Black Box SW547A, SW548A Specifications

1

Black Box Corporation • 1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • Tech Support: 724-746-5500 • www.blackbox.com • e-mail: [e-mail]

© 2005. All rights reserved.

Black Box Corporation.

02/07/2002 #26042

Telnet console
manager.

For local or remote
serial-port switching.

Eight or sixteen RS-232
serial ports and
one Ethernet port.

Up to 115-kbps
throughput.

Port-specific password
protection.

Menu-driven control.
No software required.

User-definable modem
auto-setup command
strings.

Any-to-any port
switching.

Rackmount ears
included.

T

hese versatile switches provide

secure, in-band and/or out-of­band access to RS-232/V.24
console ports as well as
maintenance ports on UNIX

®

servers, routers, and other
networking equipment.

You can use the BLACK BOX

®

Remote Console Port Manager for:

• local or remote console port
switching,

• UNIX serial console
management,

• Telnet or dial-up access
to consoles at your remote
sites, or

• sharing multiple console ports
through a single VT100™
terminal or PC.

The amount of control on the
switch is impressive. You can
access remote devices in order to
change configuration parameters,
connect users to restricted ports,
collect buffered data, and perform
a variety of other administrative
functions.

Each port on the switch can be
individually accessed by number,
name, or group without having to
navigate a complex procedure in

Access serial console ports for convenient

in- or out-of-band management.

Key Features

REMOTE CONSOLE PORT MANAGERS

the process. You can individually
configure ports using simple,
menu-driven commands, whether
you want to set passwords, data
rates, parity, flow control, or other
operating parameters.

You can connect up to 8 or 16
different devices to the Remote
Console Port Manager. And this
can be done without having to
select a common baud rate,
handshaking, or parity for the
connected devices. The Remote
Console Port Manager converts
the devices’ data rates and other
parameters. Each port can be
individually configured for various
options, and the switch will still
provide communication between
the dissimilar devices.

Want to limit access to
important commands? The switch
is designed to do just that, making
it ideal for co-location applications.
It has two security levels that
allow each port to function as
a Supervisor Port or a User Port,
depending on the password
entered during login. Users
on Supervisor Ports can change
configuration and display status,

and connect to any other port.
User Port users, however, are only
allowed to connect to the ports
provided by their password.

Each individual port can be
assigned its own unique, user­defined password, up to 16
characters long. With its non­volatile memory, the switch retains
information relating to port
connections even if the unit loses
power or is interrupted.

The full matrix capability of
the Remote Console Port Manager
enables you to connect any port
to any other port on the device.
Ports can also be connected or
disconnected by a third party with
supervisor rights. For example,
systems managers can swap
various RS-232 devices between
ports on a terminal server at a
remote location. Configuration
and Status screens within the
menu display port parameters
and connection activity for one
or all ports.

When you want individual
ports to capture and store
incoming data, you can set the

(continued on page 2)

2

Sample Application Using 16-Port Model

PSTN

Remote User

or Supervisor

Modem

Service Tech

Remote User

or Supervisor

WAN

(Telnet)

Port Password: COLOCATION2

Port Password: COLOCATION1

(continued from page 1)

(continued on page 3)

switch to operate in Buffer Mode.
This “snapshot” of the last 32K
of received data is stored in non­volatile memory and can be
viewed, saved, or erased at any
time. This feature is particularly
useful when alarm information,
or other critical data, is sent to a
specific port during non-connect
periods.

You’re also provided with
several control options. The
Remote Console Port Manger
can be controlled by a local PC
(communicating with the switch
via cable) or controlled remotely
via an external modem or Telnet
connection. Just use a terminal
emulation or Telnet program to
send commands for connecting
ports or displaying status.

Once you configure the
Remote Console Port Manager
for your application, you can save
your parameters and options to

an ASCII text file on your PC. Doing
this enables you to quickly restore
user-selected parameters if the
unit configuration is accidentally
altered or deleted. You can even
upload saved parameters to other
Remote Console Port Manager
units—a useful function when you
want to quickly set up several units
that are configured with identical
or similar parameters.

Ports and switches.

There are two types of ports
on the back panel: a Network Port
and eight or sixteen RS-232 Ports.

The Network Port is an RJ-45
Ethernet port (a 10BASE-T
interface) for connection to your
TCP/IP network. To communicate
via a network, you need only to
specify an IP address, subnet
mask, and gateway address.

Standard DB9 connectors
configured as DTE ports, the
RS-232 Ports are used for
connecting to console ports on

This is just one of many possible installation configurations for the Remote Console
Port Manager. In this example, ports have been configured as follows:

• Network Port: This port enables Telnet access by remote supervisors and/or
users. When a Telnet connection is established, the switch prompts the caller
to enter a password. If the supervisor password is entered, the unit recognizes
supervisor-level commands; if a port password is entered, it only recognizes
user-level commands. Supervisors are allowed to adjust port configuration,
connect to any port, or review unit status. Users, however, are only permitted
to review status and connect to ports that are allowed by their port password.

• Port 1 (System Set-Up Port): In this application, this port has been left open so
on-site service personnel can access the switch’s Command Mode without
disrupting other ports. Because Port 1 is the System Set-Up Port, the service
tech is allowed password-protected access to supervisor-level commands,
and is able to connect to any port, change configuration, or display unit status.

• Port 2 (Modem Port): An external modem has been installed here, and the port
has been configured for Modem Mode. This mode allows definition of a modem
reset string, initialization string, and hang-up string. When a caller contacts the
Remote Console Port Manager via a modem, a password prompt is displayed.
If the supervisor password is entered, the switch permits access to supervisor-

Compliance: FCC Subpart B, Part 15,

Class A; UL

®

; CSA; TUV; CE

Communications Chip: 16654 UART

with FIFO and flow control

Connectors:

Both (1) RJ-45 10BASE-T;
8-port: (8) DB9 M (DTE);
16-port: (16) DB9 M (DTE)

Data Format: ASCII

Flow Control: RTS/CTS, X-ON/X-OFF,

or both

Indicators: Front-panel LEDs: (1) ON

(power), (1) RDY (ready), (1) NET
(network connection); (8) or (16)
ACTIVITY numbered (data activity
per corresponding port)

Interface: RS-232, Ethernet

Leads Supported: 1–5, 7, 8

Memory: Stores parameters and

captured data; non-volatile 512K
SRAM buffer memory; statically
allocated

Modem Control: User-defined

password, initialization, and
hangup strings

Passwords: Individual, assigned to

each port

Processor: Motorola

®

68EC000,

16 bit, 12 MHz

Protocol: Asynchronous

Speed: 300 bps to 115.2 kbps

(all standard rates)

Switching Commands: Menu text

via terminal

Operating Temperature Tolerance:

32 to 113ºF (0 to 45ºC)

Humidity Tolerance: 10 to 90%,

noncondensing

Power: 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz,

5 watts

Size: 1.75"H x 17"W x 6.5"D

(4.5 x 43.2 x 16.5 cm)

Weight: 6 lb. (2.7 kg)

Specifications

level commands; if a port password is entered, the unit only recognizes user­level commands. As noted earlier, supervisors are allowed to adjust port
configuration, connect to any port, or review unit status, but users are only
allowed to review status and connect to the ports allowed by their port
password.

• Ports 5, 7, and 9 (User Ports): The port password COLOCATION1 has been
assigned to these three ports. If the Remote Console Port Manager is contacted
via the Network Port or Modem Port, and this password is entered at login,
users are only able to review status and connect to the devices that are
attached to Ports 5, 7, and 9.

• Ports 12, 14, and 16 (User Ports): The port password COLOCATION2 has been
assigned to these three ports. If the switch is contacted via the Network Port or
Modem Port, and this password is entered at login, users are only able to review
status and connect to the devices that are attached to Ports 12, 14, and 16.

NOTE: In this example, Ports 3 through 16 could also be a mixture of ports
connected to external modems and ports connected to devices such as file
servers or archives. This set-up would enable remote users to dial in and
access a specific file server or archive as long as they enter a valid port
password at login.

3

• 8- or 16-port switch

• Rackmount ears

• (1) 6-ft. (1.8-m) DB9 female to
female null-modem cable

• (1) power cord

• User’s manual

Package Includes

Ordering Information

ITEM CODE

Remote Console Port Manager

8-Port ..........................................................................SW547A

16-Port ........................................................................SW548A

For optimum performance, order…

AT Serial Printer (CL2) Cable, DB9 Female/DB25 Male,

10-ft. (3-m) ......................................................EVMBPC-0010

AT Modem Cable, Premium, DB9 Female/DB25 Male,

9-Conductor, 10-ft. (3-m) ...........................EVMBMC-0010

your devices and are similar to a
serial port on a PC. When
connecting a modem, use a
standard serial cable. But when
you want to connect a PC or other
DTE device, use the (included) null­modem cable.

Two of the RS-232 Ports
on both the 8-port and 16-port
models serve as the switch’s
System Set-Up Ports, which are
used for communicating during
initial set-up and configuration.
You can connect these ports either
to a PC or a modem. By connecting
to a modem, you can control the
device from a remote PC.

The Remote Console Port
Manager also has ”option
switches” on its back panel. These
eight DIP switches are used to set
the default baud rate, handshake,
message type, and duplex mode.
Though the option switches are by
default set to be compatible with
most applications, you can easily
change them to suit your needs.

Monitoring activity is a matter
of observing the instrument front
panel on the unit. The RDY LED
flashes to indicate that the Remote
Console Port Manager is
operational; the NET LED lights
when a network connection is
present; and the ACTIVITY LEDs
light to indicate data activity on
their corresponding ports.

(continued from page 2)

Recognize any of these situations?

• You wait more than 30
minutes to get through to a
vendor’s tech support.

• The so-called “tech” can’t
help you or gives you the
wrong answer.

• You don’t have a purchase
order number and the tech
refuses to help you.

• It’s 9 p. m. and you need help,
but your vendor’s tech
support line is closed.

According to a survey by Data
Communications magazine, 90% of
network managers surveyed say
that getting the technical support
they need is extremely important
when choosing a vendor. But even
though network managers pay

anywhere from 10 to 20% of their
overall purchase price for a basic
service and support contract, the
technical support and service they
receive falls far short of their
expectations—and certainly isn’t
worth what they paid.

At Black Box, we guarantee the

best value and the best support.

You can even consult our
Technical Support Experts before
you buy if you need help selecting
just the right component for your
application.

Don’t waste time and money—

call Black Box today.

Why Buy From Black Box? Exceptional Value.Exceptional Tech Support.Period.