Black Box ServSwitch CX - Manual

              ® Introduction Thank you for choosing the ServSwitch CX series from Black Box. Each of the four models have been designed to take full advantage of CATx structured cabling ( where x means category 5, 5e or 6 ) to provide high qua...

              ® ServSwitch CX features - front and rear The ServSwitch CX units pack a great deal of functionality into a compact space. All models occupy a single 1U rack space and provide most of their connectors at the rear face. The smart ...

              ® Installation Mounting The ServSwitch CX units offer two main mounting methods: • Supplied four self-adhesive rubber feet• Supplied rack brackets Connections Rack brackets The two supplied brackets (plus four screws), allow the ...

              ® Connections The ServSwitch CX and CX with IP units provide a great deal of flexibility in their configurations. This chapter details the various connections that can be made to achieve the required installation. LOCAL USER REMO...

              9 ® Local user A locally connected video monitor, keyboard (and mouse) are required during the initial configuration. These are also useful during normal use to allow quick local control of any connected server systems. The ServS...

              0 ® Remote user (via CX Remote extender) Up to four users can be placed a maximum of 300 metres (980 feet) from the ServSwitch CX unit. Remote users are connected via a ServSwitch CX Remote extender module and suitable category 5...

              ® Global user (IP network port) The ServSwitch CX with IP models provide an autosensing Ethernet IP port that can operate at 10 or 100Mbps, according to the network speed. The ServSwitch CX with IP models are designed to reside q...

              ® Server system (via SAM) Each server system is connected to the ServSwitch CX unit via a Server Access Module (SAM) and standard category 5, 5e or 6 cabling. SAMs are available in various formats to suit differing server system ...

              ® Modem/ISDN port The ServSwitch CX with IP models provide a serial port to allow you to connect either a modem or ISDN terminal adapter. This can be used as a primary, secondary or backup access port for global users, as best su...

              ® Power in connection The ServSwitch CX unit is supplied with a single 30W power adapter which is sufficient to supply any configuration of the unit. All ServSwitch CX units have two power input sockets to allow auxiliary (redund...

              ® 8 IN IN IN IN OUT OUT OUT 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER Power control port The ServSwitch CX with IP models provide a serial port for connection to o...

              ® Cascading multiple units The ServSwitch CX (with IP) units support up to sixteen or twenty four directly connected server systems, however, this is by no means the limit. Thanks to an intelligent communication system, called Po...

              ® How cascade connections operate The method for cascading ServSwitch CX units is straightforward and requires no hardware settings or lengthy configuration process. This is due to the Port Direct communication system that allows...

              ® SAM SAM SAM SAM Group 43at cascadelevel 1 Group 41at cascadelevel 2 Port at cascade level 2 01 The unique address of this host is: The unique address of this host is: Portat cascadelevel 4 02 43 41 02 43 41 02 42 01 42 01 SAM S...

              9 ® 3 Connect the other end of the cascade link cable to one of the CATx USER PORTS sockets on the rear panel of the lower unit. Due to the way in which ports within a link group are dynamically allocated, it is not usually impor...

              0 ® Using cascaded servers In use, cascaded servers can be accessed using exactly the same methods as for those connected directly to the ServSwitch CX. However, by far the easiest way is to use the on screen menu. This is becaus...

              ® OPTIONS 1 20 12 4 19 11 3 18 10 2 17 9 1 3 2 24 16 8 23 15 7 22 14 6 21 13 5 4 5V 5V WARNING ! RJ45 CONNECTORS ON THIS PANEL ARE FOR CONNECTION TO KVM EQUIPMENT ONLY. DO NOT CONNECT TO NETWORK OR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS 4A 4A AUX PWR...

              ® Configuration Almost all configuration and operational aspects of the ServSwitch CX units are controlled via on-screen menu displays. Overall initial configuration When setting up a new installation, the following stages are re...

              ® SERVSWITCH CX Computer Port Computer 1 01 Computer 2 02 Computer 3 03 Computer 4 04 Computer 5 05 Computer 6 06 Computer 7 07 Computer 8 08 User port 1 Status ADMIN SHARED USE F1-More menus F3-Find F2-Adj. Video F4-Logout Confi...

              ® Configuration menus layout The menu options are arranged as shown here: For a description of each option within the Configuration menus, see Appendix 1 for more details. Configuration Menu Functions (F1) Advanced Options User P...

              ® Registering users (edit user list) To create/edit user accounts 1 Display the Configuration menu . Note: You must be logged-in as the ADMIN user. 2 Highlight ‘Edit User List’ and press . 5 Press to display the ‘Edit Access Righ...

              ® Registering servers (edit computer list) To create/edit server entries 1 Display the Configuration menu . Note: You must be logged-in as the ADMIN user. 2 Highlight ‘Edit Computer List’ and press . SERVSWITCH CX Edit access rig...

              ® Video compensation The ServSwitch CX units allow server systems to be placed up to 50m (160 feet) away and remote users to be extended by a maximum of 300m (980 feet). Such long cable lengths can affect video signals, especiall...

              ® Server video compensation The video compensation for connected servers is achieved using the main menu. Although the compensation can be applied from any local, remote or global user port, it is best achieved using the local us...

              9 ® To apply remote user video compensation 1 Ensure that the video image from the server to be used has been correctly compensated. See Server video compensation for details. 2 On the remote user keyboard (connected to an ServSw...

              0 ® To use skew adjustment 1 Display a skew pattern on the appropriate server. You can either use the supplied skew pattern or create your own: Using the supplied skew pattern i Insert the supplied Installation CD-ROM into the CD...

              ® Autoscanning The ServSwitch CX provides an autoscan mode that switches between the connected servers in sequence. This mode is useful to allow users and administrators to sample activity among the connected machines. Three scan...

              ® Saving and restoring configuration settings The ServSwitch CX can store up to 512 server names and 16 sets of user access rights (ServSwitch CX with IP models support a maximum of 128 servers). Particularly in cascaded configur...

              ® What to do if the ADMIN password has been forgotten If the ADMIN password becomes mislaid or forgotten, you will not be able to access the ServSwitch CX to add or edit users and server names. This situation may be resolved by p...

              ® Hot plugging and mouse restoration It is strongly recommended that you switch off a server before attempting to connect it to the ServSwitch CX. However, if this is not possible then you need to ‘hot plug’ the server while it i...

              ® Initial IP configuration IP models of the ServSwitch CX family possess a further collection of configuration options related specifically to IP networking. It is important that the options are correctly set up for your installa...

              ® To configure IP details from a global user location 1 Use either the VNC viewer or a standard web browser to make remote contact with the ServSwitch CX with IP – see Global user connections for more details. 2 If the username e...

              ® Encryption settings The ServSwitch CX with IP offers a great deal of flexibility in its configuration and this extends equally to its encryption settings that are used to prevent unauthorised interception of signals. Due to the...

              9 ® VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER Internet SAM VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER Internet SAM Networking issues Thanks to its robust security the ServSwitch CX with IP offers you great flexibility in h...

              0 ® VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER Internet CAM Placing ServSwitch CX with IP behind a router or firewall A possible point of contention between the ServSwitch CX with IP and a firewall can occasionally arise over ...

              ® To discover a DHCP-allocated IP address Once a DHCP server has allocated an IP address, you will need to know it in order to access the ServSwitch CX with IP via a network connection. To discover the allocated IP address: 1 In ...

              ® Placing ServSwitch CX with IP alongside the firewall ServSwitch CX with IP is built from the ground-up to be secure. It employs a sophisticated 128bit public/private key system that has been rigorously analysed and found to be ...

              ® Power switching configuration Power switch configuration comprises two main steps: • Configure the POWER CONTROL serial port to the same speed as used by the power switch box(es), either via configuration menu or via configurat...

              ® The KVMADMIN utility Particularly useful for complex ServSwitch CX configurations and the control of remote installations, KVMADMIN is a powerful administration tool.KVMADMIN is based upon the successful VNC viewer and uses the...

              ® Performing upgrades The ServSwitch CX and CX with IP units are fully reconfigurable via flash upgrades, as are the individual Server Access Modules that are used to link all host servers. The ServSwitch CX with IP models operat...

              ® 9 - Commence the upgrade To begin the upgrade process, click the Upload Now button. The progress will be shown within the dialog. Should you decide not to continue with the upload at any stage, click the Abort button; response ...

              ® Upgrading ServSwitch CX with IP models The ServSwitch CX with IP models are upgraded via global connection (through the IP network port). Upgrades are digitally signed using a secure key. This prevents unauthorised or altered f...

              ® LOCAL USER REMOTE USER CX R GLOBAL USER IP SERVER SYSTEM SAM ® 724-746-5500 ® Operation The front panel controls ServSwitch CX models COMPUTER button and numeric indicator These items allow you to select any one of the ServSwit...

              9 ® SERVSWITCH CX User Name: Password: Port 1 login Esc-Scr Save SERVSWITCH CX Computer Port Computer 1 01 Computer 2 02 Computer 3 03 Computer 4 04 Computer 5 05 Computer 6 06 Computer 7 07 Computer 8 08 User port 1 Status ADMIN...

              ® To select a server using the on-screen menu 1 Select the on-screen menu in one of three ways: • By simultaneously pressing and then releasing . • By pressing the middle and right buttons of a three button mouse, or Note: The mo...

              ® Logging in and out The ServSwitch CX features a straightforward security system that helps to prevent unauthorised access to some, or all connected servers. If the security option has been selected by your administrator then yo...

              ® The reminder banner As many server screen layouts can appear very similar, the ServSwitch CX provides a reminder banner option that indicates which server port you are currently viewing. The banner is usually displayed at the t...

              ® Power switching (via configuration menu) When used in conjunction with optional power switch boxes, the ServSwitch CX with IP allows you complete remote control over the connected servers. The primary function of the power swit...

              ® OR OR SERVER SYSTEM SAM ® 724-746-5500 ® Global user access Global users access the ServSwitch CX with IP using a viewer and a link. There are two types of viewer and two types of link, which can be used in any combination. VNC...

              ® IMPORTANT: During login, if you see a warning message similar to the one shown here, then stop and do not proceed. Global user access via VNC viewer The VNC viewer is a compact application that runs on your IP-connected ‘global...

              ® Global user access via web browser You can use a standard Web browser ( supported versions ) to gain access to the ServSwitch CX with IP and its host server(s). As soon as you make contact with the ServSwitch CX with IP it will...

              ® Using the viewer window The viewer window gives you the ability to view and control the ServSwitch CX with IP and its host server(s). Its operation is almost identical regardless of whether you used the VNC viewer or your Web b...

              9 ® Host selection The Hosts button on the menu bar provides the quickest and most efficient way to switch between host servers. This is because the button is close at hand, but also because the screen calibration details for eac...

              0 ® Access mode - shared/private Up to five users can be simultaneously logged-on (four global users plus one local or remote user) and during normal operation, all are able to see the same view of the currently selected host. If...

              ® Mouse Control This option displays a mouse control dialog and is useful when the remote cursor is failing to respond correctly to your mouse movements, even after using the Resync mouse option. The mouse control dialog allows y...

              ® Click to send the code Enter the code here Keyboard Control This option displays a keyboard control dialog and is useful for sending keyboard combinations (to the host) that are needed regularly or that are trapped by the ServS...

              ® Video Settings This dialog provides access to all of the key video settings that determine image quality and link performance. Threshold The threshold is effectively a noise filter that differentiates between valid video signal...

              ® If you need to enter a port number Usually, when you make a network connection to the ServSwitch CX with IP (either using the VNC viewer or a Web browser) you simply enter the IP address, i.e. 192.168.0.3. However, if a special...

              ® Viewer encryption settings The web browser viewers and VNC viewers (of level 4.0b5S or higher) offer four encryption options. The resulting actions of certain options depend upon how the ServSwitch CX with IP to which you are c...

              ® Further information This chapter contains a variety of information, including the following: • Getting assistance - see below• Troubleshooting - see right• Appendices • Appendix 1 - Configuration menus • Appendix 2 - Configurat...

              ® Appendix 1 – Configuration menus The ServSwitch CX configuration menus allow a range of settings to be made both to the installation as a whole and to parts of the system accessed by each user. To access the configuration menus...

              ® Functions The Functions menu contains a collection of procedures that affect various aspects of ServSwitch CX operation. Only the Admin user is granted access to all functions, other users are offered only the following options...

              9 ® User Preferences The User Preferences are system operating parameters that are independently selectable for each user and affect only their screen. Screen Saver Type Settings: BLANK, MOVING DOT You may select the type of scre...

              0 ® Global Preferences Global preferences are available only to the Admin user and allow settings to be made that affect all users attached to the ServSwitch CX. Autoscan Mode Settings: SCAN LIST, ACTIVE PCs, ALL PCs The ServSwit...

              ® Setup Options Setup options are available only to the Admin user and consist of key settings that are normally made only during the initial installation stage. Hotkeys Settings: CRTL+ALT, CTRL+SHIFT, ALT+SHIFT, ALT GR, L+R ALT,...

              ® Setup Options (continued) Automatic Logout Settings: DISABLED, ENABLED The ServSwitch CX enables you to restrict access to your servers on a login basis. If a user forgets to logout when they have finished accessing the ServSwi...

              ® Advanced Options Advanced options are available only to the Admin user and consist of settings that are related to specialist areas such as power control and DDC. Power Control The options within this section are concerned with...

              ® Net Mask Also often called the ‘subnet-mask’, this value is used alongside the IP address to help define a smaller collection (or subnet) of devices on a network. In this way a distinction is made between locally connected devi...

              ® Modem Configuration This page allows you to configure the COM1 serial port located at the rear of the ServSwitch CX with IP. Server IP / Client IP When a user dials into the ServSwitch CX with IP via a modem or ISDN adapter, th...

              ® Clearing IP access control This option removes all entries from the IP access control feature within the ServSwitch CX with IP. What is IP access control? The IP access control feature (configurable by a remote admin user) allo...

              9 ® Appendix 2 - Configuration pages via viewer This section covers the configuration pages that are available to global admin users, using either the VNC viewer or the browser methods of access. To access the remote configuratio...

              0 ® User accounts This page allows you to manage up to sixteen separate accounts. The first of the sixteen accounts is the admin account and is the only account with access rights to the configuration menus. The user name and acc...

              ® Unit configuration This page provides access to a selection of both basic and advanced settings for the ServSwitch CX with IP. Many of the settings displayed here are also accessible through the on-screen menu. Unit Name The na...

              ® Advanced unit configuration Click this button to display advanced options that do not normally require alteration. Mouse Latency Allowance This option is used during calibration to account for latency delays (caused as signals ...

              ® Time & date configuration This page allows you to configure all aspects relating to time and date within the ServSwitch CX with IP unit. Timezone specifier Optionally enter a recognised timezone specifier related to the cur...

              ® Network configuration This page allows you to configure the various aspects of the IP port and its relationship with the local network. MAC address Media Access Control address – this is the unique and unchangeable code that wa...

              ® Setting IP access control The golden rule with this feature is ‘Include before you exclude’ or to put it another way ‘Arrange allowed addresses in the list before the denied addresses’. This is because the positions of entries ...

              ® Serial port configuration This page provides all access to settings concerned with the two serial ports (modem and power control) that are situated at the rear of the ServSwitch CX with IP unit. Modem port PPP Server IP Address...

              ® Host configuration This page provides the opportunity to configure various details for each of the host systems that may be connected to the ServSwitch CX with IP via one or more KVM switch units. There are 128 entries, each of...

              ® Port Direct Port Direct is totally transparent communication system that allows supporting devices to communicate with each other. Using the keyboard connections that link each device, Port Direct allows: • A controlling device...

              9 ® Logging and status This screen provides various details about the user activity on the ServSwitch CX with IP unit. To get here 1 Using VNC viewer or a browser, log on as the ‘admin’ user.2 Click the ‘Configure’ button in the ...

              90 ® Appendix 3 - VNC viewer connection options When you are connecting to the ServSwitch CX with IP using the VNC viewer, a number of options are available. Colour/Encoding Auto select When ticked, this option will examine the s...

              9 ® Inputs Enable all inputs When selected, allows keyboard, mouse and clipboard data to be transferred between server and viewer systems. Disable all inputs (view-only mode) When selected, prevents control data being passed betw...

              9 ® Scaling No Scaling No attempt is made to make the screen image fit the viewer window. You may need to scroll horizontally and/or vertically to view all parts of the screen image. Scale to Window Size Adjusts the server screen...

              9 ® Identities This feature helps your VNC viewer to confirm that a revisited ServSwitch CX with IP is genuine and not another device masquerading as a ServSwitch CX with IP. The list given will retain the identities of all visit...

              9 ® Appendix 4 - VNC viewer window options Click the VNC icon in the top left corner of the viewer window (or press F8) to display the window options: Standard window control items Full screen Expands the VNC viewer window to fil...

              9 ® Appendix 5 - Browser viewer options When you are connecting to the ServSwitch CX with IP using a Web browser, a number of options are available. There are four options pages: Encoding and colour level Auto select When ticked,...

              9 ® Appendix 6 – Addresses, masks and ports IP address, network masks and ports are all closely linked in the quest for one device to find another across disparate network links. IP addresses As a rough analogy, consider how you ...

              9 ® Net masks - the binary explanation To really understand the operation of a net mask it is necessary to delve deeper into the life blood of servers – binary ; this is native digital, where everything is either a 1 (one) or 0 (...

              9 ® Calculating the mask for IP access control The IP access control function uses a standard IP address and a net mask notation to specify both single locations and ranges of addresses. In order to use this function correctly, y...

              99 ® VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER Internet Web server Ports If you accept the analogy of IP addresses being rather like telephone numbers, then think of ports as extension numbers. In a company of any size, you g...

              00 ® Appendix 7 – Cable and connector specifications RS232 serial mouse to PS/2 converter cable 5 1 CLK DCD NC NC NC 1 2 DAT RXD 2 5 TXD GND 3 4 GND Female 6 5 4 3 2 1 DTR 4 6 +5V DSR 6 7 -12V RTS 3 TXD (-12V) 8 CTS 9 RI pin mini...

              0 ® Multi-head synchronisation cable MASTER end 9pin D-type male SLAVE end 9pin D-type male MASTER end 9pin D-type male SLAVE end 9pin D-type male Use this cable when two ServSwitch CX devices are being synchronised. Use this cab...

              0 ® Appendix 8 – Hotkey sequence codes These codes are used when defining hotkey switching sequences (macros) for host servers and allow you to include almost any of the special keys on the keyboard. Permissible key presses Main ...

              0 ® Appendix 9 – Supported video modes The following video modes are supported and can be automatically configured by the ServSwitch CX units. If a recognised video mode cannot be found, the ServSwitch CX will gradually change so...

              0 ® Safety information • For use in dry, oil free indoor environments only.• Both the ServSwitch CX and its power supply generate heat when in operation and will become warm to the touch. Do not enclose them or place them locatio...

              0 ® End user licence agreement PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT CONCERNS ENHANCED VNC VIEWER SOFTWARE (“the SOFTWARE”) FOR USE WITH THE ServSwitch CX PRODUCT (“the PRODUCT”). THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED TO ENABLE...

              0 ® Radio Frequency Energy A Category 5 (or better) twisted pair cable must be used to connect the units in order to maintain compliance with radio frequency energy emission regulations and ensure a suitably high level of immunit...

              0 ® FCC requirements for telephone-line equipment 1 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established rules which permit this device to be directly connected to the telephone network with standardized jacks. This equipm...

              0 ® Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOM) electrical safety statement Instrucciones de seguridad 1 Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado. 2 Las instrucciones ...

              ® BlackBox subsidiary contact details Country Web Site/Email Phone Fax United States www.blackbox.com 724-746-5500 724-746-0746 Austria www.black-box.at +43 1 256 98 56 +43 1 256 98 56 [email protected] Belgium www.blackbox.be...