ATEN Technology ACS-1208A User Manual

User Manual

ACS-1208A

ACS-1216A

2003-06-20

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

M Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna; M Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver; M Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from

that which the receiver is connected;

M Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for

help.

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Packing List

ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

The complete ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A package consists of:

M 1 ACS-1208A or ACS-1216A KVM Switch M 2 Custom KVM Cable Sets (2L-5202P) M 1 Firmware Upgrade Cable M 1 Power Adapter M 1 Rack Mounting Kit M 1 User Manual

Check to make sure that all the componen ts are present and that nothing got damaged in shipping. If you encounter a problem, contact your dealer.

Read this manual thoroughly and follow the installation and operation procedures carefully to prevent any damage to the unit, and/or any of the devices connected to it.

Manual Part No. PAPE-0211-1AT

Printed in Taiwan 06/2003

All brand names and trademarks are the registered property of their respective owners.

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

ACS-1208A Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6

ACS-1216A Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

2. Installation

Before you Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Single Stage Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Daisy Chaining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Hot Plugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Port ID Numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Powering Off and Restarting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

3. Hotkey Operation

Hotkey Port Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Invoking Hotkey Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Selecting the Active Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Auto Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Skip Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Hotkey Beeper Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Hotkey Summary Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

4. OSD Operation

OSD Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

OSD Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

OSD Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

OSD Main Screen Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

OSD Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

5. The Firmware Upgrade Utility

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

Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Performing the Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Starting the Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Upgrade Succeeded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Upgrade Failed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Firmware Upgrade Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Appendix

ACS-1208A /ACS-1216A - Connection Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

ACS-1208A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

ACS-1216A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

OSD Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Clear Login Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4

Rack Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

About This Manual

This User Manual is provided to help you get the most from your ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A system. It covers all aspects of installation, configuration and operation. An overview of the information found in the manual is provided below.

Overview

Chapter 1, Introduction, introduces you to the ACS-1208A / ACS-

1216A System. Its purpose, features and benefits are presented, and its front and back panel components are described.

Chapter 2, Installation, explains how to set up your installation — from a basic single stage hookup to a complete 32 switch daisy chained operation.

Chapter 3, Hotkey Operation, details all of the concepts and procedures involved in the Hotkey operation of your ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A installation.

Chapter 4, OSD Operation, provides a complete description of the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A’s OSD (On Screen Display), and how to work with it.

Chapter 5, The Firmware Upgrade Utility, explains how to use this utility to upgrade the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A’s firmware with the latest available versions.

An Appendix at the end of the manual provides specifications and other technical information regarding the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A.

An Index follows the Appendix for convenient reference to the manual’s information.

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

Conventions The following typographical conventions are used throughout this manual:

M Bullet lists provide information, but not procedural steps. M Numbered lists represent procedures with sequential step s. M An indented typeface like the one below:

Key information in

indicates words and characters you key in. Unless otherwise mentioned, you can use either upper or lower case.

M The names of the keys you should press are placed inside of

square brackets, and appear just as they do on the keyboard (fo r example, [Alt], [Enter], [Esc]).

Don’t type the brackets or anything that appears inside of them, just press the key. For example, if a procedure tells you to type:

Install [Enter]

You should type the word Install, then press the Enter key.

M If you need to hold down one key and, while you are holding it

down, press another key, the keys appear in square brackets with a dash between them. For example, [Ctrl-Alt-Del] means to hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and, while they are being held down, press the Del key and then release all the keys together.

M If you are asked to Choose or Select an item listed on a menu,

Click it with the mouse. An alternate shortcut method is to press the appropriate accelerator key combination indicated on the menu.

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

Notes:

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his chapter introduces you to the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A KVM Switch. Its

purpose, features and benefits are presented, and its front and back panel compo-

nents are described.

Overview

Chapter 1.

Introduction

The Master View ACS-1208A and ACS-1216A KVM Switches are control units that allow access to multiple computers from a single console (keyboard, mouse, and monitor). Before the development of the Master View, the only way to control multiple computer configurations from a single console was through a complex and costly network system. Now, with the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A, you can easily access multiple computers in a cost effective manner.

A single Master View can control up to eight (ACS-1208A) or 16 (ACS-1216A) computers. As many as 31 additional switches can be added in a daisy chain configuration, allowing up to 512 computers to be controlled from a single keyboard-monitor-mouse co nso le.

An auto-sensing function recognizes the position of each station (switch) on the chain, eliminating the need to manually set the position with DIP switches. A seven segment front panel LED displays each Station’s position for easy identification.

The ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A improves on previous models and similar switches commonly found on the market with a custom ASIC (patent pending) for increased reliability and enhanced performance, and high density 15 pin CPU port connectors instead of th e usual 25 pin connectors. This space-saving innovation allows a full, 16 port switch, to be installed in a 1U system rack.

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

Your ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A investment is protected by an included Firmware Upgrade Utility. You can stay current with the latest improvements in functionality by downloading the latest firmware files from our website and using the utility to quickly and conveniently perform the upgrade.

Setup is fast and easy; plugging cables into their respective ports is all that is entailed. The ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A intercepts keyboard input directly, which means that there is no software to configure, no complex installation routines, and no need to be concern ed with incompatibility problems.

Access to any computer on the installation is easily accomplished either by entering Hotkey combinations from the keyboard, or by means of a powerful menu driven OSD (On Screen Display) system. A conven ient Auto Scan feature also permits automatic scanning and monitoring of the activities of all computers running on the installation one by one.

There is no better way to save time and money than with a Master View ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A installation. By allowing a single console to manage all of the attached computers, an ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A installation: (1) eliminates the expense of having to purch ase a separate keyboard, monitor, and mouse for each comp uter; (2) saves all the space those extra components would take up; (3) saves on energy costs; and (4) eliminates the inconvenience and wasted effort involved in constantly moving from one computer to another.

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Features

Introduction

M A single console controls up to 8 (ACS-1208A) or 16

(ACS-1216A) computers

M Daisy chain up to 31 additional units - control up to 512

computers from a single console

M No software required - convenient computer selection via Hotkeys

and intuitive OSD menus

M Auto Scan feature for monitoring user-selected comp uters M Hot Pluggable - add or remove computers without having to

power down the switch

M Custom ASIC (patent pending) for increased reliability and

enhanced performance

M Auto-sensing of station’s position on daisy chained installations -

no need for manual DIP Switch setting - front panel LED indicates station’s position

M Port names automatically reconfigured when station sequence is

changed

M Two level password security - only authorized users view and control

the computers - up to four Users plus an Administrator - separate profiles for each

M Two level logout - manual and timed M PS/2 keyboard and mouse emulation - computers boot even when

the console focus is elsewhere

M Supports* PS/2 compatible mice, Microsoft Intellimouse

Explorer, Logitech FirstMouse+

M Superior video quality - supports resolutions of up to 1920 x 1440 M Upgradable firmware M Rack mountable in 19" system rack (1U)

* PS/2 compatible mouse support is for 3 button wheel mice. The

Logitech Mouse Ware program’s Change Device procedure does not work on Microsoft NT computers.

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

Hardware Requirements

Console M A VGA, SVGA, or Multisync monitor capable of the high est

resolution that you will be using on any computer in the installation.

M A PS/2 style mouse M A PS/2 style keyboard

Computers The following equipment must be installed on each co mp uter:

M A VGA, SVGA or Multisync card. M A 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style) mouse port.* M Either a 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2 Style) keyboard port with +5 V DC

on pin 4 and Ground on pin 3, or a 5-pin DIN (AT Style) keyboard port with +5V DC on pin 5 and ground on pin 4.*

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* See the note under Cables in the next section.

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Introduction

Cables Substandard cables may damage the connected devices or degrade

overall performance. For optimum signal integrity and to simplify the layout, we strongly recommend that you use the high quality CS Custom Cable sets described below:

Function CS Part Number

KVM Switch to KVM Switch (Daisy Chaining) 2L-1700 - 0.6 m

KVM Switch to Computer 2L-5201P - 1.2 m

2L-1701 - 1.8 m

2L-5202P - 1.8 m 2L-5203P - 3.0 m

2L-1700 / 2L-1701 2L-5201P / 5202P / 5203P

Note: 1. The ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A does not support serial

mice. You cannot use Serial-to-PS/2 adapters with the cables.

2. If your computer uses an AT style keyboard socket you will need to purchase a PS/2-to-AT keyboard adapter (Part No. 2A-106, or any standard keyboard adapter), in ord er to plug the cable into the computer’s keyboard port.

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

ACS-1208A Front View

POWER

2 3

1. Port LEDs

The Port LEDs provide status information about their corresponding CPU Ports. There is one pair of LEDs for each Port. The one on the left is the On Line LED; the one on the right is the Selected Port LED:

An On Line LED lights ORANGE to indicate that the computer attached to its corresponding port is up and running.

A Selected LED lights GREEN to indicate that the computer attached to its corresponding port is the one that has the KVM focus. The LED is steady under normal conditions, but flashes when its port is accessed under Auto Scan Mode (see p. 4-14).

When the ACS-1208A is first powered on, the On Line and Selected LEDs blink in sequence as the Switch performs a

self-test.

2. Reset Switch

Pressing this switch in performs a system reset. The switch is recessed and must be pushed with a thin object - such as the end of a paper clip, or a ballpoint pen.

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Introduction

3. Power LED

The Power LED lights to indicate that the ACS-1208A is powered up and ready to operate.

4. Station ID LED

The ACS-1208A’s Station ID is displayed here. If this is a Single Station installation (see p. 2-1), or the First Station on a Daisy Chained installation (see p. 2-2), the ACS-1208A has a Station ID of 01.

On a Daisy Chained installation, the ACS-1208A auto-senses its position and displays the Station ID that corresponds to its place in the chain. (see Port ID Numbering, p. 2-6 for details).

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

ACS-1216A Front View

POWER

2 3

1. Port LEDs

An On Line LED lights ORANGE to indicate that the computer attached to its corresponding port is up and running.

When the ACS-1216A is first powered on, the On Line and Selected LEDs blink in sequence as the Switch performs a

self-test.

2. Reset Switch

Pressing this switch in performs a system reset. The switch is recessed and must be pushed with a thin object - such as the end of a paper clip, or a ballpoint pen.

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Introduction

3. Power LED

Lights to indicate that the ACS-1216A is powered up and ready to operate.

4. Station ID LED

The ACS-1216A’s Station ID is displayed here. If this is a Single Station installation (see p. 2-1), or the First Station on a Daisy Chained installation (see p. 2-2), the ACS-1216A has a Station ID of

01. On a Daisy Chained installation, the ACS-1216A auto-senses its

position and displays the Station ID that corresponds to its place in the chain. (see Port ID Numbering, p. 2-6 for details).

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A Rear View

3 65

1. Daisy Chain Ports

When Daisy Chaining Units, the cables plug in here. The port on the left is the Chain In port; the one on the right is the Chain Out port.

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2. CPU Port Section

The cables that link to the computers plug in here. The sh ap e of these connectors has been specifically modified so that only cables designed to work with this switch can plu g in (see th e Cables section on p. 1-5 for details).

3. Cable Tie Slot

If you want to use a cable tie to gather the cables together, you can run it through this slot to attach it to the unit.

4. Power Jack

The power adapter cable plugs in here.

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Introduction

5. Firmware Upgrade Port

The Firmware Upgrade Cable that transfers the firmware upgrade data from the administrator’s computer to the ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A (see p. 5-2), plugs into this RJ-11 socket.

6. Firmware Upgrade Recovery Switch

During normal operation and while performing a fimware upgrade, this switch should be in the NORMAL position. See p. 5-8 for details about the use of this switch.

7. Console Port Section

If this is a Single Station installation, or if this is the First Station unit of a daisy chained installation, the keyboard, monitor, and mouse plug in here.

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ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A User Manual

Notes:

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+ 44 hidden pages