Related Manuals for Black Box Freedom II Series
Summary of Contents for Black Box Freedom II Series
- Page 1 USER GUIDE KV0004A-R2 KV0004A-LED KV0004A-XTRA-LED KV0008A-R2 FREEDOM II 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT 1.877.877.2269 OR VISIT BLACKBOX.COM...
- Page 2 1.877.877.2269 TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL Black Box and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks of BB Technologies, Inc. Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property of the trademark owners. We‘re here to help! If you have any questions about your application or our products, contact Black Box Tech Support at 877-877-2269 or go to blackbox.com and click on “Talk to Black Box.”...
- Page 3 Disclaimer: Black Box Network Services shall not be liable for damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential or cost of cover damages, resulting from any errors in the product information or specifications set forth in this document and Black Box Network Services may revise this document at any time without notice.
- Page 4 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD (NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT) 1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado. 2.
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Page 5: Table Of Contents
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 CONTENTS TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 CONTENTS ..........................5 CHAPTER 1: SPECIFICATIONS ..................... 6 CHAPTER 2: WELCOME ......................6 2.1 Introduction ......................................6 2.2 Features ........................................ 8 2.3 What‘s Included ....................................9 2.4 Additional Items You May Need ................................9 2.5 Hardware Description .................................. -
Page 6: Chapter 1: Specifications
This can be done either in concert with the keyboard and mouse (and each other) or totally independently. Freedom II switches can be used in combination with various Black Box extender products (such as the Wizard SRX ACU5501A) to extend the distance between the user and the computers under control. - Page 7 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 Switching between the systems connected to the Freedom II can be achieved in five different ways: Š The innovative Glide and Switch automatic switching utility (see Appendix C), Š...
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Page 8: Features
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 2.2 FEATURES Multiple screens, multiple systems The Freedom II units allow you to control up to four (or up to eight) individual computer systems and their display screens using just one keyboard and mouse set. -
Page 9: What's Included
LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 2.3 WHAT‘S INCLUDED Your package should include the following items. If anything is missing or damaged, contact Black Box at 877-877-2269 or info@blackbox.com. • Freedom II unit • Power adapter and power cord • Flash upgrade adapter • (4) Self-adhesive feet 2.4 ADDITIONAL ITEMS YOU MAY NEED... -
Page 10: Hardware Description
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 2.5 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION 2.5.1 TOP PANEL (KV0004A-R2 VARIANT) Figure 2-2 shows the top panel of the four-channel unit. Table 2-1 describes its components: Computer K/M SPK USB2 Mode F r e e d o m I I Z E R O - T O U C H D E S K T O P S W I T C H I N G Figure 2-2. - Page 11 RJ-45 port Network port - for remote configuration or for connection to a remote switching source, such as a Crestron™, AMX™, Black Box ControlBridge or similar controller. *NOTE: The OPTIONS port uses a 10p10c socket, which can accommodate both 10p10c connectors as well as the much more common 8p8c connectors, which are used on Ethernet leads and patch cables. The pin-outs for both types of connectors are listed in Appendix A.
- Page 12 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 2.5.3 TOP PANEL (KV0008A-R2 VARIANT) Figure 2-4 shows the top panel of the eight-channel unit. Table 2-3 describes its components: Computer K/M SPK USB2 Mode F r e e d o m I I Z E R O - T O U C H D E S K T O P S W I T C H I N G Figure 2-4.
- Page 13 RJ-45 port Network port - for remote configuration or for connection to a remote switching source, such as a Crestron™, AMX™, Black Box ControlBridge or similar controller. *NOTE: The OPTIONS port uses a 10p10c socket, which can accommodate both 10p10c connectors as well as the much more common 8p8c connectors, which are used on Ethernet leads and patch cables. The pin-outs for both types of connectors are listed in Appendix A.
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Page 14: Chapter 3: Installation
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 CHAPTER 3: INSTALLATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 3.1 LOCATIONS Please consider the following important points when planning the position of the Freedom II unit: • Situate the Freedom II unit close to the systems to which it will be connected and near to a power outlet. • Thanks to the Glide and Switch automatic switching utility (and/or the optional remote control), the Freedom II unit can be situat- ed out of sight within the cabling cradle of a desk or placed adjacent to the connected systems. • Consult the precautions listed within the Safety information section. -
Page 15: Connections
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 3.3 CONNECTIONS Connections do not need to be carried out in the order given within this guide; however, where possible connect the power in as a final step. 3.3.1 USER CONSOLE The ports that make up the user console are where you attach the peripherals that will be shared between the computer systems. - Page 16 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4. Audio: Where required, connect the lead from your speakers to the audio socket. See Figure 3-3. Figure 3-3. Connecting speakers to the user console. 3.3.1.1 SUPPORT FOR OPTICAL S/PDIF AUDIO The Line In sockets on the computer ports and the Line Out socket on the user console are dual purpose.
- Page 17 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 3.3.3 POWER IN CONNECTIONS The Freedom II switch is supplied with a single power adapter but offers the facility to use a second input in order to provide opera- tional redundancy.
- Page 18 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 2. Connect the IEC connector of the supplied country-specific power cord to the socket of the power adapter. See Figure 3-6. Figure 3-6. Attaching the IEC connector of the power lead to the adapter. 3.
- Page 19 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 3.3.4 OPTIONAL LED INDICATOR CONNECTIONS The optional Freedom LED Monitor module (part number: KV0004A-LED) with four indicators enables you to add LED (Light Emitting Diode) indicators to each of your video display screens to show which are active. The optional Freedom LED Monitor module connects to the port of the main Freedom II switch.
- Page 20 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 2. Link each LED indicator to a port on the Freedom LED Monitor module - ports 1 to 4 are most commonly used. See Figure 3-8. Note: The KV0004A-LED kit includes four LED indicator Insert the lead for assemblies.
- Page 21 1.877.877.2269 3.3.5 SWITCHING CONTROL VIA THE NETWORK PORT The network port allows switching to be controlled by commands issued from an external system such as a Black Box ControlBridge, Crestron™ or AMX™ controller. 3.3.5.1 CONNECTING TO A NETWORK FOR REMOTE CONTROL 1 Use a standard patch cable to link the network port ( ) to a network switch.
- Page 22 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 3.3.6 SWITCHING CONTROL VIA THE OPTIONS PORT port allows an external serial input, typically from a computer, to control the selection of the various channels. You can OPTIONS use either an optional serial cable or alternatively construct a custom cable to link the Freedom II switch and the computer.
- Page 23 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 3.3.6.2 SERIAL PORT PARAMETER SETTINGS Ensure that the chosen serial port is configured to the following: • Baud rate: 1200 • Data bits: • Stop bit: • Parity: None 3.3.6.3 CHANNEL SELECTION CODES ASCII Character Decimal...
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Page 24: Chapter 4: Configuration
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 CHAPTER 4: CONFIGURATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.1 INITIAL CONFIGURATION The configuration, monitoring and management of the Freedom II unit is performed using the in-built Zero Touch Switch Manager utility which is accessible via the network connection using a standard web browser. 4.1.1 ACCESSING THE ZERO TOUCH SWITCH MANAGER 1 Use a computer that is directly or indirectly (i.e. - Page 25 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.1.3 STATUS PAGE The Status page provides details about the dual power inputs, the internal operating temperature and also allows you to switch peripheral channels. 4.1.3.1 TO DISPLAY THE STATUS PAGE 1 Access the Zero Touch Switch Manager.
- Page 26 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.1.4 GENERAL CONFIGURATION The General configuration page contains various switching and identification options. 4.1.4.1 TO DISPLAY THE GENERAL CONFIGURATION PAGE 1 Access the Zero Touch Switch Manager. 2 On the left side, click the Configuration button. See Figure 4-3. Figure 4-3.
- Page 27 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.1.4.3 KEEP ALIVE OPTIONS This feature is used to prevent selected computers from going into sleep mode by emulating activity on the mouse/keyboard. Two modes are possible: • On activity - When chosen, keep alive activities are sent every 15 seconds as long as the local console is in use. When the local console is not in use then no keep alives are sent.
- Page 28 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.1.5 NETWORK SETTINGS 4.1.5.1 TO DISPLAY THE NETWORK SETTINGS PAGE 1 Access the Zero Touch Switch Manager. 2 On the left side, click the Configuration button. 3 On the left side, click the Network settings option. See Figure 4-4. Figure 4-4.
- Page 29 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.1.6 USER ACCOUNTS 4.1.6.1 TO DISPLAY THE USER ACCOUNTS PAGE 1 Access the Zero Touch Switch Manager. 2 On the left side, click the Configuration button. 3 On the left side, click the User accounts option. See Figure 4-5. Figure 4-5.
- Page 30 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.1.7 FACTORY RESET 4.1.7.1 TO DISPLAY THE FACTORY RESET PAGE 1 Access the Zero Touch Switch Manager. 2 On the left side, click the Configuration button. 3 On the left side, click the Factory reset option. See Figure 4-6. Figure 4-6.
- Page 31 The Freedom II switch is fully upgradeable via a firmware upgrade. TO PERFORM A FIRMWARE UPGRADE 1 Download the latest Freedom II firmware upgrade file from Black Box technical support and install it on a computer that is attached via a network connection to the Freedom II switch.
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Page 32: Glide And Switch Configuration
4.2.1 INSTALLING THE GLIDE AND SWITCH CONFIGURATION APPLICATION The Glide and Switch configuration application is available for download from the Black Box website. 1 Install the application onto any computer (not necessarily one of the four computers linked to the Freedom II switch). - Page 33 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 1 Arrange the coloured rectangular screen representations to mimic the physical layout of the actual displays. See Figure 4-10. Figure 4-10. Example screen layouts The important thing is to define where each screen edge abuts to the next so that the Freedom II switch can determine the correct moments to switch channels.
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Page 34: Multi-Monitor Glide And Switch Configuration
In order to use Multi-Monitor mode you will need to install a Multi-Monitor Glide and Switch driver (available for download from the Black Box website. Go to the Freedom II product page and click on the 'Resources' tab) onto each PC that has multiple monitors attached. - Page 35 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.3.2 CONFIGURING MULTIPLE MONITORS Multi-Monitor configuration is similar to normal Glide and Switch setup except that you can add more than one display per PC, up to a total of eight per machine. Note: It is necessary to install a driver on each PC that has multiple displays - see 4.3.1 Installing drivers and multi-monitor config app.
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Page 36: Configuring Led Indicators
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.4 CONFIGURING LED INDICATORS When the optional Freedom LED Monitor indicator kit is used, there are several configuration options available that allow you to cus- tomize behavior and these are set using the Glide and Switch configuration application. See 4.2 Glide and Switch configuration. 4.4.1 ADJUSTING COLOR AND BRIGHTNESS FOR ALL INDICATORS If necessary, you can impose default color and brightness settings upon all connected LED monitor indicators. - Page 37 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 3. For a newly added screen the LED: entry will show No LED. Click on the drop down handle and choose the LED indicator that you wish to associate with the currently selected video display screen. See Figure 4-15. Each entry within the LED: list relates to one of the ten output sockets on the Freedom LED Monitor module.
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Page 38: Additional Glide And Switch Operations And Settings
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 4.5 ADDITIONAL GLIDE AND SWITCH OPERATIONS AND SETTINGS In addition to the core configuration functions, Glide and Switch has a number of additional settings that you can make. 4.5.1 MOUSE... - Page 39 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 1.877.877.2269 BLACKBOX.COM...
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Page 40: Chapter 5: Operation
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 CHAPTER 5: OPERATION TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 5.1 SELECTING A COMPUTER There are five ways to switch the common peripherals to specific computer channels: • Using the innovative Glide and Switch automatic switching utility • Using the front panel controls • Using hotkeys • Using mouse button presses • Using external switching control (RS-232 or input lines) 5.1.1 SELECTING A COMPUTER USING THE GLIDE AND SWITCH UTILITY Once configured, Glide and Switch allows you to change channels merely by moving the mouse to edge of one screen towards the... - Page 41 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 5.1.2 SELECTING A COMPUTER USING THE FRONT PANEL The front panel allows you to determine how the various peripherals are switched to one or more computer channels. Indicates the number of the The upper K/M, SPK, USB1, and USB2 indicators show which currently selected computer peripherals are switched to the current computer channel OR (as...
- Page 42 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 5.1.3 SELECTING A COMPUTER USING HOTKEYS Using hotkey combinations, you can quickly switch the keyboard, mouse, speakers and USB peripherals to any computer channel. 5.1.3.1 USING STANDARD HOTKEY PRESS COMBINATIONS The standard hotkey press combinations allow you to change channels with the minimum of keypresses: 1.
- Page 43 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 5.1.4 SELECTING A COMPUTER USING THE MOUSE BUTTONS Using the mouse buttons, you can quickly switch the keyboard, mouse, speakers and/or USB peripherals to any computer channel. Note: These procedures work only with three-button or IntelliMouse devices and only if the ‘Mouse Switching’ option has been enabled.
- Page 44 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TROUBLESHOOTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 PROBLEM: My computer and the Freedom II switch are connected to the same network but I can’t make contact using a web browser. There may be another device using the same address as the Freedom II default (192.168.1.22) or your computer may be on a different subnet.
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Page 45: Appendix A - Cable Pin-Outs
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 APPENDIX A - CABLE PIN-OUTS TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 The OPTIONS port uses a 10p10c socket which can accommodate both 10p10c connectors as well as the much more common 8p8c connectors, which are used on Ethernet leads and patch cables. The pin-outs are listed in this section for both types of connectors. SERIAL REMOTE CONTROL AND FLASH UPGRADE CABLE (8P8C) 8p8c D-Type female... -
Page 46: Appendix B - What Is True Emulation
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 APPENDIX B - WHAT IS TRUE EMULATION? TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 True Emulation represents a significant breakthrough in sharing USB devices between two or more computer systems. Until this point, the problem has been how to create a USB switch that provides all of the following: • Quick, transparent and reliable switching, • Accurate representation of the connected USB keyboard and mouse, • Switching control via the connected USB keyboard and/or mouse. - Page 47 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 True Emulation is not necessarily required by other USB devices, which is why you will also find two enumerated circuits included (shown in green within the block diagram) alongside the True Emulation feature (shown in blue). This allows those other USB devices to operate at their highest speeds, without any intervention.
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Page 48: Appendix C - What Is Glide & Switch
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 APPENDIX C - WHAT IS GLIDE & SWITCH? TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 Glide and Switch represents true innovation in KVM switching. For the first time, Glide and Switch allows users to automatically switch between target computers simply by moving the mouse pointer from screen to screen. - Page 49 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 ISSUES WHEN USING GLIDE AND SWITCH • When computers and their displays are not currently selected, the Freedom II ‘parks’ their mouse pointers in the bottom right cor- ner of the screen.
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Page 50: Appendix D - Open Source Licenses
NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 APPENDIX D - OPEN SOURCE LICENSES TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 This product includes binaries that are derived from the open source community. ====== lwIP is licenced under the BSD licence: Copyright (c) 2001-2004 Swedish Institute of Computer Science. All rights reserved. -
Page 51: Appendix E - Safety Information
CAUTION: RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT TYPE. • If the lithium battery needs to be changed, you must return the product to your nearest Black Box dealer. The battery must be replaced by an authorized Black Box dealer. • Once the product has come to the end of its useful life, the lithium battery must be removed as part of the decommissioning pro- cess and recycled in strict accordance with the regulations stipulated by your local authority. Advice on battery removal can be provided on request by Black Box. - Page 52 NEED HELP? LEAVE THE TECH TO US LIVE 24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1.877.877.2269 KV0008A-R2, rev. 2.3 RC2 © COPYRIGHT 2019 BLACK BOX CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 877-877-2269 | blackbox.com...