Page 2 - Notes and Cautions
Notes and Cautions Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potentia...
Page 3 - Contents; Product Overview
Contents 3 Contents 1 Product Overview Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SIP Intelligent Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Multiplatform Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 OSCAR Graphical User Interface...
Page 4 - A Appendices
4 Contents Selecting Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Soft Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Navigating the OSCAR Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Configuring OSCAR Interface Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
Page 5 - Figures
Contents 5 Figures Figure 1-1. Console Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Figure 1-2. Example of a Console Switch Configuration . . . . . 9 Figure 2-1. Console Switch Horizontal Installation . . . . . . . 14 Figure 2-2. Basic Console Switch Configuration . . . . . . . . 15 Figure 2-3. Cons...
Page 6 - Tables
6 Contents Figure 3-20. Broadcast Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Figure 3-21. Broadcast Enable Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Figure 3-22. Switch Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Figure 4-1. SIP Status Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Figure 4-2. SIP Upgr...
Page 7 - Product Overview; Features and Benefits; management for easy system configuration and server selection.; SIP Intelligent Module; flexibility allows you to add capacity as your data center grows.
Product Overview 7 1 Product Overview Features and Benefits The 8-Port and 16-port Dell™ Console Switches integrate keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) switching technology with advanced cable management, flexible access for up to two simultaneous users, and an intuitive user interface. The Console Swi...
Page 8 - Multiplatform Support; Using the On-Screen Configuration and Activity Reporting (OSCAR; OSCAR Graphical User Interface; number, allowing you to assign unique server names.; Security; password is entered to reactivate the system.; Video; SIP Resolution and Refresh Rates
8 Product Overview w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Multiplatform Support The SIPs available with your Console Switch support PS/2 and USB server environments. PS/2, USB, Sun, and serial cabling options are also available using Avocent™ AVRIQ intelligent cables. Using the On-Screen Confi...
Page 9 - Figure 1-2. Example of a Console Switch Configuration; Safety Precautions; system and working environment from potential damage.
Product Overview 9 FLASH Upgradable You can upgrade your firmware at any time through a simple update utility to ensure that your Console Switch system is always running the most current version available. Both the Console Switch and the SIPs are FLASH upgradable. See "Appendix A: Flash Upgrades...
Page 10 - access any of the components inside the system.; General
10 Product Overview w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com CAUTION: The power supplies in your system may produce high voltages and energy hazards, which can cause bodily harm. Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the covers and access any of the components inside the syst...
Page 11 - Rack Mounting of Systems; statements and procedures.
Product Overview 11 • To help prevent electric shock, plug the system and peripheral power cables into properly grounded electrical outlets. These cables are equipped with three-prong plugs to help ensure proper grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. • Observ...
Page 13 - Installation; Getting Started; Supplied with the Console Switch; The following are supplied with the Console Switch:; Additional Items Needed; Rack Mounting Your Console Switch; to the top. Avoid uneven loading or overloading of rack cabinets.
Installation 13 2 Installation Getting Started Before installing your Console Switch, refer to the following list to ensure you have all items that shipped with the appliance as well as other items necessary for proper installation. Supplied with the Console Switch The following are supplied with th...
Page 14 - Figure 2-1. Console Switch Horizontal Installation; Installing the Console Switch; To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to your equipment:
14 Installation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 2-1. Console Switch Horizontal Installation CAUTION: Rack Loading - Overloading or uneven loading of racks may result in shelf or rack failure, causing damage to equipment and possible personal injury. Stabilize racks in a permanent...
Page 15 - Figure 2-2. Basic Console Switch Configuration
Installation 15 Figure 2-2. Basic Console Switch Configuration To connect a SIP to each server: 1 Locate the SIPs for your Console Switch. 2 Attach the appropriately cable ends to the keyboard, monitor and mouse ports on the first server you will be connecting to the appliance. 3 Attach one end of t...
Page 16 - Tiering Console Switches
16 Installation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com NOTE: When connecting a Sun AVRIQ module, you must use a multi-sync monitor to accommodate Sun computers that support both VGA and sync-on-green or composite sync. To connect local peripherals: 1 Select the keyboard, monitor and mouse to b...
Page 17 - Figure 2-3. Console Switch Configuration with a Tiered Switch
Installation 17 Figure 2-3. Console Switch Configuration with a Tiered Switch ARI Ports Secondary Servers Local user A Local User B (16 port model only) Console Switch Primary Servers Tiered (secondary) Console Switch
Page 18 - Adding Legacy Switches; Legacy Product
18 Installation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Adding Legacy Switches You can add legacy switches to the Console Switch system for easy integration into your existing configuration. In a tiered system, each ARI port will accommodate up to 24 servers. See the following table for legacy ...
Page 19 - Figure 2-4. Console Switch Configuration with a Legacy KVM Switch
Installation 19 Figure 2-4. Console Switch Configuration with a Legacy KVM Switch To add a legacy KVM switch: 1 Mount the KVM switch into your rack cabinet. Locate a length of CAT 5 cabling to connect between your Console Switch and the SIP for your switch. 2 Attach the keyboard, monitor and mouse c...
Page 20 - To connect local peripherals:; Setting Up Your Console Switch System; setup and configuration.
20 Installation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com 7 Repeat steps 2 to 5 for all tiered switches you wish to attach to your system. To connect local peripherals: 1 Select the keyboard, monitor and mouse to be connected to local user A. 2 Locate the port set labeled A on the back of the app...
Page 21 - Basic Operation; Controlling Your System at the Local User Ports; Use the OSCAR; Main; Main
Basic Operation 21 3 Basic Operation Controlling Your System at the Local User Ports The Console Switch features up to two local user port sets on the back of the unit that allow you to connect a monitor and a PS/2 keyboard and mouse for direct access. The 8-port Console Switch allows you to connect...
Page 22 - Viewing the Status of Your Switch; The following table describes the status symbols.
22 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 3-1. Main Dialog Box NOTE: You can also press the <ctrl> key twice within one second to launch the OSCAR interface. You can use this key sequence in any place you see <Print Screen> throughout this installer/user’s gu...
Page 23 - Selecting Servers; Free; Soft Switching; Screen Delay Time; Symbol Description
Basic Operation 23 Selecting Servers Use the Main dialog box to select servers. When you select a server, the appliance reconfigures the keyboard and mouse to the correct settings for that server.To select servers:Double-click the server name, EID or port number. -or- If the display order of your se...
Page 24 - Menu; Port; EID; Navigating the OSCAR Interface; Table 3-2. OSCAR Interface Navigation Basics
24 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com 2 Click Setup - Menu. The Menu dialog box appears. 3 Set a Screen Delay Time by typing the number of seconds of delay you want between <Print Screen> being pressed and the Main dialog box displaying. 4 Click OK . To soft switch to...
Page 25 - Configuring OSCAR Interface Menus; You can configure your Console Switch from the; Setup; dialog box in OSCAR. Click the; Names
Basic Operation 25 Configuring OSCAR Interface Menus You can configure your Console Switch from the Setup dialog box in OSCAR. Click the Names button when initially setting up your appliance to identify servers by unique names. Select the other setup features to manage routine tasks for your servers...
Page 26 - Assigning Server Names; Feature
26 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com To access the Setup dialog box: 1 Press <Print Screen> to launch the OSCAR interface. The Main dialog box appears. 2 Click Setup . The Setup dialog box displays. Figure 3-2. Setup Dialog Box Assigning Server Names Use the Names di...
Page 27 - Modify; OK
Basic Operation 27 Figure 3-3. Names Dialog Box NOTE: If the server list changes, the mouse cursor turns into an hourglass as the list is automatically updated. No mouse or keyboard input is accepted until the list update is complete. To assign names to servers: 1 In the Names dialog box, select a s...
Page 28 - Assigning Device Types
28 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com 5 Click OK in the Names dialog box to save your changes. -or- Click X or press <Escape> to exit the dialog box without saving changes. NOTE: If a SIP has not been assigned a name, the EID is used as the default name. Assigning Dev...
Page 29 - Changing the Display Behavior
Basic Operation 29 Figure 3-6. Device Modify Dialog Box 3 Choose the number of ports supported by your legacy switch and click OK . 4 Repeat steps 1 to 3 for each port requiring a device type to be assigned. 5 Click OK in the Devices dialog box to save settings. NOTE: Changes made in the Device Modi...
Page 30 - Name; Controlling the Status Flag; Flag
30 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 3-7. Menu Dialog Box To choose the default display order of servers: 1 Select Name to display servers alphabetically by name. -or- Select EID to display servers numerically by EID number. -or- Select Port to display servers numer...
Page 32 - Setting Console Security; to launch the OSCAR interface
32 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 3-9. Set Position Flag NOTE: Changes made to the flag position are not saved until you click OK in the Flag dialog box. 6 Click OK to save settings. -or- Click X to exit without saving changes. Setting Console Security The OSCAR ...
Page 33 - as described in the previous procedure
Basic Operation 33 2 Type the new password in the New text box and press <Enter> . Passwords must contain both alpha and numeric characters, are case sensitive and may be up to 12 characters long. Legal characters are: A to Z, a to z, 0 to 9, space and hyphen. 3 In the Repeat box, type the pas...
Page 34 - Displaying Version Information
34 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com 2 Select Enable Screen Saver . 3 Type the number of minutes for Inactivity Time (from 1 to 99) to delay activation of the screen saver. 4 Choose Energy if your monitor is E NERGY S TAR® compliant; otherwise select Screen . CAUTION: Moni...
Page 35 - Click; SIP; to view individual SIP version information.The; SIP Selection; Select a SIP to view and click the; SIP Version; dialog box appears. For
Basic Operation 35 Figure 3-11. Version Dialog Box 3 Click SIP to view individual SIP version information.The SIP Selection dialog box appears. Figure 3-12. SIP Selection Dialog Box 4 Select a SIP to view and click the Version button. The SIP Version dialog box appears. For more information on loadi...
Page 36 - Resetting a SIP
36 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 3-13. SIP Version Dialog Box 5 Click X to close the SIP Version dialog box. Resetting a SIP PS/2 SIPs can be reset using the Reset button in the SIP Version dialog box. NOTE: This procedure is only relevant where your Console Swi...
Page 37 - Reset; Resetting Your Keyboard and Mouse
Basic Operation 37 Figure 3-14. SIP Version Dialog Box 5 Click Reset . A warning message appears, warning that the function is for tiered switches only and that resetting the SIP could result in the need to reboot the target server. 6 Click OK to proceed with the reset. or 7 Press <ESC> to exi...
Page 38 - Scanning Your System; If the OSCAR interface is not open, press; Scan
38 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 3-15. Commands Dialog Box Scanning Your System In scan mode, the appliance automatically scans from port to port (server to server). You can scan up to 16 servers, specifying which servers to scan and the number of seconds that e...
Page 39 - Scan Time; Clear; Print Screen
Basic Operation 39 Figure 3-16. Scan Dialog Box 3 The dialog box contains a listing of all servers attached to your appliance. Click the check box next to the servers you wish to scan. -or- Double-click on a server’s name or port. -or- Press < Alt > and the number of the server you wish to sca...
Page 40 - Scan Enable; Commands; Running System Diagnostics; Run Diagnostics
40 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 3-17. Commands Dialog Box 3 Select Scan Enable in the Commands dialog box. 4 Click X to close the Commands dialog box. NOTE: Scanning will begin when the Main dialog box or flag is displayed. Scanning is inhibited in any other OS...
Page 41 - To run diagnostic tests:; A warning message appears indicating that all users will
Basic Operation 41 Figure 3-18. Diagnostics Dialog Box NOTE: A SIP may appear to be offline while it is being upgraded. Next to each item to be tested, you will see a pass (green circle) or fail (red x) symbol display to the left of each item as that test finishes. The following table details each o...
Page 42 - Figure 3-19. Diagnostics Warning Message Box; Broadcasting to Servers
42 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 3-19. Diagnostics Warning Message Box 3 Click OK to begin diagnostics. -or- Click X or press <Escape> to exit the dialog box without running a diagnostic test. 4 All users are disconnected and the Diagnostics dialog box dis...
Page 43 - Broadcast
Basic Operation 43 Figure 3-20. Broadcast Dialog Box NOTE: Broadcasting Keystrokes - The keyboard state must be identical for all servers receiving a broadcast to interpret keystrokes identically. Specifically, the <Caps Lock> and <Num Lock> modes must be the same on all keyboards. While...
Page 44 - Preemptive
44 Basic Operation w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Figure 3-21. Broadcast Enable Dialog Box 5 Click OK to enable the broadcast. Click X or press Escape to cancel and return to the Commands dialog box. 6 If broadcasting is enabled, type the information and/or perform the mouse movements ...
Page 45 - Select either; or; Cooperative; as your switch mode.
Basic Operation 45 Figure 3-22. Switch Dialog Box 3 Select either Preemptive or Cooperative as your switch mode.
Page 47 - Appendices; Appendix A: Flash Upgrades; Upgrading the Console Switch; Downloads
Appendices 47 4 Appendices Appendix A: Flash Upgrades Upgrading the Console Switch You can upgrade the firmware of your Console Switch by using a special update utility provided by Dell. This utility automatically configures the port communications settings to allow direct downloading from the conne...
Page 48 - Possible Error Conditions
48 Appendices w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Possible Error Conditions If the download does not execute properly, verify the following: • Verify that the COM port is correct. • Verify that no other program is currently using the COM port, or that a previous DOS window/shell is open tha...
Page 49 - Upgrading the SIP
Appendices 49 Upgrading the SIP The Server Interface Pods (SIPs) can be upgraded individually or simultaneously. NOTICE: Do not cycle power to the server or disconnect the SIP during this process. A loss of power will render the SIP inoperable and require the unit be returned to the factory for repa...
Page 51 - Click the; Load Firmware; dialog box appears.; to initiate the upgrade and return to the; SIP Status
Appendices 51 Figure 4-5. SIP Version Dialog Box 5 Click the Load Firmware button. The SIP Load dialog box appears. Figure 4-6. SIP Load Dialog Box 6 Click OK to initiate the upgrade and return to the SIP Status dialog box. NOTE: During an upgrade, the SIP status indicator in the Main dialog box wil...
Page 52 - Appendix B: Technical Specifications; Server Ports
52 Appendices w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Appendix B: Technical Specifications Table 4-1. Technical Specifications Server Ports Number 8 or 16 SIP Types PS/2 and USB Avocent™ AVRIQ PS/2, USB, Sun, Serial Connectors RJ-45 Sync Types Separate horizontal and vertical Plug and Play DDC2...
Page 54 - Appendix C: Notifications; USA Notification; Canadian Notification
54 Appendices w w w .d el l. c o m | s upp ort .del l. com Appendix C: Notifications USA Notification CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. NOTE: This equipment has been ...
Page 55 - Agency Approvals; GS
Appendices 55 Agency Approvals UL/cUL (UL 60950/CSA 22.2 No. 60950:2000)ICES-003 NOM-019-SCFI-1993 IRAM S Mark (Resolution 92/98) ACA AS/NZS 55022, class A CNS 13438 FCC Class A, EN60950:2000, EN55022:1998, EN55024:1998, EN61000-3-3:1995 +A1,A2. GS GOST-R VCCI CCC SASOMIC/RRL, Republic of Korea EMI ...
Page 57 - Index
Index 57 Index A ACI, 16Analog Console Interf ac e, See ACI Analog Rack Interface, See ARI ARI, 7, 16, 18, 26, 28AVRIQ, 8 Sun, 16 B Broadcasting, 42 C Comm Interfaces Checking, 41 D Device types Assigning, 28 Display behavior Changing, 29 Display Color, 32 E EID, 21, 23, 31 Electronic ID, See EIDEne...
Page 58 - Version Information
58 Index T Tiering, 9, 16 V Version Information Displaying, 35