Black Box Switch KV6104SA User Manual

JULY 1998

KV6104SA

KV6108SA

KV6112FA

KV6116FA

Customer Support Information:

For FREE Technical Support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call 724-746-5500.

Address: 1000 Park Dr., Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • Phone: 724-746-5500 • Fax: 724-746-0746

World-Wide Web: http://www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]

THE SERVSWITCH™ FAMILY

Welcome to the ServSwitch Family!

™

Thank you for purchasing a BLACK BOX ServSwitch Brand KVM switch! We

appreciate your business, and we think you’ll appreciate the many ways that your

new ServSwitch keyboard/video/mouse switch will save you money, time, and

effort.

That’s because our ServSwitch family is all about breaking away from the

traditional, expensive model of computer management. You know, the one-size-

fits-all-even-if-it-doesn’t model that says, “One computer gets one user station, no

more, no less.” Why not a single user station (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) for

multiple computers—even computers of different platforms? Why not a pair of

user stations, each of which can control multiple computers? Why not multiple

user stations for the same computer?

With our ServSwitch products, there’s no reason why not. We carry a broad line

of robust solutions for all these applications. Do you have just two PCs, and need

an economical alternative to keeping two monitors, keyboards, and mice on your

desk? Or do you need to share dozens of computers, including a mix of IBM PC,

RS/6000 , Apple Macintosh , Sun Microsystems , and SGI compatibles among

multiple users with different access levels? Does your switch have to sit solidly on a

worktable and use regular everyday cables? Or does it have to be mounted in an

equipment rack and use convenient many-to-one cables? No matter how large or

small your setup is, no matter how simple or how complex, we’re confident we

have a ServSwitch system that’s just right for you.

™

The ServSwitch family from Black Box—the one-stop answer for all your

KVM-switching needs!

™

This manual will tell you all about your new ServSwitch Duo unit, including

how to install, operate, and troubleshoot it. For an introduction to the ServSwitch

Duo, see Chapter 2. The ServSwitch Duo product codes covered in this manual

are:

KV6104SA

KV6108SA

KV6112FA

KV6116FA

This manual also includes information about the Remote-Control Module

accessory, whose product code is:

KV6REM

SERVSWITCH DUO™

TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL

BLACK BOX and the

logo are registered trademarks, ServSwitch

and ServSwitch Duo are trademarks of Black Box Corporation.

Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Compaq is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation.

Gateway 2000 is a registered trademark of Gateway 2000 Corporation.

Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard.

IBM, PC/AT, PS/2, RS/6000, and ThinkPad are registered trademarks, and

PC/XT is a trademark, of IBM Corporation.

Logitech, MouseMan+, and Pilot Mouse+ are trademarks of Logitech, Inc.

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks, and IntelliMouse is a

trademark, of Microsoft Corporation.

SGI is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.

Sun Microsystems is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the

trademark owners.

FCC/IC STATEMENTS

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

AND

INDUSTRY CANADA

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not

installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s

instructions, may cause interference to radio communication. It has been tested

and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance

with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to

provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is

operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a

residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case the user at his own

expense will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct

the interference.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for

compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Shielded cables must be used with this equipment to maintain compliance with

radio frequency energy emission regulations and ensure a suitably high level of

immunity to electromagnetic disturbances.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from

digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites

applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le

brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B

computing device in accordance with the specifications in the European standard

EN55022. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against

harmful interference. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio

frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions

may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception. However, there is

no guarantee that harmful interference will not occur in a particular installation. If

this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can

be determined by turning the equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to

correct the interference with one or more of the following measures:

(a) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

(b) Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

the receiver is connected.

(d)Consult the supplier or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Shielded cables must be used with this equipment to maintain compliance with

radio frequency energy emission regulations and ensure a suitably high level of

immunity to electromagnetic disturbances.

NOM STATEMENT

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 de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para

referencia futura.

3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones

de operación deben ser respetadas.

4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.

5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,

cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca, etc..

6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales

que sean recomendados por el fabricante.

7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea

recomendado por el fabricante.

8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más allá

a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio deberá ser

referido a personal de servicio calificado.

9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no

interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama, sofá,

alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se debe colocar

en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los orificios de

ventilación.

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor

como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo

amplificadores) que producen calor.

11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del

tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la polarización

del equipo no sea eliminada.

13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no

sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,

poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen

del aparato.

14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las

recomendaciones del fabricante.

15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las lineas

de energia.

16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no sea

usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.

17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean

derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.

18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:

A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u

B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del aparato; o

C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o

D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en su

desempeño; o

E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Chapter

Page

1. Specifications ............................................................................................... 9

2. Introduction ............................................................................................... 11

2.1 Features and Benefits of the ServSwitch Duo ................................... 11

2.2 The Complete ServSwitch Duo Package ............................................ 12

2.3 The ServSwitch Duo Illustrated ......................................................... 13

2.4 Safety Concerns ................................................................................... 15

3. Installation .................................................................................................. 16

3.1 What You Will Need ............................................................................ 16

3.2 Rackmounting the ServSwitch Duo (Optional) ................................ 17

3.3 Connecting Your Devices ................................................................... 17

3.4 Connecting Power ............................................................................... 19

4. Configuration ............................................................................................. 20

4.1 Configuring Your PCs ......................................................................... 20

4.2 Configuring the ServSwitch Duo ....................................................... 20

4.2.1 Entering Configuration Mode ............................................... 20

4.2.2 Setting the Screen-Saver Timeout ......................................... 21

4.2.3 Autoscanning: Setting the Scan Mode and Pause Time ....... 22

4.2.4 Setting the Switchover Timeout ............................................. 23

4.2.5 Setting Mouse-Mode Reporting and Mouse Switching ........ 23

4.2.6 Setting the Hotkey Sequence ................................................. 25

4.2.7 Viewing the Firmware Revision, Restoring Mouse

Function, or Resetting to Factory Defaults ......................... 26

4.2.8 Setting the Appearance of the On-Screen Display ............... 26

4.2.9 Setting the Password ............................................................... 27

4.2.10 Exiting Configuration Mode .................................................. 27

SERVSWITCH DUO™

Contents (continued)

Chapter

Page

5. Operation ................................................................................................... 28

5.1 Power Status ...................................................................................... 28

5.2 The Status LEDs ............................................................................... 28

5.3 The Front-Panel Pushbuttons and the Remote-Control Module .. 28

5.4 The Status Display ............................................................................ 30

5.5 Using the Dual Control Ports (A and B) ........................................ 31

5.6 Things to Keep in Mind About the Keyboards and Mice .............. 31

5.7 Keyboard Control: Hotkey Commands ........................................... 32

5.8 On-Screen Menu Control ................................................................ 35

5.8.1 Adding a Computer to the Menu List ................................... 36

5.8.2 Deleting a Computer from the Menu List ............................ 36

5.8.3 Editing a Computer on the Menu List .................................. 36

5.8.4 Selecting a Computer on the Menu List ............................... 37

5.8.5 Exiting the Menu .................................................................... 37

5.8.6 Configuring the Menu ............................................................ 37

5.8.7 Summary of Keys Used by the Menu and Their Functions .. 37

5.9 Mouse Control .................................................................................. 38

5.10 Re-Enabling a Disconnected PS/2 Mouse ...................................... 38

5.11 Hot-Plugging Devices Into the ServSwitch Duo and

Re-Enabling Disconnected CPU PS/2 Mouse Ports .................... 38

5.12 RS-232 Control .................................................................................. 40

5.13 Cascading ServSwitch Duos ............................................................. 40

6. Troubleshooting ........................................................................................ 43

6.1 Things to Try ....................................................................................... 43

6.2 Calling Black Box ................................................................................ 46

6.3 Shipping and Packaging ..................................................................... 46

Appendix: Cable and Connector Guidelines .................................................. 47

A.1 Cabling: Keyboard, Monitor, and Mouse to ServSwitch Duo ........... 47

A.2 Cabling: ServSwitch Duo to PCs ......................................................... 47

A.3 The Expansion Port ............................................................................ 49

CHAPTER 1: Specifications

1. Specifications

CE (EN55022 Class B); FCC Part 15 Subpart J Class A,

IC Class/ classe A

Compliance —

Standards —

Interfaces —

VGA, SVGA, XGA, or XGA-2 video

Video: VGA;

Keyboard and mouse: IBM PS/2 compatible;

Expansion port: Proprietary variant of TIA RS-232

Resolution —

Protocol —

Up to 1600 x 1200 noninterlaced at up to 100 Hz

RS-232: Asynchronous

Data Format —

Data Rate —

Flow Control —

RS-232: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit

RS-232: 1200 bps

RS-232: None

Maximum

Distance —

10 m (32.8 ft.) to any attached keyboard, monitor, and

mouse;

30 m (98.4 ft.) to any attached CPU or cascaded

ServSwitch Duo unit;

40 m (131.2 ft.) to an attached ServSwitch Duo Extender

across Premium Extender Cable

User Controls —

Indicators —

Keyboard commands;

Mouse-click functions;

(2) Front-mounted pushbuttons;

On-screen menu

All front-mounted:

KV6104SA, KV6108SA: Single 7-segment status display

with activity LED;

KV6112FA, KV6116FA: Dual 7-segment status display

with activity LED;

KV6104SA: (4) Port LEDs;

KV6108SA: (8) Port LEDs;

KV6112FA: (12) Port LEDs;

KV6116FA: (16) Port LEDs

SERVSWITCH DUO™

Connectors —

All rear-mounted:

(2) HD15 female for monitor attachment;

(4) 6-pin mini-DIN female for keyboard and mouse

attachment;

(1) DB15 female for RS-232;

(1) Barrel jack for power;

For each computer port, a set of (1) HD15 female (for

video attachment) and (2) 6-pin mini-DIN female

(for keyboard-port and mouse-port attachment):

KV6104SA: (4);

KV6108SA: (8);

KV6112FA: (12);

KV6116FA: (16)

Power —

MTBF —

Input: 100 to 240 VAC at 50 to 60 Hz from utility-power

outlet, through detachable power cord and IEC 320

male inlet, to external transformer;

Output: 5 VDC at up to 1 A from transformer to Switch;

Consumption: 5 watts maximum

500,000 hours (based on the historical reliability of

similarly designed and manufactured products)

Maximum

Altitude —

10,000 ft. (3048 m)

Temperature

Tolerance —

32 to 104˚ F (0 to 40˚ C)

Humidity

Tolerance —

5 to 60% noncondensing

Steel and aluminum

Enclosure —

Size —

KV6104SA, KV6108SA:

1.8" (1U) H x 17.3"W x 8.7"D (4.4 x 43.9 x 22.1 cm);

KV6112FA, KV6116FA:

3.5" (2U) H x 17.3"W x 8.7"D (8.9 x 43.9 x 22.1 cm)

Weight —

KV6104SA: 4.8 lb. (2.2 kg);

KV6108SA: 5.1 lb. (2.3 kg);

KV6112FA: 6.8 lb. (3.1 kg);

KV6116FA: 7 lb. (3.2 kg)

CHAPTER 2: Introductiom

2. Introduction

™

The ServSwitch Duo is a high-performance keyboard-, monitor-, and mouse-

sharing device that supports a wide range of IBM PC compatible hardware and

software platforms.

2.1 Features and Benefits of the ServSwitch Duo

Here are some of the useful features of the ServSwitch Duo and some of the ways

those features benefit you:

• Control multiple PCs from a local and remote keyboard, monitor, and mouse.

• Use the on-screen menu to assign names to computers and select channels on

that basis.

• Mixed PC/AT and PS/2 keyboards and PS/2 and RS-232 mice supported

as standard.

• Can be cascaded to control hundreds of CPUs.

• High-resolution circuitry ensures the best possible video, even over extended

distances.

• Password security prevents unauthorised use.

• Optional Remote-Control Module for convenient operation.

• Channel switching through on-screen display, front-panel pushbutton,

keyboard hotkey sequence, or 3-button mouse.

• Automatically restores keyboard and mouse states when channel is changed.

• Can be switched remotely through its RS-232 serial port.

• Supports high-bandwidth monitors at resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 pixels.

• Supports keyboard modes 1, 2, and 3, as well as both “prompt” and “stream”

mouse modes, for maximum compatibility.

• Includes screen-blank, autoscan, and variable-hotkey options.

• Confirmation of selected ports on local and cascaded Switches.

• Support for Microsoft IntelliMouse™.

• Mouse-restoration functions to enable hot-plugging of certain systems.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

2.2 The Complete ServSwitch Duo Package

You should have received these components with your ServSwitch Duo:

• The ServSwitch Duo itself.

• A power-supply transformer and output cord.

• A power-supply input cord suitable for your country or region.

• (1) PS/2 to serial mouse adapter and (1) PS/2 to AT keyboard adapter for

every (4) CPU ports on a given Switch; in other words, the 4-port Switch comes

with one mouse adapter and one keyboard adapter, the 8-port Switch comes

with two mouse adapters and two keyboard adapters, and so on.

• (6) Stick-on self-adhesive rubber feet (for desktop applications).

• (2) Mounting brackets and, depending on the Switch’s size, (4) or (6) screws

(for mounting the Switch in a 19" rack).

• This manual.

If you didn’t receive everything, or if anything arrived damaged, contact Black Box

right away.

CHAPTER 2: Introduction

2.3 The ServSwitch Duo Illustrated

Attachment

Red LEDs

show currently

active control

port (A or B)

Key for

points for

Display shows

changing

rackmount

bracket

status and

BLACK BOX

channels and

entering

configuration

mouse/keyboard

data activity

mode

ACTIVE USER

SELECT

SCAN

AUT

Key for

selecting

autoscan

Green LEDs show

the ON/OFF status

of connected CPUs

(LEDs 5 through 8

are present on

Both keys together

used to lock the

Switch or reset

8-port model only)

keyboards and mice

Fig. 2-1. The front and side panels of the 4- and 8-port ServSwitch Duo

models (KV6104SA and KV6108SA).

CPU-port video connectors

Control ports Control-port monitor CPU ports 1 through 8 (ports 5 through 8

Expansion port for Remote-Control Module and RS-232 control

A and B connectors are present on 8-port model only)

Power

connector

Control-port keyboard

connectors

CPU-port mouse

connectors

CPU-port keyboard

connectors

Control-port

mouse connectors

Fig. 2-2. The rear panel of the 4- and 8-port ServSwitch Duo models.

Fig. 2-3. The Remote-Control Module (KV6REM), an optional accessory

for the 4- and 8-port Switch models.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

LED shows the

power status

of the Switch

Attachment

points for

Red LEDs

show currently

active control

port (A or B)

rackmount

Key for

bracket

Display shows

status and

mouse/keyboard

data activity

BLACK BOX

changing

channels and

entering

configuration

mode

PWR

ACTIVE USER

12 13 14 15 16

10 1

SELECT

SCAN

AUT

Green LEDs show

the ON/OFF status

of connected CPUs

(LEDs 13 through 16

are present on

Key for

selecting

autoscan

Both keys together

used to lock the

Switch or reset

16-port model only)

keyboards and mice

Fig. 2-4. The front and side panels of the 12- and 16-port ServSwitch Duo

models (KV6112FA and KV6116FA).

CPU-port video connectors

Expansion port for Remote-Control Module and RS-232 control

CPU ports 1 through 16 (ports 13 through 16

are present on 16-port model only)

Control-port monitor

connectors

Power

connector

Control-port keyboard

connectors

CPU-port mouse

connectors

CPU-port keyboard

connectors

Control ports

A and B

Control-port

mouse connectors

Fig. 2-5. The rear panel of the 12- and 16-port ServSwitch Duo models.

CHAPTER 2: Introduction

2.4 Safety Concerns

As you prepare to install the ServSwitch Duo, please keep these things in mind:

• The Switch is for use in dry, oil-free indoor environments only.

• Warning: The Switch’s power adapter contains no user-serviceable parts, but it

does contain parts capable of delivering hazardous electric shocks—do not

attempt to dismantle it!

• Plug the power adapter into a socket outlet close to the Switch.

• Do not use the Switch’s power adapter if its case becomes damaged, cracked,

or broken, or if you suspect that it is not operating properly.

• If the Switch’s power adapter stops working, replace it with a manufacturer-

approved adapter of the same type only.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

3. Installation

3.1 What You Will Need

You’ll need these things to be in place before you can install your ServSwitch Duo:

• Cables to connect the ServSwitch Duo to the keyboard, video, and mouse ports

of each of your PCs. Cable specifications are given in Appendix A. (You do not

need to connect a mouse cable if you are not using the mouse).

• A monitor with a standard VGA/SVGA (HD15) connector that will work when

connected directly to each of your PCs. The ServSwitch Duo supports low- and

high-resolution monitors.

• A standard PC/AT or PS/2 style keyboard. If you are using an AT keyboard

with a 5-pin DIN connector, you may connect it to the ServSwitch Duo using

a standard AT to PS/2 keyboard adapter (one of these is included for every

fourCPU ports your Switch has).

™

• A PS/2 style two- or three-button Microsoft or Logitech compatible mouse or

™

a Microsoft IntelliMouse compatible mouse. If you want to use the mouse to

switch channels on the ServSwitch Duo, you will need a three-button mouse or

an IntelliMouse. (The Switch supports other “Internet mice” compatible with

the IntelliMouse—fitted with a wheel or other scrolling control, and

™

sometimes additional buttons—including the Logitech Pilot Mouse+ ,

™

Logitech MouseMan+ , Genius NetMouse and Genius NetMouse Pro )

All of the mouse connections from ServSwitch Duo to the attached PCs

support either a PS/2 or an RS-232 mouse. The Switch automatically converts

PS/2 mouse commands to RS-232 serial-mouse commands. You can use a

serial mouse if you attach it to the Switch through an appropriate adapter,

as described in the Appendix (one of these adapters is included for every

fourCPU ports your Switch has). The Switch will operate without a mouse

connected if you do not wish to use one.

• A suitable mouse driver for your PCs. Supported types are:

- PS/2 or RS-232 two-button mouse driver by any manufacturer.

- Microsoft mouse drivers, including those for the IntelliMouse.

- Logitech mouse drivers, including those for two-button, three-button, and

wheel mice.

CHAPTER 3: Installation

3.2 Rackmounting the ServSwitch Duo (Optional)

The ServSwitch Duo has been designed to be used either on a desktop or mounted

in a 19" rack. If the ServSwitch Duo is to be used on a desktop, you will need to

stick the included self-adhesive rubber feet to the underside of the Switch. If the

ServSwitch Duo is to be mounted in a 19" rack, you will need to fit the included

rackmount brackets to the sides of the Switch using the included screws.

3.3 Connecting Your Devices

Make sure that your single or master ServSwitch Duo and (if possible) all the

devices you want to attach to it are turned off and unplugged. (If you have to “hot-

plug” any powered computers into the Switch, see Section 5.11.) Connect one or

two sets of shared user equipment (keyboard, PS/2 mouse, and monitor) to the

appropriate connectors on the Switch’s rear panel (either or both of control

ports A and B; see Figure 2-2 or 2-5 in Section 2.3). If you are connecting two sets

of keyboards, monitors, and mice, you don’t need to use the same brands or types

of devices on each control port: For example, you can use a two-button PS/2

mouse on one port and a Microsoft IntelliMouse on the other. If you have had to

place the Switch farther from the user equipment than the equipment’s native

cables will reach, you can plug the native cables into ServSwitch Duo User-

Extension Cable (our product code EHN409), which comes in 10-foot (3-m) and

30-foot (9.1-m) lengths. If you need to run even farther, you can use a ServSwitch

Duo Extender (our product code KV6EXT) with 130-ft. (39.6-m) Premium

Extender Cable (our product code KV6100) to connect the Switch to the

keyboard, mouse, and monitor. (For more information about the Extender,

see its manual.)

Both the User-Extension Cable and Premium Extender Cable, as well as the

CPU-Extension Cable discussed in the next paragraph, are built to the special

three-in-one design shown in Figure 3-1 on the next page. The central coaxial

video strand of each cable is molded to the keyboard and mouse strands on either

side, and the ends of its video strand are one inch (2.5 cm) longer than the ends of

the other strands, so that the weight of the composite cable can be borne by the

video connector’s screwlocks. To help you tell the otherwise identical keyboard

and mouse strands apart, the keyboard strand is labeled “K” and colored orange,

while the mouse strand is labeled “M” and colored green.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

6-Pin

mini-DIN

6-Pin

mini-DIN

HD15

10"

(25.4

cm)

(22.9

cm)

Cross-section:

Central

video

strand

Keyboard and mouse

strands molded to sides

Figure 3-1. The ServSwitch Duo cables.

Next, connect each computer or (in cascaded systems) subsidiary ServSwitch

Duo to your single/master Switch. One way to do this is to run separate male-to-

male keyboard-, mouse-, and video-extension cables from the appropriate CPU-

port connectors on the single/master Switch to (a) the keyboard, mouse, and

video ports respectively of the computer or (b) the keyboard, mouse, and monitor

connectors respectively of control port A or B of the subsidiary Switch. (Any

unused CPU-port or control-port connectors on the single/master Switch can be

left vacant.) Alternatively, instead of three separate cables, you can use our three-

in-one ServSwitch Duo CPU-Extension Cable (our product code EHN408), whose

design is shown in Figure 3-1 above. This cable is available in 5-foot (1.5-m),

10-foot (3-m), 30-foot (10-m), 50-ft. (15-m), and 100-ft. (30-m) lengths.

CHAPTER 3: Installation

To connect computers with serial mouse ports and PC/AT style keyboard ports,

you’ll need adapters, as shown in Figure 3-2 below . Refer to the Appendix for

cable guidelines.

PS/2 to Serial Mouse

PS/2 style kbd/mouse cable

Adapter; to computer’s

serial mouse port (DB9)

(one included for each

four CPU ports)

To Switch’s CPU-port

mouse connector

(6-pin mini-DIN)

PS/2 to PC/AT Keyboard

Adapter; to computer’s

AT compatible keyboard

port (5-pin DIN)

(one included for each

four CPU ports)

PS/2 style kbd/mouse cable

To Switch’s CPU-port

keyboard connector

(6-pin mini-DIN)

Figure 3-2. Using adapters to connect computers with serial mouse ports or

PC/AT keyboard ports.

3.4 Connecting Power

Once you’ve installed your ServSwitch Duo and attached your equipment to it, you

can plug its power supply into the jack on the back of the Switch, then attach the

input cord to the power-supply transformer’s IEC 320 inlet, then plug the input

cord into utility (mains) power. (Always apply power to the ServSwitch Duo first,

then power on the monitor and each of the computers; if you power up the

computers before the Switch, the computers might not recognize the presence

of the mouse or keyboard.) The Switch should start operating immediately; it has

no ON/OFF switch.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

4. Configuration

To configure your ServSwitch Duo system, you’ll need to configure first the

attached PCs, as directed in Section 4.1, then the Switch itself, as directed in the

rest of this chapter.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Throughout the rest of this manual, the [Enter] designation refers to the

main “enter” or “carriage-return” key (often labeled “↵”) on the main

section of the keyboard. Do not use the “Enter” key on the numeric

keypad or the extra “Enter” key found on the main section of some

specialized keyboards.

4.1 Configuring your PCs

Configure your PCs in the same way that you would if your keyboard, mouse and

monitor were all connected directly to your PCs, but keep these things in mind:

• The ServSwitch Duo emulates Microsoft compatible serial, IntelliMouse, and

PS/2 mice, so make sure that your PC software is configured for a Microsoft

mouse of the correct type. Refer to the list of supported drivers in Section 3.1.

• The ServSwitch Duo supports VGA, SVGA, XGA, and XGA-2 type monitors,

but does not support the automatic detection features available with some

Plug-and-Play monitors and video cards. If you have this type of video card or

monitor, you should select the video mode manually instead of relying on the

automatic detection feature.

4.2 Configuring the ServSwitch Duo

The ServSwitch Duo comes from the factory preset to default configuration

settings which are suitable for most applications. If you need to set the Switch

differently, you can access its “configuration mode” to do so; once you do, the

new settings are stored in the ServSwitch Duo’s EEPROM memory and are

retained when the Switch is powered OFF.

4.2.1 ENTERING CONFIGURATION MODE

You can access the ServSwitch Duo’s configuration mode in either of two different

ways: Use one method when you plug in and power up the Switch; use the other

while the Switch is operating.

• To enter configuration mode at power-up, make sure that the ServSwitch Duo

and all attached PCs are turned OFF and unplugged. Hold down the SELECT

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

key while you plug in the ServSwitch Duo; do not release SELECT until the

ServSwitch Duo displays “C” to show that it is in configuration mode.

• To enter configure mode while the ServSwitch Duo is running, hold down the

SELECT key for 5 seconds until the front-panel display shows “C”.

In configuration mode, you can change settings by typing a single-letter command

(for a given feature), followed by a single-digit numeric argument (for how you

want that feature to behave), followed by the [Enter] key. Press the [Esc] (escape)

key to abort a setting change before you fully enter it. The ServSwitch Duo will

remain in configuration mode until you type the letter “E” followed by [Enter] key.

For example: To set the hotkey sequence to option #2 ([Ctrl] + [Shift] +

command key), type [H][2][Enter] while the ServSwitch Duo is displaying “C”,

then type [E][Enter] to exit configuration mode.

The remaining sections of this chapter describe the Switch’s user-configurable

settings.

4.2.2 SETTING THE SCREEN-SAVER TIMEOUT

The ServSwitch Duo has a programmable screen-saver function which will blank

the display on both shared monitors after a certain time elapses with no activity on

the shared keyboard or mouse of the active control port (or of either control port

if the switchover timeout has expired—see Section 4.2.4). If a password has been

set (see Section 4.2.9), the Switch will also lock itself when it activates the screen

saver.

The Switch’s front-panel display will flash while the Switch is in screen-saver

mode. If the switch is locked, you will have to type in the password to unlock it and

deactivate the screen saver; otherwise, simply typing at the keyboard or moving the

mouse of the active control port—or at either control port if the switchover

timeout has expired—will restore the blanked monitor display. Use the “B”

command (type [B] [digit] [Enter]) to set how long the ServSwitch Duo waits for

keyboard or mouse activity before activating the screen saver:

• B1 = Screen saver disabled (default)

• B2 = Screen saver is activated after 1 minute of inactivity

• B3 = 2 minutes

• B4 = 4 minutes

• B5 = 8 minutes

• B6 = 12 minutes

• B7 = 16 minutes

• B8 = 20 minutes

SERVSWITCH DUO™

4.2.3 AUTOSCANNING: SETTING THE SCAN MODE AND PAUSE TIME

The ServSwitch Duo begins autoscanning its CPU channels (that is, briefly

displaying each channel’s video in turn) when you type in the hotkey sequence

followed by the letter “A” (see Section 5.7). By default, the Switch only scans those

channels that have a powered-up computer connected to them. But if you need the

Switch to scan all of its channels, you can send it the [L][2] or [L][4] command.

(In these settings, when the Switch scans a channel that has no computer attached,

or a channel whose computer is off or just not outputting video, the shared

monitor will display a blank screen.) Also, if you want the Switch to start

autoscanning as soon as it powers up, instead of waiting for the “A” command, you

can send it the [L][3] or [L][4] command.

L1 ServSwitch Duo only scans active ports during autoscanning (default)

L2 ServSwitch Duo scans every one of its ports during autoscanning

CAUTION!

Many modern monitors are fitted with automatic power-saver relays

and will automatically blank their displays after a short time if the

PC they’re communicating with becomes idle. If you are using such

a monitor, you should not use the Switch’s L2 or L4 setting unless

you can set the monitor’s power-saver timeout to an interval longer

than the Switch’s autoscan pause time (see below), because if the

monitor keeps going in and out of power-saver mode during

autoscanning, the constant switching ON and OFF of your

monitor’s relay will eventually damage your monitor.

L3 ServSwitch Duo powers on in autoscan mode and scans active ports only

L4 ServSwitch Duo powers on in autoscan mode and scans all ports

While autoscanning, the Switch will pause at each channel to display that channel’s

video signal for the duration of the currently selected autoscan-pause time:

T1 During autoscan, the Switch pauses at each channel for 2 seconds (default)

T2 5 seconds

T3 7 seconds

T4 10 seconds

T5 15 seconds

T6 20 seconds

T7 30 seconds

T8 60 seconds

To get out of autoscan mode, simply select a fixed channel using the on-screen

menu, the Switch’s SELECT button, the keyboard hotkeys, or the mouse.

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.2.4 SETTING THE SWITCHOVER TIMEOUT

To be able to control the ServSwitch Duo from either of two separate locations at

any given time, you have to connect keyboards, monitors, and mice to both of the

Switch’s control ports, A and B. The Switch sends the video from the currently

selected computer to both monitors at the same time, but it will accept only one

source of keyboard and mouse data at a time, so only one of the control ports at a

time can be in active control. The other port is automatically disabled, although

the video continues to be displayed. This port can be given keyboard and mouse

control (that is, control can be “switched over”) when there has been no keyboard

or mouse activity on the currently active control port for a certain period of time,

called the “switchover timeout.” You can set the switchover timeout to any of seven

intervals, from 2 seconds to 10 minutes, using the “S” command (type

[S][digit][Enter]):

S1 Keyboard and mouse control can be switched over from control port A to

control port B, or vice versa, when the currently active port has been idle

for 2 seconds (default)

S2 5 seconds

S3 10 seconds

S4 30 seconds

S5 1 minute

S6 5 minutes

S7 10 minutes

4.2.5 SETTING MOUSE-MODE REPORTING AND MOUSE SWITCHING

In the ServSwitch Duo’s factory-default state, you can use a three-button PS/2

mouse or an IntelliMouse to cycle through the Switch’s CPU channels. To switch to

the next channel, simply hold down the center or “wheel” button on the mouse,

then press its left button. If you don’t want to use this feature—particularly if it’s

going to conflict with mouse-controlled application functions—you can disable it

by sending the [U][2], [U][3], or [U][5] command. If the third button on a

three-button mouse is being used to switch the ServSwitch Duo, it won’t be

available for use with PC software, although the wheel on an IntelliMouse can be

used for both switching and software with no problems. For this reason, we’ve

included the [U][1], [U][2], and [U][4] command options, which cause the

ServSwitch Duo to report to the attached PCs that they are attached to a 2-button

mouse. If you want to use all the functions of a 3-button mouse or IntelliMouse for

your PC software, you should send the Switch the [U][3] or [U][5] command.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

The ServSwitch Duo supports “Internet mice” that are compatible with the

Microsoft IntelliMouse. These are fitted with a wheel or other type of scrolling

control and sometimes have additional buttons. Examples are:

• Microsoft IntelliMouse

• Logitech Pilot Mouse+

• Logitech MouseMan+

• Genius NetMouse

• Genius NetMouse Pro

You can connect standard PS/2 mice and IntelliMouse compatible mice to

control ports A and B in any combination. You can configure your CPUs using

Microsoft PS/2 or IntelliMouse drivers in any combination as required.

IntelliMouse features are supported on both PS/2 and RS-232 CPU connections.

When you use PS/2 CPU connections, the ServSwitch Duo will automatically

configure itself to the type of mouse requested by the driver. If you are using

RS-232 CPU connections, you will need to send the [U][4] or [U][5] command to

enable the IntelliMouse features.

U1 Channels are mouse-switchable; the Switch reports “2-button mouse” to the

attached PCs (default)

U2 Channels are not mouse-switchable; the Switch reports “2-button mouse” to

the attached PCs

U3 Channels are not mouse-switchable; the Switch reports “3-button mouse” to

the attached PCs

U4 Channels are mouse-switchable; the Switch reports “IntelliMouse” to the

attached PCs

U5 Channels are not mouse-switchable; the Switch reports “IntelliMouse” to

the attached PCs

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.2.6 SETTING THE HOTKEY SEQUENCE

You can access many of the ServSwitch Duo’s main functions (such as CPU-channel

selection, autoscanning, and locking) by sending commands from the shared

keyboard. Each command must start with a “hotkey sequence” (series of

keystrokes) that alerts the Switch to interpret the keyboard data that follows it as a

command. The default hotkey sequence is [Ctrl] and [Alt] pressed simultaneously.

If any of the applications on computers attached to the Switch require this

sequence to trigger important application-specific functions, you will have to

change the Switch’s hotkey sequence with the “H” command (type

[H][digit][Enter]).

Alternative hotkey sequence #5 is particularly suitable for extended keyboards

where additional keys can be programmed to act as combinations of other keys.

Such keyboards are supplied with many Gateway 2000 computers. If you program

one of these “spare” keys to produce both hotkey keystrokes, or if you program a

set of these keys to produce the hotkey and channel-number keystrokes, you’ll be

able to select channels, lock the Switch, etc., with as few as one or two keypresses.

H1 Either of the left and right [Ctrl] keys and either of the left and right [Alt]

keys together (default)

H2 Either of the left and right [Ctrl] keys and either of the left and right

[Shift] keys together

H3 Either of the left and right [Alt] keys and either of the left and right [Shift]

keys together

H4 Right [Alt] key only

H5 Both the left and right [Alt] keys together

H6 The left [Ctrl] key and the left [Alt] key together

H7 The right [Ctrl] and the right [Alt] key together

H8 No hotkey enabled; the hotkey-dependent functions can’t be accessed from

the keyboard

SERVSWITCH DUO™

4.2.7 VIEWING THE FIRMWARE REVISION, RESTORING MOUSE FUNCTION, OR RESETTING TO

FACTORY DEFAULTS

For technical-support purposes, it might be necessary to find out the firmware-

release version of the control software in your ServSwitch Duo. Before calling Black

Box Tech Support about a problem, you can use the [F][1], [F][2], and [F][3]

commands to retrieve this; each of these commands causes the Switch to briefly

show one of the digits of the firmware’s version number on its front-panel display.

For example, if the Switch responds to [F][1][Enter] with the digit “1”, to

[F][2][Enter] with the digit “0”, and to [F][3][Enter] with the digit “2”, your

Switch is using firmware version 1.02.

You can also restore the function of previously disconnected PS/2 type CPU

mouse ports with the [F][5] and [F][6] commands (see Section 5.11) and you can

reset all of the Switch’s configuration options to their factory-default states with

[F][8].

F1 Display first digit of firmware-version number

F2 Display second digit of firmware-version number

F3 Display third digit of firmware-version number

F4 (Reserved for future use)

F5 Restore PS/2 mouse function to the currently selected CPU’s mouse port

F6 Restore IntelliMouse function to the currently selected CPU’s mouse port

F7 (Reserved for future use)

F8 Reset all configuration options to their factory-default settings (the Switch

will briefly show the letter “r” on its front-panel display to indicate that this

has been completed)

4.2.8 SETTING THE APPEARANCE OF THE

ON-SCREEN DISPLAY

If you want to, you can change the color scheme of the ServSwitch Duo’s on-screen

display (see Section 5.8) and the time that the confirmation message remains on

the screen after a channel has been selected. Use the “D” command (type

[D][digit][Enter]):

D1 Menu appears with magenta/blue background, green highlight (default)

D2 Menu appears with red/blue background and green highlight

D3 Menu appears with blue/black background and light blue highlight

D4 Confirmation message remains on screen for four seconds (default)

D5 Confirmation message remains on screen for only two seconds

D6 Confirmation message remains on screen for six seconds

CHAPTER 4: Configuration

4.2.9 SETTING THE PASSWORD

There are many situations where unrestricted access to corporate file servers or

sensitive information needs to be controlled. In such circumstances, the ServSwitch

Duo can be locked away in a room or secure cabinet and controlled remotely. In

this mode, you can type the hotkey sequence followed by the number “0” (zero) at

the shared keyboard of the active control port in order to “lock” the Switch. When

you do so—or when the Switch locks itself automatically upon activating screen-

saver mode; see Section 4.2.2—the Switch blanks the screen, disconnects the

keyboard and mouse from all of the computers, and displays the letter “P” on its

front-panel display. Control can only be regained by typing the correct password

on the keyboard.

To set this password, get into configuration mode, then type the letter “P” and

press the [Enter] key. The ServSwitch Duo will light the middle and bottom

segments of its front-panel display, so that it resembles a wide equals sign, and you

can then type your password. The password is not case-sensitive and can be any

combination of keystrokes, including function keys but excluding [Ctrl], [Alt],

[Shift], and [Enter]. (For example, the password [F4] [F] [R] [E] [D] [Home]

would be valid.) When you’ve finished typing in your password, press [Enter] to

save it to the Switch’s EEPROM. (This type of memory does not depend on active

power or even a battery backup, so it can persist indefinitely.) Don’t worry if you

type the password incorrectly; you can always re-enter it, even if you’ve exited and

re-entered configuration mode. (Of course, if somebody locks the Switch or the

Switch goes into screen-saver mode, and you discover only then that you messed up

entering the password or can’t remember what the password is, you will have to

power down the Switch and hold down its SELECT key while powering it back on

to get back into configure mode—as described in Section 4.2.1—in order to

change the password.)

If you want to remove the password after setting one, get into configuration

mode, type the letter “P”, and press the [Enter] key as before, but then press

[Enter] without typing in any other characters. (If you try to lock the Switch before

you’ve set a password, or after you’ve removed the password, the Switch will still

blank the video, but it won’t prevent someone from selecting another channel;

see the paragraph about the lock function in Section 5.3.)

4.2.10 EXITING CONFIGURATION MODE

When you’ve finished configuring the ServSwitch Duo, simply type the letter “E”

and press [Enter] to exit the configuration mode and return to normal operation.

The attached computers can now be switched on.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

5. Operation

This chapter explains the general operation of the ServSwitch Duo. We

recommend that you read this chapter carefully before starting to use the Switch;

also make sure you have read the important note on page 20.

5.1 Power Status

At power-up, the ServSwitch Duo selects CPU channel #1 and displays “1” unless

a password has been set. If a password has been set, the Switch will display “P” and

remain locked until a valid password is entered. The 12- and 16-port models will

also light their Power LED.

5.2 The Status LEDs

The green CPU-status LEDs numbered 1 through n (where n is the total number

of CPU ports—4, 8, 12, or 16—on the Switch) show the ON/OFF status of the

computers connected to the corresponding CPU ports. This status is derived from

the computer’s keyboard connection and operates even when the ServSwitch Duo

is powered off. See also the “PC bootup sequence” paragraph in Section 5.6.

The red status LEDs (A and B) show the activity status of the local and remote

keyboard/monitor/mouse control ports. When port A is active, port B is disabled,

and vice versa. When the Switch is idle, it activates one of these ports and lights the

associated LED when it detects keyboard or mouse activity on that port. When no

keyboard or mouse data has been detected on the active port for the duration of

the switchover-timeout period (see Section 4.2.4), the port becomes inactive, its

LED goes out, and the other control port can then be used.

5.3 The Front-Panel Pushbuttons and the Remote-Control Module

SELECT key and Remote-Control Module

You can use the SELECT key to select which CPU channel (CPU port) is currently

controlled by the active control port. Press the key once during normal operation

to select the next CPU channel in sequence (for example, to select channel 6 if

channel 5 is currently selected); press the key repeatedly to manually cycle through

the channels.

You can also use the SELECT key to access the ServSwitch Duo’s configuration

mode (see Section 4.2.1). To access configuration mode while the Switch is

operating, press the SELECT key and hold it down for 5 seconds until “C” appears

on the Switch’s front-panel display.

CHAPTER 5: Operation

An optional Remote-Control Module (“RCM” for short, our product code

KV6REM) is also available for the ServSwitch Duo. It’s a small hand-held

component—with its own copies of the Switch’s SELECT key and front-panel

display—whose 10-foot (3-m) cord you can plug into the Switch’s RS-232 port.

This is particularly useful in applications where the ServSwitch Duo is located

some distance from the shared keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The RCM can

be conveniently attached to your keyboard with the included Velcro strips so you

can have channel information and channel-selection control at your fingertips.

AUTO key

The AUTO key puts the ServSwitch Duo into autoscan mode. You can choose

which ports the Switch scans, and how long it pauses at each port during a scan,

with the “L” and “T” commands in configure mode (see Section 4.2.3). Note that,

in cascaded systems, you can’t scan all of the CPU ports on all Switches in the same

scan; you have to press the AUTO key individually on each Switch. For more

information on autoscanning, see the “Use {Hotkeys} + [A]...” paragraph in

Section 5.7.

AUTO and SELECT keys pressed together: The “Lock” function

Pressing both the AUTO and SELECT keys at the same time will “lock” the

ServSwitch Duo, causing it to disable all video output and select CPU channel 0

(zero, the “nothing” channel, something like your local public-television station

after it goes off the air). If a password has been set for the Switch, the Switch will

display “P” and wait for the password to be entered before unlocking itself; until

this is done, the Switch will ignore all other keyboard and mouse data and all

further presses of the front-panel or RCM buttons. If there is no password currently

set for the Switch, it will still blank the video and select channel zero (and show “0”

on its front-panel display), but it will still respond as normal to all input, so it can

easily be switched to any active CPU channel.

AUTO and SELECT keys pressed together for 5 seconds: The “Keyboard and

mouse reset” function

Pressing both the AUTO and SELECT keys at the same time and holding them in

for five seconds will blank the ServSwitch Duo’s display and cause the Switch to cut

off power to the shared keyboards and mice of both control ports in order to

completely reset them. After several more seconds, the Switch resumes supplying

power to the keyboards and mice and returns to normal operation. This reset

function has no effect on the computers connected to the Switch.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

5.4 The Status Display

The ServSwitch Duo’s front-panel 7-segment status display usually shows the

number of the currently selected computer channel, while the dot LED alongside

it flashes in response to data from the shared keyboard or mouse, as shown in the

top illustration in Figure 5-1 below. If you select autoscan mode, however, the

display will alernately (a) display the current channel number and (b) light each of

its outer six LED segments, one after the other, in a clockwise sequence, as shown

in the second illustration. If the Switch is in configuration mode, it will display “C”.

If the Switch has been locked, it will display “P”, as shown in the third illustration,

until a valid password has been typed to unlock the unit. Lastly, if the screen-saver

mode has been activated, the channel number will flash.

DISPLAY SHOWS:

MEANING:

Channel number 1 through 16,

steadily lit

That channel is selected

As above, with flashing dot in

lower right-hand corner

Switch is receiving keyboard or

mouse data to be transmitted to

the selected computer

Zero

Display is disabled, but not controls

Alternately, channel number and

clockwise progression of lit

segments

Switch is in autoscan mode,

scanning from channel to

channel at user-selected rate

The letter “P”

The letter “C”

Switch is locked and is waiting

for the password to be entered

Switch is in configuration mode

Channel number, flashing

Switch is in screen-saver mode

and is waiting for keyboard or

mouse activity to restore video

Figure 5-1. The front-panel status display.

CHAPTER 5: Operation

5.5 Using the Dual Control Ports (A and B)

The ServSwitch Duo has two control ports, “A” and “B.” Each control port has a

keyboard, mouse, and monitor connection, and either can be used to access the

Switch. Typically port A is used for local access, and port B for remote access from

up to 65 feet (20 m) away. The Switch sends the video image from the selected

CPU to the monitors on both ports, but it will accept keyboard and mouse data

from only one control port at a time. While the other port is active, the Num Lock,

Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock LEDs on the inactive control port’s keyboard will flash,

indicating that the port is currently disabled. Once there has been no keyboard or

mouse data on the active control port for the duration of the “switchover timeout”

period (see Section 4.2.4), the other keyboard and mouse can be used. Once

activity is detected on the second control port, that port becomes the active port

and the first port is disabled. The red status LEDs on the Switch’s front panel (see

Section 5.2) show which port is currently active; if neither the A or B LED is lit,

neither control port is active, so either may be used.

5.6 Things To Keep in Mind About the Keyboards and Mice

PC bootup sequence: When your PCs are powered on, they communicate with any

attached keyboards and mice and load the setup parameters required by their

particular operating systems. It is necessary for the ServSwitch Duo to be attached

and powered on during this sequence so that it can give the PCs the required

responses and keep track of all the modes and settings requested by each of the

connected PCs.

Mouse characteristics: Do not unplug a PS/2 mouse connection from a PC while

the PC is on. Because of the way PS/2 mice communicate, the PC will lose mouse

function and you will have to reboot the PC to regain normal operation.

Unplugging a shared PS/2 mouse from the ServSwitch Duo will have no

immediate effect, but the PC will lose mouse function as soon as you plug the

mouzse back in. (RS-232 mice can usually be freely unplugged and replugged,

provided that one was connected when the operating system initially booted.) The

ServSwitch Duo has a PS/2 mouse-recovery system which allows you to disconnect

and reconnect the shared mouse without powering down the system, but we

recommend using this only when absolutely necessary. See Section 5.10 for details.

Keyboard- and mouse-mode handling during channel switching: The ServSwitch

Duo keeps a log of the keyboard and mouse modes and resolution settings

requested by each of the connected PCs, including the keyboard Num Lock, Caps

Lock, and Scroll Lock states. These settings are automatically restored to the

shared keyboard and mouse when the ServSwitch Duo channel is switched,

ensuring maximum software compatibility.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

5.7 Keyboard Control: Hotkey Commands

You can control many functions on the ServSwitch Duo—such as CPU-channel

selection, autoscanning, or locking—from the keyboard, using commands

triggered with the Switch’s currently selected hotkey combination. All of the

hotkey-control commands are invoked by holding down the one or two hotkeys

and then pressing a command key. By default, the two hotkeys are [Ctrl] and [Alt],

although other keystroke combinations can be selected (see Section 4.2.6).

Normally, when you send a hotkey command, you have to release the hotkeys

and the command key before you can send another one. The one exception to this

rule is {Hotkeys} + [Tab], the “switch to next CPU channel” command; you can

“tab through” the channels by holding down the hotkeys and repeatedly pressing

[Tab].

The hotkey commands are summarized below. Note that to generate the

numeric digits in the commands that contain them, you need to press the number

keys on the top row of the main section of the keyboard, not the number keys on

the keypad; the Switch will not recognize keypad numbers.

• Use {Hotkeys} + [x], where x is a number from one to nine, to switch to the

corresponding CPU channel. If you try to select a channel with a higher

number than the Switch has ports, the Switch will ignore the command and

pass it through to the currently selected computer.

• Use {Hotkeys} + [1] then [x], where x is a number from one to six, to switch to

the corresponding CPU channel ([1][1] = channel 11, [1][2] = chanel 12, and

so on). If you try to select a channel with a higher number than the Switch has

ports, the Switch will ignore the command and pass it through to the currently

selected computer. To make sure that the Switch doesn’t switch prematurely to

channel 1, hold down the hotkeys until you enter the second digit, then release

them.

• Use {Hotkeys} + [Tab] to switch to the next channel in numeric sequence.

• Use {Hotkeys} + [M] to get the Switch to display its on-screen menu for

selecting computers by name.

• Use {Hotkeys} + [A] to have the Switch start autoscanning (briefly displaying

the video from each CPU channel in turn). You can control whether or not it

scans empty channels, and for how long it pauses at each channel, with the “L”

and “T” configuration commands respectively (see Section 4.2.3). To stop

autoscanning, simply select a fixed channel using the on-screen menu, the

Switch’s SELECT button, the keyboard hotkeys, or the mouse.

CHAPTER 5: Operation

Please note that, in cascaded systems, it is not possible to scan through all of

the channels on every Switch in the same scan. Each Switch must be scanned

separately.

• Use {Hotkeys} + [0] to select nonexistent “channel zero” in order to shut off

the video output from the Switch to the shared monitors. The Switch’s front-

panel display will show “0”. You can re-enable video by selecting another

channel through the keyboard, SELECT button, on-screen menu, or mouse.

• Use {Hotkeys} + [L] to lock the Switch (disable its shared keyboard and mouse

and select nonexistent “channel zero” in order to and shut off the video

output from the Switch to the shared monitors). If a password has not been set

(see Section 4.2.9), the Switch behaves exactly as if you had entered

{Hotkeys} + [0] (see above). If a password has been set, the Switch displays “P”

to indicate that a valid password must be entered to unlock the switch; simply

type in the password followed by the [Enter] key to do so. Note that if anyone

has tried to type something at the shared keyboard while the Switch is locked,

you will have to press [Enter] to clear those characters so that they won’t

invalidate the password when you proceed to type it in.

• Use {Hotkeys} + {Channel Address} to select a CPU channel in a cascaded

system (see Section 5.12). The {Channel Address} is a series of one- or two-digit

channel numbers that specify the “path” to follow to get from the master

Switch to the desired CPU channel on the subsidiary Switch. The numbers in

the {Channel Address} can be single digits if all of the Switches in the cascade

are 4- or 8-port units; if any are 12- or 16-port units, you’ll have to add a leading

zero before the single-digit numbers. For example, if you want to access

→CPU channel 16 on a “second-layer” subsidiary Switch connected to

→CPU port 2 (“02”) on a “first-layer” subsidiary Switch connected to

→CPU port 1 (“01”) on the master Switch, you would enter:

{Hotkeys} + [0][1][0][2][1][6].

To make sure that the Switch doesn’t switch prematurely to the wrong

channel, hold down the hotkeys until you enter the last digit, then release

them.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

Examples of common hotkey commands (assuming the hotkeys are [Ctrl] and

[Alt]):

• To select channel 2:

Press and hold [Ctrl] and [Alt], press and release [2], release [Ctrl] and [Alt].

• To “tab through” channels:

Press and hold [Ctrl] and [Alt], press and release [Tab] (repeat as many times

as necessary), release [Ctrl] and [Alt].

• To select channel 12 on a 12-port or 16-port Switch:

Press and hold [Ctrl] and [Alt], press and release [1], press and release [2],

release [Ctrl] and [Alt].

• To select channel 5 on a subsidiary Switch connected to port 13 on a master Switch:

Press and hold [Ctrl] and [Alt], press and release [1], press and release [3],

press and release [0], press and release [5], release [Ctrl] and [Alt].

• To select channel 7 on an 8-port subsidiary Switch connected to port 4 on a 4-port master

Switch:

Press and hold [Ctrl] and [Alt], press and release [4], press and release [7],

release [Ctrl] and [Alt].

CHAPTER 5: Operation

5.8 On-Screen Menu Control

Another convenient way to select CPU channels on the ServSwitch Duo is through

the Switch’s on-screen menu. This menu consists of channel numbers (and, in

cascaded systems, channel addresses) paired with computer names that you assign.

The menu is called up by pressing the hotkey sequence followed by the letter “M”

at the shared keyboard. When the menu is first called up, there will be no names

listed for any of your computers; you have to enter the names and channel

numbers that will make up the menu. (When you’re finished, press [Esc] to exit.)

In the menu for 4-port and 8-port models, channel numbers and addresses are

shown as single digits:

Computer

Port

NT Server A

355

356

NT Server B

Local IBM PC

Local Compaq PC

Web Browser

Comms Server A

Comms Server B

Fred’s PC

In the menu for 12-port and 16-port models, channel numbers and addresses

are shown as double digits:

Computer

Port

NT Server A

030505

030506

NT Server B

Local IBM PC

Local Compaq PC

Web Browser

Comms Server A

Comms Server B

Jim’s PC

In each case, the dot (“

) shows the currently selected computer.

”

SERVSWITCH DUO™

5.8.1 ADDING A COMPUTER TO THE MENU LIST

With the menu visible on the screen, press the [Insert] key. This will cause a new

“Computer” entry field to be inserted on the menu. This is highlighted in red with

a flashing cursor to indicate the text entry position. Type in a name up to

16 characters long (you can use uppercase, lowercase, special, and space

characters). When you’re finished, press [Enter].

The red highlighted area now moves into the “Port” entry field, and you can

enter the port number for the named computer. Specify port numbers with single

digits on the 4- and 8-port models and double digits on the 12- and 16-port models

(adding a leading zero if necessary). If you are using cascaded ServSwitch Duo

units, you’ll have to specify the whole channel address (see Section 5.13 and the

“{Hotkeys} + {Channel Address}” paragraph in Section 5.7). To specify CPU port 5

on a subsidiary Switch that is cascaded off CPU port 3 of the master Switch, you

would enter the channel address as “35” on 4- and 8-port models or as “0305” on

12- or 16-port models. (Remember that units should not be cascaded more than

three layers deep.) Press [Enter] again to complete the entry and store it in the

Switch’s menu memory. The menu can hold over 300 entries.

Note that you can add another computer to the menu list at any time, and you

can continue adding computers without exiting the menu. Just press [Insert] again

to add an entry after the current line, or press [Shift] and [Insert] to add an entry

before the current line, then input the new name as already described.

5.8.2 DELETING A COMPUTER FROM THE MENU LIST

With the menu visible on the screen, highlight the computer to be deleted and

press the [Delete] key. Press [Enter] to confirm the deletion or [Esc] to abort it.

5.8.3 EDITING A COMPUTER ON THE MENU LIST

With the menu visible on the screen, highlight the computer to be edited and

press the [Shift] and [Delete] keys together. Type in the new computer name and

port, then press [Enter] to save your changes or [Esc] to abort them.

CHAPTER 5: Operation

5.8.4 SELECTING A COMPUTER ON THE MENU LIST

With the menu visible on the screen, highlight the computer to be selected using

the up- and down-arrow keys and page-up and page-down keys as required. Now

press the [Enter] key to switch to the highlighted computer. The ServSwitch Duo

has an advanced “connection confirmation” facility which is particularly useful in

systems where many computers are displaying the same or very similar video: The

selected computer name and port number will briefly flash up on the screen to

confirm the selection has been made; if it is not possible to make the connection,

perhaps because a cascaded unit is not switched on or is in use locally, the menu

will flash “computer unavailable” until you press [Esc] to abort your selection.

(You can configure how long this “confirmation message” stays on screen; see

Section 4.2.5.)

5.8.5 EXITING THE MENU

When you are finished making your desired changes to the menu, press the [Esc]

(escape) key to exit back to normal operation.

5.8.6 CONFIGURING THE MENU

See Section 4.2.8 for details if you want to change the menu’s color scheme or

how long the on-screen confirmation message for channel selection is displayed.

5.8.7 SUMMARY OF KEYS USED BY THE MENU AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

• {Hotkeys} + [M] calls the menu up on screen, even if no PC video is present,

unless the Switch is locked.

• [Insert] adds a computer entry after the currently selected line.

• [Shift] + [Insert] adds a computer entry before the currently selected line.

• [Delete] deletes the currently selected computer entry.

• [Shift] + [Delete] edits the currently selected computer entry.

• [Enter] confirms an addition, change, or deletion, or selects a computer.

• [Esc] aborts an addition, change, or deletion, or quits the menu entirely.

• [↑] (the up-arrow key) scrolls one line up the menu.

• [↓] (the down-arrow key) scrolls one line down the menu.

• [PgUp] (the page-up key) moves to the top of the menu page, or up 8 lines

if the currently selected line is more than 8 lines from the top.

• [PgDn] (the page-down key) moves to the bottom of the menu page, or down

8 lines if the currently selected line is more than 8 lines from the bottom.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

5.9 Mouse Control

Yet another convenient way to select CPU channels on the ServSwitch Duo is

through a three-button mouse, if this feature is enabled (see Section 4.2.5). To

switch to the next channel, simply hold down the central mouse button or “wheel”

button, then click on the left-hand mouse button.

5.10 Re-Enabling a Disconnected PS/2 Mouse

If you disconnect the shared PS/2 mouse from the ServSwitch Duo by accident

during operation, the mouse will not work right when you plug it back in. To avoid

having to reboot the entire system in this situation, the Switch has an automatic

mouse-recovery system.

With the PS/2 mouse disconnected, change the channel using the SELECT

button or keyboard hotkeys. The ServSwitch Duo detects that the mouse has been

disconnected and triggers the automatic recovery system. Plug in the PS/2 mouse

and the ServSwitch Duo will re-initialize it.

Alternatively, you can reset the keyboards and mice by holding the SELECT and

AUTO keys down together for five seconds. When you do, the Switch will perform

a complete power-off reset of the connected keyboards and mice. This function

only resets the shared keyboard and mice that are plugged into contol ports A and

B; it does not affect the status of any of the other ports on the Switch or of the CPU

connections.

5.11 Hot-Plugging Devices into the ServSwitch Duo and Re-Enabling

Disconneccted CPU PS/2 Mouse Ports

It is advisable to switch off the computer systems that are going to be connected to

the ServSwitch Duo before installation. However, even if this is not possible, most

systems can be “hot-plugged” (connected to the Switch while they are powered and

operating); the PS/2 mouse-port malfunctions this usually causes can often be

overcome by using the ServSwitch Duo’s mouse-restoration functions. (The

keyboard connection will normally restore itself automatically.)

Let’s take this from the top: On many PCs, mouse movement will be lost if the

PS/2 mouse is unplugged and plugged back in while the PC is running. Mouse

movement can then only be restored by rebooting the PC. This is because the

mouse drivers only set up and enable the mouse when the PC is initially booted.

CHAPTER 5: Operation

If you have powered down your ServSwitch Duo, or if you are attempting to hot-

plug a system into it, you may be able to restore lost mouse movement using the

ServSwitch Duo's mouse-restoration functions.

Mouse-restoration functions should be used with caution, because unpredictable

results may occur if the wrong mouse type is selected. If in doubt, restore the

mouse by rebooting the PC normally.

Standard PS/2 mouse data uses a different data format than IntelliMouse data,

so two reset functions are provided on the ServSwitch Duo. The type of data format

expected by the PC depends upon the driver and the type of mouse that was

connected when the driver was booted. The following table may be used as a guide;

note that the mouse-reset functions predict the likely mouse resolution settings but

may not restore the speed or sensitivity of the mouse exactly as they were when the

PC originally booted:

Type of mouse/

system connected

at bootup:

Driver type:

Probable

expected

data format:

Suggested

restoration

command:

PS/2

PS/2 only

PS/2

IntelliMouse

PS/2 only

PS/2

IntelliMouse

PS/2

IntelliMouse

To restore lost mouse movement on a CPU connected to the ServSwitch Duo:

1. Select the CPU that has lost its mouse movement.

2. Press and hold the SELECT button on the front of the ServSwitch Duo for

five seconds until “C” appears in the front-panel display. The Switch is now in

configuration mode.

3. To restore a PS/2 mouse connection, type the letter “F” followed by the

number “5” followed by [Enter]. Or, to restore an IntelliMouse connection,

type the letter “F” followed by the number “6” followed by [Enter].

4. Exit from configure mode by typing the letter “E” followed by [Enter].

5. Test the mouse movement by moving the mouse a short distance.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

5.12 RS-232 Control

There is yet one more way to select channels on the ServSwitch Duo: through its

RS-232 serial port. (This is a proprietarily pinned DB15 connector; see Section A.3

of the Appendix for more information.) The normal use of this connector is as the

attachment point for the Switch’s optional Remote-Control Module, but by using

an adapter you can connect a different RS-232 device to it. To select a channel

through this port, the data rate and format of the sending device must be set to

1200 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. No handshaking (flow control) is

used by the ServSwitch Duo.

Simply send the ASCII character for the channel which needs to be selected:

ASCII “1” (31 hex, 49 decimal) will select channel 1, ASCII “2” (32 hex,

50 decimal) will select channel 2, and so on. You can select ports 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,

15, and 16 by sending the ASCII characters “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” “E,” “F,” and “G”

respectively.

5.13 Cascading ServSwitch Duos

Multiple ServSwitch Duos can be cascaded (connected together in a one-to-many

scheme) in order to increase the maximum number of available CPU ports in your

KVM-switching system. This can be particularly useful where clusters of computers

are located some distance from each other, because each Switch unit acts as a kind

of signal booster or repeater and can be as much as 100 feet (30 m) away from the

other Switches in the system. To select channels in cascaded systems, you will need

to either send hotkey commands from the master Switch’s keyboard (see the

“{Hotkeys} + {Channel Address}” paragraph in Section 5.7) or select your desired

channel from the Switch’s on-screen menu (see Section 5.8). Most people find

using the menu more convenient, because scrolling through and selecting

computer names from the menu is usually much easier than trying to remember

and type in channel addresses.

Though it’s theoreticallly possible to cascade ServSwitch Duos to four, five, or

more “layers,” we recommend that you limit your setup to three, because the

channel addresses for CPU ports on Switches beyond the third layer are too long to

be entered in the menu.

CHAPTER 5: Operation

For an example of hotkey switching, consider a situation in which two ServSwitch

Duo units, unit “A” and unit “B,” are connected together as shown in Figure 5-1 on

page 42. To select the computer attached to port 3 on ServSwitch Duo “B,” you

would press and hold down the hotkeys, then press and release “2,” press and

release “3,” and finally release the hotkeys. This causes the master Switch, unit “A,”

to switch to its port 2, to which the subsidiary Switch is attached, and send the

subsidiary Switch the command to switch to port 3, to which your desired

computer is attached. (If there were any 12- or 16-port Switches in the system, you

would have to use two digits to designate each port, inserting a leading zero when

necessary.)

Two more examples, assuming that the hotkeys are the default combination of

[Ctrl] + [Alt]:

• To switch to channel 5 of an 8-port Switch attached to channel 1 of your 4-port master

Switch:

Press and hold [Ctrl] + [Alt], press and release [1], press and release [5],

release [Ctrl] + [Alt].

• To switch to channel 7 of a 12-port Switch attached to channel 14 of your 16-port master

Switch:

Press and hold [Ctrl] + [Alt], press and release [1], press and release [4], press

and release [0], press and release [7], release [Ctrl] + [Alt].

Please note that it is not possible to autoscan every channel in a cascaded system

with a single scan. Cascaded Switches must be scanned individually using their

front-panel pushbuttons or {Their Hotkeys} + [A].

SERVSWITCH DUO™

CPUs

ServSwitch Duo B

(second layer)

CPUs

ServSwitch Duo A

(first layer)

Shared

Keyboard,

Mouse, and

Monitor

Figure 5-1. A typical cascade of two ServSwitch Duos.

CHAPTER 6: Troubleshooting

6. Troubleshooting

6.1 Things To Try

This section suggests possible answers for a number of problems that people

sometimes encounter when trying to operate the ServSwitch Duo. If the suggested

actions don’t solve your problem, or if you don’t see a listing for the type of trouble

you’re having, contact Black Box Technical Support as described in Section 6.2.

Problem:

Poor video quality with smearing, fuzziness, or rippling.

Possible Solution:

Use shielded or screened coaxial video cables to connect your devices to the

ServSwitch Duo.

Problem:

Your mouse does not move the cursor/pointer.

Possible Solutions:

If you move the mouse and the activity indicator (the dot on the 7-segment

display) does not flash, then the ServSwitch Duo is not receiving data from the

mouse. Check the mouse connection to the Switch; if it’s OK, try resetting the

mouse using the reset function (see Section 3.3) or powering the Switch OFF and

then ON again. If you are attempting to connect the Switch to a CPU with a PS/2

mouse connection that has not been powered down, you will need to use the

mouse-restoration function F5 or F6 (see Section 5.11).

Make sure that your software is configured to accept a Microsoft compatible

mouse of the type that you have connected (PS/2 or RS-232).

Make sure that (a) the mouse and computer were both connected to the

ServSwitch Duo before any part of the system was powered up, and (b) the Switch

was powered ON before the attached computer. If you’re not sure whether this was

the case, then (if it’s possible to do so) power everything down, make sure all cable

connections are correct and secure, power up the Switch, then power up all

attached computers.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

Problem:

Your keyboard does not function or functions only intermittently. The Num Lock

LED does not always light when the Num Lock key is pressed.

Possible Solution:

Some older keyboards were designed for use with specific computers and are not

truly PC/AT or PS/2 compatible. These are not common, but if you’re having

problems like this and you’re using an old keyboard, try a newer keyboard.

Problem:

Just using your mouse normally causes the CPU channel to change unexpectedly.

Possible Solutions:

Some cheaper mice are not fully compatible with the ServSwitch Duo and can lose

data, which—if mouse switching is enabled (see Section 4.2.5)—sometimes causes

the Switch to interpret a data stream as a channel-change request. Try using a

Microsoft, Logitech, IBM, Compaq , or Hewlett-Packard mouse instead.

Make sure that you are using a Microsoft compatible mouse driver on your PC.

Some drivers by other manufacturers can cause the mouse to use proprietary

mouse-data formats that the Switch doesn’t support. If you have unplugged and

reconnected a mouse to the ServSwitch Duo, make sure that you reset it (see

Section 5.10) or—especially if the mouse is an IntelliMouse—use the mouse-

restoration function (see Section 5.11).

Problem:

The cursor/pointer jumps around the screen after you disconnect the mouse cable

or power down the ServSwitch Duo.

Possible Solution:

If you have disconnected and reconnected a CPU mouse cable or you have

powered down the ServSwitch Duo, and you’re using a PS/2 mouse or

IntelliMouse, the mouse might have gotten out of sync with the PC. Try the mouse-

reset function (see Section 5.10), the mouse-restoration function (see

Section 5.11) or reboot the CPU.

CHAPTER 6: Troubleshooting

Problem:

The ServSwitch Duo does not power on correctly (display is blank or stuck after

power-up).

Possible Solution:

Power down all CPUs attached to the ServSwitch Duo. Then power down the

Switch itself—preferably, if it’s plugged into a switchable power outlet, by switching

off the power to the outlet—and leave it OFF for 10 seconds. Then power the

Switch back up. If this doesn’t solve the problem, the ServSwitch Duo is probably

defective; call Black Box Technical Support as directed in Section 6.2.

Problem:

Video appears to be lost after a PC has gone into auto-power-down mode. Moving

the mouse and typing at the keyboard does not wake it up.

Possible Solutions:

This is an example of a simple problem that becomes magnified into bigger

problems: Some computers output an incomplete video signal in auto-power-down

mode. The ServSwitch Duo can’t “lock on” to such signals and, as a result, can’t

display its on-screen menu. But the Switch’s menu circuitry captures the keyboard

and mouse data anyway, so the computer never gets it and never “wakes up.” Thus

the system appears to “hang.”

To restore the video under these conditions, press [Escape] or [Enter] or

change the CPU channel by typing in your hotkey sequence followed by the

channel number. If you have any PCs in your ServSwitch Duo system that tend to

do this, you should be careful not to leave your user station idle with the menu on

screen.

Problem:

Compaq MX11800 model integrated keyboard and mouse only: The mouse consistently

fails to boot when the Switch is connected to PCs running Windows NT 4.0

through their PS/2 style mouse ports.

Possible Solutions:

There are three possible solutions to this problem:

1. Use a different type of mouse.

2. Connect the Switch to your NT 4.0 PCs through adapters and their serial ports

rather than through their PS/2 ports.

3. Select channel 0, or another channel that is not connected to an NT 4.0 PC,

while NT is booting. You should be able to use the system normally once the logon

screen appears.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

6.2 Calling Black Box

If you determine that your ServSwitch Duo is malfunctioning, do not attempt to alter

or repair the unit. It contains no user-serviceable parts. Contact Black Box Technical

Support at 724-746-5500.

Before you do, make a record of the history of the problem. We will be able to

provide more efficient and accurate assistance if you have a complete description,

including:

• the nature and duration of the problem.

• when the problem occurs.

• the components involved in the problem—that is, what types of computers,

what type of keyboard, brand of mouse, make and model of monitor, etc.

• any particular application that, when used, appears to create the problem

or make it worse.

• the results of any testing you’ve already done.

6.3 Shipping and Packaging

If you need to transport or ship your ServSwitch Duo:

• Package it carefully. We recommend that you use the original container.

• Before you ship the unit back to Black Box for repair or return, contact us

to get a Return Authorization (RA) number.

APPENDIX: Cable and Connector Guidelines

Appendix:

Cable and Connector Guidelines

IMPORTANT NOTE

The maximum cable lengths supported vary widely between devices and

cables. It might be possible to use cables that are longer than those

specified below with certain PCs and peripherals, but this cannot be

guaranteed. If you experience problems, try using shorter cables.

A.1 Cabling: Keyboard, Monitor, and Mouse to ServSwitch Duo

All of the shared devices plug directly into the relevant ports at the rear of the

ServSwitch Duo. If you use a PC/AT style keyboard you will need a PC/AT (5-pin

DIN female) to PS/2 (6-pin mini-DIN male) adapter. (These are readily available

from Black Box.) User Extension Cables can be used to increase the distance from

ServSwitch Duo up to 30 ft. (9.1 m; see Section 3.3); many keyboards and mice will

operate at distances up to 65 ft. (20 m), but do not count on this.

A.2 Cabling: ServSwitch Duo to PCs

Video: HD15 male to HD15 male, wired as a standard VGA PC-to-monitor cable.

There are two types commonly available. The better type, which will carry video

very well, are constructed with coaxial cable cores. The not-so-good type—cheaper

cable more suited for data communication—is often used, but can degrade video

quality, especially over longer distances. Avoid using “data cables” longer than

6 ft./2 meters unless video quality is not important in your application. Good

coaxial video cables may be run at distances up to 165 ft. (50 m) with little loss of

video quality, but the longest we recommend going—unless you use the ServSwitch

Duo Extender (KV6EXT; see its manual for details)—is 100 ft. (30.5 m) over the

video strand of our CPU Extension Cables (see Section 3.3).

Keyboard and PS/2 mice: 6 pin mini-DIN male to 6 pin mini-DIN male with all

lines connected straight through (1 to 1, 2 to 2, etc.). If the PC has a 5-pin DIN

PC/AT style keyboard connector, you will need a PS/2 to PC/AT keyboard

adapter, 6-pin mini-DIN female to 5-pin DIN male. (One of these is included for

each four CPU ports on your Switch; if you need more, they are readily available

from Black Box.) Keyboard and mouse cables, such as the keyboard and mouse

strands of our CPU Extension Cables (see Section 3.3), should be no longer than

100 ft. (30.5 m).

SERVSWITCH DUO™

RS-232 serial mice: These require a special adapter, with the pinning shown in the

illustration below, to connect the ServSwitch Duo’s PS/2 mouse port to the RS-232

port on a PC. One of these adapters is included with your Switch for each four

CPU ports it has. PS/2 type mouse cables, such as the mouse strand of our CPU

Extension Cables (see Section 3.3), should be no longer than 100 ft. (30.5 m). If

you are using a converter at the Switch end instead of the PC end and are running

regular RS-232 cable, this should not be longer than 50 ft. (15.2 m).

6-pin mini-DIN attaches to

Switch or cable from Switch

DB9 attaches to PC’s serial port or

cable to PC’s serial port

KDAT

RLSD (DCD)

N/C

TD (-12V)

SGND

DTR

+5V

KCLK

SGND

DSR

-12V

RTS

CTS

N/C

Male

Female

APPENDIX: Cable and Connector Guidelines

A.3 The Expansion Port

The DB15 connector on the back of the ServSwitch Duo is a proprietarily pinned

port using RS-232-type signaling. Its main purpose is to be the attachment point for

the Switch’s optional Remote Control Module (RCM), but you can also connect an

RS-232 device to it to perform channel switching. See Section 5.12 for more details.

The pinout of this connector is pretty simple: Pin 9 (Signal Ground, SGND)

and Pin 11 (Receive Data, RD) are the only pins used for serial communication

to other RS-232 devices. All other pins are intended for RCM communication only

and should be left unconnected; attaching them to any other RS-232 equipment

could have unpredictable and possibly damaging effects.

SERVSWITCH DUO™

DISCLAIMERS

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, the

manufacturer assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither does the

manufacturer assume any liability for damages resulting from the use of the

information contained herein. The manufacturer reserves the right to change the

specifications, functions, or circuitry of the product without notice.

The manufacturer cannot accept liability for damage due to misuse of the

product or due to other circumstances outside the manufacturer’s control. And

the manufacturer will not be responsible for any loss, damage, or injury arising

directly or indirectly from the use of this product.

NOTES

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