Lightwave Communications 8200 User Manual

User Manual

2 February 2001

TM

Lightwave Communications, Inc.

100 Washington Street Milford, CT 06460 USA

[phone] • [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] • Internet: www.lightwavecom.com

LCI Asia/Pacific

Postal address: P.O. Box 19 Glen Iris VIC 3146 Australia

Delivery address: 16 Network Drive Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Australia

[phone] • Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] • Internet: www.lightwavecom.com.au

LCI Europe

Zaubzerstraâe 11 Munich D-81677 Germany

[phone] • Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] • Internet: www.lightwave.de

Copyright 2000-2001 Lightwave Communications, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this copyrighted material may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior

VDE, VDE/200, ServerSwitch and ServerSwitch 8200 are trademarks of Lightwave Communications, Inc.

ServerSwitch 8200 User Manual
100 Washington St., Milford, CT, 06460, USA
written permission from Lightwave Communications, Inc.

Sun® is the trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

1.0 Product Description .............................................................................................................1

1.1 Video...............................................................................................................................1

1.2 Keyboard/Mouse.............................................................................................................1

1.3 Features..........................................................................................................................2

1.4 Physical Description .......................................................................................................2

2.0 Installing the ServerSwitch 8200.........................................................................................3

2.1 Location and Operational Safety....................................................................................3

2.1.1 Power Requirements..............................................................................................3

2.2 System Cable Requirements..........................................................................................3

2.3 Connecting Sun® Servers..............................................................................................4

2.4 Connecting User Monitors and Keyboard/Mouse Sets ..................................................6

2.5 Connecting Multiple ServerSwitches..............................................................................8

3.0 Operating the ServerSwitch 8200.....................................................................................12

3.1 The On-Screen Menu...................................................................................................12

3.2 The LCD Front Panel Display.......................................................................................12

3.3 Selecting a Server Port .................................................................................................13

3.3.1 Disabling One User..............................................................................................14

3.3.2 Auto Scan.............................................................................................................15

3.4 System Setup ...............................................................................................................15

3.4.1 Set Default Keyboard Type..................................................................................16

3.4.2 Auto Scan Duration..............................................................................................16

3.4.3 Error Message Duration.......................................................................................17

3.4.4 Ignore Case in Names/Case Sensitive Names....................................................17

3.4.5 Server Name Is Never On/Always On/Temporary...............................................17

3.4.6 Other Options.......................................................................................................17

3.5 Port Setup.....................................................................................................................18

3.5.1 Naming Server Ports............................................................................................18

3.5.2 Toggle Inactive Message on LCD........................................................................19

3.5.3 Toggle Auto Scan.................................................................................................19

3.6 Menu Window Setup.....................................................................................................20

3.7 Server Window Setup...................................................................................................21

Appendix A Cable Specifications........................................................................................22

Appendix B Setting Factory Defaults and Flash Update Procedure...................................24

B.1 Setting Factory Defaults ...............................................................................................24

B.2 Flash Update Procedure...............................................................................................24

Appendix C Identification of Exterior Components..............................................................26

Appendix D System Specifications......................................................................................29

D.1 Physical.........................................................................................................................29

D.2 Environmental...............................................................................................................29

D.3 Electrical .......................................................................................................................29

D.4 Interface........................................................................................................................29

D.4.1 Server Ports.........................................................................................................29

D.4.2 User Ports............................................................................................................29

D.4.3 Cascade Ports......................................................................................................30

D.5 Compliance and Certification........................................................................................30

Edition of 2 February 2001

1.0 Product Description

The ServerSwitch 8200 is designed to transport keyboard/mouse and high-resolution
video from up to eight Sun® or compatible computers to video displays and
keyboard/mouse sets for two users. The ServerSwitch 8200 is plug-compatible with
Sun® and compatible computer workstations, video displays, and user devices (such as
keyboards and mice). The ServerSwitch 8200 can be used to create a variety of
networks with no impact on system processing power or performance. Each
ServerSwitch transparently connects video and keyboard/mouse signals between users
and CPUs, allowing two users to sit at separate locations, each with a single monitor,
keyboard, and mouse, and interact with up to 80 CPUs by cascading 10
ServerSwitches. The users may select any of the connected CPUs through an on­screen menu or by using the buttons on the front of the switch. The ServerSwitch 8200
does not lose a CPU port when cascaded; there are special ports dedicated to passing
video, keyboard, and mouse signals in a cascade.

1.1 Video

All video signals are passively transported in real time without any processing or
storage. Additionally, a constant impedance of 75 Ohms is maintained on all video lines
throughout the ServerSwitch 8200 so that video signals are not compromised by
impedance mismatches, as may be found in other switching systems. The
ServerSwitch 8200 also transports monitor sense lines from one user's monitor (user A)
to all attached CPUs, allowing the attached CPUs to perform an automatic, unattended
reboot, even if the CPU is not selected on the switch. Because only one monitor's
sense lines are transmitted to all the attached CPUs, it is recommended that both users'
monitors are identical or have compatible operating modes.

1.2 Keyboard/Mouse

The ServerSwitch 8200 transports all keyboard and mouse signals required by the user
for interaction with any of the attached computers. At any time, a user's keyboard and
mouse are routed only to the CPU selected for that user. However, all CPU ports are
monitored for CPU activity that would require the presence of a keyboard/mouse set
(i.e., a status light change or reboot); the ServerSwitch will send a "keyboard/mouse
idle" response when queried. The keyboard status light (CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK,
etc.) configuration for each CPU port is maintained within the ServerSwitch, and is sent
to the user's keyboard whenever that CPU port is selected. If the CPU changes the
status light configuration while the port is not selected, the change is saved and will be
displayed correctly when a user selects the port.

The ServerSwitch 8200 will send the language type of the keyboard to attached CPUs
for proper function of CPU operating system applications. The user can either specify
the keyboard language for each ServerSwitch 8200 unit, or let each unit send the
language layout of the keyboard attached to user port A.

1

1.3 Features

The ServerSwitch 8200 features:

§ rack-mountable chassis

§ control up to eight Sun® or compatible workstations with one ServerSwitch

§ control up to 80 Sun® or compatible workstations using 10 cascaded

ServerSwitches

§ two user ports allow simultaneous use of the ServerSwitch from two separate
stations

§ attached CPUs only require one keyboard, mouse, and monitor per user for control

1.4 Physical Description

The ServerSwitch 8200 chassis measures 17.5 inches (44.45 cm) wide by 3.5 inches
(8.89 cm) high by 8.0 inches (20.32 cm) deep. The standard rack mount “ears” allow
mounting in a 19-inch (48.26 cm) rack; the ServerSwitch 8200 requires a free space of
two rack units (2u) for mounting per unit.

An LCD display allows users to check on server status from the front panel. Server
status (powered or unpowered) is displayed on the LCD display.

Users may select server port by using two front panel buttons (in addition to using an
on-screen menu). The buttons also allow the display to toggle between the two users
on the LCD display.

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2.0 Installing the ServerSwitch 8200

2.1 Location and Operational Safety

The ServerSwitch 8200 may be mounted in a rack, or may be used as a desktop unit. If
used as a desktop unit, the rack mount "ears" may be removed, and rubber feet
(supplied with the ServerSwitch 8200) should be attached. If mounting the unit in a
rack, ensure that there are screws in each of the mounting holes and that the "ears" are
firmly seated against the rack once the screws are tightened. Make sure that at least
four inches (10 cm) of space exists behind the rear panel of the ServerSwitch 8200 to
prevent excessive bending of cables. More space may be required depending on the
cables used.

The ServerSwitch 8200 is designed to work in temperatures less than 122°F (50°C).
The unit is cooled by convection through slots in the enclosure sides. Make sure the
slots are not obstructed or clogged. If mounting in a rack, forced ventilation by rack­mounted fans is recommended, especially when mounted with other equipment. The
ServerSwitch generates 102.4 BTU/hr heat in normal operation.

The cover should not be removed due to potentially hazardous voltages inside the unit.
There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Return the unit to Lightwave for repairs to
avoid cancellation of the warranty.

2.1.1 Power Requirements

Properly and reliably ground all equipment. This is especially important when the unit is
not directly connected to power mains (i.e., when a power strip is used).

The ServerSwitch 8200 requires 100-240 VAC, 30 Watts, and 50/60 Hz. Power is
provided through the AC power cord included with the unit. Before using the
ServerSwitch 8200, the power cord must be plugged into the power input jack on the
back of the unit and into an AC power outlet.

2.2 System Cable Requirements

For most applications, Sun® Servers will have both video and keyboard/mouse cables
directly connected to the ServerSwitch 8200. The ServerSwitch 8200 requires 8-pin
Mini-DIN cables with two male ends for keyboard/mouse, and 13W3 or HD15 cables
with two male ends for video. If the unit will be in a cascade, then a DB9 serial data
cable is also required.

3

Male 8 pin mini-DIN Male 13W3
See Appendix A for cable technical specifications and Lightwave Communications part

numbers.

2.3 Connecting Sun® Servers

If the server has a 13W3 or HD15 video connector, a Sun® compatible video cable with
two male ends may be used. See Appendix A for cable specifications and part
numbers.

Connectors on a Sun® CPU with 13W3 video output

4

Connectors on a Sun® CPU with HD15 video output

CPU connectors on the ServerSwitch 8200

Connecting Sun® servers to the ServerSwitch 8200 is very simple. First, be sure that
power is off to all CPUs that will be connected to the ServerSwitch 8200. A video cable
should be connected to the video output of the Sun® server that will be connected to
the ServerSwitch. The other end of the cable should then be connected to one of the
13W3 or HD15 female connectors marked “SWITCHED INPUTS” on the rear of the
ServerSwitch. An 8 pin mini-DIN cable should then be connected to the
keyboard/mouse output of the server, with the other end connected to the “SWITCHED
INPUTS” keyboard/mouse input port above the previously connected video port on the
ServerSwitch 8200. Repeat this process for each server that is to be attached to the
ServerSwitch.

5

CPU connections to the ServerSwitch 8200 using 13W3 and HD15 video cables

Lightwave Communications recommends using cables less than 75 feet in length to
connect Sun® servers to the ServerSwitch 8200. Lengths over 75 feet cause significant
signal degradation. If the ServerSwitch 8200 and attached server must be more than
75 feet apart, use Lightwave Communications’ VDE/200 to extend the useful range of
the video signal.

2.4 Connecting User Monitors and Keyboard/Mouse Sets

Monitors and keyboard/mouse sets for both ServerSwitch 8200 users should be
identical to prevent incompatibility issues from degrading users' access to the attached
servers.

6

User A properly paired User B properly paired

Before starting, be sure that power is off to the ServerSwitch 8200 and the users'
monitors. The users' monitors are attached to the two 13W3 connectors marked
"USER" on the rear of the ServerSwitch 8200. The keyboard/mouse sets are attached
to the two 8 pin mini-DIN connectors marked "USER". Be sure that the monitor and
keyboard/mouse set for each user are properly paired to the user output ports (i.e., user
A is connected to the 13W3 and 8 pin mini-DIN ports marked "A" and not to one of the
ports marked "B"). If the user’s monitor has an HD15 video connector, then a 13W3 to
HD15 converter cable must be used. Be sure that the cable transmits all video signals
properly.

Cable connections to a ServerSwitch 8200 as a stand-alone unit

7