Avocent Eletric Keyboard User Manual

SwitchView® MP

Installer/User Guide

Installer/User Guide

INSTRUCTIONS

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

DANGEROUS VOLTAGE

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage”
within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute
a risk of electric shock to persons.

POWER ON

This symbol indicates the principle on/off switch is in the on position.

POWER OFF

This symbol indicates the principle on/off switch is in the off position.

PROTECTIVE GROUNDING TERMINAL

A terminal which must be connected to earth ground prior to making any other
connections to the equipment.

SwitchView® MP

Installer/User Guide

Avocent and the Avocent logo are trademarks of Avocent Corporation.
AutoView is a trademark of Cybex Computer Products Corporation. All
other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners. Cybex Computer Products Corporation is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Avocent Corporation.

© 2001 Avocent Corporation. All rights reserved.

FCC Notication

Canadian Notication

VCCI Approvals

Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

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 instructions, may cause harmful
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:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numèrique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Agency Approvals

UL 1950, CSA C22.2 No. 950, EN60950, IEC 950
FCC part 15B, EN55022, EN50082

SwitchView® MP Installer/User Guide

Contents

Chapter 1 - Product Overview

Feature Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chapter 2 - Installation

Connecting your Local Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Connecting Computers to the SwitchView MP . . . . 9

Chapter 3 - Basic Operations

Selecting a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Scanning PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

System Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Keyboard Translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Chapter 4 - Appendices

A: Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

B: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

C H A P T E R

Product Overview

1

Contents

Feature Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chapter 1: Product Overview 3

Product Overview

Feature Overview

The SwitchView MP allows you to control up to 4 PC, Sun or USB computers
with one keyboard, monitor and mouse. The SwitchView MP works with
Sun Workstations, USB computers, IBM PC/AT and PS/2 systems and 100%
compatible machines with support for VGA, SVGA, XGA and XGA-II video.
Sun and PS/2 keyboard and mouse peripherals are supported through the
rear of the unit.

Multiplatform

The SwitchView MP adds multiplatform capabilities to your switching system
by simultaneously supporting any combination of PS/2, Sun or USB computers
in the same system.

Plug and play

The SwitchView MP supports Plug and Play video and is compliant with the
VESA DDC2B standard.

Mouse translation

For added compatibility with your current equipment, SwitchView MP features
mouse translation capability. Operated through the SwitchView MP, your
mouse will work with any attached computer- regardless of whether the
computer is Sun, USB, serial or PS/2 mouse compatible!

“Keep Alive” feature

SwitchView MP’s “Keep Alive” feature allows attached servers to power the
unit in the event of an SwitchView MP power failure. This prevents attached
computers from locking up and keeps you from losing time and data.

AutoBoot technology

The AutoBoot feature boots all attached servers during initial power-up or
after a power failure. Computers are booted transparently without operator
intervention, and may be powered-up one-at-a-time or all at once. When the
power stabilizes, a channel may be selected.

4 SwitchView MP Installer/User Guide

Built-in scanning capabilities

A built-in scanning feature allows you to automatically monitor, or scan, con­nected computers without intervention. When keyboard activity is detected,
scanning is suspended until all activity stops. Scanning then resumes with the
next channel in sequence. You can switch computer channels in one of two
ways: via the Select button or with a simple keyboard sequence.

Indicator LEDs give you constant readings on the status of your SwitchView
MP unit. Status and channel LEDs take the guesswork out of system operation
and diagnostics.

Figure 1 A typical SwitchView MP configuration is shown below.

Chapter 1: Product Overview 5

Compatibility

XGA/XGA-II support

If you wish to use XGA or XGA-II video, you will need to purchase an adaptor
available through Avocent.

C H A P T E R

Installation

2

Contents

Connecting Your Local Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Connecting Computers to the SwitchView MP . . . . . . 9

Chapter 2: Installation 9

Installation

1. Power down all computers that will be part of your SwitchView MP system.

Connecting your Local Peripherals

2. Locate your keyboard, video monitor and mouse.

3. Plug your VGA monitor cable into the port labeled on the back of your
SwitchView MP. Either plug your Sun connector into the port labeled “SUN”
or plug your PS/2 keyboard cable and your PS/2 mouse cable into the ports

labeled and respectively.

A PS/2 keyboard will not func tion if a Sun keyboard is attached. However, you may
use a PS/2 mouse with a Sun keyboard.

Connecting Computers to the SwitchView MP

4. Locate the input cable appropriate to the computer you are connecting.
(SwitchView MP cable types are identified on page 10.) Plug this cable into
any lettered channel port on the rear of the SwitchView MP. The other end
of the input cable will have up to five connectors depending on type. The
PS/2 mouse connector is designated by a yellow band or mouse icon.

Use only the keyboard and mouse connectors that are appropriate for your

machine, and leave the others unconnected.

Plug these connectors into the matching ports on your computer.

10 SwitchView MP Installer/User Guide

SWITCHVIEW COMPATIBLE CABLES

Cable Description Length

CUFC-6 Universal PS/2,AT,Serial, VGA 6 ft.
CUFC-8 Universal PS/2,AT,Serial, VGA 8 ft.
CUFC-15 Universal PS/2,AT,Serial, VGA 15 ft.

CIFCA-4 PS/2 only/VGA 4 ft.
CIFCA-8 PS/2 only/VGA 8 ft.
CIFCA-15 PS/2 only/VGA 15 ft.

CUSB-4 USB/VGA 4 ft.
CUSB-8 USB/VGA 8 ft.
CUSB-12 USB/VGA 12 ft.

CWSN-4 SUN Kbd/Mouse 13W3 4 ft.
CWSN-8 SUN Kbd/Mouse 13W3 8 ft.
CWSN-15 SUN Kbd/Mouse 13W3 15 ft.

CVSN-4 SUN Kbd/Mouse VGA 4 ft.
CVSN-8 SUN Kbd/Mouse VGA 8 ft.
CVSN-15 SUN Kbd/Mouse VGA 15 ft.

Chapter 2: Installation 11

5. Locate your next input cable. Repeat step 4 until all computers are properly
attached to the SwitchView MP.

6. Locate the power cord that came with your SwitchView MP unit and plug it
into the power connector on the back of the SwitchView MP.

7. Power-up your SwitchView MP unit first, then power up all attached com­puters.

The SwitchView MP and all attached computers should be powered-down before
servicing the unit. Always disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet.

C H A P T E R

Basic Operations

3

Contents

Selecting a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Scanning PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

System Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Keyboard Translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Chapter 3: Operations 15

Basic Operations

PCs may be powered-up one-at-a-time or all at once. The green LEDs by each
channel will light, indicating that the attached computer is powered on. After
power-up, a lit amber LED indicates the selected computer. Other PCs may
now be selected for operation.

Selecting a PC

There are two ways to select a PC. One way is via the Select push-button. This
selects the next computer in sequence. Another way is by entering a short sequence
of keystrokes on the keyboard. This is called keyboard, or hot-key, switching.

Press the Control key twice within one second to place your SwitchView in Com-
mand Mode. Your keyboard LEDs will flash to verify that you are operating
in Command Mode. Now, whatever you type will be interpreted as SwitchView
system commands until Enter is pressed to accept the command or Escape is
pressed to cancel.

In Command Mode, type the letter(s) for the PC you wish to select. Press Enter
to accept the new address (Addr). See below.

SELECTING A PC KEY SEQUENCES

Key Sequence Action

<CTRL> <CTRL>Addr <Enter> Selects an active channel via keyboard.

EXAMPLE

Key Sequence Action

1. <CTRL> <CTRL>C <Enter> Selects Channel C.

2. <CTRL> <CTRL> B < Enter> Selects Channel B.

16 SwitchView MP Installer/User Guide

Scanning PCs

The scanning feature allows you to automatically monitor, or scan, each PC
in your SwitchView system. If you use the keyboard during scanning, the scan
will pause until you finish, then resume with the next PC. The length of time
each PC’s video remains on the screen, or dwell time, can be changed at any
time. Scanning will be halted if the Halt command is entered or if another
PC is selected.

The following tables list scanning, mouse and keyboard key sequences configure.

SCANNING CONFIGURE AND CONTROL KEY SEQUENCES

Key Sequence Action

<CTRL> <CTRL>Dnn<Enter> Congures the dwell time. Substitute nn with a

<CTRL> <CTRL>SG<Enter> Enables the scan Go command.

<CTRL> <CTRL>SH<Enter> Enables the scan Halt command.

value from 2 to 60 seconds. The default value is
5 seconds.

SCANNING SUSPENSION KEY SEQUENCES

Key Sequence Action

<CTRL> <CTRL>M+<Enter> Mouse will suspend scanning.

<CTRL> <CTRL>M-<Enter> Mouse will not suspend scanning. (default)

EXAMPLE

Key Sequence Action

1. <CTRL> <CTRL> D10<Enter> Each PC’s video will remain on the screen for 10
seconds before the next channel is displayed.

2. <CTRL> <CTRL> SG <Enter> Scanning begins with the current computer, then
continues to the next PC in sequence.

3. <CTRL> <CTRL> SH <Enter> Scanning is halted until the Go command is
issued again.

Chapter 3: Operations 17

System Control

The following is a summary of all operational commands.

SYSTEM CONTROL KEY SEQUENCES

Key Sequence Action

<CTRL> <CTRL> Addr <Enter> Selects an active channel via keyboard.

<CTRL> <CTRL> Dnn <Enter> Congures the dwell time. Substitute nn with a value

from 2 to 60 seconds.

<CTRL> <CTRL> SG<Enter> Enables the scan Go command.

<CTRL> <CTRL> SH<Enter> Enables the scan Halt command.

<CTRL> <CTRL> M+<Enter> Mouse will suspend scanning.

<CTRL> <CTRL> M-<Enter> Mouse will not suspend scanning. (default)

<CTRL> <CTRL> MR<Enter> If you hot-plug the SwitchView to a PC connection

you may experience a loss of mouse signal. Use
this command to restore the signal if you’re using a
standard PS/2 mouse driver.

<CTRL> <CTRL> MW<Enter> Use this command to restore the mouse signal if

you’re using a PC with a Microsoft IntelliMouse driver.

<CTRL> <CTRL> Kn <Enter> Sets keyboard scan set; n is a number 1 - 3.

<CTRL> <CTRL> AV<Enter> Displays the current rmware version of the

SwitchView processors. You must be either at a
DOS prompt or in a text editor/word processor to
view this information.

<CTRL> <CTRL> H1<Enter> Default Command Mode Activitation.

<CTRL> <CTRL> H2<Enter> Changes the Command mode activation sequence

to <Alt> <Alt>.

<CTRL> <CTRL> H3<Enter> Changes the Command mode activation sequence

to <Shift> <Shift>.

SYSTEM CONTROL KEY SEQUENCES (CONT.)

Key Sequence Action

<CTRL> <CTRL> H4<Enter> Changes the Command mode activation sequence

to <NUMLOCK> <->.

<CTRL> <CTRL> ZM <Enter> Resynchronizes the mouse.

<CTRL> <CTRL> SSON<Enter> Enables SmartSwitch Command, where only

powered channels can be selected.

<CTRL><CTRL>

SSOFF

<Enter> Disables SmartSwitch Command, allowing user to

switch to non-powered channels. Use this to select
a laptop.

18 SwitchView MP Installer/User Guide

Keyboard Translation

The SwitchView MP allows you to use PS/2 or Sun keyboards to operate any
type of attached computer. However, when crossing platforms, certain keys will
need to be ‘remapped’ in order to provide all of the functions available on the
keyboard native to that platform. For example, if you access a Sun workstation
with a PS/2 keyboard, you will notice that the PS/2 keyboard does not have the
STOP and AGAIN keys that are on a true Sun keyboard. But, by turning Scroll
Lock on, the F1 and F2 keys on the PS/2 keyboard function as the Sun STOP and
AGAIN keys. With Scroll Lock off, F1 and F2 function normally. Table 1 below
shows the translations for a PS/2 keyboard to a Sun computer. All mapped
functions in Table 1 will only be valid when the Scroll Lock is on.

TABLE 1: PS/2 KEYBOARD TO SUN COMPUTER

Key Sun Key Sun

F1 STOP F9 FIND

F2 AGAIN F10 CUT

F3 PROPS F11 POWER

F4 UNDO F12 COMMAND

F5 FRONT keyboard * COMPOSE

F6 COPY NUMLOCK HELP

F7 OPEN keypad / MUTE

F8 PASTE keypad - VOL -

keypad + VOL +

Sun keyboards have a power key used to power the workstation on and off.
PS/2 keyboards may have a sleep key to place the computer in a stand-by or
power saving mode.

Chapter 3: Operations 19

TABLE 2: POWER/SLEEP FOR USB COMPUTERS

Peripheral Computer

Keyboard Key Scroll Lock

PS/2 Shift-F11 On Win 98/2000

F11 On Win 98/Mac

Sleep On Win 98/Mac

Off Win 98/2000

Sun Power On Win 98/2000

Off Win 98/Mac

To issue the Power/Sleep command to a PS/2 computer, type Scroll
Lock, F11 (or Sleep key) on a PS/2 keyboard. For a Sun computer, use
the Power key.

TABLE 3: SUN KEYBOARD TO PS/2 PC

Key PS/2

Key Windows Key

Compose Key Select Key

C H A P T E R

Appendices

4

Contents

A: Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

B: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Chapter 4: Appendices 23

A: Specifications

HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS

Mechanical Height: 1.9" (4.83 cm)

Width: 8.1" (20.57 cm)
Depth: 5.0" (12.7 cm)

Environmental/Power Operating Temperature: 41° (5°C) to 104° (40°C)

Storage Temperature: -4° (-20°C) to 122° (50°C)

Operating Voltage: 100 - 240 VAC
Power Frequency: 50 - 60 Hz

Supported Hardware Computer: IBM PC/AT, PS/2, Sun workstations, USB

computers and 100% compatibles

Video Modes: VGA, SVGA, (XGA, XGA-II with adaptor)

Maximum Resolution: 1600 x 1200 @ 85 Hz

Peripherals: PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, Microsoft Explorer
mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse Family, IBM Scrollpoint,
Logitech Mouseman Wheel, Logitech Trackman Marble wheel,
Logitech Marble FX and Kensington 4 button mouse, Sun Type
5 and Type 6.

Agency Approvals UL 1950, CSA C22.2 No. 950, EN60950, IEC 950

FCC part 15B, EN55022, EN50082

24 SwitchView MP Installer/User Guide

B: Troubleshooting

Unit

Green channel LED not lit

Verify that the computer is powered on. Check the cabling between your com­puter and the SwitchView. Verify that a keyboard works when plugged directly
into your PC.

A laptop computer may not light the LED.

Unable to switch channels

Verify that all attached PCs are powered and correctly connected to the unit.
If you wish to connect to a laptop, you will need to disable the SmartSwitch
feature.

Unable to hot-key

After a power loss, the unit will default to the <CTRL> <CTRL> key sequence.
Try using <CTRL> <CTRL> to hot-key switch.

Video

No video

Verify that the video cable between the computer and the SwitchView is connected
to the selected port. Verify that the monitor cable is correctly connected to the
SwitchView.

Power down the computer. Connect the monitor directly to the computer and
power up again. If the monitor does not operate correctly direct to the computer,
try another monitor.

Verify that the cables from the computer to the SwitchView are connected
properly.

Chapter 4: Appendices 25

Mouse

Mouse jumps or “hugs” screen

If the mouse has been hot-plugged while running in Windows, you may need
to close and restart Windows.

If the mouse still does not function, try the mouse resynchronization com­mand: <CTRL> <CTRL>ZM <Enter>.

Mouse is inoperable on one or more channels

Try the mouse reset command: <CTRL> <CTRL> MR<Enter> for PS/2 mice,

<CTRL> <CTRL> MW<Enter> for IntelliMouse. Check the table below for the

appropriate keyboard sequence.

Verify that the mouse is plugged into the mouse port in the User console area
on the rear panel of the unit.

Verify that the computer works properly with a mouse connected directly to
it. If not, try another mouse.

Microsoft Logitech
Peripheral Intellipoint MouseWare
Mouse Driver Driver

Logitech MouseMan Wheel MW MR

Logitech Trackman Marble Wheel MW MR

Logitech Wheel Mouse MW MR

Logitech Trackman Marble FX MR MR

Logitech Marble Mouse MR MR

Three Button MR MR

Microsoft IntelliMouse MW MW

Microsoft Explorer MW MW

26 SwitchView MP Installer/User Guide

Keyboard

Keyboard is inoperable on one or more channels

Verify that the cables from the PC to the SwitchView are connected properly.
Verify that the keyboard is plugged into the keyboard port in the User Console
area on the rear panel of the unit.

Verify that the keyboard works properly connected directly to the computer. If
not, try a different keyboard.

If the keyboard still does not function, cycle power on all attached computers
and try again.

Keyboard is inoperable after switching channels or characters on screen do not
match keyboard input. Try changing the keyboard scan set by using the

keyboard command sequence: <CTRL > <CTRL>Kn <Enter>, where n is a scan
set number 1-3.

If you need further assistance, call Technical Support between the hours of 8
a.m. and 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday at [phone] for
assistance. You can fax Technical Support at [phone].

Warranty

Avocent International Ltd. warrants to the original retail purchaser that this product is and will be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase.

During the warranty period, purchaser must promptly call Avocent for a RETURN MATERIALS AUTHORIZATION (RMA)
number. Make sure that the RMA number appears on the packaging slip, proof of purchase, AND ON THE OUTSIDE OF EACH
SHIPPING CARTON. Unauthorized returns or collect shipments will be refused.

Ship prepaid to: Avocent International Ltd.
Avocent House
Shannon Free Zone
Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

The warranty is void under the following conditions:

1. If defect or malfunction was caused by abuse, mishandling, unauthorized repair, or use other than intended.

2. If unauthorized modification were made to the product.

3. If unreported damages occurred in any shipments of the product.

4. If damages were due to or caused by equipment or software not provided by Avocent International Ltd.

EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED ABOVE, AVOCENT INTERNATIONAL LTD. MAKES NO WARRANTIES EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AS TO ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE CONDITION OF
THE PRODUCT, ITS MERCHANTABILITY, OR ITS FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY
PROVIDED ABOVE, AVOCENT INTERNATIONAL LTD. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF PROFIT, LOSS OF BUSINESS,
SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR OTHER FINANCIAL LOSS WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, THE INADEQUACY OF THE PRODUCT FOR ANY PURPOSE OR USE THEREOF OR BY ANY DEFECT OR
DEFICIENCY THERIN EVEN IF AVOCENT INTERNATIONAL LTD. OR ANY OTHER AUTHORISED DEALER HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES.

For Technical Support:

Email: [e-mail]

www.avocent.com

Avocent Corporation
4991 Corporate Drive
Huntsville, Alabama 35805-6201 USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Avocent Asia Pacic
Singapore Branch Ofce
100 Tras Street, #15-01/2
Amara Corporate Tower
Singapore 079027
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Avocent Canada
50 Mural Street, Unit 5
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4B 1E4 Canada
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Avocent International Ltd.
Avocent House, Shannon Free Zone
Shannon, County Clare, Ireland
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Avocent Germany
Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße 2-4
D-33803 Steinhagen
Germany
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

590-171-101 Rev C