Black Box ACU3001A, ACU3009A User Manual

DECEMBER 2000

ACU3001A
ACU3009A

Interconnect

From CPU or ServSwitch

Local Module

Interconnect

Remote Module

Interconnect

From CPU or ServSwitch

Local Module

MICRO-1M3

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

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

© Copyright 2000. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

Customer Support Information:

1

THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY

Welcome to the ServSwitch

TM

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 KVM-

switching needs!

*

This manual will tell you all about your new ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM
Micro Extender, including how to install, operate, and troubleshoot it. For an
introduction to the Micro Extender, see Chapter 2. The Micro Extender product
codes covered in this manual are:

ACU3001A
ACU3009A

2

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch, Matrix

ServSwitch, ServSwitch Affinity, ServSwitch Duo, ServSwitch Multi, ServSwitch

Ultra, ServSwitch Wizard, ServSwitch Wizard Pro, ServManager, ServSelect, and

ServShare are trademarks, of Black Box Corporation.

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

IBM, PC/AT, PS/2, and RS/6000 are registered trademarks, and PC/XT is a

trademark, of International Business Machines Corporation.

Microsoft, IntelliMouse, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks or

trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other

countries.

Sun Microsystems is a registered trademark 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

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 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 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.

Shielded PC-equipment 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.

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.

FCC/IC STATEMENTS

4

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

This equipment complies with the requirements of the European EMC Directive
89/336/EEC with respect to the EN55022 (Class B), EN50082-1, and EN60555-2
standards, as well as the Low Voltage Directive.

5

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.

NOM STATEMENT

6

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Chapter Page

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

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

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

3.1 Compatibility ..................................................................................... 14

3.2 Key Features ...................................................................................... 15

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 ServSwitch Family KVM Switch to the

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

4.2.3 To Connect a Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse to the
Remote Unit or to the User Ports on the

Dual-Access Local Unit ........................................................ 19

4.2.4 To Connect a ServSwitch Family KVM Switch to the
Remote Unit or to the User Ports on the

Dual-Access Local Unit ........................................................ 19

4.2.5 To Connect the Local Unit to the Remote Unit ................... 21

5. Configuration ........................................................................................... 22

5.1 DIP Switch 1: Video Distance ........................................................... 22

5.2 DIP Switch 2: Scroll-Lock Handling ................................................ 22

6. Installation ................................................................................................ 23

6.1 Test-Placing the Extender System (Optional) ................................ 23

6.2 Attaching Devices .............................................................................. 23

6.2.1 Attaching a CPU to the Local Unit’s CPU Port .................... 24

6.2.2 Attaching a ServSwitch Family KVM Switch to the

Local Unit’s CPU Port ......................................................... 24

6.2.3 Attaching a Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse to the

Remote Unit or Dual-Access Local Unit ............................. 26

6.2.4 Attaching a ServSwitch Family KVM Switch to the
Remote Unit or to the Dual-Access Local Unit’s

User Ports .............................................................................. 27

6.3 Finishing Your Installation ............................................................... 29

8

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

Contents (continued)

Chapter Page

7. Operation ................................................................................................. 31

7.1 Keyboard and Mouse Emulation ..................................................... 31

7.2 Normal Operation and Keyboard Typematic Rate ......................... 31

7.3 The Scroll-Lock Reset ....................................................................... 32

7.4 Correcting the PS/2 Mouse If It Gets Out of Sync ......................... 32

7.5 Shared User Access (Dual-Access Systems Only):

The Inactivity Timeout and Private Mode .................................... 34

8. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 36

8.1 Common Problems ........................................................................... 36

8.1.1 Keyboard .................................................................................. 36

8.1.2 Mouse ....................................................................................... 37

8.1.3 Both Keyboard and Mouse ..................................................... 38

8.1.4 Video ........................................................................................ 39

8.1.5 Power ....................................................................................... 41

8.2 General Questions About the Micro Extender ............................... 42

8.3 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 44

8.4 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 44

Appendix: Cable Pinning/Pairing ................................................................. 45

9

CHAPTER 1: Quick Start Guide

1. Quick Start Guide

When you configure the ServSwitch™ Brand CAT5 KVM Micro Extender, you only
need to answer two questions:

• How far will the CAT5 cabling run between the Extender’s Local and Remote
Units? If will be 25 m (80 ft.) or less, you don’t need to set anything. If it will be
25 to 50 m (80 to 160 ft.), move DIP switch 1 on the bottom of the Remote
Unit to the DOWN (ON) setting.

• Do you need the Scroll Lock key for anything? If not, you don’t need to set
anything; you’ll be able to press Scroll Lock to reset the Extender. If you need
Scroll Lock to control your hardware or software, move DIP switch 2 on the
bottom of the Remote Unit to the DOWN (ON) setting.

To install your Extender system, refer to the illustration below. A basic
ACU3009A (Dual-Access) installation with a CPU and monitors, keyboards, and
mice is shown; ACU3001A Single-Access systems will be set up exactly the same way,
except that they won’t include the local keyboard, monitor, and mouse.

Use the included extension cable to attach the CPU to the Local Unit. Plug the
remote keyboard, monitor, mouse, and serial device directly into the Remote Unit.
In Dual-Access systems, plug the local keyboard, monitor, mouse, and serial device
directly into the Local Unit. Connect the Local and Remote Units with straight­pinned four-pair solid-core CAT5 cable (not CAT5e, Level 6, etc.). Power the
Remote Unit with its included power supply. For more information, or if your
installation includes any KVM switches, refer to Chapter 6.

Remote monitor,

keyboard, and mouse

Local monitor, keyboard, and mouse

(ACU3009A Dual-Access systems only)

Local CPU

Local

Unit

CAT5
cable

Included

KVM-

extension

cable

Remote

Unit

10

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

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 the Appendix

Compliance — CE Class B; FCC Part 15 Subpart J Class A, IC Class/

classe A

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

green), although if your system has monitor ID-bit
requirements, you might need to call Black Box for
technical support;

Keyboard: IBM PC/AT or PS/2 compatible (PC/AT

types require connector adapter);

Mouse: IBM PS/2 compatible two-button, Microsoft

IntelliMouse, or Logitech PS/2 compatible 3-button

Interfaces — To monitor: VGA;

To keyboard and mouse: IBM PS/2 compatible;
To/from CPU and between Units:

Proprietary composites of the above

Resolution — Up to 1280 x 1024

Video I/O
Signal Levels — 0.7 Volts peak-to-peak

Video
Compensation — For short- or long-distance (user-switchable)

Synchronization — H/V or composite, TTL signal levels; sync polarity is

preserved

Video Coupling — DC

11

CHAPTER 2: Specifications

Maximum
Distance — 5 m (15 ft.) from the Local Unit to the attached CPU or

KVM switch;

5 m (15 ft.) from the Remote Unit to the attached

monitor, keyboard, and mouse or KVM switch;
50 m (160 ft.) between Local and Remote Units
Dual-Access (ACU3009A) model only: 5 m (16 ft.) from

the Local Unit to the attached keyboard, mouse, and

monitor

NOTE

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

farther than 5 m (15 ft.) from the Extender to attached

equipment.

User Controls — Remote Unit: (1) Bottom-mounted 2-position DIP switch

for video distance (cable length)

Indicator — Local Unit: Right-side-mounted LED for power and link

integrity

Connectors — Local Unit:

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

interconnection;

(1) Left-side-mounted DB25 female for video input

from, and keyboard/mouse output to, computer;

Left-side-mounted on Dual-Access (ACU3009A) model

only:
(1) HD15 female for video output to local monitor;
(2) 6-pin mini-DIN female for input from local

keyboard and mouse

Remote Unit:

Right-side-mounted:

(1) RJ-45 female for local/remote interconnection;
(1) 2.5-mm center-positive barrel jack for power;

Left-side-mounted:

(1) HD15 female for video output to monitor;
(2) 6-pin mini-DIN female for input from keyboard

and mouse

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

12

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

Humidity
Tolerance — 5 to 90% noncondensing

Enclosure — Steel

Power — Local Unit:

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

From desktop power supply (certified to meet the

relevant international safety standards):
Input: 100 to 240 VAC at 50 to 60 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
Remote Unit

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:

Height:

Remote Units, ACU3001A Local Unit: 1" (2.5 cm);
ACU3009A Local Unit: 1.7" (4.3 cm);
Feet protrude an additional 0.1" (0.2 cm) from

bottom;

Width: 4.3" (11 cm); D-shell connectors protrude an

additional 0.1" from left side;

Depth: 3.2" (8 cm); additionally, screws protrude less

than 0.1" (0.2 cm) from the front and less than 0.1"
(0.2 cm) from the back

Weight — Remote Units, ACU3001A Local Unit: 8.3 oz. (240 g);

ACU3009A Local Unit: 13.5 oz. (390 g)

13

CHAPTER 3: Introduction

3. Introduction

By using the Local and Remote Units that together make up the ServSwitch™
Brand CAT5 KVM Micro Extender, you can place your VGA monitor, keyboard,
and mouse as far as 50 meters (160 ft.) from the PC’s CPU. The Local and Remote
Units are interconnected with a single industry-standard Category 5 UTP or STP 4­pair cable. All keyboard, mouse, and video signals are fully buffered to ensure
consistent remote operation of your PC.

The Single-Access (ACU3001A) model of the Extender is designed to perform
KVM extension only. With the Dual-Access (ACU3009A) model, you can attach an
additional monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the Local Unit; the PC can then be
operated from either the local or remote user station (they share access on a “first­come, first-served” basis—see Section 7.5).

The Micro Extender is simple to operate and works with all operating systems—
no software is required. Just connect the Units as described in Chapter 6 and
you’re ready to work!

Because the Micro Extender performs complete PS/2

®

keyboard and mouse
emulation, you can boot the PC without having a keyboard or mouse attached to it.
Your PC will boot even if the Extender’s Remote Unit is not powered or has no
keyboard or mouse connected to it.

14

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

3.1 Compatibility

The ServSwitch Brand CAT5 KVM Micro Extender is designed to operate in
various environments and with a mix of hardware from different manufacturers.
During development, this product was extensively tested with a wide variety of
hardware. However, please note that it is impossible for us to guarantee that the
Micro Extender will interoperate correctly with every keyboard, mouse, monitor,
and motherboard variant currently on the market. If you suspect that you’re
having incompatibility problems, please call Black Box Technical Support.

In general, the Micro Extender is compatible with the following types of

equipment:

• CPU: IBM

®

PC/AT®, PS/2, and 100% compatible clones. These should be

desktop machines; laptops and docking stations are not supported.

• Monitor: VGA, SVGA, XGA, XGA-2, or RGsB (sync on green). Be aware that a
few monitors and graphics cards might not work with the “as is” Micro
Extender—at least in their factory-default settings—because they exchange
monitor IDs or VESA DDC (Display Data Channel) information. Call Black
Box Technical Support for help with “ID bit” problems. As for DDC, the
Extender supports it at the ACU3009A’s local user station but not at any
remote user station, so either (a) do not use a DDC monitor at your remote
station, or (b) go into your graphics card’s settings, turn DDC off, and
manually configure the card for your monitor(s).

• Keyboard: Standard (101- or 102-key) PS/2 type or enhanced PS/2 type (104-
or 105-key, designed for use with versions of Windows

®

starting with
Windows 95). Although we don’t recommend this, you might also be able to
use a PC/AT type keyboard with 5-pin DIN connectors; you’ll need adapters to
attach it and its native CPU to the Micro Extender (see the start of
Section 4.2). Some older PC/XT™ or PC/AT type autosensing keyboards
might not be compatible with the Extender. If the keyboard you want to use is
some other type or has some other type of connector, call Black Box for
technical support.

For information about keyboard typematic support, see Section 7.2.

• Mouse: Standard PS/2 type, Microsoft

®

IntelliMouse®compatible, or
Logitech™ 3-button PS/2 compatible mouse; the CPU should have standard
PS/2 type mouse ports. If your PC doesn’t have a PS/2 style mouse port, you’ll
need a special adapter to attach the PS/2 mouse cable to one of the PC’s serial
ports (see the start of Section 4.2). The Extender is not compatible with serial
mice or bus mice. If a mouse you want to attach is some other type or has some
other type of connector, call Black Box Technical Support.