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CAT5 Smart KVM Extender – Quick Start Guide
1. Introduction
To take advantage of the full range of features, we recommend you read the softcopy User
Guide after performing the Quick Start procedure. It’s in PDF format on the supplied CD or
on our website www.minicom.com in the Support section.
The CAT5 Smart KVM Extender (KVM Extender) system from Minicom is an advanced
KVM switch that performs the following functions:
Extends KVM control over a computer* up to a distance of 110m / 360ft
Gives 2 users at 2 workstations control of 1 computer*
A 2-port KVM switch for 1 or 2 users
* Throughout this guide ‘computer’ also means a KVM switch
2. System components
The KVM Extender system consists of:
Transmitter
Receiver
3 in 1 CPU cable
1 Power adapter for the Receiver
A Shielded CAT5 FTP (Foil Twisted Pair) Solid Wire 2x4x24 AWG cable with RJ-45M
connectors connects the KVM Extender system.
1111 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609 USA
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CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER
1
3. The KVM Extender units
The figures below illustrate the Transmitter and Receiver units.
Figure 1 Transmitter side panels
Figure 2 Receiver front panel
Figure 3 Receiver rear panel
Figure 4 Receiver side panel
SYSTEM
CPU
Built-in KVM
cables
System cable
6VDC
Green
Control LED
MouseMonitor
Keyboard
Side A
Side B
Yellow
Power LED
Power
connector
SELECT
POWER
CONTROL
Select
button
LEDs
COMPUTER
USER
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Computer
Mouseport
Computer Keyboard
port
Computer
Monitorport
6VDC
SYSTEMPICTURE
Picture
adjuster
System
cable
Power
connector
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QUICK START GUIDE
2
4. Pre-installation instructions
Disconnect all computers from the power supply.
Place cables away from fluorescent lights, air conditioners, and machines that are likely to
generate electrical noise.
5. The KVM Extender cables
The Transmitter comes with built-in KVM cables that connect to the computer’s Video card,
Mouse and Keyboard ports.
The 3 in 1 CPU cable
The 3 in 1 CPU cable –illustrated below – is only used when the Receiver connects to a
computer. The cable connects to the Computer section of the Receiver rear panel.
Figure 5 3 in 1 CPU cable
6. Power supply
Connect the Receiver to the power supply with the Power adapter and cord provided.
The Transmitter receives its power from the connected computer and does not generally need
an external power supply. However, when cascading Smart Extenders, some of the
Transmitters need an external power supply. Use a Minicom Power adapter p/n 5PS20025.
The power supply specifications are: Regulated 6VDC 2 Amp, minus on internal pin
.
7. Using the KVM Extender as an extender
Extend the KVM workstation from the computer up to a distance of 110m/360ft.
1. Connect the Transmitter to a computer.
2. Connect a KVM workstation to the Receiver.
3. Connect a CAT5 FTP cable to the System ports of the Transmitter and Receiver.
4. Connect a Power adapter to the Receiver.
Figure 6 illustrates the connections.
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CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER
3
Figure 6 KVM Extender as an extender
8. Giving 2 users access to 1 computer
To give 2 users access to 1 computer, connect the system as in Figure 7. The connections are
the same as in Figure 6, with the addition of a KVM workstation for user 2.
Access to the computer is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Figure 7 Giving 2 users access to 1 computer
9. The KVM Extender as a 2-port KVM Switch
Figure 8 illustrates the system connected to 2 computers and 2 workstations. User 1 can access
his local computer or the remote computer. User 2 can only access his local computer. The
connections are the same as in Figure 7, with the addition of the 3 in 1 CPU cable that
connects a 2ndcomputer to the Receiver.
CAT5
SM A R T
Extender
RECEIVER
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
CAT5
S M A R T
Extender
TRANSMITTER
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
6VDC
To Video card
SD
DESKPRO
To wall
socket
SD
P110
Computer
To
Keyboard
port
To Mouseport
Transmitter
Receiver
To System port
CAT5 FTP cable
Up to 110m / 360ft
Power
adapter
To Power
connector
To User Monitor port
To User
Keyboard port
To User
Mouse
port
To System port
CAT5
SM A RT
Extender
RECEIVER
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
CAT5
SM A RT
Extender
TRANSMITTER
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
6VDC
SD
DESKPRO
SD
P110
Computer
Transmitter
Receiver
CAT5 FTP cable
Up to 110m / 360ft
To Monitor port
SD
P110
To Keyboard
port
To Mouse
port
User 1
User 2
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QUICK START GUIDE
4
Figure 8 2-port KVM Switch
The option in Figure 8 can also work with only 1 user workstation connected at the Receiver.
There is another configuration diagram on the last page of this Guide, and more on the
Marketing & Documentation CD.
10. Operating the KVM Extender
Once the system is connected there are 2 ways to switch between the 2 computers / KVM
workstations.
At the Receiver, press the Select button
Or
At the keyboard, press Shift followed by + or -.
Control LEDs
Control LED On Blinking Off
Receiver
Receiver controls
the Transmitter
computer
Transmitter controls
its own computer
Working at
Receiver
computer
Transmitter
Receiver controls
the Transmitter
computer
N/A
Working at
Transmitter
computer
Adjusting the picture
When the Transmitter computer is controlled from the Receiver, you can adjust the picture
quality using a small flat screwdriver to turn the Picture adjuster located on the Receiver’s rear
panel. See Figure 4.
CAT5
SM A RT
Extender
RECEIVER
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
CAT5
SM AR T
Extender
TRANSMITTER
MINICOM
www.minicom.com
6VDC
SD
DESKPRO
SD
P110
Computer
Transmitter
Receiver
CAT5 FTP cable
Up to 110m / 360ft
SD
P110
User 1
User 2
3 in 1
CPU
cable
SD
DESKPRO
To Video card
To
Keyboard
port
To Mouse port
To Computer
Monitor port
To Computer
Keyboard port
To Computer
Mouse port
Computer
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CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER
5
Timeout
When there are 2 workstations in the system you can gain control at either workstation when
the other workstation is idle for 1 second. This timeout period can be altered in the Settings
mode to between 1-99 seconds, as explained on page 6.
Locking KVM control
When there are 2 users in the system, either user can override the Timeout feature and retain
control by locking the system.
To lock control:
On the keyboard press Shift then, F12.
To relinquish control:
On the keyboard press Shift then, Esc.
In the Settings mode you can disable the lock control function, as explained on page 6.
11. KVM Extender Settings mode
Enter the Settings mode to:
Change the hotkey
Change the Timeout period
Enable/disable lock control
Make advanced adjustments
View settings
Note! Settings changed at the Receiver location are saved in the system. Settings changed at
the Transmitter location are erased once the Transmitter is powered off.
To enter the Settings mode:
Press Shift then, F2. Release Shift before pressing F2. All 3 keyboard LEDs glow when in the
Settings mode.
Changing the hotkey
At the Receiver you can change the hotkey from Shift to Alt or Ctrl. Once changed, all
references in this Guide to Shift now refer to the new hotkey.
To change the hotkey:
To Type the letters
Alt HA
Ctrl HC
Shift HS
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QUICK START GUIDE
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Changing the Timeout period
At the Receiver you can change the Timeout period.
To do so:
Press T followed by a 2-digit number of between 01-99 seconds. The 3 keyboard LEDs blink
and the new setting is now functional.
Enabling/disabling lock control
By default both users can lock control. At the Receiver you can disable / enable lock control.
To disable lock control type DL.
To enable lock control type EL.
Making advanced adjustments
The KVM Extender operates with:
Windows, Linux, Novell or UNIX systems
2 or 3 or 5 button PS/2 mouse, Intellimouse or Wheel mouse
When connected and switched on as set out above, the KVM Extender automatically operates
with the computer and mouse types connected to it.
Replacing a computer
When a computer is replaced with a different computer type while the KVM Extender is in
use, we recommend turning the new computer off before connecting it to the KVM Extender.
When turning the computers off is inconvenient, do the following:
At the Receiver or Transmitter location, enter the Settings mode to adjust the keyboard and
mouse modes making them compatible with the new computer. See the tables below.
Keyboard settings when replacing a computer
For Type the letters
PC (Windows, Linux,
Novell) PC
UNIX console mode UC
UNIX graphics mode UG
Set the keyboard mode to:
PC when operating Intel based computers.
UC when operating UNIX computers in console mode.
UG when operating UNIX computers in graphics mode.
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CAT5 SMART KVM EXTENDER
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Mouse driver settings when replacing a computer
For Type the letters
Wheel mouse or Intellimouse IN
2 or 3 button mouse PS
5-button mouse EP
Set the mouse mode to IN when the computer has an operating system that supports Wheel
mouse functionality: (Windows 98 and Linux*).
Set the mouse setting to PS when the computer has an operating system that does not support
Wheel mouse functionality: (Windows 95, NT4, DOS, Linux*, UNIX and Novell).
*Depending on the version.
Set the mouse setting to EP when the computer has an operating system that supports Explorer
mouse functionality: (Windows – ME, 2000, and XP).
Replacing a mouse type
After replacing a mouse with a different mouse type (as opposed to a different mouse of the
same type) while the KVM Extender is in use. From the Receiver location:
1. Press and hold the Select button for more than 5 seconds.
2. Release the Select button after your monitor blinks once.
Viewing the settings
At the Receiver or Transmitter location, view the settings and firmware revision in any text
editor.
To view the settings:
1. Before entering to the Settings mode switch the keyboard layout to English.
2. Open any text editor, e.g. Notepad.
3. Press Shift, then F2 to enter the Settings mode.
4. Press F. The settings appear in the text editor.
Exiting the Settings mode
To save changes and exit the Settings mode:
Press Esc.
For more detailed setup and operating instructions please see the softcopy User Guide on the
supplied CD or on our website
http://www.minicom.com/supportuserguides.htm
201204205 • 933190_EN
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