Chapter 1

Introduction

Overview

The KM0832 Matrix KVM Switch gives IT administrators in large corporations advanced control of multiple servers. Operators working at up to eight consoles (monitor, keyboard, and mouse) can independently and simultaneously take direct control of up to 32 computers. By cascading additional KM0832 and daisy chaining KM0432, up to 36 operators can access and control up to 8,192 computers.

The 8 consoles belonging to the master station (the root, or highest level

KM0832) are able to access all the computers on the installation—those that are directly connected as well as those that are daisy chained and cascaded. The

4 consoles belonging to each of the slave stations (the daisy chained KM0432 switches) can only access the computers that are connected to them on the same daisy chain level (directly connected and cascaded).

The KM0832 features a modular design with automatic console conversion that allows any combination of PS/2 and USB consoles to control any combination of PS/2, USB, Sun, Mac, and serial computers. The RJ-45 CPU connectors, combined with Auto Signal Compensation (ASC), allow signals to travel up to 300 meters between Console Module and CPU Module and still maintain high video resolution, eliminating the need for KVM extenders, and allowing the installation to take advantage of the internal Category 5e and

Category 6 wiring built in to most modern commercial buildings. In addition, use of RJ-45 connectors saves precious IT real estate by allowing a full 8 User

Ports and 32 CPU Ports to reside in a single 1U system housing.

Setup is fast and easy—plugging cables into their appropriate ports is all that is entailed. Because the KM0832 intercepts keyboard and mouse input directly, there is no software to configure, so there is no need to get involved in complex installation routines or be concerned with incompatibility problems.

Access to any computer is easily accomplished either by means of a powerful menu-driven OSD (On Screen Display) system, or by entering Hotkey combinations from the keyboard. A convenient Auto Scan feature also permits automatic scanning and monitoring of the activities of all computers running on the installation one-by-one.

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KM0832 User Manual

Features

Š Eight consoles independently and simultaneously control up to 32 directly connected computers

Š Supports up to 1024 user accounts

Š Supports up to 256 group accounts

Š Saves valuable time—backup and restore settings when changing root stations

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Š Three-level password security: Super Administrator, Administrator, and

User

Š Cascades three levels to support up to 8,192 computers

Š Multiplatform support: PC, Mac, Sun, and serial

Š Detachable front panel for easy access to front and rear of unit

Š Console conversion—any type of console can control any type of computer; mixed combinations (PS/2 & USB) supported on both the console and computer sides

Š Additional User Port on front panel for easy system maintenance 2

Š Hot pluggable—add or remove components without having to power off the switch

Š No software to install

Š Convenient computer selection via intuitive hotkey combinations or On

Screen Display (OSD) menus

Š Daisy chain up to 7 additional KM0432 stations 3

Š Up to 36 consoles control the computers in a full daisy chained installation

Š OSD port list automatically expands when stations are added—port names are automatically reconfigured when the station sequence is changed

Š OSD screen automatically adjusts to resolution changes

Š Auto Scan feature for monitoring user-selected computers

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1. Backup user and group accounts, station names, port access rights, and user profile settings.

2. Shares the same bus with User Port 1 on the rear panel.

3. If this feature is not operative on your unit, you will need a newer version of the firmware. Contact your dealer for details.

Chapter 1. Introduction

Š PS/2 keyboard and mouse emulation—computers boot even when the console focus is elsewhere

Š LCD, VGA, SVGA, XGA, and MultiSync support; DDC2B

Š Superior video quality—1024 x 768 @ 60Hz for up to 300m; 1920 x 1440

@ 60Hz (distance depends on installation environment)

Š Auto Signal Compensation (ASC) assures optimum video resolution for distances up to 300m between computers and consoles—no DIP switch setting required

Š Free lifetime firmware upgrades

Š Compact design—rack mounts in only 1U of rack space

Benefits

The KM0832 Matrix KVM Switch saves time and money by allowing a single console to manage each of the connected computers. A KM0832 installation provides the following benefits:

Š Eliminates the cost of a keyboard, monitor, and mouse for each computer.

Š Eliminates the need for additional space for extra components.

Š Saves on energy costs.

Š Eliminates the inconvenience, time and effort required to move from one computer to another.

Š Allows centralized control of computers located at non-contiguous locations on the site.

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KM0832 User Manual

System Requirements

Consoles

The following equipment must be used for each console:

Š A VGA, SVGA, or MultiSync monitor capable of the highest resolution that you will be using on any computer in the installation.

Š Either a PS/2 or a USB keyboard and mouse.

Š Console Modules are required to connect consoles to the KM0832. They provide flexibility for your installation by allowing PS/2 and USB interfaces to be mixed and matched at the console side. The Console

Modules currently available are listed in the table below. Contact your dealer for details or refer to the documentation included with your Console

Module.

Function

PS/2 Console Module

PS/2-USB Combo Graphic Console Module

USB Console Module

KA9222

KA9233

KA9272

Model Number

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Chapter 1. Introduction

Computers

The following equipment must be installed on or used for each computer:

Š An HDB-15 video port or, for legacy Sun systems, a Sun 13W3 video port.

Š Either a PS/2 style (6 pin mini-DIN) mouse port and PS/2 style keyboard port; or USB ports (for a USB keyboard and USB mouse); or, for legacy

Sun systems, a Sun style keyboard port (8 pin mini-DIN).

Š CPU Modules are required to connect computers to the KM0832. Similar to Console Modules, they allow PS/2, USB, Sun, Mac, and serial computers to be attached to the KM0832. The CPU Modules currently available are listed in the table below. Contact your dealer for details.

CPU Module

Function

For PS/2 computers

For Sun Legacy computers

For Sun USB computers

For serial devices

For USB computers

Model Number

KA9120

KA9130

KA9131

KA9140

KA9170

Cables

One or more of the following cables are required for use with the KM0832:

Function Type

Console Module or CPU Module to KM0832 (see p. 108) Category 5 cable

Daisy Chain Cable 2L-1700KM

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KM0832 User Manual

KM0832 Front View

1 2 3

4 5 6

1. Power LED

Lights to indicate that the KM0832 is powered on.

2. CPU Port LEDs

The Port LEDs are multicolored (red / green / amber), and provide status information about their corresponding CPU Ports as follows:

Color

Amber

Red

Green

Condition

Steady

Flashing

Steady

Steady

Flashing

Indication

Port is selected; connected computer is on

Port is selected; port is cascaded to a powered on

KVM switch

Port is selected; connected computer is off

Port is not selected; connected computer is on

Port is not selected; port is cascaded to a powered on

KVM switch

Port is not selected; connected computer is off Off

3. User Port LEDs

Lights (green) to indicate that the console connected to the corresponding port is online. Flashes when connected to the CPU Port(s) of a parent

KVM station.

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Chapter 1. Introduction

4. System Reset Button

Š Pressing and holding in this switch for more than three seconds performs a system reset.

Note: This switch is semi-recessed and must be pushed with a thin object—such as the end of a paper clip or a ballpoint pen.

5. User Port 1 Switch

This switch selects which User Port 1 is active—the one on the front panel or the rear panel. Set it to Front to activate User Port 1 on the front panel; set it to Rear to activate User Port 1 on the rear panel.

6. User Port 1 (Maintenance Port)

This port is provided for convenient and easy access for system maintenance. It shares the same function with User Port 1 on the rear panel. By switching the User Port 1 switch to Front, User Port 1 on the rear panel is deactivated and User Port 1 on the front panel is activated.

Use it just as you would any other User Port. (You must return User Port 1

Switch to the Rear position to reactivate User Port 1 on the rear panel.)

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KM0832 User Manual

KM0832 Rear View

1 2 3 4

5 6

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1. Power Socket

The power cord to the AC source plugs in here.

2. Power Switch

This is a standard rocker switch that powers the station on and off.

3. Configuration Port

The KM0832 is connected to the LAN via the Configuration Port. It provides access to the KM0832 Administrator Utility to configure the switch, create and manage user and group accounts, set device access permissions, upgrade firmware, etc.

4. Firmware Upgrade Recovery Switch

During normal operation and while performing a firmware upgrade, this

switch should be in the NORMAL position. See p. 66 for firmware

upgrade recovery details.

5. Daisy Chain Port

When daisy chaining stations (see p. 22), this Chain Out port is used to

connect the lower stations in the chain.

Note: If this feature is not operative on your unit, you will need a newer version of the firmware. Contact your dealer for details.

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Chapter 1. Introduction

6. User Ports

The Category 5 cables from the Console Modules plug in here.

Š User Port 1 shares its KVM access with User Port 1 on the front panel.

The User Port 1 Switch (front panel) controls which of the two ports is

active. See User Port 1 Switch on p. 7 for more information.

7. CPU Ports

The Category 5 cables that link the CPU Modules to the KM0832 plug in here.

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KM0832 User Manual

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