Black Box KV1712, KV1700, KV1701, KV1713, KV1711 User Manual
...
DECEMBER 2005
KV1700
KV1701
KV1702
KV1703
KV1711
KV1712
KV1713
1
SERVSWITCH
TM
FAMILY
Welcome to the ServSwitch Family!
Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX Octet! We appreciate your business, and we
think you’ll appreciate the many ways that your new Octet will save you money, time,
and effort.
That’s because the 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 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 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 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 Octet, including how to install,
operate, and troubleshoot it. For an introduction to the ServSwitch Octet, see Chapter 2.
The ServSwitch Octet product codes covered in this manual are:
KV1700 KV1701 KV1702 KV1703 KV1711 KV1712 KV1713
This manual also includes information about the ServSwitch Octet software and the Server
Access Modules (SAM), which have their own manuals or installation guides.
KV1720 KV1721 KV1722 KV1724 KV1725
KV1726 KV1727 PS123
SERVSWITCH
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OCTET INSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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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.
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. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and
if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, might cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception.
However, there is no guarantee that harmful interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment on and off, you can correct the
interference with one or more of the following measures:
a. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
b. Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
c. Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.
d. Consult the supplier or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
3
COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS
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 standards EN50082 and EN60950.
Japanese Compliance Statement
Other Agency Approvals
USA (UL, FCC)
Canada (cUL, ICES-003)
European Union (CE)
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
BLACK BOX® and the logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch, ServSelect, and
ServSelect IP are trademarks of BLACK BOX Corporation.
Apple, Mac, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
IBM, PS/2, and RS/6000 are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation.
Microsoft, HyperTerminal, Windows, Windows NT, and Windows XP are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Sun and Sun Microsystems are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the
United States and other countries.
UL is a registered trademark of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of
the trademark owners.
SERVSWITCH
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OCTET INSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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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.
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
5
NOM STATEMENT
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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OCTET INSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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7
SERVSWITCH
TM
FAMILY
CONTENTS
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Component Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Safety Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Installing an Octet Switching System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Installing an Octet Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Installing a KV1713 User Station and SAMDM Module for
Audio and Serial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connecting a SAMDM Module for Dual Port Output . . . 35
Installing a Cascaded Octet Switching System. . . . . . . . . 36
Synchronizing the system with Octoware . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Configuring an Octet Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Flash Upgrading the Octet Switching System . . . . . . . . . 38
Basic Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Power Up and LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
OSD Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Selecting Servers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Keyboard Translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Advanced Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
User Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Device Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Console Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Forcing an External Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Terminal Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Accessing the Terminal Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Serial SAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Edit Device Screen Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Calling Black Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Shipping and Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
SERVSWITCH
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OCTET INSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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CHAPTER 1: SPECIFICATIONS
9
1. Specifications
During the course of this product’s lifetime, modifications might be made to its hardware
or firmware that could cause these specifications to change without notice.
Octet KV1700 Product Specifications
Agency Approvals
EN55022 Class A, EN55024, EN61000-3-2,
EN61000-3-3, EN60950, FCC47CFR Part 15 Class
A, CSA C22.2 No. 60950, IEC 60950, FCC Class A,
UL 60950 third edition, VCCI Class A
Mechanical
Height: 1U
W i d t h : 1 7 ” ( 4 3 2 m m )
D e p t h : 1 3 . 6 2 ” ( 3 4 6 m m )
W e i g h t : 8 l b ( 3 . 7 k g )
Environmental/Power
Power consumption: 75 W
A C i n p u t p o w e r : m a x 7 5 W
Heat dissipation: 270 Kj
Humidity: 10-9 5% non-condensing
Operating tempera ture: 32° F-122° F; 0° C- 50° C
Storage temperature: -4° to 140° F; -20° to 60° F
Operating voltage: 100-240 Vac
Power frequency: 50-60 Hz
Ports
Network number: 1, RJ45, Ethernet, 10 Base-T, 100
Base-T
S e r v e r p o r t s : 4 2 , R J 4 5 O c t e t i n t e r c o n n e c t
User ports: 4, RJ4 5 Octet interconnect
Terminal por t: 1, DB9 male, RS232 serial
SERVSWITCHTM OCTETINSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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Octet KV1701 Product Specifications
Agency Approvals
EN55022 Class A, EN55024, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3,
EN60950, FCC47CFR Part 15 Class A, CSA C22.2 No. 60950,
IEC 60950, FCC Class A, UL 60950 third edition, VCCI Class A
Mechanical
Height: 1U
Width: 17 ” ( 432 m m )
Depth: 11 ” (28 1 mm)
We igh t : 8 l b (3.7 k g )
Environmental/Power
Power consumption: 75 W
AC inpu t power : max 7 5 W
Heat dissipation: 270 Kj
Humidity: 10-95% non-condensing
Operating temperature: 32° F-122° F; 0° C-50° C
Storage temperature: -4° F-140° F; -20° C-60° C
Operating voltage: 100-240 Vac
Power frequency: 50-60 Hz
Ports
Network number: 1, RJ45, Ethernet, 10 Base-T, 1 0 0 B a se -T
Se r v e r p o r ts: 32, RJ45 Octet interconnect
User ports: 8, RJ45 Octet interconnect
Terminal port: 1, DB9 male, RS232 serial
CHAPTER 1: SPECIFICATIONS
11
Octet KV1702 Product Specifications
Agency Approvals
EN55022 Class A, EN55024, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3,
EN60950, FCC47CFR Part 15 Class A, CSA C22.2 No. 60950,
IEC 60950, FCC Class A, UL 60950 third edition, VCCI Class A
Mechanical
Height: 2 U
Width: 17” (432 mm)
Depth: 11” (281 mm)
Weight: 16 lb (7.27 kg)
Environmental/Power
Power consumption: 150 W
AC input power: max 150 W
Heat dissipation: 610 Kj
Humidity: 10-95% non-condensing
Operating temperature: 32° F-122° F; Ø° C-50°C
Storage temperature: -4° F-140° F; -20° C-60° C
Operating voltage: 100-240 Vac
Power frequency: 50-60 Hz
Ports
Network number: 1, RJ45, ethernet, 10 Base-T, 100 Base-T
Server ports: 64, RJ45 Octet interconnect
User ports: 16, RJ45 Octet interconnect
Terminal port: 1, DB9 male, RS232 serial
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Octet KV1703 Product Specifications
Agency Approvals
EN55022 Class A, EN55024, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3,
EN60950, FCC47CFR Part 15 Class A, CSA C22.2 No. 60950,
IEC 60950, FCC Class A, UL 60950 third edition, VCCI Class A
Mechanical
Height: 1 U
Width: 17” (432 mm)
Depth: 13.8” (351 mm)
Weight: 8 lb (3.7 kg)
Environmental/Power
Power consumption: 75 W
AC input power: max 75 W
Heat dissipation: 270 Kj
Humidity: 10-90% non-condensing
Operating temperature: 32° F-122° F; Ø° C-50°C
Storage temperature: -4° F-140° F; -20° C-60° C
Operating voltage: 100-240 Vac
Power frequency: 50-60 Hz
Ports
Network number: 1, RJ45, ethernet, 10 Base-T, 100 Base-T
Server ports: 16, RJ45 Octet interconnect
User ports: 4, RJ45 Octet interconnect
Terminal port: 1, DB9 male, RS232 serial
CHAPTER 1: SPECIFICATIONS
13
Octet (KV1711, KV1712, KV1713) User Station
Product Specifications
Agency Approvals
EN55022 Class A, EN55024, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3,
EN60950, FCC47CFR Part 15 Class A, CSA C22.2 No.
60950, IEC 60950, FCC Class A, UL 60950 third edition,
VCCI Class A
Mechanical
Height: 1U
Width: 10.98” (27.9 cm)
Depth: 11.5” (29.2 cm)
Weight: 4.41 lb (2 kg)
Environmental/Power
Power consumption: 25 W
AC input power: max 25 W
Heat dissipation: 90 Kj
AC input current rating: 1A
Humidity: 10-95% non-condensing
Operating temperature: 32° F-104° F; 0° C-40° C
Storage temperature: -4° F-104° F; -20° C-60° C
Operating voltage: 100-240 Vac
Power frequency: 50-60 Hz
Ports
Input Ports: Octet KV1711, Octet KV1712, Octet KV1713: 2,
RJ45 Octet interconnect, Octet KV1710: 2, RJ45 Octet
interconnect
Output ports: 1 6-pin miniDIN, PS/2 keyboard, 1 6-pin
miniDIN, PS/2 mouse; 1 8-pin miniDIN, 1 15HDD female,
VGA video, KV1712 includes Sun keyboard and mouse,
Octet KV1713 includes multimedia and (2) USB type B
connectors.
Supported Hardware
SERVSWITCHTM OCTETINSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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KV1711 and KV1712 Peripherals: PS/2 keyboard and mouse,
Sun keyboard and mouse
KV1713 Peripherals: PS/2 keyboard and mouse, USB
keyboard and mouse
Supported Hardware
Video resolution: 1024 x 768 (1280 x 1024 KV1712 and
KV1713 only) with 1,000 feet of UTP from server to user,
1280 x 1024 with 500 feet of UTP from server to user;1600 x
1200 with 100 feet of UTP from server to user
Sync types: Separate horizontal and vertical; composite sync
on Sun monitors
Octet SAM (KV1720, KV1721, KV1722) Product Specifications
Agency Approvals
EN55022 Class A, FCC15 Class A
Mechanical
Height: .83” (2.11 cm)
Width: 2.43” (6.17 cm)
Depth: 4.02” (10.21 cm)
Weight: .29 lb (.13 kg)
Environmental/Power
Power consumption: 130 mA
Humidity: 10-95% non-condensing
Operating temperature: 32°-122° F; 10° C-50° C
Storage temperature: 4° F-140° F; -20° C-60° C
Power supply: 5 VDC
Ports
Input ports for KV1720A: 1 6-pin miniDIN, PS/2 keyboard
and mouse; 1 15HDD male, VGA Video, 1 RJ45
Octet interconnect
Octet (KV1711, KV1712, KV1713) User Station
Product Specifications (Continued)
CHAPTER 1: SPECIFICATIONS
15
Input ports for KV1721A: 1 USB keyboard and mouse
(supports Intel, Sun, Macintosh), 1 15HDD male,
VGA video
Ports
Input ports for KV1722A: 1 8-pin miniDIN, Sun keyboard
and mouse, 1 15HDD male, VGA video, 1 Sun HwB or
HDB15 adapter
Output ports: 1 RJ45 Octet interconnect
Server Ports
Type: PS/2 keyboard and mouse, VGA video
Connectors: 2 6-pin miniDIN, 1 15HDD
Sync types: Separate horizontal and vertical, Sync on
Green (as used on SGI and HP9000); composite sync on
Sun monitors
Plug and Play: DDC2B
User Ports
Number: 1
Connection: RJ45 Octet interconnect
Octet Serial SAM (KV1724) Product Specifications
Agency Approvals
UL60950 third edition, C22.2 No. 60950, EN60950,
IEC60950, FCC 47CFR Part15 Class A EN55022,
EN55024
Mechanical
Height: 83” (2.0 cm)
Width: 2.43” (4.0 cm)
Depth: 4.02 “ (21.5 cm)
Weight: .29 lb (.13 kg)
Environmental/Power
AC input current rating: 230 mA
Octet SAM (KV1720, KV1721, KV1722) Product Specifications (Continued)
SERVSWITCHTM OCTETINSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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AC input power: 6 VDC maximum
Environmental/Power
Operating Temperature: 50º F-104º F; 10º C-40º C
Storage Temperature: -4º F-140º F; -20º C-60º C
Humidity: 10-95% non-condensing operating
Serial Ports
Type: DCE
Emulation: VT100
Baud Rate: 115200, 57600, 38400, 19200, 9600,
2400,1200, 300 bits per second
Parity: Even, Odd, None
Flow Control: None, CTS/RTS or XOn/XOff
Server Ports
Number: 1
Type: DCE
Connectors: 9-pin D-sub female
User Ports
Number: 1
Connection: RJ45 Octet interconnect
Octet SAMDM (KV1725, KV1726, KV1727) Product Specifications
Agency Approvals
EN55022 Class A, FCC15 Class A
Mechanical
Height: .83” (2.11 cm)
Width: 2.43” (6.17 cm)
Depth: 4.02” (10.21 cm)
Weight: .29 lb (.13 kg)
Octet Serial SAM (KV1724) Product Specifications (Continued)
CHAPTER 1: SPECIFICATIONS
17
Environmental/Power
Power consumption: 130 mA
Humidity: 10-95% non-condensing
Operating temperature: 32°-122° F; 10° C-50° C
Storage temperature: 4° F-140° F; -20° C-60° C
Power supply: 5 VDC
Ports
Input ports for KV1725A: 1 6-pin miniDIN, PS/2 keyboard
and mouse; 1 15HDD male, VGA Video, 1 RJ45
Octet interconnect, 1 DB9 RS232 serial, 1 3.5mm
speaker and 1 3.5mm microphone
Input ports for KV1726A: 1 USB keyboard and mouse
(supports Intel, Sun, Macintosh), 1 15HDD male,
VGA video, 1 DB9 RS232 serial, 1 3.5mm speaker and 1
3.5mm microphone
Input ports for KV1727A: 1 8-pin miniDIN, Sun keyboard
and mouse, 1 15HDD male, VGA video, 1 Sun HwB or
HDB15 adapter, 1 DB9 RS232 serial, 1 3.5mm speaker
and 1 3.5mm microphone
Output ports: 2 RJ45 Octet interconnect
Server Ports
Type: PS/2 keyboard and mouse, VGA video
Connectors: 2 6-pin miniDIN, 1 15HDD
Sync types: Separate horizontal and vertical, Sync on
Green (as used on SGI and HP9000); composite sync on
Sun monitors
Plug and Play: DDC2B
User Ports
Number: 2
Connection: RJ45 Octet interconnect
Octet SAMDM (KV1725, KV1726, KV1727) Product Specifications
SERVSWITCHTM OCTETINSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION
19
2. Introduction
2.1 Features and Benefits
The Black Box® Octet ServSwitch™ Series allows multiple users within the switching
system to access and operate PC, USB or Sun servers and serial devices at the same time. A
basic Octet switching system configuration connects users and servers to one or more
Octet KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) switches, as well as other KVM switches. Any
user in the system can access any attached server or serial device by simply switching to it
through an Octet switch.
An Octet switching system may consist of one or more rack mountable Octet switches and
other cascaded KVM switches, the Black Box matrix user station and the Black Box SAM
(Server Access Module). The Octet switch is equipped with the Black Box On-Screen
Display (OSD), allowing you to use your keyboard or mouse to select any attached server
or serial device. Also supplied with each Octet switch is Octoware
®
the Java™-based
system administration tool used to manage naming and access information for attached
users and servers.
NOTE:
Throughout this installer/user guide, references to an Octet switch refer to the KV1700,
KV1701, KV1702 or KV1703 switches.
Multiplatform
The Octet Series switching products feature multiplatform capabilities, enabling your
switching system to simultaneously support any combination of PC, USB or Sun servers and
serial devices. The Octet switch permits easy access across platforms with a Pinnacle FAK
(Fast Action Keyboard), Chyron, PS/2 or Sun keyboard and mouse. Operated through the
Octet switching system, a PC keyboard and mouse can operate a Sun server as easily as a Sun
keyboard and mouse can operate an attached PC.
Advanced video compensation
The Octet user station provides advanced video compensation that maximizes video
quality to support long distance communications. The video compensation feature
automatically compensates for any losses in video signal to the user station.
Multiuser
The Octet Series switch allows “matrix switching,” enabling multiple users to have
simultaneous access to different servers and serial devices in the system. For example, an
Octet switching system with four users accessing four different servers is a 4 x 4 matrix.
Eight users accessing 10 different servers would be an 8 x 10 matrix.
Sharing
If two or more users need access to the same server or serial device, they can share access
through the Octet Series switch. Sharing enables multiple users to switch to the same
server at the same time. All connected users can see the server’s video, but only one user
can enter data at any given moment.
LDAP user authentication
The Octet Series switch supports the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) user
authentication mode. LDAP provides the Active Directory for username and password
SERVSWITCHTM OCTET INSTALLER/USER GUIDE
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authentication. Refer to the Octoware software online Help program on your installation
CD for instructions on configuring LDAP on your Octet switch.
Extended keyboard support
The Octet switching system supports the Pinnacle FAK keyboard for the Octet KV1712
and above user stations and the Chyron keyboard for the KV1713 user station. The
firmware of the SAM used in your system must be compatible with the Chyron or
Pinnacle FAK keyboard to ensure keyboard operability.
Broadcast NVision Router control
The Octet switching system offers the capability to act as a control plane for specialized
broadcast and media industry video and audio routers through the Octoware software.
Both standalone and backup routers can be connected to the Octet switching system to
support router redundancy. Refer to the Octoware software online Help program on your
installation CD for instructions on configuring the NVision Router.
Seamless cascading
The Octet switching system enables users to connect to servers attached to Black Box
switches cascaded below the Octet switch through its local port. The table below lists both
Black Box and non-Black Box KVM switches that can be seamlessly cascaded in an Octet
switching system.
Seamless cascading enables you to connect Black Box KVM switches from a single user
interface
OSD by configuring a SAM as a Multiple Device Mode (MDM) SAM. Non-
Black Box KVM switches can be cascaded in an Octet switching system, but must be
activated through the particular switch OSD to continue the operation.
See Chapter 5 in this user guide or the Octoware software online Help program on your
installation CD for instructions on managing devices in your Octet switching system.
Audio and serial support
With the addition of a KV1713 user station, a SAMDM (dual port/multimedia) module
and other multimedia-capable devices, the Octet switching system enables users to access
audio and serial data from connected servers. Refer to Chapter 4 in this user guide or the
Octoware software online Help program on your installation CD for instructions on con
figuring audio and serial features in your Octet switching system.
Expansion capability
The expansion capability of your Octet switch depends on the Octet Series product
installed in your system. If your total number of servers is greater than 16 (supported by
the Octet1703 switch), 32 (supported by the Octet KV1701 matrix switch), 42 (supported
by the Octet KV1700 matrix switch) or 64 (supported by the Octet KV1702 matrix
switch), you can connect multiple Octet switches together to give dozens of users control
Target KVM Switches in Octet Cascaded Switching System
Target KVM Switches
ServSelect II (KV2016) ServSwitch Multi
ServSelect IP (KV120, KV121)
KVM Switch (Refers to any KVM switch used in
an Octet switching system not in this list)
CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION
21
of hundreds of servers from one set of peripherals. For additional flexibility, you can
attach other Black Box KVM switches to the Octet switching system as well. Refer to
Chapter 3 for additional information on cascading an Octet switching system.
Octet OSD
Using the Octet OSD you can select any attached system computer through your keyboard
or mouse. The Octet OSD supports multilevel security with password protection,
enabling you to control how much access users have to each server in your data center.
For additional security, the Octet OSD can be configured to log out after a user-defined
period of inactivity. When the time-out is reached, the current channel is deselected and
the screen goes blank. Users must log in again to access system servers.
Octoware software
The Octoware Java-based system administration software tool supplied with each Octet
switch is used to assign names to attached servers and administer naming and access
information for attached users. You can also use the Octoware software to configure
Octet switching system installations remotely, eliminating the need to configure each
unit separately. The Octoware software also enables you to monitor and report on all
system and switching events and activities.
2.2 Component Overview
An Octet switching system may consist of four main components:
• One or more Octet switches and other KVM switches
• Octet matrix user station(s)
• Octet Server Access Module (SAM)
• Octet Server Access Module Dual Port/Multimedia (SAMDM)
• Octet Serial SAM (Required Power Supply PS123A sold separately)
• Unshielded Twisted Pairs (UTP) cables
The quantity and type of components you receive depend on the specific configuration
you order.
The Octet switch
The Octet KV170x switch provides the framework for the Octet switching system. The
Octet KV1700 matrix switch allows four users to connect to up to 42 computers and
occupies only 1U of rack space. The Octet KV1701 matrix switch allows eight users to
connect to up to 32 computers and occupies only 1U of rack space. The Octet KV1702
matrix switch allows 16 users to connect to up to 64 computers and occupies 2U of rack
space. The Octet KV1703 matrix switch allows 4 users to connect to up to 16 computers
and occupies only 1U of rack space. All units can be cascaded to connect larger system
configurations. These Octet matrix switches store a full database of user rights and
computer names and communicate with the Octoware system management utility via an
IP (Internet Protocol) port.
The Octet user station
The Octet user station (Octet KV1711 user station, Octet KV1712 user station, Octet
KV1713 user station) is the interface between the Octet switch and system users. It
provides the Octet interface for server selection and administration, as well as full
SERVSWITCHTM OCTET INSTALLER/USER GUIDE
22
compensation for video degradation. The Octet user station is housed in a desktop
mounting unit that may also act as a monitor stand.
The Octet KV1711, KV1712 and KV1713 user stations provide two RJ45 ports, enabling
the connection of one Octet switch and one or two Octet SAMs. Connections to two
separate switches are not supported on the Octet KV1711 or the Octet KV1712 user
station. The Octet KV1712 and KCV1713 user stations provide skew compensation that
maximizes video quality. The Octet KV1713 adds multimedia capabilities when used with
a SAMDM module.
Figure 2-1. Typical Octet Switching System Configuration
The Octet intelligent module
The Octet SAM or SAMDM provides the primary interface between an attached device
(KVM switch or PS/2, Sun or USB server) and the Octet switching system. It provides all
Keep Alive, keyboard emulation, DDC (Digital Data Channel) and Octet switching
system support in a server-powered convenient module format.
The SAMDM module (KV1725, KV1726 or KV1727) provides two ports,
enabling one computer to be shared between two Octet switches. This dual-port
feature increases the number of users that can be added to the Octet switching
system without the need to
cascade switches. The SAMDM module also enables
the multimedia feature (audio and serial data communication) when it is
connected to an
Octet
1713 user station. The SAMDM modules support PS/2,
USB and Sun server environments.
UTP Cables
SAM
Octet KV1711
User Station
Octet KV1702 Switch
16 Users
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