Lindy MC5-IP - Manuals

              4 Introduction Thank you for choosing the MC5 series from LINDY. 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 quality linking p...

              5 MC5 features - front and rear The MC5 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 front face features ...

              6 COM PUTE R USER AUX VNC 100 DAT LNK PWR 1 2 3 4 KVM Switc h What’s in the box MC5 or MC5-IP 30W power adapter and country- specific power lead What you may additionally need CD-ROM Slave power switches for connection to MC5-IP ...

              7 Installation Mounting The MC5 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 MC5 unit t...

              8 Connections The MC5 and MC5-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 REMOTE USER U S MO...

              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 computer systems. The MC5 u...

              10 Remote user (via User Station) Up to four users can be placed a maximum of 300 metres (980 feet) from the MC5 unit. Remote users are connected via a User Station extender module and suitable category 5, 5e or 6 cabling (with n...

              11 Global user (IP network port) The MC5-IP models provide an autosensing Ethernet IP port that can operate at 10 or 100Mbps, according to the network speed. The MC5-IP models are designed to reside quite easily at any part of yo...

              12 Computer system (via CAM) Each computer system is connected to the MC5 unit via a Computer Access Module (CAM) and standard category 5, 5e or 6 cabling. CAMs are available in various formats to suit differing computer system t...

              13 Modem/ISDN port The MC5-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 suits your overa...

              14 Power in connection The MC5 unit is supplied with a single 30W power adapter which is sufficient to supply any configuration of the unit. The MC5-IP unit has two power input sockets to allow an auxiliary (redundant) power adap...

              15 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 KVM Switch Power control port The MC5-IP models provide a serial port for connection to one ...

              16 Cascading multiple units The MC5 (IP) units support up to twenty four directly connected computer systems, however, this is by no means the limit. Thanks to an intelligent communication system, called Port Direct , many more c...

              17 How cascade connections operate The method for cascading MC5 units is straightforward and requires no hardware settings or lengthy configuration process. This is due to the Port Direct communication system that allows them to ...

              18 CAM CAM CAM CAM Group 43 at cascade level 1 Group 41 at cascade level 2 Port at cascade level 2 01 The unique address of this host is: The unique address of this host is: Port at cascade level 4 02 43 41 02 43 41 02 42 01 42 0...

              19 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 import...

              20 Using cascaded computers In use, cascaded computers can be accessed using exactly the same methods as for those connected directly to the MC5. However, by far the easiest way is to use the on screen menu. This is because it di...

              21 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 ADDER KVM EQUIPMENT ONLY. DO NOT CONNECT TO NETWORK OR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS 4A 4A ...

              22 Configuration Almost all configuration and operational aspects of the MC5 units are controlled via on-screen menu displays. Overall initial configuration When setting up a new installation, the following stages are recommended...

              23 LINDY MC5 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 Configur...

              24 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 ...

              25 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 Rig...

              26 Registering computers (edit computer list) To create/edit computer entries 1 Display the Configuration menu . Note: You must be logged-in as the ADMIN user. 2 Highlight ‘Edit Computer List’ and press . LINDY MC5 Edit access ri...

              27 Video compensation The MC5 units allow computer 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, especially when ...

              28 Computer video compensation The video compensation for connected computers 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 loc...

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

              30 To use skew adjustment 1 Display a skew pattern on the appropriate computer. 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 C...

              32 Autoscanning The MC5 provides an autoscan mode that switches between the connected computers in sequence. This mode is useful to allow users and administrators to sample activity among the connected machines. Three scanning mo...

              33 Saving and restoring configuration settings The MC5 can store up to 512 computer names and 16 sets of user access rights (MC5-IP models support a maximum of 128 computers). Particularly in cascaded configurations, manually re-...

              34 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 MC5 to add or edit users and computer names. This situation may be resolved by performi...

              35 Hot plugging and mouse restoration It is strongly recommended that you switch off a computer before attempting to connect it to the MC5. However, if this is not possible then you need to ‘hot plug’ the computer while it is sti...

              36 Initial IP configuration IP models of the MC5 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 installation BEFO...

              37 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 MC5-IP – see Global user connections for more details. 2 If the username entry is not bl...

              38 Encryption settings The MC5-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 variety of si...

              39 VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER KVM Switch CAM Internet VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER KVM Switch CAM Internet Networking issues Thanks to its robust security the MC5-IP offers you great flexibilit...

              40 VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER KVM Switch Internet CAM Placing the MC5-IP behind a router or firewall A possible point of contention between the MC5-IP and a firewall can occasionally arise over the use of IP po...

              41 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 MC5-IP via a network connection. To discover the allocated IP address: 1 In network sectio...

              42 Placing the MC5-IP alongside the firewall MC5-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 highly secure (a security...

              43 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 configura...

              44 The KVMADMIN utility Particularly useful for complex MC5 configurations and the control of remote installations, KVMADMIN is a powerful administration tool.KVMADMIN is based upon the successful VNC viewer and uses the same sec...

              45 Performing upgrades The MC5 and MC5-IP units are fully reconfigurable via flash upgrades, as are the individual Computer Access Modules that are used to link all host computers. The MC5-IP models operate in a slightly differen...

              46 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...

              47 Upgrading MC5-IP models The MC5-IP models are upgraded via global connection (through the IP network port). Upgrades are digitally signed by LINDY using a secure key. This prevents unauthorised or altered firmware images being...

              48 LOCAL USER REMOTE USER U S GLOBAL USER IP COMPUTER SYSTEM CAM Operation The front panel controls MC5 models COMPUTER button and numeric indicator These items allow you to select any one of the MC5 computer ports. As you press ...

              49 LINDY MC5 User Name: Password: Port 1 login Esc-Scr Save LINDY MC5 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 U...

              51 To select a computer 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...

              52 Logging in and out The MC5 features a straightforward security system that helps to prevent unauthorised access to some, or all connected computers. If the security option has been selected by your administrator then you will ...

              53 The reminder banner As many computer screen layouts can appear very similar, the MC5 provides a reminder banner option that indicates which computer port you are currently viewing. The banner is usually displayed at the top of...

              54 Power switching (via configuration menu) When used in conjunction with optional power switch boxes, the MC5 allows you complete remote control over the connected computers. The primary function of the power switching option is...

              56 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 ‘globa...

              57 Global user access via web browser You can use a standard Web browser ( supported versions ) to gain access to the MC5-IP and its host computer(s). As soon as you make contact with the MC5-IP it will begin downloading a small ...

              58 Using the viewer window The viewer window gives you the ability to view and control the MC5-IP and its host computer(s). Its operation is almost identical regardless of whether you used the VNC viewer or your Web browser to di...

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

              60 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 ...

              61 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 ...

              62 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 MC5-...

              63 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 signa...

              64 If you need to enter a port number Usually, when you make a network connection to the MC5-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 configuration...

              65 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 MC5-IP to which you are connecting is c...

              66 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 - Configura...

              67 Appendix 1 – Configuration menus The MC5 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 1 Select...

              68 Functions The Functions menu contains a collection of procedures that affect various aspects of MC5 operation. Only the Admin user is granted access to all functions, other users are offered only the following options: • Resto...

              69 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 scree...

              70 Global Preferences Global preferences are available only to the Admin user and allow settings to be made that affect all users attached to the MC5. Autoscan Mode Settings: SCAN LIST, ACTIVE PCs, ALL PCs The MC5 supports an aut...

              72 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...

              73 Setup Options (continued) Automatic Logout Settings: DISABLED, ENABLED The MC5 enables you to restrict access to your computers on a login basis. If a user forgets to logout when they have finished accessing the MC5 then the u...

              74 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 wit...

              76 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 dev...

              77 Modem Configuration This page allows you to configure the COM1 serial port located at the rear of the MC5-IP. Server IP / Client IP When a user dials into the MC5-IP via a modem or ISDN adapter, the MC5-IP sets up a temporary ...

              78 Clearing IP access control This option removes all entries from the IP access control feature within the MC5-IP. What is IP access control? The IP access control feature (configurable by a remote admin user) allows certain net...

              79 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 configuration...

              80 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 acce...

              81 Unit configuration This page provides access to a selection of both basic and advanced settings for the MC5-IP. Many of the settings displayed here are also accessible through the on-screen menu. Unit Name The name entered her...

              82 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...

              83 Time & date configuration This page allows you to configure all aspects relating to time and date within the MC5-IP unit. Timezone specifier Optionally enter a recognised timezone specifier related to the current position ...

              84 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 w...

              85 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...

              86 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 MC5-IP unit. Modem port PPP Server IP Address / PPP Client ...

              87 Host configuration This page provides the opportunity to configure various details for each of the host systems that may be connected to the MC5-IP via one or more KVM switch units. There are 128 entries, each of which can be ...

              88 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 devic...

              89 Logging and status This screen provides various details about the user activity on the MC5-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 top right corner...

              90 Appendix 3 - VNC viewer connection options When you are connecting to the MC5-IP using the VNC viewer, a number of options are available. Colour/Encoding Auto select When ticked, this option will examine the speed of your conn...

              91 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 betwe...

              92 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 ...

              93 Identities This feature helps your VNC viewer to confirm that a revisited MC5-IP is genuine and not another device masquerading as an MC5-IP. The list given will retain the identities of all visited units (that have full secur...

              94 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 fill...

              95 Appendix 5 - Browser viewer options When you are connecting to the MC5-IP using a Web browser, a number of options are available. There are four options pages: Encoding and colour level Auto select When ticked, this option wil...

              96 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 u...

              97 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 computers – binary ; this is native digital, where everything is either a 1 (one) or 0 ...

              98 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, yo...

              99 VNC 100 DAT LNK AUX 1 COMPUTER 2 3 4 PWR USER KVM Switch 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 si...

              100 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 6pin mini...

              101 Multi-head synchronisation cable MASTER end 9pin D-type male SLAVE end 9pin D-type male MASTER end 9pin D-type male SLAVE1 end 9pin D-type male Use this cable when two MC5 devices are being synchronised. Use this cable when t...

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

              103 Appendix 9 – Supported video modes The following video modes are supported and can be automatically configured by the MC5 units. If a recognised video mode cannot be found, the MC5 will gradually change some of the key parame...

              104 Safety information • For use in dry, oil free indoor environments only.• Both the MC5 and its power supply generate heat when in operation and will become warm to the touch. Do not enclose them or place them locations where a...

              105 End user licence agreement PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT CONCERNS ENHANCED VNC VIEWER SOFTWARE (“the SOFTWARE”) FOR USE WITH THE MC5 PRODUCT (“the PRODUCT”). THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED TO ENABLE YOU TO OP...

              106 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...