Black Box KV1108A User Manual

JUNE 2004

KV1108A
KV1116A

ServSwitch Panther

CUSTOMER

SUPPORT

INFORMATION

Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
FREE technical support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mail address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [e-mail]

SERVSWITCH TM FAMILY

Welcome to the ServSwitchTM Family!

Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX® ServSwitch Panther! We appreciate your
business, and we think you’ll appreciate the many ways that your new ServSwitch
Panther 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-size-fits-all-even-if-it­doesn’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 PC’s, 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®,

TM

Apple® Macintosh®, Sun Microsystems®, and SGI

compatibles among multiple
users with different access levels? Does your switch have to sit solidly on a work-table
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 set-up is,
no matter how simple or how complex, we are confident we have a ServSwitch system
that’s just right for you.

TM

The ServSwitch

family from BLACK BOX, the one-stop answer for all your KVM

switching needs!

This manual will tell you about your new ServSwitch Panther, including how to install,
operate, and troubleshoot it.
For an introduction to the ServSwitch Panther, see chapter 1.
The ServSwitch Panther product codes covered in this manual are:

KV1108A KV1116A

This manual also includes information about the Server Access Modules:

KV1120A KV1121A

1

FCC INFORMATION

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND

CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

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 the Canadian
Department of Communications.

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 le ministère des
Communications du Canada.

Trademarks

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

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2

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 PANTHER

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.

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COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS

EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
computing device in accordance with the specifications in the European standard
EN55022
interference. 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 or television reception.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio and television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, you can correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

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

4. Consult the supplier or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Shielded 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 equipment has also been found to comply with
European standard EN 55024.

Japanese Compliance Statement

CB TEST CERTIFICATE

This product was tested and found to be in conformity with:

IEC 60950 (2001) for Interference by Information Technology Equipment aimed at
preventing radio interference in such residential areas. When used near a radio or TV
receiver, it may become the cause of radio interference. Read instructions for correct
handling.

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SERVSWITCH PANTHER

Contents

Chapter.................................................................................................................. page

1. Introduction...........................................................................................8

1.1 Features ........................................................................................................ 8

1.2 Compatibility................................................................................................ 8

2. Complete package................................................................................9

2.1 Additional items needed............................................................................... 9

3. Installation...........................................................................................10

3.1 The ServSwitch Panther system configuration .......................................... 10

3.2 The ServSwitch Panther models ................................................................ 10

3.3 Pre-installation guidelines .......................................................................... 11

3.4 Connecting the ServSwitch Panther system............................................... 11

3.5 The SAMs .................................................................................................. 12

3.5.1 Connecting a PS/2 SAM ........................................................................... 12

3.5.2 Connecting a USB SAM ........................................................................... 12

3.6 Connecting the CAT5 cables...................................................................... 13

3.7 Connecting the KVM console.................................................................... 13

3.8 Connecting the power supply..................................................................... 13

3.9 Resetting the Switch................................................................................... 13

3.10 Avoiding general rack mounting problems ................................................ 14

3.10.1 Elevated operating ambient temperature................................................. 14

3.10.2 Reduced airflow ...................................................................................... 14

3.10.3 Mechanical loading ................................................................................. 14

3.10.4 Circuit overloading.................................................................................. 14

3.11 Rack mounting the ServSwitch Panther ..................................................... 14

3.12 Cascading ServSwitch Panthers ................................................................. 15

4. Operating the system.........................................................................16

4.1 The keyboard hotkeys ................................................................................ 16

4.2 The OSD .................................................................................................... 16

4.3 Navigating the OSD ................................................................................... 17

4.4 Selecting a computer .................................................................................. 17

4.5 The OSD settings (F2) ............................................................................... 17

4.6 The General settings................................................................................... 17

4.7 Security ...................................................................................................... 18

4.7.1 Administrator (Status A) ........................................................................... 18

4.7.2 Supervisor (Status S)................................................................................. 18

4.7.3 User (Status U).......................................................................................... 18

4.7.4 Activating password protection..................................................................19

6

6

Changing the OSD hotkey ......................................................................... 19

4.8

4.9 Autoskip ..................................................................................................... 19

4.10 Serial port ................................................................................................... 20

4.11 Changing the Keyboard language .............................................................. 20

4.12 Editing the Switch name ............................................................................ 20

4.13 F7 Defaults ................................................................................................. 20

4.14 The Ports settings ....................................................................................... 21

4.15 Editing the computer name ........................................................................ 21

4.16 Keyboard (KB)........................................................................................... 21

4.17 Adding/changing a hotkey (HKEY)........................................................... 22

4.18 The Time settings ....................................................................................... 22

4.19 Scan (SCN) - Label (LBL) - Time out (T/O) ............................................. 22

4.20 Users........................................................................................................... 23

4.21 Security ...................................................................................................... 24

4.22 The OSD HELP window – F1 ................................................................... 24

4.23 Scanning computers– F4 ............................................................................ 25

4.24 Tuning – F5 ................................................................................................ 25

4.25 Moving the label – F6 ................................................................................ 26

CONTENTS

5. Troubleshooting .................................................................................27

5.1 Calling Black Box ...................................................................................... 27

5.2 Shipping and Packaging............................................................................. 27

6. Upgrading the firmware .....................................................................28

6.1 System requirements for the ServSwitch Panther Update software........... 28

6.2 Connect the ServSwitch Panther System ................................................... 28

6.3 Installing the software ................................................................................ 28

6.4 Connecting the Flash Upgrade cable.......................................................... 28

6.5 Starting and configuring the ServSwitch Panther Update.......................... 29

6.6 Verifying the version numbers................................................................... 30

6.6.1 The OSD version number.......................................................................... 31

6.6.2 The ServSwitch Panther version number.................................................. 31

6.6.3 Verifying the SAM version number.......................................................... 31

6.7 Updating the firmware ............................................................................... 31

6.7.1 Communication Error................................................................................ 32

6.7.2 Electricity failure....................................................................................... 33

6.8 Reset........................................................................................................... 33

6.8.1 Resetting the Switch or SAM units ........................................................... 33

7. Technical specifications ....................................................................34

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SERVSWITCH PANTHER

1. Introduction

Access and control multiple multi-platform computers from one Keyboard Video
Mouse (KVM) console with the ServSwitch Panther system. The ServSwitch Panther
comes in 8 and 16 port models. Connect up to 8 computers to the 8 port model, and up
to 16 to the 16 port model.

1.1 Features

• Hot-Swap - disconnect and reconnect computers without rebooting

• Scan-mode operation with variable time interval

• 1U Rack mountable

• Operate the system using an On Screen Display (OSD) or front panel push buttons

or keyboard hotkeys

• Create multi-level cascade arrangements. For example by cascading the
ServSwitch Panther 16 Port model, connect up to up to 256 computers in the
system

• The computers can be placed up to 33ft/10m from the ServSwitch Panther

• Multi-platform — supports PS/2 and USB computers/servers

1.2 Compatibility

The ServSwitch Panther is compatible with:

• PS/2 and USB computers/servers

• VGA, SVGA, or XGA monitors

• DOS, Windows (3X, 9X, 2000, NT4, ME, XP, 2003 Server) LINUX, UNIX,

QNX, SGI, FreeBSD, BeOS, Open VMS, Novell 3.12-6, Alpha UNIX and HP
UX

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2. Complete package

2. Complete package

The ServSwitch Panther system comes with:

• ServSwitch Panther 8 Port (KV1108A) or 16 port (KV1116A)

• Flash Upgrade cable (KV11UP)

• USA and European power cords

• Rack mount kit for the ServSwitch Panther (KV11RM)

2.1 Additional items needed

1 Server Access Module (SAM) and CAT5 cabling per attached server or switch.

The SAMs come in two different models:

• SAM PS/2 (KV1120A) for PS/2 servers

• SAM USB (KV1121A) for USB servers

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SERVSWITCH PANTHER

3. Installation

3.1 The ServSwitch Panther system configuration

Figure 1 illustrates the basic configuration of the ServSwitch Panther system.

Computer 16

COMPUTER

ServSwitch
Panther

POWER

100-250 VAC 50/60 Hz

Computer 1

SAM SAM

10 11 12 13 14 15 169

12345678

Figure 1 The ServSwitch Panther system configuration

3.2 The ServSwitch Panther models

Figure 2 illustrates the front panel of the ServSwitch Panther 16 port model. The 8 port
model is the same but with only 8 columns of LEDs.

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10

Figure 2 ServSwitch Panther front panel