Apex EL-80DTF, EL-80DT, EL-480DT, EL-80DC, EL-280DT User Manual
...
User Guide
EL-40DT/EL-80DT/EL-80DTF
EL-280DT/EL-480DT
EL-80DC
EL-100DT
Innovation & Technology by Design
APEX
PC SOLUTIONS
™
OutLook User Guide
© 1998 Apex PC Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fourth Edition August 1998
Printed in the United States of America
Apex Part Number 053-0074-00
The information in this guide is subject to change without notice.
Apex PC Solutions shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions
contained herein; nor is it liable for incidental or consequential damages resulting
from the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective companies. PC/AT, PS/2, RS/6000 and IBM are
registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Sun
Microsystems and Sun Sparc are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
OutLook and OSCAR are registered trademarks and the Apex logo is a trademark
of Apex PC Solutions, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Various
aspects of OutLook and its OSCAR interface are protected by United States patent
number 5721842.
Apex PC Solutions Inc
20031 142nd Ave NE
Woodinville WA 98072
USA
Tel 425 402-9393
Fax 425 402-9494
E-mail info@apexpc.com
Web http://www.apexpc.com
2
Technical Support
Along with your OutLook switch, you receive a variety of support services
to give you the results you need quickly and professionally.
Where to go for assistance
Visit our web site for the latest technical information
and to download upgrades www.apexpc.com
Contact your distributor or reseller
E-mail Apex Technical Support service@apexpc.com
Phone Apex Technical Support Monday through Friday between
7 am and 6 pm Pacific Time 800 861-5858
What information you need to provide to Apex Technical Support
Unit model number and serial number.
Make and model of keyboard and mouse attached to the unit.
These numbers are on the underside of each unit.
Make and model of computers used.
Name and version of operating systems used.
3
Communications Regulation Information
ENGLISH
Federal Communications Notice
(Class A Equipment)
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
interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment.
Radio 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
communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely
to cause harmful interference, in which
case the user will be required to
correct the interference at personal
expense.
DOC Class A Compliance
This digital apparatus does not exceed
the Class A limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus as set
out in the interference-causing
equipment standard entitled “Digital
Apparatus,” ICES-003 of the Department of Communications.
FRANÇAIS
Observation des normes—Classe A
Cet appariel numérique respecte les
limites de bruits radioélectriques
applicables aux appariels numérique
de Classe A prescrites dans la norme
sur le matériel brouilleur: “Appariels
Numérique,” NMB-003 édictée par le
ministre des Communications.
DEUTSCH
BZT Hinweis
Hiermit wird bescheinigt, daß dieses
Gerät in Übereinstimmung mit den
Bestimmugen der BMPT-AmtsblVfg
243/1991 funk-entstört ist. Der
vorschriftsmäßige Betrieb mancher
Gerät (z.B. Meßsender) kann allerdings
gewissen Einschränkungen
unterliegen. Beachten Sie deshalb die
Hinweise in der Bedienungsanleitung.
Dem Bundesamt für Zulassungen in
der Telekommunikation wurde das
Inverkehrbringen dieses Geräts
angezeigt und die Berechtigung zur
Überprüfung der Serie auf die
Einhaltung der Bestimmugen
eingeräumt.
4
Limited Warranty
Apex PC Solutions warrants that the
Outlook Switch (Product) will be free
from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service
for a period of one year from the date
of receipt. Any implied warranty on
the switch is limited to one year.
Customer Remedies
Apex PC Solutions’ entire liability and
your exclusive remedy shall be, at
Apex’s option, either (a) return of the
price paid or (b) repair or replacement
of the Product that does not meet
Apex’s Limited Warranty and which is
returned to Apex with a copy of your
receipt.
VOID IF FAILURE OF THE PRODUCT
HAS RESULTED FROM ACCIDENT,
ABUSE, OR MISAPPLICATION.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS
Any
replacement Product will be warranted
for the remainder of the original
warranty period or six months,
whichever is longer.
No Other Warranties
APEX PC SOLUTIONS DISCLAIMS ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT AND
THE ACCOMPANYING PRODUCT
MANUAL AND WRITTEN MATERIALS.
This Limited Warranty gives you
specific rights, and you may have other
rights which vary from state to state.
No Liability For Consequential
Damages
IN NO EVENT SHALL APEX PC SOLUTIONS BE LIABLE FOR ANY OTHER
DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR
LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS
INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY
LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR
INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT,
EVEN IF APEX PC SOLUTIONS HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES. IN ANY CASE, APEX
PC SOLUTIONS’ ENTIRE LIABILITY
UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE LIMITED TO
THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY PAID BY YOU
FOR THE PRODUCT.
5
CONTENTS
APEX OUTLOOK SWITCHES
1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Illustrations of Switch Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Model Comparison Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installation Check List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Your OutLook switch package contains. . . . 15
You need to provide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Save your OutLook switch package. . . . . . . 15
Select switch connection mode for
EL-280DT/EL-480DT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Select location for the
OutLook switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Connecting the Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Standard connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Special connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Remote connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Sequence of cable connection. . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting the Primary Switch to a
Secondary Switch (Tiering). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Tiered configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Adding a secondary switch while
the system is running . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Port numbering scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Connecting the Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Adding a computer while
the system is running . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Turning On the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Startup sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Startup behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
6
3 OPERATION GUIDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Navigating with OSCAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Operate with keyboard
and mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Using the Print Screen key . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
OSCAR Selection screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
OSCAR Advanced Menus screen. . . . . . . . . 37
Selecting Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Assigning Unique Names to Computers . . . . . 39
Changing Menu Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Changing Status Flag Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Scanning the Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Broadcasting Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Broadcasting to tiered configurations . . . . . 47
Securing Server Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Displaying Version Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Saving the Hardware Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Resetting the Mouse and Keyboard . . . . . . . . . 54
Assigning Specific Device Types . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Adjusting the Video Impedance Value . . . . . . . 56
Your video board version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Impedance values in tiered systems . . . . . . 57
APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
A Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
B Options and Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
C Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
D Firmware Upgrade Instructions. . . . . . . . . 64
E Connector Pin Specifications . . . . . . . . . . 66
F Optional Rackmounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
G Setting OutLook DIP Switches . . . . . . . . . 68
7
8
APEX OUTLOOK SWITCHES
INTRODUCTION
1
OVERVIEW
Apex PC Solutions offers the
OutLook
enable you to control large computer networks using a single
keyboard, monitor, and mouse. On
a single video screen, you can
select as many as 100 computers
running different operating systems. The OutLook switch patented
On-Screen Configuration and
Activity Reporting (OSCAR)
interface has intuitive menus for
accessing each attached computer.
Computers can be identified by
name or number, enabling you to
view and select server names that
make sense to you.
A typical OutLook switch system
consists of the console (monitor,
keyboard, and mouse), the switch
unit, and the attached computers.
You can choose from a single-user
system or a multiple-user system.
The OutLook family includes
switches specifically designed for
use in telecommunications systems,
financial and trading applications,
and Sun/Unix networks. Additional
OutLook switches can be connected
to the primary OutLook switch,
called tiering, to increase computer
access from 4, 8, or 10 computers
® family of switches to
Overview
Features
Illustrations of Switch Systems
Model Comparison Chart
to as many as 16, 64, or 100
computers. Tiering allows you to
modify your OutLook switch
system, as your network system
needs change.
Switching between computers is
accomplished by typing a command at the keyboard. The selected
computer receives characters typed
at the keyboard and displays its
video output on the monitor. You
can also use the mouse to interact
with the graphic interface of the
selected computer.
The OutLook family of products is
available in 4, 8, and 10-port
versions and can be used in various
configurations to accommodate
large or small systems. All versions
are packaged in space-efficient 1-U
height (1.75-in) or 2-U (3.5-in)
cases for desktop or rack-mounted
systems.
Overview
9
FEATURES
1 Introduction
Compatible with major computer
and peripheral devices, including:
• Industry standard PS/2 mouse
and keyboard
• RS/6000 keyboard and mouse
• Computers requiring serial
pointing devices
(Via the Apex PS/2-to-serial port
converter)
• Sun Microsystems workstations
Offers customization and
adaptability to network needs
• Flexible configurations for a
variety of networks
• Adapts easily to changing
network needs
• Integrates computers running
Features
diffferent operating systems
Support standard display
converters and high-resolution
video, specifically:
• Analog VGA, SVGA, and XGA
video
• Maximum resolution of 1024 x
768 for video with a 25-ft video
cable, except for EL-100DT
which has a maximum resolution of 1600 x1200 with a 12-ft
video cable.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
• On-Screen Configuration and
Activity Reporting (OSCAR)
OSCAR displays system-related
information on the monitor,
including power-up test data and
configuration menus.
• Programmable scanning
Lets you observe system default
performance by automatically
switching computers in sequence, or you can set the
sequence and duration for each
computer in the system.
• Nonvolatile memory
Stores system settings and
display options even if the unit
is turned off or unplugged.
• External reset switch
Reinitializes attached devices
without interrupting power to
the system
• External keypad
Can take the place of the
keyboard for switching between
computers.
• Password security feature
Protects network resources by
locking the keyboard and
monitor.
• Sun, RS/6000, HP 9000, and
Apple Macintosh video (using
converters purchased separately).
10
APEX OUTLOOK SWITCHES
ILLUSTRATIONS OF SWITCH SYSTEMS
Single-Switch Systems
Single-user units connecting 4 or 8
computers. Access up to 64 computers
in tiered configurations.
Multiple-user units allowing 2 or 4
users to select up to 8 computers.
Access up to 64 computers in tiered
configurations.
EL-40DT and EL-80DT
EL-280DT and EL-480DT
Illustrations of Switch Systems
EL-80DFT
Single-user unit connecting 8
computers with only keyboard and
mouse switching. Designed for
financial and trading applications.
EL-100DT
Single-user unit connecting up to 10
computers. Access up to 100 Sun
computers in tiered configurations.
Designed for SunUnix networks.
11
1 Introduction
Multiple-Switch or Tiered System
This sample tiered configuration shows
the EL-80DT switch connected to two
secondary EL-80DT switches.
Illustrations of Switch Systems
12
MODEL COMPARISON CHART
Power supply
110/220V AC 110/220V AC 110/220V AC 110/220V AC 48V DC 110/220V AC 110/220V AC
Specific system environment
no no Financial SunUnix Telecom no no
& trading systems
Switch connection mode control
no no no no no yes yes
Switches keyboard, video, mouse
yes yes K & M yes yes yes yes
only
APEX OUTLOOK SWITCHES
Number of tiered computers
32 64 64 100 64 64 64
Number of consoles (monitor, keyboard, mouse)
11K & M1124
only
Number of computer ports
48810888
EL-40DT EL-80DT EL-80DTF EL-100DT EL-80DC EL-280DT EL-480DT
Model Comparison Chart
13
1 Introduction
14
APEX OUTLOOK SWITCHES
INSTALLATION
2
INSTALLATION CHECK LIST
Your OutLook switch package contains
• The OutLook switch main unit
• Its power cord
(not included with EL-80DC)
• This User Guide
• A warranty card
You need to provide
• Interconnecting cables for
video, keyboard, and mouse
Interconnecting and extension
cables may be purchased
separately from Apex.(see
Appendix B Options and
Accessories)
• Your monitor, keyboard, and
mouse for each user console
• Your computers
Installation Checklist
Connecting the Console
Connecting the Primary Switch to a
Secondary Switch (Tiering)
Connecting the Computers
Turning On the System
Installation Checklist
Save your OutLook switch package
Apex ships the OutLook switch in
packaging designed to protect the
system during shipping and
handling. We recommend that you
save the carton and packing
materials until your equipment is
fully installed and operational.
If you should find that anything is
missing or arrived damaged, please
contact Apex PC Technical Support.
If you do need to return the
product, you must get an authorization number from technical
support. Apex PC Solutions will not
accept any returned materials
without first issuing a return
materials authorization number.
15
2 Installation
Select switch connection mode for EL-280DT/EL-480DT
If you have purchased the multiple
user system EL-280DT or EL-480DT,
you must choose which switch
connection mode you perfer, either
cooperative or preemptive. Both
models ship with the factorydefault “cooperative” switch
connection mode. Cooperative
switching maintains established
port connections. If another
console attempts to select that port,
the request is denied. If you want
to change the default setting to
have the switch favor new connections, you need to move the DIP
switch 1 to the “preemptive”
setting. For additional information
and instructions, see Appendix G,
Setting DIP Switches.
Installation Checklist
Select location for the OutLook switch
OutLook switches can be used in
desktop or rackmounted systems.
Rackmount kits are available from
Apex PC Solutions if you would
like to mount your switch in an
EIA-standard 19-inch equipment
rack. Contact your Apex sales
representative for more information
regarding rackmount kits for
specific computers. See Appendix F
for instructions for mounting
brackets that fit EIA-standard
equipment racks.
Maximum Cable Length Distance
for Components
12 ft console to switch
50 ft computer to switch
50 ft switch to switch
Cable length affects video quality as
well as keyboard and mouse data
timing. The maximum length is
determined in part by the computer
and peripherals used. Not all systems
will give satisfactory results at the
maximum length.
16
CONNECTING THE CONSOLE
APEX OUTLOOK SWITCHES
Standard connection
The console consists of the
keyboard, mouse or other pointing
device, and the monitor. The
keyboard and mouse connections
on the back panel of the switch
are 6-pin mini-DIN PS/2 style. The
video connection is HD15-pin
VGA/SVGA style. If the cables on
your keyboard, mouse, or monitor
require different connectors, you
can obtain a converter from Apex
(see Appendix B Options and
Accessories) or from the manufacturer of the device.
Special connections
The EL-100DT OutLook switch
You will need a video cable with
HD13W3 connectors and a keyboard cable with 8-pin mini-DIN
connectors for each computer.
(see Appendix B for cable kits)
IBM RS/6000 and HP 9000
Workstations
When connecting workstations
that use the “composite sync on
green” video option, you must use
the Apex video sync converter
(see Appendix B Options and
Accessories), which converts video
transmission to the more common
“separate sync” and improves
color balance. The video sync
converter must be connected to
both the keyboard and video
cables between the switch and
the workstation.
Sun Microsystems Workstations
Use the Apex Sun-to-PC keyboard
and mouse converter (see Appen-
dix B Options and Accessories) to
convert the video and keyboard
signals from the Sun Microsystems
workstation to PC-compatible
signals. The converter must be
connected to both the keyboard
and video cables between the
switch and the workstation. This
converter is not needed for the
OutLook EL-100DT switch.
Connecting the Console
Remote connection
Systems with External Keypad
The optional Apex external keypad
(see Appendix B Options and
Accessories) allows remote operation of the OutLook switch without
access to the keyboard. The keypad
cable terminates with an RJ45
modular plug that is connected to
the AUX jack on the back panel of
the switch.
17
2 Installation
Sequence of cable connection
You should connect the cables to
the switch in this order:
1 mouse
2 video
3 keyboard
This cable connection sequence is
particularly important later when
you install new devices to your
OutLook system. You can connect a
mouse and/or keyboard to the
OutLook switch when the system is
running. When you connect the
new device, the switch recognizes
the device and configures it to the
settings of the currently selected
computer. This allows you to replace
failed devices without having to
restart the system.
Required Connectors for Switch
ALL MODELS EXCEPT EL-100DT
Mouse 6-pin mini-DIN PS/2 style
Keyboard 6-pin mini-DIN PS/2 style
Monitor HD15-pin VGA/SVGA style
EL-100DT ONLY
If attaching Sun console
Mouse/
Keyboard 8-pin mini-DIN
Monitor HD13W3
If attaching PC console*
Mouse 6-pin mini-DIN PS/2 style
Keyboard 6-pin mini-DIN PS/2 style
Monitor HD15-pin VGA/SVGA style
Save the hardware settings
when you make changes
Whenever you make changes to the
switch system, you should save the
hardware configuration settings. If
you do not save the settings, they will
be lost when power is lost or turned
Connecting the Console
off. To reestablish keyboard and
mouse communication to the switch,
you might have to reboot each computer . For procedure, see in Chapter 3,
Saving the Hardware Settings.
Outlined symbols represent jacks for interconnecting cables
Solid-colored symbols represent jacks for attaching physical devices
*(see table, Enabling Alternate
Connection on EL-100DT, later in this
section)
Maximum Cable Length Distance
for Console
ALL MODELS
12 ft keyboard, monitor, and
If you need longer than 12 foot
connections, contact your Apex sales
representative for information about
SwitchBack®.
mouse extension cables for
console connection
18
APEX OUTLOOK SWITCHES
Console
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
1 Console connection for EL-40DT/EL-80DT, EL-80DTF, EL-80DC
To connect the console:
1 Make sure the OutLook switch
is turned off and unplugged.
2 Place the switch in the desired
location. The maximum
distance the console can be
from the switch is 12 feet. If
Console
jacks for
attaching
monitor,
keyboard,
and mouse
rackmounting see Appendix F
for instructions.
2 Console connection for
3 Locate your model number
EL-280DT/EL-480DT
below for procedure on connecting the console. When you
have completed step 4, you can
skip the next section and go to
section Connecting the Comput-
MODELS EL-40DT/EL-80DT
EL-80DTF, EL-80DC
(refer to fig. 1)
ers if you are not tiering
computers.
4 Connect the mouse, monitor,
and keyboard cables to their
respective jacks on the back
panel of the switch.
Connecting the Console
19
2 Installation
Sun Console Connection
Alternate Connection
Reset
Aux
Ke
MODELS EL-280DT/EL-480DT
(refer to fig. 2)
4 On the back panel of the switch
locate the keyboard, mouse,
and monitor jacks grouped by
labels, for example A, B, etc.,
and connect the mouse,
monitor, and keyboard cables to
their respective jacks.
Enabling Alternate Connection on
EL-100DT
FOR ATTACHING A PC CONSOLE
1 Unplug the power cable, if it is
connected, from the switch.
2 Remove the two screws holding the
access cover on the bottom of the
unit.
MODEL EL-100DT
(refer to fig. 3)
4 You have the option of attach-
ing a Sun console or a PC
console. The PC console
connects to the Alternate
Connection jacks. Enabling one
set of console jacks disables the
other set. If you wish to
connect a PC console then you
must move its DIP switch. If
you are tiering an EL-100DT
switch from a primary switch
that has a PC console attached,
then you must move the switch
Connecting the Console
to enable Alternate Connection.
For the procedure see table
Enabling Alternate Connection
on EL-1 00DT.
To attach a Sun console:
Connect the monitor and
keyboard cables to its respective jacks in the “Sun Console
Connection” on the back panel
of the switch.
To attach a PC console:
Connect the mouse, monitor,
and keyboard cables to their
respective jacks in the Alternate
Connection area on the back
panel of the switch.
3 Inside the unit, set switch 1-1 to the
On position to enable the Alternate
Connection jacks, the Off position
to enable the Sun Console
Connection jacks.
4 Replace the access cover.
Sun
console
PC
console
3 Console connection for EL-100DT
20
APEX OUTLOOK SWITCHES
CONNECTING THE PRIMARY SWITCH TO A SECONDARY SWITCH (TIERING)
Tiered configurations
Multi-switch systems or tiered
configurations allow the greatest
flexibility and capacity. In a tiered
system, the OutLook switch
connected to the console becomes
the “primary” switch. Tiers consist
of one or more “secondary”
OutLook switches, which are
connected to the computer ports on
the primary switch. One 8-port
primary unit can accommodate
eight secondary switches and
access up to 64 servers. One 10-port
primary unit can accommodate ten
secondary switches and access up
to 100 servers.
Adding a secondary switch while the system is running
If you are installing a secondary
switch to an existing OutLook
switch system, you can attach the
secondary switch while the system
is running. To do this, you must
first connect the mouse and video
cables, then the keyboard cable.
When you power on the secondary
switch, the keyboard connection
sends data to the primary switch
allowing the secondary switch to
boot up.
Whenever you add new devices to
the system, you have to let the
OutLook switch know you added
an additional device. For procedure
see Saving the Hardware Settings in
Chapter 3.
Port numbering scheme
Secondary computer ports have a
different numbering scheme from
the primary computer ports. The
port numbering scheme for the
primary switch is Port 1, Port 2,
Port 3, etc. The numbering scheme
for the secondary switch is the
number of the port on the primary
switch followed by a dash, then the
number of the port on the secondary switch. For example, a secondary switch connected to Port 2 on
the primary switch has the number
Port 2-1. Other ports on the secondary unit would be Port 2-2, Port 2-3,
Port 2-4, etc. You can assign names
to computers. For procedure see in
Chapter 3 Assigning Unique Names
to Computers.
Required Connectors for Switch
ALL MODELS EXCEPT EL-100DT
Mouse 6-pin mini-DIN PS/2 style
Keyboard 6-pin mini-DIN PS/2 style
Monitor HD15-pin VGA/SVGA style
EL-100DT ONLY
Mouse/
Keyboard 8-pin mini-DIN
Monitor HD13W3
Connecting the Primary Switch to a Secondary Switch
21
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