Black Box ACU3001A, ACU3022A, ACU3009A User Manual

MAY 2002

Interconnect

From CPU or ServSwitch

Local Module

Interconnect

Remote Module

Interconnect

From CPU or ServSwitch

Local Module

ACU3001A
ACU3009A
ACU3022A

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
ACU3022A

Document MICRO-1M6

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.

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

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.

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, Windows Me, Windows NT, and Windows XP

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 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.

Shielded cables must be used to connect this equipment to computers and
peripherals in order 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

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 the Troubleshooting chapter of this
manual or call technical support.

To maintain compliance, use only cables supplied (or recommended) for use
with this product.

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 ............................................................................................. 14

3.1 Compatibility ..................................................................................... 15

3.2 Key Features ...................................................................................... 17

4. Checklist of System Components ............................................................ 18

4.1 The Complete Package ..................................................................... 18

4.2 The Cables You’ll Need .................................................................... 19

4.2.1 To Connect a CPU to the Local Unit .................................... 19

4.2.2 To Connect a ServSwitch Family KVM Switch to the

Local Unit’s CPU Port ......................................................... 20

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 ........................................................ 22

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 ........................................................ 23

4.2.5 To Connect the Local Unit to the Remote Unit ................... 25

5. Configuration ........................................................................................... 26

5.1 Setting DIP-Switch Position 1: Video Distance ................................ 26

5.2

Setting DIP-Switch Position 2: Keyboard-Command Recognition

.. 27

5.3 Setting the Microphone-Amplification Jumper in the

KVM/Serial/Audio Remote Unit (Not Normally Necessary) ........ 28

6. Installation ................................................................................................ 29

6.1 Test-Placing the Extender System (Optional) ................................ 29

6.2 Attaching Devices .............................................................................. 29

6.2.1 Special Concerns About Connecting Audio Devices to the

KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extender ................................... 31

6.2.2 Attaching a CPU to the Local Unit’s CPU Port .................... 32

6.2.3 Attaching a ServSwitch Family KVM Switch to the

Local Unit’s CPU Port ......................................................... 33

6.2.4 Attaching User-Station Equipment to the User Port on a

Remote Unit or Dual-Access Local Unit ............................. 36

6.2.5 Attaching a ServSwitch Family KVM Switch to the

User Port on a Remote Unit or Dual-Access Local Unit .... 37

8

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

Contents (continued)

Chapter Page

6. Installation (continued)

6.3 Finishing Your Installation ............................................................... 40

7. Operation ................................................................................................. 42

7.1 Keyboard and Mouse Emulation ..................................................... 42

7.2 Normal Operation and Keyboard Typematic Rate ......................... 42

7.3 Keyboard Commands and Related Functions ................................. 43

7.3.1 Resetting the Keyboard and Mouse ....................................... 43

7.3.2 Correcting the PS/2 Mouse If It Gets Out of Sync ............... 44

7.3.3 The Inactivity Timeout (ACU3009A Dual-Access Systems

Only) ..................................................................................... 45

7.3.4 Private Mode (ACU3009A Dual-Access Systems Only) ......... 46

8. Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 47

8.1 Common Problems ........................................................................... 47

8.1.1 Keyboard .................................................................................. 47

8.1.2 Mouse ....................................................................................... 48

8.1.3 Both Keyboard and Mouse ..................................................... 49

8.1.4 Serial Device (ACU3022A KVM/Serial/Audio Systems

Only) ..................................................................................... 50

8.1.5 Audio Devices (ACU3022A KVM/Serial/Audio Systems

Only) ..................................................................................... 51

8.1.6 Video ........................................................................................ 51

8.1.7 Power ....................................................................................... 53

8.2 General Questions About the Micro Extender ............................... 54

8.3 Calling Black Box .............................................................................. 56

8.4 Shipping and Packaging ................................................................... 56

Appendix A: Cable Pinning/Pairing ............................................................. 57

Appendix B: Keyboard-Command Summary ................................................ 58

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 it 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 position 1 on the bottom of the
Remote Unit to the DOWN (ON) setting.

• ACU3001A or ACU3009A: Do you need [Scroll Lock] for anything?
ACU3022A: Do you need right-[Ctrl] for anything?

If not, you can use this key to command the Extender, and you don’t need
to set anything. If you need this key to control your hardware or software, or if
your keyboard doesn’t have this key, move DIP-switch position 2 on the bottom
of the Remote Unit to the DOWN (ON) setting.

To install your Extender system, refer to the illustration below. The elements of a
basic ACU3001A Single-Access installation are shown with solid lines; extra
elements that can be present in an ACU3009A Dual-Access or an ACU3022A
KVM/Serial/Audio installation are shown with dashed lines.

Use the included extension cable to attach the CPU to the Local Unit. Plug the
remote keyboard, monitor, and mouse directly into the Remote Unit. In Dual­Access systems, plug the local keyboard, monitor, and mouse directly into the
Local Unit. Connect the Local and Remote Units with straight-pinned four-pair
solid-core CAT5 cable (not 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, mouse, and

(ACU3022A KVM/Serial/

Audio systems only)

serial touchscreen,

mike, and speakers

Local monitor, keyboard, and mouse

(ACU3009A Dual-Access systems only)

Local CPU

Local

Unit

CAT5
cable

Included extension cables

Remote Unit

and power

supply

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 Appendix A

Compliance:

CE class A; FCC Part 15 Subpart B 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: On all models:

To monitor: VGA;
To keyboard and mouse: IBM PS/2 compatible;
To CPU’s video, keyboard, and mouse ports:

Proprietary composite of VGA video and IBM PS/2
compatible keyboard and mouse;

Between Units: Proprietary composite of all supported

device interfaces;

On KVM/Serial/Audio model (ACU3022A) only:

To serial device: EIA/TIA RS-232 pinned according to

TIA-574, DTE;

To CPU’s serial port: EIA/TIA RS-232 pinned

according to TIA-574, DCE;

To audio devices and CPU’s audio ports: Bidirectional

3.5-mm mini stereo audio

Video
Characteristics: Resolution: Up to 1280 x 1024;

I/O signal levels: 0.7 volts peak-to-peak;
Compensation: For short- or long-distance (user-

switchable);

Synchronization: H/V or composite, TTL signal levels;

sync polarity is preserved;

Coupling: DC

11

CHAPTER 2: Specifications

Serial
Characteristics: KVM/Serial/Audio model (ACU3022A) only:

Data rate: Transparent to data rates up to 19,200 bps;
Data format: Transparent to data format;
Flow control: Transparent to hardware and software

flow control (RTS, CTS, DTR, and DSR are all passed
through across the link)

Audio
Characteristics: KVM/Serial/Audio model (ACU3022A) only:

Signal format: Digitized at almost CD quality (16-bit

sampling at 38.4 kHz);

Signal levels: Line level (5 volts peak-to-peak

maximum);
Input impedance: 47 kΩ;
Signal direction: Simultaneous bidirectional;
Extra microphone support at Remote Unit: Pull-up

resistor provides bias for condenser microphone;

optional amplification to +17 dB for external

microphone

Maximum
Distance: 5 m (16 ft.) from the Local Unit to the attached local

equipment;

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

remote equipment;

50 m (160 ft.) between Local and Remote Units

NOTE

With high-quality cables, it might be possible to run
farther than 5 m (16 ft.) from the Extender to attached
equipment.

User Controls: Keyboard commands (see Section 7.3 and Appendix B);

On Remote Unit: Bottom-mounted 2-position DIP switch

for video distance (cable length) and keyboard­command recognition

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

link integrity

12

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

Connectors: On Local Unit:

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

interconnection;
Left-side-mounted:

All models: (1) DB25 female for video input from,

and keyboard/mouse output to, computer;

Dual-Access model (ACU3009A) only:

(1) HD15 female for video output to local

monitor;

(2) 6-pin mini-DIN female for input from local

keyboard and mouse;

KVM/Serial/Audio model (ACU3022A) only:

(1) DB9 female for serial I/O to and from local

RS-232 device;

(2) 3.5-mm mini stereo jacks for audio I/O to and

from local device(s): (1) for audio in (usually
speaker/headphone signals), (1) for audio out
(usually microphone signals);

On 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;

KVM/Serial/Audio model (ACU3022A) only:

(1) DB9 male for serial I/O to and from remote

RS-232 device;

(2) 3.5-mm mini stereo jacks for audio I/O to and

from remote device(s): (1) for audio in (usually
from a microphone), (1) for audio out (usually
to speakers or headphones)

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

Humidity
Tolerance: 5 to 90% noncondensing

Enclosure: Steel

13

CHAPTER 2: Specifications

Power: Local Unit:

5 VDC at up to 120 mA from CPU’s keyboard and
mouse 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 (mains) 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:

ACU3001A Units, ACU3009A Remote Unit:

1" (2.5 cm);

ACU3022A Units, 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" (0.2 cm) from left side;
Depth: 3.2" (8.2 cm); additionally, screws protrude less

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

Weight: ACU3001A Units, ACU3009A Remote Unit:

8.3 oz. (235 g);

ACU3009A Local Unit: 13.5 oz. (380 g);
ACU3022A Units: 18 oz. (510 g)

14

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

3. Introduction

By using the Local and Remote Units that together make up the ServSwitch™
Brand CAT5 KVM or KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extender, you can place your VGA
monitor, keyboard, and mouse as far as 50 meters (160 ft.) from the PC-compatible
CPUs they communicate with.

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 7.3.3). The KVM/Serial/Audio (ACU3022A)
model has all of the capabilities of the regular Single-Access version, and can also
support a connection between the PC and a remote serial device, plus a
connection between the PC and a remote microphone and speakers (or other
sources of audio input and output).

IMPORTANT NOTES

Throughout this manual, serial and audio devices/connections/etc. will
often be listed without qualification along with video/monitor, keyboard,
and mouse devices/connections/etc. Just keep in mind that, except
where noted, all references to serial or audio communication apply to
KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extender systems only.

Also, do not connect a KVM Micro Local Unit to a KVM/Serial/Audio
Micro Remote Unit, or a KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Local Unit to a KVM
Micro Remote Unit. Extender systems with intermixed KVM Micro and
KVM/Serial/Audio Micro equipment do not work.

The Local and Remote Units are designed to be interconnected with a single
industry-standard Category 5 UTP or STP 4-pair cable. All keyboard, mouse, and
video signals are fully buffered to ensure consistent remote operation of your PC.

The Micro Extender is simple to operate and works with all operating systems—
no software is required. Once you’ve made sure you have everything you’ll need
(see Chapter 4) and you’ve configured your Local and Remote Units (see
Chapter 5), just connect the Local and Remote Units to each other and to your
equipment 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.

15

CHAPTER 3: Introduction

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,
motherboard variant, and RS-232 device 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.

16

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

• 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. The KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extender can handle a
serial mouse if it’s attached to the Remote Unit’s serial port, but the other
models are not compatible with serial mice and require adapters to support
PCs with PC/AT type serial mouse ports—see the Note below. The Micro
Extenders are not compatible at all with bus mice or CPUs with bus-mouse
ports. If a mouse or mouse port you want to attach is some other type or has
some other type of connector, call Black Box Technical Support.

• Serial Device (KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extenders only): Standard
asynchronous RS-232 devices, including serial mice and trackballs, that operate
at up to 19,200 bps and don’t require any hardware control signals other than
RTS, CTS, DSR, and DTR. (The Micro Extender is transparent to data format
and to all data rates up to 19,200 bps. It passes the control signals through.)

NOTE

The Extenders do not support serial mice on their PS/2 mouse ports.
The KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extender supports a serial mouse on its
Remote Unit’s serial port without requiring any special configuration.

• Audio Device (KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extenders only): Just about any
standard PC sound card or consumer audio device that doesn’t transmit or
receive signals at voltages above line level (5 volts peak-to-peak) should be
compatible with the Micro Extender.

17

CHAPTER 3: Introduction

3.2 Key Features

The ServSwitch Brand CAT5 KVM Micro Extender has a number of useful features
which contribute to the transparent remote operation of your PC. Some of the
more important ones are:

• Distance up to 50 m (160 ft.)
Operate your PC from the next room or all the way down the hall.

• Adjustable video equalization
Compensates for the loss of image quality caused by the signal passing through
more than 25 m (80 ft.) of cable.

• Fully buffered signals
Remote operation of the PC is consistently smooth and transparent.

• Intelligent PS/2 keyboard and mouse emulation
With this, the PC boots and operates correctly under most circumstances, and
you can freely detach and reconnect the keyboard and mouse as necessary
(the Micro Extender automatically initializes the keyboard and mouse as soon
as it detects that you’ve reattached them).

• Microsoft IntelliMouse compatibility
Use this and compatible “wheel mice” with confidence. In a Dual-Access
(ACU3009A) system, you can even use a standard PS/2 mouse at one of the
PC’s user stations and an IntelliMouse at the other.

• Dual-Access model also supports a local station
With the Dual-Access (ACU3009A) model, you can operate the PC either
locally or remotely (but not both at the same time).

• KVM/Serial/Audio systems only: Support for serial and audio peripherals
With the KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extender (ACU3022A), you can connect
almost any RS-232 device that can communicate at 19,200 bps or less, as well as
almost any standard audio device or sound card.

We recommend that you read the remainder of this manual before you install the
Micro Extender in order to fully familiarize yourself with the system.

18

SERVSWITCH™ BRAND CAT5 KVM MICRO EXTENDER

4. Checklist of System Components

4.1 The Complete Package

At the time of this writing, these items should be included with your ServSwitch™
Brand CAT5 KVM Micro Extender package:

• (1) Micro Extender Local Unit.

• (1) Micro Extender Remote Unit.

• (1) 9-VDC 1-amp power-supply transformer and output cord.

• (1) Power-supply input cord suitable for your country or region.

• (1) 3.6-ft. (1.1-m) KVM-extension cable (runs from PC CPU to Local Unit)
with a DB25 male connector at the Unit end and an HD15 male connector
and two

6-pin mini-DIN male connectors at the CPU end. The 6-pin mini-DIN
connectors are attached to the HD15 by additional 16" (40-cm) cable strands.
(If your PC has 5-pin DIN

keyboard connectors, see the start of Section 4.2 for

how you’ll connect it.)

• (1) Copy of this manual.

The KVM/Serial/Audio Micro Extender should also include these extension
cables that run from the CPU to the Local Unit:

• (1) 6-ft. (1.8-m) DB9 female to DB9 male serial-extension cable.

• (2) 6-ft. (1.8-m) audio-extension cables with 3.5-mm stereo plugs on either
end.

The components of the Extender package are, however, subject to change without
notice.

Please contact Black Box right away if any of these items are damaged when you
receive them.