Equipment Layout And Security; Energy Mode; Mouse Tuning - Compaq 400338-001 - KVM Switch Deployment Manual

Equipment layout and security

In enterprise systems consisting of multiple racks of servers in a heterogeneous environment, HP
recommends mounting an IP Console Switch in each rack. This will allow local and remote KVM
console access to every server without port blocking limitations. For all ProLiant server environments
with iLO, HP recommends a 0×2×16 Server Console Switch in every rack for local access, and one IP
Console Switch for every 16 Server Console Switches to provide row access from a local KVM
console and a redundant remote KVM console.
To ensure an optimum video screen resolution of 1280 x 1024, console switches should be placed so
that the CAT5 cables connecting to the servers do not exceed 75 feet in length from the first level
KVM to the target server.
The connection between the IP Console Viewer software and the IP Console Switch is a secure
connection. The switch administrator uses IP Console Viewer to set up access for each individual user
and to grant specific users access to the servers for which they are responsible. Since local KVM
consoles are often unattended, the screen saver should be enabled so that the local console is
automatically disconnected from a server after a specified period of inactivity.

Energy mode

Energy saving modes for either the switch OSD or the target servers are not recommended for the
following reasons:
• Little energy savings – CRTs are not attached to the servers and the TFT screens typically used in the
racks are generally in the closed and stored position.
• Performance – Users may easily interpret the delay in bringing up a server from energy saving
mode as a system problem.

Mouse tuning

Using a workstation as a remote KVM device requires that the mouse activity of the remote
(controlling) device be synchronized with the mouse circuitry/software of the server (controlled)
device. To synchronize the mouse pointers for a remote session with a server, the following mouse
settings must be used on the server:
• Windows 2000: Mouse speed = 50 percent, Acceleration = None
• Windows NT4: Speed = Slider adjusted to the far left for zero acceleration
• Windows 2003: Speed = 50 percent, Enhanced pointer precision = Deselected
• GNOME Linux: Acceleration = fourth position from left
• KDE Linux: Acceleration = 1X
Once the mouse properties have been set, the mouse synchronization function of the IP Console
Viewer should be invoked.
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