two dual-access local / remote KVM ports.
Channel switching by On-Screen Display, front panel key, keyboard hotkey, or 3

button mouse.
Supports high bandwidth monitors at resolutions up to 1900 x 1440.
Fully flash upgradeable via the serial port.
Supports a very wide range of software including Windows 3.X, WFWG, 95, 98,

2000, NT, ME, DOS, Unix, Linux, NetWare, OS/2, BSD etc.
Video channels support Display Data Channel (DDC/DDC1/DDC2) signalling.
Supports desktop and laptop PCs, RS6000s, DEC Alphas, and Silicon Graphics

computers.

Dual power supply capability and front panel "healthy voltage" indicators provide

power redundancy, high reliability and peace of mind.

Support for up to 16 user access profiles and 512 named computers.
The colours and position of the OSD menu may be changed by each user.
Optional small-sized reminder window permanently confirms the selected

computer.

Compact 1U (2XPro) and 2U (4XPro) cases may be neatly fitted under a monitor

or fixed into a 19 inch rack using the supplied rack-mount kit.
SmartBoot ensures reliable simultaneous bootup of all computers.

SmartView XPro Installation and Use Page 6

Mixed AT/PS2 keyboards and PS2/RS232 mice supported as standard.
Can be cascaded to a depth of four levels to provide a video switching network.
Automatically restores keyboard and mouse states when channel changed.
Supports keyboard modes 1,2 and 3 and mouse prompt and stream modes for

maximum compatibility.
Includes screen saver, auto-scan, variable hotkey, name search options.
Positive confirmation of selected ports on local and cascaded SmartViews

achieved by full acknowledgement signalling across all cascaded units.
Supports Microsoft IntelliMouse and other common wheel mice.
Supports keyboards with extra Internet and audio function keys.
Mouse restoration functions to enable ‘hot plugging’ of certain systems.
Front panel controls may be locked for secure operation.
Individual power-down reset of user ports enables hot-swapping of KVM consoles.
Standard colour-coded cable connections make installation easy and inexpensive.

1.2 SmartView XPro package contents

SmartView XPro.
Power supply suitable for your country.
6 x stick on self-adhesive rubber feet.
2 x mounting brackets for fixing the unit into a 19 inch rack.
4 x screws for fixing mounting brackets to SmartView Pro

(6 screws supplied with SV4XPro12 and SV4XPro16 models)

This installation guide.
A serial cable for flash upgrades and upload / download functions.

SmartView XPro Installation and Use Page 7

1.3 AdderLink XR receiver package contents
(part code XXXXX)

AdderLink XR receiver.
Power supply suitable for your country.
Installation and Use guide

1.4 AdderLink Gold XR receiver package contents
(part code XXXXX)

AdderLink Gold XR receiver.
Power supply suitable for your country.
Installation and Use guide.

SmartView XPro Installation and Use Page 8

1.5 Product information

Fig. 1 - SmartView 2XPro and 4XPro models viewed from the front

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Fig. 2 - SmartView 2XPro8 and 4XPro 16 models viewed from the rear (2XPro4

and 4XPro12 models are similar but with less computer ports)

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Fig. 3 - AdderLink XR (top) and AdderLink Gold (below) XR receiver units

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Fig. 4 - Mounting the AdderLink into its 19 inch rack mounting bracket

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2. Installation

Adder explains:

Flexible configuration

The SmartView XPro has many ports for connection to computers, keyboards, mice,
monitors and AdderLink extenders. There are no restrictions placed upon on which
ports are connected to devices and you can leave any of the ports disconnected if
you wish. You do not need to connect a keyboard, monitor and mouse to each user
port if you do not wish to use all of these. You may perhaps decide to connect just a
keyboard and monitor or you may decide to connect to just one user port. All of
these configurations are supported. What's more, your devices do not all need to be
of the same type. You may wish to use a large high-resolution monitor with an
extended keyboard and a wheel mouse on one user port and a smaller monitor with
a basic mouse and keyboard on another. The SmartView XPro intelligently handles
these mixtures of devices.

2.1 What you will need

For the computer connections you will need:

Cables to connect the SmartView XPro to each of your computer keyboard, video

and mouse ports. Cable specifications are given in appendix A. Adder 3-in-1
keyboard / video / mouse combination cables are particularly recommended for
neatness, convenience and video quality. (You do not need to connect a mouse
cable if you are not using the mouse).

A suitable mouse driver for your PCs. Supported types are:

- PS/2 or RS232 two button mouse driver (any manufacturer).

- Microsoft mouse driver (including IntelliMouse).

- Logitech mouse driver (including two button, three button and wheel mouse).

- General mouse drivers that are supplied with the operating system.

SmartView XPro Installation and Use Page 13

For the local user port connections you will need:

A monitor with a standard VGA-style 15-pin analogue video connector that will

work when connected directly to each of your PCs. SmartView XPro supports low
and high resolution monitors.

An PS/2 or AT style keyboard. If you are using an AT keyboard with a 5-pin

connector you may connect this to the SmartView XPro using a standard AT to PS/2
keyboard adapter. SmartView XPro supports standard keyboards and keyboards
with extra media control and Internet navigation keys.

A PS/2 style two or three button Microsoft or Logitech compatible mouse or a

Microsoft IntelliMouse compatible mouse. If you wish to use the mouse to switch the
SmartView's channel then you will need a three button mouse or an IntelliMouse.

(The SmartView supports ‘Internet / scroll mice’ that are compatible with the

Microsoft IntelliMouse. These are fitted with a wheel or other scroll control and
sometimes have additional buttons. Examples are: Microsoft IntelliMouse, Logitech
Pilot Mouse+, Logitech MouseMan+, Genius NetMouse and Genius NetMouse Pro.)

For the integrated AdderLink extender ports you will need:

An AdderLink XR or AdderLink Gold XR receiver. These receivers are not

provided with the SmartView XPro and may be purchased separately. The
AdderLink transmitter unit is built in to the SmartView XPro.

A suitable twisted pair cable that runs from the SmartView XPro to the location

where you wish to locate your remote keyboard, video monitor and mouse. The
SmartView XPro's built-in extender uses the same type of cable that is commonly
used for Ethernet networks. This type of wiring is often installed into buildings and
terminated at wiring sockets in various locations. If you have this type of wiring then
you will just need to run a standard network-style patch cable between the wiring
socket and the SmartView XPro at one end and between the wiring socket and the
AdderLink extender at the other end.

SmartView XPro Installation and Use Page 14

Use of PS/2 and RS232 style mice with the SmartView - All of the mouse

connections from SmartView to PCs support either a PS/2 or an RS232 mouse.
SmartView automatically converts from the PS/2 mouse commands to RS232 serial
mouse commands. Serial mice types are selected by using an adapter as described
in Appendix A. The SmartView will operate without a mouse connected if you do not
wish to use one.

2.2 Mounting the SmartView

The SmartView XPro has been designed to be used either on a desktop or mounted
in a 19 inch rack. If the SmartView is to be used on a desktop then you will need to
stick the supplied self-adhesive rubber feet to the underside of the SmartView. If the
SmartView is to be mounted in a 19 inch rack then you will need to fit the rack
mounting brackets to the side of the SmartView. Do this using the brackets and
screws provided.

2.3 Connecting your devices

Ensure that the power is disconnected from the SmartView and all devices which are
to be attached. Connect any local keyboards, monitors and mice to the user port
connectors at the rear of the SmartView (see figure 2). The user ports are coloured
white and the individual connectors are colour coded for your convenience. If you
are connecting several KVM (Keyboard, Video monitor, Mouse) sets then you do not
need to use the same brands or mix of devices on each user port.

User ports 1 and 3 are dual access ports and may have both a local KVM
(connected directly) and a remote KVM (connected via and AdderLink extender)
attached at the same time. The local and remote KVMs share the port on a timeout
basis but only one KVM may be using the port at any one time. If you are not using
all the local KVM connections it is preferable to connect the KVMs to ports that are
not shared with the AdderLink so that these KVMs have fully independent access to
the SmartView.

Next connect each computer system unit in turn with the keyboard cable, mouse
cable and video cable. Adder 3-in-1 keyboard/video/mouse cables are
recommended for maximum convenience and video quality. Remember that the
video quality is maximised if the cables are kept as short as possible. Where
possible, 2 metre cables are recommended as these will give very high video quality.

SmartView XPro Installation and Use Page 15

Any unused computer connections can be left unconnected. To connect computers
with serial mouse connections and AT style keyboard connections use the adapters
specified in appendix A. If you have an existing 6-pin mini-DIN to 9-pin serial adapter
that came with a mouse it may not be suitable for use with the SmartView as the are
several different standard wiring configurations for these adapters. Suitable serial
adapters are supplied in Adder's AT cable kits (part codes VKVM-2M-AT, VKVM­5M-AT and VKVM-10M-AT - see appendix A)

The SmartView is now ready for connection to the mains using the mains power
adapter supplied. It is important to apply power to the SmartView first, then power on
the monitor and each of the computers in turn. Failure to switch the SmartView and
computers on in the correct order can lead to the mouse and/or keyboard not being
recognised by the computers when they are switched on.

You may attach the power adapter to either power inlet A or power inlet B (see
figure 2). There ports are both the same and are provided to enable you to connect
a redundant (spare) power supply (see section 4.2 for more details). Connect your
power adapter to either of the power inlet ports to power on the SmartView XPro.
There is no ON/OFF switch and the SmartView will start to operate as soon as the
power is applied.

SmartView XPro Installation and Use Page 16

2.4 Configuring your PCs

Configure your PC in the same way that you would if your keyboard, mouse and
monitor were all connected directly to your PC, but bearing in mind the following
point:

SmartView emulates Microsoft compatible serial, IntelliMouse and PS/2 mice, so

ensure that your PC software is configured for a Microsoft mouse of the correct type.
Refer to the list of supported drivers in section 2.1.

2.5 Structuring your SmartView XPro installation

A single SmartView XPro16 may be used to manage and control up to 16 computers
(see figure 5). For larger numbers of computers, XPro units may be cascaded in a
tree structure to form a video switching network (see figure 6). The SmartView unit
at the top of this tree structure is normally used to control all the cascaded
SmartViews although other configurations possible.

The SmartView XPro is fitted with an intelligent communication system that enables
it to detect and communicate with other SmartViews so that it is able to positively
verify that all the cascaded SmartViews have correctly responded to a switching
request from the user. The SmartViews communicate with each other via the
keyboard cables.

SmartView XPros may be cascaded in a very flexible manner. Either 1, 2, 3 or 4
links may be made between cascaded SmartViews. The number of independent
users supported by the system is determined by the number of cascade links that
have been installed. If only two cascade links are made then only two users have
simultaneous access to ports on the cascaded SmartViews. The SmartView
intelligently manages the cascade links and allocates them on a first come first
served basis rather like a telephone network.

SmartView XPros may also be cascaded to single user SmartView Pro products with
the restriction that the SmartView Pro units must be on the last layer of the tree and
that no further units are cascaded off these.

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When cascading SmartView XPros keep in mind the following rules

The maximum number of layers in a SmartView XPros cascade is four.

You may cascade 4XPro units with 1, 2, 3 or 4 KVM links and 2XPro units with 1

or 2 KVM links. The number of KVM links that you install defines the number of
simultaneous uses that are supported.

Keep all cascade cables as short as possible. The video quality is maximised by

using the shortest possible total cable run from computer to KVM.

If you are making multiple cascade links between SmartView XPros then ensure

that the cables are approximately the same length.

SmartView Pro devices may be cascaded to XPro cascades but the Pro units

must always be on the lowest level of the cascade (in other words you must not
cascade an XPro device off a Pro device)

SmartView XPro 4, XPro 8, XPro 12 and XPro 16 models may be cascaded

together.

You must choose groups of cascade ports from the following table. When you

cascade using a group of ports the system will allocate the first available free port in
that group (see section 4.10 and 4.15 for more details)

SmartView XPro Installation and Use Page 18

The following diagrams show some typical SmartView XPro installations.

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Fig. 5 - A typical installation using a single SmartView XPro 8

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