Black Box ACU1005A, ACU1004A Series Manual

OCTOBER 2003

ACU1004A
ACU1005A

SUN-1M2

Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)

FREE tech support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone].

Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Dr., Lawrence, PA 15055-1018

Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [e-mail]

© Copyright 2003. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

Customer Support Information:

1

THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY

Welcome to the ServSwitch Family!

Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX®ServSwitch Brand CAT5 KVM Extender
model! We appreciate your business, and we think you’ll appreciate the many ways
that your enhanced keyboard/video/mouse system will save you money, time, and
effort.

That’s because our ServSwitch family is all about breaking away from the
traditional, expensive model of computer management. You know, the one-size­fits-all-even-if-it-doesn’t model that says, “One computer gets one user station, no
more, no less.” Why not a single user station (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) for
multiple computers—even computers of different platforms? Why not a pair of
user stations, each of which can control multiple computers? Why not multiple
user stations for the same computer?

With our ServSwitch products, there’s no reason why not. We carry a broad line of
robust solutions for all these applications. Do you have just two PCs, and need an
economical alternative to keeping two monitors, keyboards, and mice on your
desk? Or do you need to share dozens of computers, including a mix of IBM

®

PC,

RS/6000

®

, Apple®Macintosh®, Sun Microsystems®, and SGI™ compatibles among
multiple users with different access levels? Does your switch have to sit solidly on a
worktable and use regular everyday cables? Or does it have to be mounted in an
equipment rack and use convenient many-to-one cables? No matter how large or
small your setup is, no matter how simple or how complex, we’re confident we
have a ServSwitch system that’s just right for you.

The ServSwitch family from Black Box—the one-stop answer for all your KVM­switching needs!

*

This manual will tell you all about your new ServSwitch Brand CAT5 KVM
Extender for Sun, including how to install, operate, and troubleshoot it. For an
introduction to the extender, see Chapter 3. The extender product codes covered
in this manual are:

ACU1004A
ACU1005A

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SERVSWITCH BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER FOR SUN

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

AT&T is a registered trademark of AT&T.

IBM and RS/6000 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines

Corporation.

Sun and Sun Microsystems are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in

the United States and other countries.

Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the

trademark owners.

3

FCC AND IC RFI STATEMENTS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND

INDUSTRY CANADA

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

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 B 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 is likely to 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 party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.

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 radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

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SERVSWITCH BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER FOR SUN

EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

WARNING!

This is a class A product. In a domestic environment, this product might
cause radio interference, in which case the user might be required to
take adequate remedial measures.

This product complies with the following harmonized standards:

• EN55022 (1994), EN55024 (1998)

• EN61000-3-2 (1995), EN61000-3-3 (1995), EN60950 (2000)

When you use this product in environments that have high levels of
electromagnetic interference, you might experience some slight disturbance in its
operation. If this occurs, please refer to Chapter 8 or call technical support.

To maintain compliance, use only cables supplied (or recommended) for use

with this product.

5

NOM STATEMENT

NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)

ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT

INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD

1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de
que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.

2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.

3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.

4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.

5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo, cerca
de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc..

6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales que
sean recomendados por el fabricante.

7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.

8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá
a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser
referido a personal de servicio calificado.

9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,
alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar
en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de
ventilación.

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.

11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.

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SERVSWITCH BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER FOR SUN

12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización
del equipo no sea eliminada.

13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen del
aparato.

14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.

15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas
de energia.

16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea
usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.

17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.

18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:

A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u

B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o

C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o

D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su

desempeño; o

E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

7

CONTENTS

Contents

Chapter Page

1. Quick Start Guide ...................................................................................... 9

2. Specifications ........................................................................................... 10

3. Introduction ............................................................................................. 13

3.1 Compatibility ..................................................................................... 13

3.2 Key Features ...................................................................................... 14

4. Checklist of System Components ............................................................ 16

4.1 The Complete Package ..................................................................... 16

4.2 The Cables You’ll Need .................................................................... 16

4.2.1 To Connect a CPU to the Local Unit .................................... 17

4.2.2 To Connect a KVM Switch to the CPU Ports on the

Local Unit ............................................................................. 17

4.2.3 To Connect a Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse to the

Remote Unit or to the Dual-Access Local Unit .................. 17

4.2.4 To Connect a KVM Switch to the Remote Unit or to the

User Ports on the Dual-Access Local Unit .......................... 17

4.2.5 To Connect the Local Unit to the Remote Unit ................... 17

5. Configuration ........................................................................................... 19

5.1 Setting the Cable-Length Jumpers ................................................... 19

5.2 Setting the Private-Mode DIP Switch

(Dual-Access Systems Only) .......................................................... 21

6. Installation ................................................................................................ 22

6.1 Test-Placing the Extender (Optional) ............................................. 22

6.2 Attaching Devices .............................................................................. 22

6.2.1 Attaching a CPU to the Local Unit ......................................... 22

6.2.2 Attaching a KVM Switch to the Local Unit’s CPU Ports ....... 23

6.2.3 Attaching a Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse or a
KVM Switch to the Dual-Access Local Unit’s User Ports ... 23

6.2.4 Attaching a Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse to the

Remote Unit ......................................................................... 23

6.2.5 Attaching a KVM Switch to the Remote Unit ........................ 24

6.3 Finishing Your Installation ............................................................... 24

6.4 Adjusting the Video Compensation ................................................. 27

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SERVSWITCH BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER FOR SUN

Contents (continued)

Chapter Page

7. Operation ................................................................................................. 28

7.1 Keyboard and Mouse Emulation ..................................................... 28

7.2 The Scroll-Lock Reset ....................................................................... 28

7.3 Shared User Access (Dual-Access Model Only):

The Inactivity Timeout and Private Mode .................................... 29

8. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 31

8.1 Common Problems ........................................................................... 31

8.1.1 Keyboard .................................................................................. 31

8.1.2 Mouse ....................................................................................... 31

8.1.3 Both Keyboard and Mouse ..................................................... 32

8.1.4 Video ........................................................................................ 32

8.1.5 Power ....................................................................................... 34

8.2 General Questions About the Extender .......................................... 34

8.3 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 36

8.4 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 37

Appendix A: Twisted-Pair Cable Pinning/Pairing ........................................ 38

Appendix B: Rackmounting ........................................................................... 40

9

CHAPTER 1: Quick Start Guide

1. Quick Start Guide

When you configure the ServSwitch Brand CAT5 KVM Extender for Sun, you need
to answer a question or two:

How far will the CAT5 cabling run between the extender’s Local and Remote

Units? If it will be 330 ft. (91.4 m) or less, you don’t need to set anything. If it will

be 330 to 655 ft. (91.4 to 199.6 m), install jumpers on the three right-hand post
pairs in each set of three cable-length jumper posts (JP3 through JP5) in the
Remote Unit. If it will be 655 to 1000 ft. (199.6 to 304.8 m), install jumpers on the
three left-hand post pairs in each of these sets of cable-length jumper posts. See
Figure 5-1 in Section 5.1.

Dual-Access model only: How do you want Private Mode to work? If you don’t want
Private Mode—in which either user station can temporarily “lock out” the other—
to be enabled, set position 1 of DIP-switch SW1 in the Remote Unit to ON. If you
want to lengthen the inactivity timeout for automatic Local/Remote switching to
15 seconds, set position 2 to OFF. If you want automatic switching to be triggered
by mouse activity as well as keyboard activity, set position 3 to OFF.

To get at the internal controls, open the extender while it is powered off—taking
all reasonable precautions against static electricity—by unscrewing the four screws
on its case and lifting off the top half of the case. For more information, refer to
Chapter 5.

To install your extender system, refer to the illustration below (a Dual-Access
model is shown). Use the included extension cables to attach the CPU to the Local
Unit; plug the remote keyboard, monitor, and mouse directly into the Remote
Unit; and (on the Dual-Access model) plug the local keyboard, monitor, and
mouse directly into the Local Unit. Connect the Local and Remote Units with
straight-pinned four-pair CAT5 cable (not included). Power the Remote Unit with
its included power supply. For more information, refer to Chapter 6.

Local monitor, keyboard,

and mouse

CAT5 interconnect cable

Extension cables

(included)

Local Unit

Remote Unit

Power

supply

Remote monitor,

keyboard, and mouse

CPU

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SERVSWITCH BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER FOR SUN

2. Specifications

Cable Required: Between Local and Remote Units: Category 5 solid

unshielded or shielded twisted pair (UTP or STP),
wired to the EIA/TIA-568A or (preferred) -568B
standard, terminated with RJ-45 male connectors; for
pinning/pairing, see Appendix A

Compliance: CE Class B, FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class A, IC Class/

classe A

Compatibility: Video: VGA, SVGA, XGA, XGA-2, or RGsB (sync on

green); with adapters, can support older Sun monitors
and/or video output from older Sun CPUs (call Black
Box for technical support);

Keyboard and mouse: Sun

Interfaces: Video: VGA;

Keyboard and mouse: Sun

Video
Characteristics: Bandwidth (to -3 dB):

Local Unit: 150 MHz;
Remote Unit: 300 MHz;
Across 330 feet (100.6 meters) of UTP: 95 MHz (with

equalization);

Resolution:

Up to 1600 x 1280 noninterlaced at up to 200 ft. (61 m);
Up to 1280 x 1024 noninterlaced at up to 393.7 ft.

(120 m);

Up to 1152 x 900 noninterlaced (standard Sun

resolution) at up to 426.5 ft. (130 m);

Up to 1024 x 768 noninterlaced at up to 984.3 ft.

(300 m);
I/O signal levels: 0.7 volts peak-to-peak;
Compensation: 3-stage continuously variable;
Synchronization: H/V or composite, TTL signal levels;

sync polarity is preserved;

Coupling: DC

11

CHAPTER 2: Specifications

Maximum
Distance: 16 ft. (4.9 m) from the Local Unit to the attached CPU

or KVM switch;

16 ft. (4.9 m) from the Remote Unit to the attached

monitor, keyboard, and mouse or KVM switch;
1000 ft. (304.8 m) between Local and Remote Units;
Dual-Access (ACU1005A) model only: 16 ft. (4.9 m) from

the Local Unit to the attached keyboard and mouse;

100 ft. (30.5 m) to the attached monitor

NOTE

With high-quality cables, it might be possible to run

farther than 16 ft. (4.9 m) from the extender to attached

equipment.

User Controls: On Remote Unit only:

(2) Front-mounted dials: Brightness and Focus;

(3) Internal video-distance (cable-length) jumpers;

(1) Internal 4-position DIP switch for various Private-

Mode options (Dual-Access systems only)

Connectors: On Local Unit:

(1) Front-mounted RJ-45 female for local/remote

interconnection;

Rear-mounted:

(1) HD15 male for video input from computer;
(1) 8-pin mini-DIN female for keyboard and mouse

output to computer;

Dual-Access (ACU1005A) model only:

Rear-mounted:

(1) HD15 female for video output to monitor;
(1) 8-pin mini-DIN female for input from keyboard

and mouse;

On Remote Unit:

(1) Front-mounted RJ-45 female for local/remote

interconnection;

Rear-mounted:

(1) HD15 female for video output to monitor;
(1) 8-pin mini-DIN female for input from keyboard

and mouse;

(1) 2.5-mm center-positive barrel jack for power

Indicators: None

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SERVSWITCH BRAND CAT5 KVM EXTENDER FOR SUN

Temperature
Tolerance: 32 to 104˚F (0 to 40˚C)

Humidity
Tolerance: 5 to 90% noncondensing

Enclosure: Steel

Clamping Voltage: 15 volts (for surge protection on CAT5 local/remote

interconnection interface)

Power: Local Unit:

5 VDC at up to 120 mA from CPU’s keyboard port;
Remote Unit:

From desktop power supply, PSU1002E (certified to

the relevant international safety standards):
Input: 100 to 240 VAC at 47 to 63 Hz from utility-

power outlet, through detachable power cord and
IEC 320 male inlet, to external transformer;

Output (isolated from mains ground): 9 VDC

regulated, at up to 1 amp, from transformer to
extender

CAUTION!

If you ever need to replace the Remote Unit’s
power supply, the replacement power supply must
have identical output characteristics. Using a
power supply with different output—even if it’s
“almost the same”—could damage your Remote
Unit and the attached equipment.

Size: Each Unit: 1.4"H x 8.8"W x 4"D (3.6 x 22.4 x 10.2 cm)

Weight: Each Unit: 1.1 lb. (0.5 kg)