Lenovo LCM8 Product Manual page 8

Note: For smart card use, the target device must be connected to the console switch using the Virtual
Media Conversion Option Gen2 (VCO2), part number 46M5383. Other conversion options such as the
VCO are not supported with smart cards.
Chaining
Cable chaining enables users to manage a "daisy chain" of multiple servers through a single connection to
the console switch, replacing many long cables with just a few short ones, simplifying rack management,
helping lower cabling cost, and reducing setup, diagnostic, and maintenance times. The daisy-chain
connectivity has the added advantage of thin, flexible, and industry-standard CAT5 cabling and standard
RJ-45 connectors, eliminating the need for one-to-one, dedicated cable connections between KVM switch
ports and managed devices. This cable chaining solution allows up to 16 target systems to be chained
together and connected to one port on the switch.
The following figure shows an example of chaining three target systems from one port on the console
switch. Each conversion option part number includes a CAT-5 cable to connect it to either the console
switch or its neighboring conversion option. The console switch includes the terminator needed at the end
of the daisy chain.
Figure 5. Chaining using USB Conversion Options
Note: Neither the Virtual Media Conversion Option (VCO) nor the Virtual Media Conversion Option 2
(VCO2) support chaining.
Tiered consoles
LCM8 and LCM16 Local Console Managers 8