IOGear GCS1758 User Manual

MiniView

Ultra+

8-Port Multi Platform KVM Switch

User Manual (GCS1758)

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing the Miniview® Ultra+ KVM switch, one of the most versatile KVM switches on the market. The New Miniview® Ultra+ is much more than a simple eight-port KVM switch. The dual interface support allows you to connect both PS/2 and USB computers on the same switch. The multiplatform support allows you to control Windows-based computers, Sun Solaris systems, Linux, or even Macs by a single KVM switch. IOGEAR extended the multi-platform support by supporting the special keys on both Sun and Mac keyboards.

are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. Macintosh, G3/G4 and iMac are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. IOGEAR makes no warranty of any kind with regards to the information presented in this document. All information furnished here is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. IOGEAR, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this document.

T able of Contents

Package Content Overview Features System Requirements Introduction Installation Operation Hotkey Port Control Alternate Hotkey Invocation Key Keyboard Emulation OSD Operation Firmware Update Utility Appendix T roub leshooting Specification T echnical Support Radio and TV Interference Statement Limited Warranty

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Package Contents

This package consists of: 1 Miniview

1 Firmware Upgrade Cable 1 Power Adapter 1 Rack Mount Kit 1 User Manual 1 Quick Start Guide 1 Warranty / Registration Card

Check to make sure that all the components are present and that nothing was damaged in shipping. If you encounter a problem, please contact your dealer.

Ultra+ KVM

Overview

IOGEAR’s new eight-port Miniview® Ultra+ KVM switch is the ideal tool to help reduce redundant hardware. Eight monitors, mice and keyboards are simply too expensive, bulky and inconvenient for most system administrators. Why bother when you can control all eight, or even up to 512 computers with a single keyboard, monitor and mouse? The added audio support allows you to enjoy music while working. Just think of the time, space and money you’ll save, and added fun.

The New Miniview® Ultra+ is much more than a simple eight-port KVM switch. The dual interface support allows you to connect both PS/2 and USB computers on the same switch. The multi-platform support allows you to control Windows-based computers, Sun Solaris systems, Linux, or even Macs by a single KVM switch. IOGEAR extended the multi-platform support by supporting the special keys on both Sun and Mac keyboards. This KVM switch also comes with the IOGEAR VSE technology, which provides excellent video resolution - up to 2048 x 1536. Built-in AutoScan mode lets you conveniently monitor every attached computer for a specified amount of time, while our On Screen Display (OSD) technology allows you to assign a unique name to each computer and access it via a smooth menu-driven interface. With its 1U, 19” rackmountable casing and status-monitoring LEDs, the Miniview® Ultra+ is the perfect switch for your server room or any other multi-computer environment.

Features

• Dual interface support – supports computers with either PS/2 or USB Keyboard and mouse.

• Multi platform support – Windows, Mac, and Sun Solaris

• Easy to install – just plug the cables in

• Audio support allows sharing multimedia speakers and microphone

• Easy to operate – computer selection via front panel switches, intuitive OSD (on screen display), and Hot Keys

• Security – 2 level password protection for OSD

• Hot Pluggable – both console side and computer side are hot swappable and auto-detect device changes

• LED Display for easy status monitoring

• Auto Scan Mode for monitoring all computers

• Complete keyboard emulation for error free booting

• Superior video quality; 2048 x 1536; support DDC2B.

• Total capacity expandable to support 512 computers via 3 levels of cascading

• Supports special keys on Sun and Mac keyboards

• Firmware upgradeable through flash ROM

• Designed for both desktop and rack mount

System Requirements

Console:

VGA, SVGA, or Multisync monitor capable of the highest resolution that you will be using on any computer in the installation USB mouse USB keyboard

Computers:

VGA, SVGA or Multisync card; Either a Type-A USB port, or PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports.

Cables:

For PS/2 computers, use IOGEAR part number G2L530XP*; For USB computers, use IOGEAR part number G2L530XU*.

*”X” stands for the length of the cable: “1” is 3', “2” is 6', “3” is 10'.)

Front View

Introduction

1. Port Selection Switches – Press a switch to access the computer attached to its corresponding port.

Pressing Buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously for 2 seconds performs a keyboard and mouse reset. Pressing Buttons 7 and 8 simultaneously for 2 seconds starts

Auto Scan Mode

Introduciton

2. Port LEDs – The Port LEDs are built into the Port Selection Switches. The upper ones are the On Line

LEDs; the lower ones are the Selected Port LEDs.

On Line

The and running. If the LED is flashing, it indicates that the port is being used for cascading to another MiniView® Ultra+ (see

The one that has the KVM focus. The LED is steady under normal conditions, but flashes when its port is accessed under

3. Reset – Use a thin object (such as the end of a paper clip, or a ballpoint pen), to press this recessed

switch in to initiate a reset of the unit. Press this briefly for a warm reset. If the switch is kept in for longer than three seconds, a cold reset takes place.

Warm Reset: Will rescan your ports for connections. Cold Reset: Cycles the power off and clear the internal memory.

4. Power LED – Lights to indicate that the unit is receiving power.

LEDs light ORANGE to indicate that the computer attached to the corresponding port is up

T wo Stage Installation

Selected

LEDs light GREEN to indicate that the computer attached to the corresponding port is the

Auto Scan Mode

(see

, p. 12).

F7 SCAN

, p. 20).

Introduction

Rear View

1. Firmware Upgrade Section – Firmware Upgrade Switch : During normal operation and while performing a

fimware upgrade, this switch should be in the NORMAL position. See p. 44 for details about the use of this switch.

Firmware Upgrade Port : The Firmware Upgrade Cable that transfers the firmware upgrade data from the administrator’s computer to the GCS1758 plugs into this RJ-11 connector. See p. 44 for firmware upgrading details.

2. Console Port Section – Ports to plug in your microphone, speakers, monitor, keyboard and mouse are

found here. Each port is marked with an appropriate icon to indicate itself.

1 23

Introduction

3. CPU Port Section – The cables that link the switch to your computers plug in here. Each CPU port is

comprised of a microphone jack, speaker jack, and KVM data connector. Note: The shape of these 15-pin connectors has been specifically modified so that only KVM cables

designed to work with this switch can plug in. Do NOT attempt to use ordinary 15 pin VGA connector cables to link these ports to the computers.

4. Cable Tie Slot – If you want to use a cable tie to gather the cables, you can run it through this

slot to attach it to the unit.

5. Power Jack – The power adapter cable plugs into this jack.

Installation

Before you Begin

1. You must unplug the power cords of any computers

that does not support hot-plugging feature.

2. To prevent damage to your installation make sure

that all devices on the installation are properly grounded.

Single Stage Installation

To set up the single stage installation of GCS1758, refer to the installation diagrams on the following page, and do the steps as indicated:

1. Plug your USB keyboard, USB mouse, monitor,

microphone and speakers into the Console USB Ports located on the unit’s rear panel.

2. Using a KVM cable set, plug the custom SPDB15 connector into any available CPU Port on the switch and plug the accompanying microphone and speaker cables into the CPU Port’s microphone and speaker jacks.

Note: Be sure that all the plugs are in the same CPU Port sockets (all in Port 1, all in Port 2, etc.).

Installation

3. At the other end of the cable (the computer end): a) For a computer with USB connections, plug the USB, video, microphone and speaker cables into their respective ports on the computer.

b) For a computer with PS/2 connections, plug the keyboard, mouse, video, microphone and speaker cables into their respective ports on the computer.

Installation

4. Repeat steps 2 - 3 for any other computers you are connecting up.

5. Plug the power adapter cable into the switch’s Power Jack, then plug the power adapter into an AC power source. This completes the single stage installation, and you can turn on the power to the computers.

Two Stage Installation

To control even more computers, you can connect up to eight additional GCS1758 units cascading to the CPU ports of the first stage unit. As many as 64 computers can be controlled in a complete two stage installation.

Installation

Three Stage Installation

The procedures for setting up a three stage installation are essentially the same as for a two stage installation. With a three stage setup, as many as 512 GCS1758 computers can be controlled in a complete installation. A table showing the relation between the number of computers and the number of switches needed to control them is provided on p. 45.

Switches cannot be cascaded beyond the third level. Once you have finished cabling up (see Two/ Three Stage Installation for details, if necessary), power up according to the following sequence:

1. For each Third Stage unit, plug the power adapter cable into the switch’s power jack; plug the power adapter into an AC source.

2. For each Second Stage unit, plug the power adapter cable into the switch’s power jack; plug the power adapter into an AC source.

3. Plug the First Stage unit’s power adapter cable into its power jack, then plug the power adapter into an AC source.

4. Turn on the power to all the computers. Note: The Power On sequence requires that all

third stage units be powered on first. After they are all on, the Second Stage units must be powered on next. After all the second stage units are on, the first stage unit must be powered on. Only after all the switches have been powered on in this sequence, can the computers be powered on.

Installation

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