ATEN Technology ACS-1208AL manual

User Manual ACS-1208AL ACS-1216AL 2003-01-27[...]

For additional information, Visit http://www.tigerdirect.com[...]

Warning! This is a 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 provide reasonab[...]

Packing List The complete ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL package consists of: M 1 ACS-1208AL or ACS-1216AL KVM Switch M 2 Custom KVM Cable Sets (2L-5202P) M 1 Firmware Upgrade Cable M 1 Power Adapter with Power Cord M 1 User Manual M 1 Quick Start Guide M 1 Rack Mounting Kit Check to make sure that all the comp onents are present and th at nothing got dam[...]

Table of Contents 1. Introduction Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Cables . . . . . . . .[...]

5. The Firmware Upgrade Utility Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 Performing the Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 Starting the Upgrade . [...]

About This Manual This User Manual is provided to help you get the most from your ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL system. It covers all aspects of installa- tion, configuration an d operation. An overview of th e information fo und in the manu al is p ro vid ed below. Overview Chapter 1, Introduction, introduces you to the ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL System. I[...]

Conventions The following typographical conventions are used throughout this manual: M Bullet lists provide in fo rmatio n, but not pro ced ural steps. 1. Numb ered lists rep resen t pro ced ures with sequential steps. An indented typeface like the one below: Key information in indicates words and characters you key in. Unless otherwise mentioned, [...]

Notes: 2003-01-27 ACS-1208AL / ACS -1216AL User Manual viii[...]

Chapter 1. Introduction T his chapter introduces you to the ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL KVM Switch. Its purpose, features and benefits are presen ted, and its fro nt and back pan el compo- nents are described. Overview The Master View ACS-1208AL and ACS-1216AL KVM Switches are control units that allo w access to multiple co mputers from a sin gle conso[...]

a 1U system rack. Because of its modular design, the KVM sectio n can be detached from the switch section. If you ever need to expand your connections, you can remove the 8 port Switch module; and replace it with a 16 port Switch module. Your ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL investment is protected by an included Firmware Upgrade Utility . Yo u can stay cur[...]

Features M Integrated KVM Co nso le with 15" L CD Mo nito r - In a 1U High Slideaway  Housing For Convenien t Rack Mounting M Space Saving Technology - A Single Console Controls Up To 8 (ACS-1208AL) or 16 (ACS-1216AL) Computers M Daisy Chain Up T o 31 Ad ditio nal Units - Control Up to 512 Computers From th e Un it’s In tegrated Slid eawa[...]

Hardware Requirements Computers The following equip ment must be installed on each co mp uter: M A VGA, SVGA or Multisync card. Note: Since the in teg rated LCD mo nito r’s max imu m resolution is 1024 x 768, make sure that the computer resolution settings do not exceed 1024 x 768. M A 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2 sty le) mo use port. * M Either a 6-pin [...]

Note: 1. The ACS-1208AL/ACS-1216AL does not support serial mice. You cannot use Serial-to-P S/2 adapters with th e cables. Attempts to do so will not work. 2. If your computer uses an AT style keyboard socket you will need to purchase a PS/2-to -AT keyboard adap ter (P art No. 2A-106, or any standard key board adapter), in ord er to plug the cable [...]

ACS-1208AL / ACS1216AL Front View 1. Handle Pull to slide the KVM mo dule out; push to slid e th e mo dule in . 2. Cover After sliding the KVM mo dule out, flip up th e co ver to access th e LCD monitor, keyboard and touchpad. 3. Port LEDs Port LEDs provide status information about their corresponding CPU Ports. The top row of LEDs corresponds to P[...]

Note: 1. Since the ACS-1208AL only has eight ports, only the top row of LEDs (corresponding to Ports 1 - 8) are active on that unit. On the ACS-1216AL, both rows are active. 2. When the ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL is first powered on, the On Line and Selected LEDs blink one after the other as the Switch perfo rms a self-test. 4. Keyboard 5. Power LED L[...]

ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL Rear View 1. Daisy Chain Port When Daisy Ch ain in g Un its, the cable plu g s in here. 2. CPU Port Section The cables that link to th e computers plug in here. Note: The shape of these 15-p in co nnecto rs has been sp ecifically modified so th at only KVM cab les desig ned to work with this switch can plu g in (see th e Cab[...]

5. Firmware Upgra de Port The Firmware Upgrad e Ca ble that transfers the firmware upgrade data from the administrator’s computer to the ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL (see p. 5-2), plugs into this RJ-11 connector. 6. Firmware Upgra d e Reco very Switch During normal operation and wh ile perfo rmin g a fimware upgrade, this switch sh ould be in th e NOR[...]

LCD OSD Configuration The LCD OSD allows you to set up and configure the LCD display: M To bring up the LCD OSD main menu, press the button marked Menu . M Use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to nav igate an d mak e adjustments with ; after navigating to a settin g ch oice, use th e Menu button to bring up the adjustmen t screen . M When makin g ad justmen[...]

Chapter 2. Installation T his chapter explains how to connect up your installation — from a basic single stage hookup to a complete daisy chained setup. Before you Begin 1. Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up have been turned off. 2. To prevent damage to your equipment due to ground potential difference, make sure th[...]

3. Turn on th e power to th e co mp uters. Daisy Chaining To control even mo re computers, up to 31 additional Master View ACS-1208A / ACS-1216A units can be daisy ch ained down from th e First Station. Note: It would be unnecessarily wastefu l and expensiv e to use ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL switches for daisy chaining since there is no point in hav [...]

To set up a daisy chained in stallatio n, do the followin g: 1. Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up has been turned off. 2. Use a daisy ch ain cab le set (d escrib ed in the Cables section, p. 1-4), to connect the Ch ain Ou t port of th e paren t unit to th e Chain In port of the child unit (F irst Statio n Ou t to Sec[...]

A CS-1216AL A CS-1216A A CS-1216A 2003-01-27 ACS-1208AL / ACS -1216AL User Manual 2-4[...]

Hot Plugging The ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL supports hot plugging - components can be removed and added back into the installation by unplugging their cables from the ports with out the need to sh ut the unit down. In order for hot plugging to wo rk properly, howev er, the proced ures described below must be follo wed : Switching Statio n Positions: Y[...]

Port ID Numbering Each CPU port on a Master View installation is assigned a unique Port ID. The Port ID is made up of two parts: a Station Number , and a Port Number : M The Station Number - is a two digit number which reflects th e switch’s position in the daisy chain sequen ce. Note: 1. The first station ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL has a Station Nu[...]

Powering Off and Restarting If it becomes necessary to Power Off one of the ACS-1208A / ACS- 1216A units, unplug the power adapter cable from the rear panel. Before starting it back up you must do the following: 1. Shut down all th e co mp uters th at are attach ed to it. Note: You must unplug the power cords of any computers that have the Keyboard[...]

Notes: 2003-01-27 ACS-1208AL / ACS -1216AL User Manual 2-8[...]

Chapter 3. Hotkey Operation T his chapter details the co ncep ts and procedures in volv ed in the Hotkey operatio n of your ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL installation; OSD Operatio n is discussed in detail in Chapter 4. Hotkey Port Access Hotkey Port Access allows you to provide KVM focus to a particular computer directly from the keyboard. The ACS-1208A[...]

When Hotk ey Mo de is active: M The Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock LEDs flash in su ccessio n to indicate so. They stop flash in g and revert to normal statu s wh en you exit Hotkey Mode. M A Command Line appears on the monitor screen. The command line pr ompt is the wor d Hotkey: in yellow text on a blue background, and displays the subsequent Hotkey [...]

Auto Scanning Auto Scan automatically switches among all the active CPU Ports that are accessible to the currently logged on User at regular intervals, so that he can monitor their activity automatically. (See Scan/Skip Mode of the OSD F3 SET function, p. 4-7 for information regarding accessible ports.) Setting the Sc an Interval: The amount of tim[...]

Invoking Auto Scan: To start Auto Scannin g, key in the follo win g Hotkey co mb ination: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (see p. 3-1). 2. Press [A] . When you press A , you automatically exit Hotkey Mode; enter Auto Scan Mode; and Auto Scanning begins. M While you are in Auto Scan Mode, you can pause the scanning in order to keep th e fo cu s on a particu l[...]

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 combinatio n: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (see p. 3-1)[...]

Hotkey Beeper Control The Beeper can be Hotkey toggled On an d Off (see Activate Beeper, p. 4-9). To toggle the Beep er, key in the followin g Hotkey co mb ination: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (see p. 3-1). 2. Press [B] After you press B , the Beeper toggles On or Off. The Command Line displays Beeper On or Beeper Off for one second; then the message dis[...]

Chapter 4. OSD Operation T his chapter prov ides a complete descrip tion of the proced ures involved in th e OSD (On Screen Display) operation of your ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL installation. OSD Operation OSD Overview The On Screen Display (OSD) is a men u driven method to han dle computer contro l and switching operations. All procedures start from [...]

When you invoke the OSD, a screen similar to the one below appears: Note: 1. The diag ram dep icts th e Ad min istrato r’s Main Screen . The User Main Screen does not show the F4 and F6 fu nctio ns, since these are reserved fo r th e Ad min istrato r and can’t be accessed by ordinary Users. 2. OSD alway s starts in List view, with th e hig h li[...]

OSD Navigation w To dismiss the menu, and deactivate OS D, Click th e X at th e upper right corner of th e OS D Win dow; or press [Esc] . w To Logout, Click F8 or the Z Z Z symbol at the to p of th e Main Screen, or press [F8] . w To move up or down through the list one line at a time, Click the Up and Down T rian gle sy mb ols ( ▲▼ ) or use th[...]

OSD Functions OSD functions are used to configure an d control the OSD. For ex ample, you can: rapidly switch to any port; scan selected ports only; limit the list you wish to view; designate a port as a Quick View Port; create or edit a port name; or make OSD setting ad ju stments. To access an OSD function: 1. Either Click a Functio n Key field a[...]

F2 LIST : This function lets you broaden or narrow the scope of which ports the OSD display s (lists) on th e Main Screen . Man y of th e OS D functions only operate on the co mputers currently selected fo r Listing on the Main Screen with th is fu nction. The submenu choices and their mean in gs are giv en in th e tab le below: Choice Meaning ALL [...]

F3 SET: This function allows the Ad min istrator and each User to set up his own workin g en viro nmen t. A sep arate profile for each is sto red by the OSD and is activ ated acco rd in g to the Username that was provided during Login. To change a setting: 1. Double Click it; or move the highlight bar to it, th en press [Enter] . 2. After you selec[...]

(F3 SET: continued) Setting Function PORT ID DISPLAY MODE Selects how the Port ID i s displayed: the P ort Number alone ( PORT NUMBER ); the Port Name alone ( PORT NAME ); or the Port Number plus the P ort Name ( PORT NUMBER + PORT NAME ). The default is P ORT NUMBER + PORT NAME). SCAN DURATION Determines how l ong the focus dwells on each port as [...]

F4 ADM: F4 is an Administrato r only fu nctio n. It allo ws the Administrato r to configure and co ntro l the overall operation of the OS D. To change a setting Do uble Click it; or use th e Up an d Do wn Arro w Keys to move th e hig h lig ht bar to it th en press [Enter] . After you select an item, a submenu with further choices appears. Double Cl[...]

(F4 ADM: continued ) Setting Function EDIT PORT NAMES To help remember whi ch computer is attached to a parti cular port, every port can be gi ven a name. This function allows the Administrator to create, modi fy, or delete port names. To E dit a port name: 1. Click the port you want, or use the Navigation Keys to mov e the highlight bar to it, the[...]

(F4 ADM: continued ) Setting Function SET QUICK VIEW PORTS This func tion lets the A dministrator selec t which Ports to include as Quick V iew ports. w To select/deselect a port as a Quick View Port, Double Click the port you want, or use the Navigation Keys to move the highlight bar to it, then press [Enter] . w When a port has been selected as a[...]

(F4 ADM: continued ) Setting Function RESET STATION IDS If you change the pos ition of one of the Stations in the daisy chain, the OSD settings will no longer corres pond to the new situation. This functi on directs the OSD to res can the Station positions of the enti re installation and updates the OSD so that the OSD Station i nformation correspo[...]

F5 SKP: Clicking the F5 field or pressin g [F5] invokes Skip (SKP) Mode. This function enables you to easily skip backward or forward - switching the co nso le fo cu s from the curren tly active computer port to the previo us or nex t availab le one. w The selection of computers to be av ailab le for Skip Mode switching is made with th e Scan/Skip [...]

F6 BRC: F6 is an Administrato r only fu nctio n. Click ing the F6 field, or pressing [F6] , invokes Bro ad cast (BRC) Mo de. Wh en this function is in effect, co mman ds sen t fro m th e co nso le are broadcast to to all av ailable computers on th e in stallatio n. This function is particularly usefu l fo r operations that need to be performed on m[...]

F7 SCAN: Clicking the F7 field or pressin g [F7] invokes Auto Scan Mode. This function allows you to automatically switch among the available computers at regular intervals so that you can monitor their activity with out hav in g to tak e the trouble of switchin g manually. w The selection of computers to be in cluded for Au to Scan nin g is made w[...]

F8 LOUT: Clicking the F8 field or, or pressin g [F8] logs you out of OSD control of the comp uters, and blanks th e Co nso le screen . This is different from simply pressin g [Esc] when you are at the Main Screen to deactivate the OS D. With this fu nctio n you mu st lo g in all over again to regain access to the OSD, wh ereas with [Esc] , all you [...]

Notes: 2003-01-27 ACS-1208AL / ACS -1216AL User Manual 4-16[...]

Chapter 5. The Firmware Upgrade Utility T his chapter explains the use and function of the Firmware Upgrade Utility: how to get the firmware upgrade files; and how to complete the process successfully. Introduction Purpose The purpose of the Windows-b ased Firmware Up grad e Utility (FWUpgrade.exe) is to provide an automated process for make upgrad[...]

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 to get a list of available Firmware Upgrade Packages. 2. Choose the Firmware Upgrade Package you want to install (usually the most [...]

Performing the Upgrade Starting the Upgrade To upgrade your firmware: 1. Run th e down load ed Firmware Up grad e Pack ag e file - eith er by double clicking the file icon, or by opening a command line and entering the fu ll path to it. The Firmware Upgrade Utility Welcome screen appears: 2. Read and Agree to th e License Agreement (en ab le the I [...]

3. Click Nex t to co ntin ue. The Firmware Up grad e Utility main screen appears: The Utility inspects your installation. All the devices capable of being upgraded by the pack ag e are listed in the Device List pan el. If you select a device in the list, its description appears in the Device Description panel. 4. As you select devices, a detailed d[...]

5. After you have made your selection(s), Click Next to perform th e upgrade. If you enabled Check Firmware Version , th e Utility co mpares 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 gives you [...]

Upgrade Succeeded After the upgrade has completed, a screen appears to inform you that the procedure was successful: Click Finish to clo se the Firmware Upgrade Utility . 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 Fa iled screen ap[...]

Firmware Upgrade Recovery There are basically three conditions that call for firmware upgrade recovery: M When you invoke Firmware Upgrade Mode (see p. 5-2), but decide not to proceed with the upgrade. M When the Mainboard firmware upgrade fails. M When the I/O firmware upgrade fails. To perform a firmware upgrade recovery, do the following: 1. Sli[...]

Notes: 2003-01-27 ACS-1208AL / ACS -1216AL User Manual 5-8[...]

Appendix A. Technical Information T his appendix prov ides specifications and oth er technical informatio n regarding th e ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL. ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL - Connection Tables The following tab les indicate the relationship between the number of Master View units and the number of co mp uters th at th ey co ntro l: ACS-1208AL MVs Co[...]

ACS-1216AL MVs Computers MVs Computers MVs Computers MVs Computers 1 1 - 16 9 129 - 144 17 257 - 272 25 385 - 400 2 17 - 32 10 145 - 160 18 273 - 288 26 401 - 416 3 33 - 48 11 161 - 176 19 289 - 304 27 417 - 432 4 49 - 64 12 177 - 192 20 305 - 320 28 433 - 448 5 65 - 80 13 193 - 208 21 321 - 336 29 449 - 464 6 81 - 96 14 209 - 224 22 337 - 352 30 4[...]

Specifications Function ACS-1208AL ACS-1216AL Computer Connections Direc t 8 16 Max 256 (via Daisy Chain) 512 (via Daisy Chain) Port Selection OSD (On S creen Display); Hotkeys LEDs On Line 8 (Orange) 16 (Orange) Selected 8 (Green) 16 (Green) Power 1 (Blue) Station ID 2 x 7 Segments Connectors CPU Ports 8 x SPDB-15 F 16 x SPDB-15 F Daisy Chain 1 x [...]

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 in formation with the following procedure: 1. Power off the switch an d remo ve th e to p co ver of th e Switch module case. 2. Short the ju [...]

Troubleshooting Symptom Possible Cause Action Erratic behavior. Unit not receiving enough power. Check that the Power Adapter that was suppli ed with the unit is pl ugged in and functioning properl y. Limited Warranty IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR’S LIABILITY EXC EED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT FROM THE DIR ECT, INDIRECT, SPEC IAL, INCID[...]

Notes: 2003-01-27 ACS-1208AL / ACS -1216AL User Manual A-6[...]

Appendix B. Module Removal Removing the KVM Module For maintenance conven ien ce, th e KVM mo dule can be remo ved fro m the unit chassis. To do so: 1. S lid e th e unit to th e out positio n. 2. Remove th e eig ht mo dule attach men t screws (fo ur ab ove; fo ur below). 3. Remove the cable attachment clip and unplug the data cable. 4. Pull the KVM[...]

Removing the Keyboard and Touchpad The keyboard and touch pad can be easily removed fo r repair or rep lace- ment: 1. Remove th e two attach in g screws. 2003-01-27 KL0116 User Manual B-2[...]

2. Locate the open ing to ward th e fro nt an d cen ter of th e th e unit’s bottom panel. The bottom of the keyboard and touchpad module is visible through the opening. 3. Push up on the bottom of the keyboard and touchpad module until it releases from the chassis. 4. Lift the module clear and unplug the cables. 2003-01-27 Module Removal B-3[...]

Notes: 2003-01-27 KL0116 User Manual B-4[...]

Appendix C. Rack Mounting T he ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL can be mounted in a 1U system rack. For convenience and flex ibility, a rack mountin g kit that allows several mo unting options is provided with your ACS-1208AL / ACS-1216AL package. The various options are explained in th e sectio ns th at follow. Standard Rack Mounting The standard rack moun[...]

Optional Rack Mounting If there is not enough clearance for the unit to slide into the rack when the rear flanges face outward, th e problem can be resolv ed with the following procedure: 1. Unscrew th e rear mo untin g brack ets fro m th e ch assis. 2. Turn th e brack ets so th at th e flan ges face inward; then screw th em back into the chassis. [...]

3. Slide th e unit in to th e rack. 4. Screw the metal tab s to th e rear flan ges. 5. Secure th e unit to th e rack with th e front flanges and rear tab s. 2003-01-27 Rack Mounting C-3[...]

Notes: 2003-01-27 KL0116 User Manual C-4[...]

A ACS-1208AL Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 ACS-1208L Computer Connection Table . . . . . . . . A-1 ACS-1216AL Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Rear View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8 ACS-1216L Computer Connection Table [...]

K Keyboard and Touchpad Removal . . . . B-2 KVM Module removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 L LCD Display Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7 OSD configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Logout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15 Logout[...]