Minicom Advanced Systems SMARTRACK 116 IP User Manual
SmartRack 116 IP
User Guide
International HQ
Jerusalem, Israel
Tel: + 972 2 535 9666
minicom@minicom.com
www.minicom.com
North American HQ
Linden, NJ, USA
Tel: + 1 908 486 2100
info.usa@minicom.com
Technical support - support@minicom.com
European HQ
Dübendorf, Switzerland
Tel: + 41 44 823 8000
info.europe@minicom.com
5UM20182 V1.1 11/08
SMARTRACK 116 IP
Table of Contents
1. Welcome......................................................................................................................4
Section I...........................................................................................5
2. Introduction.................................................................................................................5
2.1 Key features........................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Compatibility........................................................................................................................................6
3. System components....................................................................................................6
4. Hardware kit contents.................................................................................................6
5. Pre-installation guidelines...........................................................................................7
5.1 Avoiding general rack mounting problems.........................................................................................8
6. Connecting to a rack...................................................................................................8
6.1 Using the longer bracket for rack depth of 905 ~ 990mm...............................................................11
6.2 Connecting the KVM Switch 116 IP.................................................................................................12
7. The SmartRack Switch system configuration...........................................................14
7.1 The 116 switch..................................................................................................................................14
7.1.1 Connector table........................................................................................................................15
7.2 Connecting ROCs to servers............................................................................................................15
7.2.1 Connecting a ROC PS/2..........................................................................................................15
7.2.2 Connecting a ROC USB...........................................................................................................16
7.3 Connecting the CAT5 cables............................................................................................................17
7.4 Connecting to the network................................................................................................................17
7.5 Connecting the power supply...........................................................................................................17
8. Terminology..............................................................................................................17
9. Initial settings - Default IP address...........................................................................17
9.1 Static IP addresses for a number of units........................................................................................18
10. Logging into the Web interface...............................................................................20
10.1 SSL Certificate notes......................................................................................................................20
11. Network > Configuration.........................................................................................21
11.1 LAN 1...............................................................................................................................................21
11.2 KVM.net...........................................................................................................................................22
12. Network > SNMP Settings.......................................................................................22
12.1 SNMP Events table.........................................................................................................................23
13. Administration > User Settings...............................................................................25
13.1 Adding a user..................................................................................................................................26
13.2 Editing a user..................................................................................................................................26
13.3 Deleting a user................................................................................................................................26
13.4 Blocking a user................................................................................................................................26
14. Administration > Switch Configuration...................................................................27
15. Administration > User Targets................................................................................27
16. Security > Settings..................................................................................................28
17. Security > SSL Certificate.......................................................................................29
18. Maintenance > Firmware Upgrade...........................................................................30
19. Restore Factory Settings.........................................................................................30
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20. Saving changes and logging out.............................................................................31
21. Starting a remote session.......................................................................................31
21.1 Taking over a busy remote session................................................................................................33
21.2 The Toolbar.....................................................................................................................................33
21.3 Switching to a different server........................................................................................................34
21.4 Changing the performance settings...............................................................................................34
21.5 Adjusting the Video settings...........................................................................................................35
21.5.1 Refresh....................................................................................................................................35
21.5.2 Manual Video Adjust...............................................................................................................35
21.5.3 Auto Video Adjust...................................................................................................................36
21.6 Power cycle.....................................................................................................................................37
21.7 Keyboard key sequences...............................................................................................................37
21.8 Synchronizing mouse pointers.......................................................................................................38
21.8.1 Aligning the mice pointers......................................................................................................39
21.8.2 Calibrating mice pointers........................................................................................................39
21.8.3 Manual mice synchronization.................................................................................................39
21.9 Minicom icon menu features...........................................................................................................41
21.10 Full screen mode...........................................................................................................................42
21.11 Disconnecting the remote session...............................................................................................42
22. Troubleshooting - Safe mode..................................................................................42
22.1 Entering Safe mode........................................................................................................................43
22.2 Restoring factory defaults...............................................................................................................44
22.3 Restoring the device firmware........................................................................................................45
Section II........................................................................................46
23. Switching between computers................................................................................46
23.1 The keyboard hotkeys.....................................................................................................................46
24. The OSD...................................................................................................................46
24.1.1 Navigating the OSD................................................................................................................47
24.1.2 Selecting a computer..............................................................................................................47
24.1.3 The OSD settings (F2)............................................................................................................47
24.1.4 The General settings..............................................................................................................48
24.1.5 F7 Defaults..............................................................................................................................50
24.1.6 The Ports settings...................................................................................................................50
24.1.7 The Time settings...................................................................................................................51
24.1.8 Users.......................................................................................................................................52
24.1.9 Security...................................................................................................................................53
24.1.10 The OSD HELP window – F1...............................................................................................53
24.1.11 Scanning computers– F4.....................................................................................................54
24.1.12 Tuning – F5...........................................................................................................................54
24.1.13 Moving the label – F6...........................................................................................................55
24.1.14 DDC – F10............................................................................................................................55
25. Upgrading the SmartRack 116 IP firmware.............................................................56
25.1 System requirements for the SmartRack 116 IP Update software...............................................56
25.2 Connecting the SmartRack 116 IP system....................................................................................56
25.3 Installing the software.....................................................................................................................56
25.3.1 Connecting the RS232 Download cable................................................................................56
25.4 Starting and configuring the SmartRack 116 IP Update................................................................57
25.4.1 Verifying the version numbers................................................................................................58
25.4.2 Obtaining new firmware..........................................................................................................59
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SMARTRACK 116 IP
25.4.3 Updating the firmware............................................................................................................59
25.4.4 Manually updating ROCs.......................................................................................................60
25.5 Troubleshooting the Update software............................................................................................60
25.5.1 Resetting through the Update software.................................................................................61
25.5.2 Setting default values for the OSD.........................................................................................61
25.5.3 Getting the current status.......................................................................................................61
25.5.4 Communication Error message..............................................................................................61
25.5.5 Electricity failure......................................................................................................................61
26. Technical specifications..........................................................................................63
27. Video resolution and refresh rates..........................................................................65
28. Safety.......................................................................................................................65
29. User guide feedback................................................................................................65
30. WEEE compliance...................................................................................................65
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USER GUIDE
1. Welcome
Thank you for buying the SmartRack 116 IP system. This system is produced by
Minicom Advanced Systems Limited.
This document provides installation and operation instructions for Minicom’s
SmartRack 116 IP. It is intended for system administrators and network managers,
and assumes that readers have a general understanding of networks, hardware and
software.
Technical precautions
This equipment generates radio frequency energy and if not installed in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause radio frequency interference.
This equipment complies with Part 15, Subpart J of the FCC rules for a Class A
computing device. This equipment also complies with the Class A limits for radio
noise emission from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation
of the Canadian Department of Communications. These above rules are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such interference when operating the
equipment in a commercial environment. If operation of this equipment in a
residential area causes radio frequency interference, the user, and not Minicom
Advanced Systems Limited, will be responsible.
Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by
Minicom Advanced Systems Limited could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
Minicom Advanced Systems Limited assumes no responsibility for any errors that
appear in this document. Information in this document is subject to change without
notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written
permission of Minicom Advanced Systems Limited.
Trademarks
All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
© 2008 Copyright Minicom Advanced Systems. All rights reserved.
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SMARTRACK 116 IP
Section I
This section explains how to configure and operate the SmartRack 116 IP system
remotely over IP.
Section II on page 46, explains how to operate the Smart 16 IP switching system
locally through the On Screen Display (OSD).
2. Introduction
The SmartRack 116 IP extends your KVM (keyboard, video, and mouse) from any
computer or server over TCP/IP via LAN, WAN or Internet connection. Now you
can control, monitor and manage up to 16 remote servers from wherever you are,
inside or outside the organization. The SmartRack 116 IP is a cost-effective
hardware solution, for secure remote KVM access & control of 16
computers/servers from the BIOS level - independent of the OS. One local analog
or one remote digital IP user can access and control 16 multi-platforms (PS/2,
USB) servers at a time.
The SmartRack 116 IP is based on Minicom’s innovative ROC technology in
which each computer/ server is directly connected to the switch via ROC dongles
using only standard CAT5 cable at a distance of up to 30m/100ft in a star
configuration. No external power is needed at the remote ROCs.
Occupying just 1U of rack space, it’s the neat, space-saving way to control your
data rack. It comes with all the hardware you need to mount it, and is easy to
install.
You can access and control up to 16 multi-platform computers from one KVM
(keyboard video mouse) console.
To access servers, just slide out the drawer and flip up its top to display the large,
high resolution 17” TFT LCD display.
The display is (VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA compatible) with front-panel highquality controls and Touchpad for easy adjustment.
2.1 Key features
BIOS level control to any server’s brand and model, regardless of the server
condition and network connectivity, covering the entire spectrum of crash
scenarios.
Compatible with all major operating systems. Supports many hardware and
software configurations for the remote client and the target server computers, as
well as the KVM switch in use.
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USER GUIDE
Web-based control - Browser control to a target server, from any location via
secured standard IP connection.
Multi-user view mode - Allows simultaneous users to view remote sessions.
Remote control can be intuitively handed between users with appropriate
permissions.
Security - Supports the highest security standards for encryption (128 bit SSL and
HTTPS) and authentication for remote user and advanced OSD management with
multi-layer security for local user.
KVM.net - Can be controlled by Minicom’s KVM.net system for centralized
over-IP management of distributed data center locations.
2.2 Compatibility
The SmartRack 116 IP is compatible with:
• PS/2 and USB computers/servers
• Windows, Linux, UNIX and other major operating systems
3. System components
The SmartRack 116 IP system consists of:
• 1 SmartRack 116 IP
• 1 RS232 Download cable (p/n 5CB40419)
• ROCS - PS/2, USB
• CAT5 cables (1.5m provided)
4. Hardware kit contents
Rail with front and rear bracket x 2,
for rack depth of 614 ~ 800 mm.
Right and left sides are different.
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SMARTRACK 116 IP
Long bracket x 2. (For increased rack
depth of 905 ~ 990mm)
Short bracket x 2
Bracket attachment x 2
Note! The short bracket and bracket attachment for a rack depth of 504~ 614 mm
and without a KVM switch connected to the drawer.
Flat screws x 6 (for rail mount to console body)
Screws x 6
Bracket A with thumbscrew x 2
Screws x4
Keys x 2.
5. Pre-installation guidelines
• Switch off all computers
• Place cables away from fluorescent lights, air conditioners, and machines that
are likely to generate electrical noise
• Ensure that the maximum distance between each computer and the SmartRack
116 IP does not exceed 30m/100ft
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USER GUIDE
5.1 Avoiding general rack mounting problems
Elevated operating ambient temperature
The operating ambient temperature of the rack environment may be greater than
the room ambient when installing into a closed or multi-unit rack assembly. So
install the equipment in an environment compatible with the maximum rated
ambient temperature.
Reduced airflow
Install the equipment in a rack in such a way that the amount of airflow required
for safe operation is not compromised.
Mechanical loading
Mount the equipment in the rack in such a way that a hazardous condition is not
achieved due to uneven mechanical loading.
Circuit overloading
When connecting the equipment to the supply circuit, consider the effect that
overloading of circuits might have on over-current protection and supply wiring.
Reliable earthing of rack-mounted equipment should be maintained. Give attention
to supply connections other than direct connections to the branch circuit (e.g. use of
power strips).
6. Connecting to a rack
Note! For increased rack depth of 905 ~ 990mm, first change the bracket, see
section 6.1 on page 11.
Note! The illustrations below show the connections to one side of the SmartRack
116 IP. The connections are the same for the other side.
1. Move the rail until two screws appear, see Figure 1.
Figure 1 Exposing the 2 screws
2. Loosen slightly the 7 screws as shown below.
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SMARTRACK 116 IP
Figure 2 Loosen 7 screws
3. Adjust the rear bracket to fit your cabinet, see below.
Figure 3 Adjusting the bracket
4. Install the front and rear bracket onto the cabinet, see figure below.
Figure 4 Installing front and rear bracket on cabinet
5. Tighten the 7 screws as shown below.
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USER GUIDE
Figure 5 Tightening the 7 screws
6. Repeat the steps above to connect the other rail to the other side of the rack.
7. Slide the SmartRack console between the rails as shown below.
Figure 6 Sliding the SmartRack between the rails
8. Unlock and pull both left and right rail–lock switches together – see below –
and push the console all the way into the rack.
Figure 7 Rail–lock switch
9. Connect three flat screws to the rear of the console on both sides. See figure
below.
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SMARTRACK 116 IP
Figure 8 Connecting three flat screws to the rear of the console
The console now sits snugly in the rack, see Figure 9.
Figure 9 Console in the rack
6.1 Using the longer bracket for rack depth of 905 ~ 990mm
To replace the bracket with the longer bracket:
1. Loosen the 7 screws as shown below.
Figure 10 Loosening the 7 screws
Remove the six (different) screws as shown below.
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USER GUIDE
Figure 11 Removing the six screws
2. Take the rear bracket out, see below.
Figure 12 Taking the rear bracket out
3. Insert the long bracket into the rail then adjust the bracket to fit your cabinet.
Tighten at least 2~3 screws along the length you need. See Figure 13.
Figure 13 Inserting and tightening the long bracket
4. Repeat the above steps for the other side.
5. Go to section 6 Connecting to a rack.
6.2 Connecting the KVM Switch 116 IP
1. Connect the bracket A to the sides of the Switch using the two 6mm screws
provided see figure below.
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SMARTRACK 116 IP
Figure 14 Connecting the bracket A to the sides of the Switch
2. Slide the Switch 116 IP into the rail and into the back of the SmartRack console
until you hear a click. See the figure below.
Figure 15 Slide switch into back of SmartRack
3. Secure the Switch 116 IP to the rail by inserting the thumbscrews through the
bracket and into the rail and tightening them, see Figure 16.
Figure 16 Tightening the thumbscrews
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USER GUIDE
7. The SmartRack Switch system configuration
You connect servers to the 116IP switch via ROCs. Figure 17 illustrate the basic
configuration of the 116IP system.
10 11 12 13 14 15 169
MINICOM
SMARTRACK 116IP SWITCH
SMARTRACK 116IP SWITCH
User over IP
Internet / VPN / LAN
SERIAL
FLASH LAN
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
To servers
CAT5 cables
Up to 30M / 100ft
ROCs
to servers
0
I
Figure 17 SmartRack 116IP Switch system configuration
7.1 The 116 switch
MINICOM
SMARTRACK 116IP SWITCH
Flash
(download)
connector
10 11 12 13 14 15 169
SERIAL
FLASH LAN
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
LAN (Ethernet)
connector
Server ports
Figure 18 116IP Switch ports
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0
I
Power
connector
SMARTRACK 116 IP
7.1.1 Connector table
Connector Function
Serial This port is for future Serial functionality
Flash To update firmware of the analogue part of the 116 IP Switch
system - OSD, Switch, ROCs.
LAN Connect to 10/100 Mbit Ethernet. Yellow Led illuminates when
connected to LAN. Green LED illuminates when a remote session
is in progress
Server ports Connect to servers via ROCs
7.2 Connecting ROCs to servers
Each computer/server is directly connected to the SmartRack switch via the
appropriate ROC using CAT5 cable in a star configuration. No external power is
needed at the remote ROCs. The ROCs draw their power from the computer’s
keyboard port (ROC PS/2) or from the USB port (ROC USB). The figures below
illustrate the ROC PS/2 and ROC USB.
To computer’s
Video card
To computer’s
keyboard port
To computer’s
Figure 19 ROC PS/2
mouse port
To computer’s
Video Card
To computer’s
USB Port
Figure 20 ROC USB
7.2.1 Connecting a ROC PS/2
Figure 21 illustrates the ROC PS/2 connections.
You can connect the ROC PS/2 to a powered on computer, but it must be in the
following order:
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USER GUIDE
1. Connect the Mouse connector to the computer’s Mouse port.
2. Connect the Keyboard connector to the computer’s Keyboard port.
3. Connect the Screen connector to the computer’s Video port.
Failure to connect in the above order while the server is running, may lead to the
mouse malfunctioning until the server is rebooted.
To Keyboard port
Keybd
Mouse
100T
Parallel
VideoSerial A
Serial B
PCI 33Mx32b
PCI 33Mx32b
PCI 33Mx32b
PCI 33Mx32b
SCSI
CAT5 cable to switch
Server port
To Mouse port
ROC PS/2
To Video port
Figure 21 ROC PS/2 connections
7.2.2 Connecting a ROC USB
The ROC USB supports Windows 98 SE and later, MAC, SUN, SGI and all
modern Linux distributions. Figure 22 illustrates the ROC USB and its connections.
To connect the ROC USB:
1. Connect the Screen connector to the computer’s Video port.
2. Connect the USB connector to the computer’s USB port.
ROC USB
CAT5 cable to switch
Server port
To Video port
To USB port
Figure 22 ROC USB
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SMARTRACK 116 IP
7.3 Connecting the CAT5 cables
1. Connect one connector to the ROC’s RJ45 port.
2. Connect the other connector to one of the SmartRack Switch Server ports.
3. Follow the above 2 steps for each computer.
7.4 Connecting to the network
Connect the network cable to the LAN port. This must be done before powering on
the SmartRack 116IP Switch.
7.5 Connecting the power supply
1. Connect the switch to the power supply using the Power cord provided. Only
use the Power cord supplied with the unit.
2. Power on the switch.
8. Terminology
Below are some terms and their meanings used in this guide.
Term Meaning
Target server The computers/servers that are accessed remotely via the
SmartRack 116 IP.
Client computer The PC running a remote SmartRack 116 IP session
Remote session The process of remotely accessing and controlling Target
Servers connected to SmartRack 116 IP from a user
workstation
9. Initial settings - Default IP address
The following sections provide instructions for setting the IP address for the
SmartRack 116 IP unit. See Figure 23 for an overview of the boot-up process.
By default, SmartRack 116 IP boots with an automatically assigned IP address
from a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server on the network. The
DHCP server provides a valid IP address, gateway address and subnet mask.
To identify the IP address, the SmartRack 116 IP MAC address appears on the
underside of the SmartRack 116 IP box. The device number (D.N.) can also be
found there.
If no DHCP server is found on the network, SmartRack 116 IP boots with the static
IP address:192.168.0.155.
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USER GUIDE
Note! If a DHCP server later becomes available, the unit picks up the IP settings
from DHCP server. To keep the static IP address, disable DHCP – explained in
section 11.1 on page 21.
9.1 Static IP addresses for a number of units
Where you want to connect more than 1 SmartRack 116 IP to the same network
and there is no DHCP server, or you want to use static IP addresses, do the
following:
Connect the SmartRack 116 IP units one at a time and change the static IP address
of each unit before connecting the next unit.
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SMARTRACK 116 IP
Unit boots up
Device network setting
is set to obtain IP address from
DHCP Server
Yes
Is DHCP Server
present in the
connected LAN?
Yes
IP address is assigned by the DHCP server
To access the configuration page of the unit, open IE 6.0 or higher and type:
No
https://IPaddress/config
Default password: access
Every 5 minutes
No
Default user: admin
Set static IP
(deselect the DHCP
and set the IP)
Yes
Device IP is:
192.168.0.155
No
The unit operates with the static IP address
Figure 23 boot-up process
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USER GUIDE
10. Logging into the Web interface
Client computer operating system. Windows 2000 or higher, with Internet
Explorer 6.0 or later version. 128 bit encryption support is required.
Complete the initial setup via the Web configuration interface:
1. Open your Web browser (Internet Explorer version 6.0 or higher).
2. Type the SmartRack 116 IP system IP address - https://IP address/config - and
press Enter. The login page appears, see Figure 24.
Figure 24 Login page
3. Type the default Administrator user name - admin - and password - access (both lower case).
4. Press Enter. The Web interface opens at the Network Configuration page. See
Figure 25.
Figure 25 SmartRack 116 IP Web interface
5. Bookmark the page for easy reference.
10.1 SSL Certificate notes
When first connecting to SmartRack 116 IP’s https configuration page, 2 browser
security warnings appear. Click Yes to proceed.
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