ATEN KH88 manual

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60

Go to page of

A good user manual

The rules should oblige the seller to give the purchaser an operating instrucion of ATEN KH88, along with an item. The lack of an instruction or false information given to customer shall constitute grounds to apply for a complaint because of nonconformity of goods with the contract. In accordance with the law, a customer can receive an instruction in non-paper form; lately graphic and electronic forms of the manuals, as well as instructional videos have been majorly used. A necessary precondition for this is the unmistakable, legible character of an instruction.

What is an instruction?

The term originates from the Latin word „instructio”, which means organizing. Therefore, in an instruction of ATEN KH88 one could find a process description. An instruction's purpose is to teach, to ease the start-up and an item's use or performance of certain activities. An instruction is a compilation of information about an item/a service, it is a clue.

Unfortunately, only a few customers devote their time to read an instruction of ATEN KH88. A good user manual introduces us to a number of additional functionalities of the purchased item, and also helps us to avoid the formation of most of the defects.

What should a perfect user manual contain?

First and foremost, an user manual of ATEN KH88 should contain:
- informations concerning technical data of ATEN KH88
- name of the manufacturer and a year of construction of the ATEN KH88 item
- rules of operation, control and maintenance of the ATEN KH88 item
- safety signs and mark certificates which confirm compatibility with appropriate standards

Why don't we read the manuals?

Usually it results from the lack of time and certainty about functionalities of purchased items. Unfortunately, networking and start-up of ATEN KH88 alone are not enough. An instruction contains a number of clues concerning respective functionalities, safety rules, maintenance methods (what means should be used), eventual defects of ATEN KH88, and methods of problem resolution. Eventually, when one still can't find the answer to his problems, he will be directed to the ATEN service. Lately animated manuals and instructional videos are quite popular among customers. These kinds of user manuals are effective; they assure that a customer will familiarize himself with the whole material, and won't skip complicated, technical information of ATEN KH88.

Why one should read the manuals?

It is mostly in the manuals where we will find the details concerning construction and possibility of the ATEN KH88 item, and its use of respective accessory, as well as information concerning all the functions and facilities.

After a successful purchase of an item one should find a moment and get to know with every part of an instruction. Currently the manuals are carefully prearranged and translated, so they could be fully understood by its users. The manuals will serve as an informational aid.

Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    User Manual KH88 2004-05-24[...]

  • Page 2

    FCC Information This is an FCC Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to prov[...]

  • Page 3

    respective owners. Package Contents The complete KH88 package contains the following components: w 1 KH88 KVM Switch w 1P o w e r C o r d w 1 Rack Mounting Kit w 1 User Manual w 1 Quick Start Guide w 1 Warranty Registration Card Check to make sure that all the components are present and in good order. If anything is missing, or was damaged in shipp[...]

  • Page 4

    Contents 1. Introduction Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Computer . . . . . . [...]

  • Page 5

    4. Hotkey Operation Hotkey Port Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Invoking Hotkey Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Selecting the Active Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Auto Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Skip Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

  • Page 6

    About This Manual This User Manual is provided to help you get the most from your KH88 system. It covers all aspects of installation, configuration and operation. An overview of the information found in the manual is provided below. Overview Chapter 1, Introduction, introduces you to the KH88 System. Its purpose, features and benefits ar e des cr i[...]

  • Page 7

    Conventions This manual uses the following conventions: Courier Indicates text that you should key in. [ ] Indicates keys you should press. For example, [Enter] means to press the Enter key. If keys need to be chorded , they appear together in th e s am e brack et with a plu s s ig n betw een th em : [Ctrl+Alt]. 1. Numbered lists represent procedur[...]

  • Page 8

    ALTUSEN Technical Support North America Techni cal Phone Support Registered ALTUSEN produc t owners are entitled to telephone technical support. Call the ALTUS EN Technical Support Center: 949-453-8885. International Techni cal Phone Support 1. Contact your local deal er. 2. Call the ALTUSEN Technical Support Center: 1-949-453-8885. Email Support E[...]

  • Page 9

    Chapter 1. Introduction Overview The KH88 KVM Switch is a control unit th at allo ws access to multip le computers from a single console (keyboard, monitor, and mouse). Before the development of KVM switching, the only way to control multiple computer configurations from a single console was through a complex and costly network. Now, with the KH88,[...]

  • Page 10

    Features M Controls 8 computers from a single console M Cascadable to three levels from any port - control up to 512 computers from a single console M Administrator/User password authorization for enhanced security protection (PSP) M Intelligent OSD (On Screen Display) and hotkey switching for efficient system handling M No software required - comp[...]

  • Page 11

    Hardware Requirements Console M A VGA, SVGA, or Multisync monitor capable of the highest resolution that you will be using on any computer in the installation. M A PS/2 style mouse M A PS/2 style keyboard Computer The following equip m en t mus t be in stalled on each co mputer : M A VGA, SVGA or Multisync card. M A 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style) mous[...]

  • Page 12

    Cables Use of substandard cables may damage the connected devices or degrade overall performance. For optimum signal integrity and to simplify the layout, we strongly recommend that you use the following high quality CS Custom Cable sets: Cable Purpose Part Number Connect to Computer 2L-1001P/C (1.8m) or 2L-1003P/C (3m) Cascading Note: 1. The KH88 [...]

  • Page 13

    Chapter 2. Hardware Setup Front Panel 1. Port LEDs The upper Port LEDs are the On Line LEDs; the lower ones are the Selected Port LEDs: w The On Line LEDs light GREEN to indicate that the computer attached to the corresponding port is up and running. If the LED is flashing, it indicates that the Port is being used for cascading to another KH88 swit[...]

  • Page 14

    3. Reset w Use a thin object (such as the end of a paper clip, or a ballpoint pen), to press this recessed switch in to initiate a warm reset. w If the switch is kept in for longer than three seconds, a cold reset takes place. 4. Power LED w Lights steadily to in dicate th at th e unit is receiv ing power . w Flashes to indicate a low power conditi[...]

  • Page 15

    Rear Panel 1. Power Socket 2. Power Switch 3. Console Port Section w If this is a first station unit, your monitor, keyboard and mouse plug in here. w If this is a daisy chained unit, the cables that link back to a port on a higher KH88unit plug in here. 4. CPU Port Section The cables that lin k to th e co m puter s plu g in here. 5. Firmware Upgra[...]

  • Page 16

    Installation Before you Begin Single Station Installation In a Single Stage installation, there are no additional KH88’s cascaded down from the first unit. To set up a single stage installation refer to the diagram below (the numbers in the diagram correspond with the numbers of the instruction steps), and do the following: 1. Plug your ke yboard[...]

  • Page 17

    Two Stage Installation To control even more computers, up to eight additional KH88 units can be cascaded from the CP U ports of th e F ir s t S tag e uni t. T h e cas cad ed KH88s th at connect back to the Fir s t Stage unit ar e co nsid er ed Seco nd Stag e units . As many as 64 computers can be controlled in a complete two stage installation. A t[...]

  • Page 18

    6. Power on the Second Stage unit(s), the n power on the First Stage unit. 7. Turn on the power to all the computers. Note: The Power On sequence requires that all Second Stage units be powered on first. After all the Second Stage units have been powered on, the First Stage unit must be powered on next. After the Second and First stage units have b[...]

  • Page 19

    Three Stage Installation The procedures for setting up a three stage installation are essentially the same as for a two stage installation. With a three stage setup, as many as 512 computers can be controlled in a complete installation. A table showing the relation between the number of computers and the number of KH88 units needed to control them [...]

  • Page 20

    2004-05-24 12[...]

  • Page 21

    Setup Considerations Hot Plugging The KH88 supports hot plugging. Components can be removed and added back into the installation by unplugging and replugging their cables from their respective ports without the need to shut the switch down. For hot plugging to work properly, the following procedures must be observed: Hot Plugging CPU Ports: When ho[...]

  • Page 22

    Powering Off and Restarting If it becomes necessary to Power Off one of th e KH88 units , bef ore startin g it back up you must do the following: 1. Shut down all the computers that are attached to the unit. If there are stations cascaded down from it, all the cascaded stations and the computers attached to them must be shut down, as well. Note: 1.[...]

  • Page 23

    Port ID Numbering Each CPU Port on a KH88 installation is assigned a unique Port ID . You can directly access any computer on any level of the installation by specifying the Port ID of the CPU port that the computer is co nnected to - eith er with th e Hotkey port selection method, or with the OSD. The Port ID is a one, two, or three digit number. [...]

  • Page 24

    Port Selection The KH88 provides three methods to obtain in stant acces s to an y co mputer on your installation: Manual, OSD, and Hotkey. Manual: Simply press the appropriate Port Selection Switch on the unit’s front panel. After you press the switch, the Selected LED lights to indicate that the port has the KVM focus. The OSD (see p. 17) automa[...]

  • Page 25

    Chapter 3. OSD Operation OSD Overview The On Screen Displa y (OSD) provides a visual, menu-drive n, mouse enabled, interface that offers quick an d co nven ien t co mputer acces s an d co ntr o l, as well as efficient system admin is tratio n in clu din g user man agem ent (acces s righ ts , passwords, etc.). Each OSD menu option activates a functi[...]

  • Page 26

    After you log in, a screen similar to the one below appears: Note: 1. The diagram depicts the Administrator’s Main Screen. T he User Main Screen does not show the F4 function, since it is reserved for the Administrator and can’t be accessed by ordinary Users. 2. The OSD always starts in List view, with t he highlight bar at the same position it[...]

  • Page 27

    OSD Main Screen Headings Heading Explanation PN This column li sts the Port ID numbers (s ee Port ID Numbering , p. 15), for all the CPU ports on the i nstallation. The si mplest method to acces s a particular computer i s move the Highlight B ar to it, then press [Enter]. QV If a port has selected for Quick V iew scanning (s ee Set Quick View Port[...]

  • Page 28

    OSD Functions OSD functions configure and control the OSD. Examples of what can be accomplished with th e OSD in clu de: rap idly s w itch in g to an y port; au to scanning specifically selected ports; limiting the list of ports you wish to view; designating a port as a Quick View Port; managing port names; user management, system administration, a[...]

  • Page 29

    F2 LIST: Many of the OSD functions only operate on th e co mputer s that hav e been selected for Listing (displaying) on the Main Screen. This function lets you broaden or narrow the scope of which ports ar e selected for Lis tin g. T he submenu choices and their meanings are given in the table below: Choice Meaning ALL Lists all of the ports on th[...]

  • Page 30

    F3 SET: This function allows each oper ato r to set up his own workin g en vir onm en t. A separate profile for each is stored by th e OSD an d is activ ated acco rdin g to the Username that was provided during Login. To change a setting: 1. Double Click it; or move the highlight bar to it, then press [Enter] . 2. After you select an item, a submen[...]

  • Page 31

    (F3 SET: continued) Setting Function PORT ID DISPLAY DURATION Determines how long a P ort ID displays on the moni tor after a port change has taken plac e. The choices are: User Defined - which lets you selec t the amount of time (from 1 - 255 sec.); and Always On - which displays the P ort ID at all times. If y ou select Us er Defined , key in the[...]

  • Page 32

    F4 ADM: F4 is an Administrator only function. It allows the Administrator to configure and control the overall operation of the OSD. To change a setting use the Up and Down Arrow Keys to move the highlight bar to it then press [Enter] . After you select an item, a submenu with further choices appears. Double Click the choice you want, or move the H[...]

  • Page 33

    (F4 ADM: continued) Setting Function EDIT PORT NAMES To help remember whi ch computer is attac hed to a particular port, every port can be gi ven a name. This function al lows the Administrator to create, modi fy, or delete port names. To E dit a port name: Note: Only the Ports currentl y chosen for the LIST v iew on the main OSD screen (see F2 LIS[...]

  • Page 34

    (F4 ADM: continued) Setting Function SET QUICK VIEW PORTS This function l ets the Admini strator select which P orts to incl ude as Quick View ports. Note: Only the Ports currentl y chosen for the LIST v iew on the main OSD screen (see p. 21), s how up here. w To select/deselect a port as a Quick View Port, Double Click the port you want, or use th[...]

  • Page 35

    F7 SCAN: This function allows you to automatically switch among the available computers at regular intervals so that you can monitor their activity without having to take the trouble of switching yourself. w The selection of computers to be included for Auto Scanning is made with the Scan/Skip Mode setting under the F3 SET function (see p. 23). w T[...]

  • Page 36

    F8 LOUT: LOUT (Log Out) logs you out of OSD control of the computers, and blanks the Console screen. This is different from simply pressing [Esc] to deactivate the OSD when you are at the Main Screen. With this function you must log in all over again to regain acces s to th e OSD, wher eas with [Esc] , all you have to do to reenter the OSD is tap t[...]

  • Page 37

    Chapter 4. Hotkey Operation Hotkey Port Control Hotkey Port Control allows you to provide KVM focus to a particular computer directly from the keyboard. T he KH88 provid es the follo win g featu res : w Selecting the Active Port w Auto Scanning w Skip Mode Switching Invoking Hotkey Mode All Hotkey operations begin by invoking Hotkey Mode . Invoking[...]

  • Page 38

    Selecting the Active Port Each CPU port is assigned a Port ID (see Port ID Numbering , p. 15). You can directly access any computer on the installation with a Hotkey combination that specifies the Port ID of the CP U Port th at th e co mputer is connected to . T he steps involved a re: 1. Invoke HKM (see p. 29) 2. Key in the Port ID The Port ID num[...]

  • Page 39

    Auto Scanning Auto Scan automatically switches among all the active CPU Ports that are accessible to the curren tly lo gged on User at reg ular in ter vals (see Scan Mode of the OSD F3 SET function, p. 23), so that he can monitor their activity automatically. Setting the Scan Interval: The amount of time Auto Scan dwells on each port is set with th[...]

  • Page 40

    Starting Auto Scan: To start Auto Scanning, key in the following Hotkey combination: 1. Invoke HKM (see p. 29) 2. Ke y in [A] After you press A , you automatically exit Hotkey Mode, and enter Auto Scan Mode. 3. To e xit Auto Scan Mode, press [Esc] or [Spacebar] Note: While Auto Scan Mode is in effect, ordinary keyboard and mouse functions are suspe[...]

  • Page 41

    Skip Mode This feature allows you to switch between computers in order to monitor them manually. You can dwell on a particular port for as long or as little as you like - as opposed to Auto Scanning, which automatically switches after a fixed interval. To invoke Skip Mode, key in the following Hotkey combination: 1. Invoke HKM (see p. 29) 2. Ke y i[...]

  • Page 42

    Hotkey Beeper Control The Beeper (see Activate Beep er , p. 25) can be Hotk ey to ggled On an d Off. T o toggle the Beeper, key in th e follo win g Hotk ey co mbin atio n: 1. Invoke HKM (see p. 29) 2. Ke y in [B] After you press [B], the Beeper toggles On or Off. The Command Line displays B eep er On or B eep er Of f for one second; then the messag[...]

  • Page 43

    Chapter 5. The Firmware Upgrade Utility Introduction Purpose The purpose of the Windows-based Firmware Upgrade Utility (FWUpgrade.exe) is to provide an automated process for make upgrading the KVM switch’s firmware as smooth and painless as possible. The program comes as part of a Fir m war e Upgrade Pack ag e th at is s pecif ic for each device.[...]

  • Page 44

    Before You Begin To prepare for the firmware upgrade, do the following: 1. From a computer that is not part of your KVM installation go to our Internet support site and choose the model name that relates to your device (KH88) to get a list of available Firmware Upgrade Packages. 2. Choose the Firmware Upgrade Package you want to install (usually th[...]

  • Page 45

    Performing the Upgrade Starting the Upgrade To upgrade your firmware: 1. Run the downloaded Firmware Upgrade Package file - either by double clicking the file icon, or by opening a command line and keying in the full path to it. The Firmware Upgrade Utility Welcome screen appears: 2. Read and Agree to the License Agreement (enable th e I Agree rad [...]

  • Page 46

    3. Click Next to continue. The Firmware Upgrade Utility main screen appears: The Utility inspects your installation. The devices capable of being upgraded by the package are lis ted in the Device Lis t panel. 4. As you select a device in the list, its description appears in the Device Description panel. 2004-05-24 38[...]

  • Page 47

    5. After you have made your device selection(s), Click Next to perform the upgrade. If you enabled Check Firmwa r e V er s io n , the Utility compares the device’s firmware level with that of the upgrade files. If it finds that the device’s version is higher than the upgrade version, it brings up a dialog box informing you of the situation and [...]

  • Page 48

    Upgrade Succeeded After the upgrade has completed, a screen appears to inform you that the procedure was successful: Click Finish to close the Firmware Upgrade Utility. 2004-05-24 40[...]

  • Page 49

    Upgrade Failed If the upgrade failed to complete successfully a dialog box appears asking if you want to retry. Click Yes to retry. If you Click No , the Upgrade Failed screen appe ars: Click Cancel to close the Firmware Upgrade Utility. See the next section, Firmware Upgrade Recovery , for how to proceed. 2004-05-24 41[...]

  • Page 50

    Firmware Upgrade Recovery There are basically two conditions that call for firmware upgrade recovery: w When you begin a firmware upgrade, but decide not to proceed with it. w When the Mainboard firmware upgrade fails. Note: If one of the cascaded switches fails to upgrade successfully, unplug it from the installation and perform the recovery and u[...]

  • Page 51

    Appendix Computer Connection Table The following table indicates the relationship between the number of KH88 Units and the number of computers that they control: Units Computers Units Computers Units Computer s Units Computers 1 8 20 134 - 141 39 267 - 274 58 400 - 407 2 8-15 21 141 - 148 40 274 - 281 59 407 - 414 3 15 - 22 22 148 - 155 41 281 - 28[...]

  • Page 52

    Specifications Function Specification Computer Connections Direc t 8 Max 512 (via Cascade) Port Selection Front Panel Switc hes On Screen Display (OS D) Hotkeys LEDs Power 1 (Blue) On Line Port 8 (Green) Selected Port 8 (Orange) Connectors Keyboard 1 x 6 pin mini-DIN female - Consol e 8 x 6 pin mini -DIN female - CPU Ports Mouse 1 x 6 pin mini-DIN [...]

  • Page 53

    OSD Factory Default Settings The factory default settings are as follo ws: Setting Default OSD Hotkey [Scroll Lock] [Scrol l Lock] Port ID Display P osition Upper Left Corner Port ID Display Durati on 3 Seconds Port ID Display Mode The Port Number plus the P ort Name Scan Duration 5 Seconds Scan Mode All Screen Blanker 0 (Off) Logout Timeout 0 (Off[...]

  • Page 54

    Troubleshooting Symptom Possible Cause Action Pressing the Hotkeys gets no response. The connection from the selected port to the target computer has been broken, or the computer is turned OFF. Check the Online LED for the sel ected port. If it is not lit: 1. Manually press one of the Select switc hes to connect to a computer that is powered ON. 2.[...]

  • Page 55

    Clear Login Information If you are unable to perform an Administrator login (because the Username and Password information has become corrupted, or you have forgotten it, for example), you can clear the login information with the following procedure: 1. Power off the switch and open the case. 2. Short the jumper J22 (labeled Restore Default Passwor[...]

  • Page 56

    Rack Mounting To rack mount the unit do the following: 1. Separate the front and rear modules by removing the four module attaching screws: 2. Screw the rack mounting brackets into the front a nd rear modules: 2004-05-24 48[...]

  • Page 57

    3. Screw the mounting brackets to the rack . 2004-05-24 49[...]

  • Page 58

    Limited Warranty IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT FROM THE DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, DISK OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory with respect to the[...]

  • Page 59

    A Activate Beeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 ADM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Auto Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 31 Scan Duration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Setting the Scan Interval . . . . . . 31 B Beeper Activate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Hotkey control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 C Cle[...]

  • Page 60

    P Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Pause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Port ID Display Duration . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Display Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Display Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Port ID numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Port Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]