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Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500) Customer FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax 724-746-0746 Support Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 Information Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: info@ blackbox.com...
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ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Trademarks Used in this Manual Black Box and the Double Diamond logo are registered trademarks, and ServSwitch is a trademark, of BB Technologies, Inc. Mac is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Linux is registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
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FCC and IC RFI Statements Federal Communications Commission and Industry Canada Radio Frequency Interference Statements This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy, and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause inter ference to radio communication. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 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. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para referencia futura. 3.
Table of Contents Contents 1. Specifications ....................................6 2. Introduction ....................................7 3. Installation ....................................12 3.1 Mounting ..................................12 3.2 Connections ................................... 14 3.2.1 VNC network link ............................... 14 3.2.2 Local video link(s) ..............................15 3.2.3 Local Audio Links ............................... 16 3.2.4 Local USB Link ..............................17 3.2.5 Local AUX Port ..............................
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 1. Specifications ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Casing (w x h x d): 198mm (7.92”) x 44mm (1.76”) x 145mm (5.7”) Construction: 1U compact case, robust metal design Weight: 1.11kg (2.44lbs) Mount kits: Rack mount kits: Single (RMK2004) or dual units (RMK2004-2) per 1U slot. VESA monitor / wall mount chassis kit: RMKVESA Input Power: 100-240VAC 50/60Hz, 0.8A,...
This concise guide acts as an addendum to the ServSwitch Agility and Agility Dual user guide to provide informa- tion about the extra features of your ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC (ACR1012A-T). 2.1 Mixing ServSwitch Agility units ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC transmitters are complimentary to the standard ServSwitch Agility models which do not sup- port dual DVI channels or fibre optic linking.
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ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 2.3 One-to-One Configuration The simplest configuration links one remote receiver unit to a single local transmitter unit, either by a direct link (up to 100m) or over much greater distances via a Gigabit Ethernet network: One-to-one configuration 2.4 One-to-Many Configuration Using multicast techniques, an unlimited number of receivers* can receive video and audio data streams from a single local trans-...
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Chapter 2: Overview 2.6 ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC unit features The ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC unit is housed within a durable, metallic enclosure with most connectors situated at the rear panel - the Ethernet and fiber are situated on the front panels. 2.6.1 ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC local transmitter unit The smart front faces feature the operation indicators as shown below: VNC Port...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 2.7 What‘s Included Your package should include the following items. If anything is missing or damaged, contact Black Box at 724-746-5500 or info@blackbox.com. 2.7.1 ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Local Unit Package (ACR1012A-T) • ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC local transmitter unit •...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 3. Installation 3.1 Mounting There are three main mounting methods: • Via the (4) supplied self-adhesive rubber feet • Via optional rackmount brackets • Via the optional VESA mounting bracket 3.1.1 Rack Brackets The optional brackets (plus four screws), enable the unit to be secured within a standard rack slot: I N D T I O L I N...
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Chapter 3: Installation 3.1.2 Using the VESA Mounting Bracket The optional mounting bracket conforms to the VESA mounting standard and so can be used to mount a ServSwitch Agility unit directly to the rear of most video display units. The bracket can also be fixed directly to a wall or other solid surface using appro- priate screws or bolts.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 3.2 Connections Installation involves linking the ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC local transmitter unit to various ports on the host computer, while a ServSwitch Agility or Agility Dual remote receiver unit is attached to your peripherals. 3.2.1 VNC network link The ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC contains a VNC server that allows you to transmit a low-bandwidth version of the video output across standard networks to authorized remote viewers.
Chapter 3: Installation 3.2.2 Local video link(s) ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC units can simultaneously support up to two Single Link high resolution video displays at pixel clocks up to 165MHz; or can alternatively support a single Dual Link very high Resolution video display at pixel clocks up to 330MHz (equating to an example display mode of 2560 x 1600 at 60 Hz refresh).
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 3.2.3 Local Audio Links All ServSwitch Agility units support two way stereo digital sound so that you can use a microphone as well as speakers. 1 Connect an audio link cable between the socket on the Local unit rear panel and the speaker output (line out) socket of the host computer: I - D Speaker link from...
Chapter 3: Installation 3.2.4 Local USB Link All ServSwitch Agility units act as USB 2.0 hubs and so can provide four sockets at the Remote unit with only a single connection at the Local unit. 1 Connect the type B connector on a USB cable to the USB port on the Local unit rear panel: T I O USB link from host computer...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 3.2.5 Local AUX Port The AUX port is an RS232 serial port that allows extension of RS232 signals up to a baud rate of 115200. The port has software flow control, but no hardware flow control. 1 Ensure that power is removed from the ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC unit.
Chapter 3: Installation 3.2.6 Local Power In The ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC unit is supplied with an appropriate power supply - Note: Standard Agility units are supplied with a slightly lower capacity supply (please see section 3.2.6.1 below). 1 Attach the output lead from the supplied power adapter to the socket on the rear panel of the unit: Note: Ensure that I N D...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 3.2.7 High speed links ServSwitch Agility Dual (and Dual with VNC) units can be either connected directly to each other or via a high speed network. The connections can be copper-based Gigabit Ethernet as well as Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). These can be used in paral- lel to provide up to 2 Gigabit connections speeds.
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Chapter 3: Installation 3.2.7.2 Using the System port 1 Connect a CAT 5, 5e, 6, or 7 cable to the System port socket on the front panel: CAT 5, 5e, 6, or 7 link either directly from the other Agility Dual unit or from a Gigabit Ethernet switch 2 Connect the other end of the cable either to the other Agility Dual unit or to a Gigabit Ethernet switch, as appropriate.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4. Configuration The Agility Dual with VNC unit consists of two distinct sections (as detailed below) which each have their own separate configura- tion procedure: The VNC port The System and Teaming ports Uses the standard Ethernet port on the left side of the These use either the Gigabit Ethernet or (optional) Fibre Channel front panel and provides lower-bandwidth image video over Ethernet (FCoE) module, on the right side of the front panel...
Chapter 4: Configuration 4.1 System and Teaming ports: Initial configuration Agility Dual with VNC units are designed to be as flexible as possible and this principle extends also to their configuration. 4.1.1 Direct linking Where Agility transmitters and receivers (all models) are directly linked to each other, very little configuration action is required, provided that they have their factory default settings in place.
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ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.1.4 Browser-Based Configuration Utility The browser-based configuration utility within all local transmitter and remote receiver units requires a network connection between a ServSwitch Agility unit and a computer. This configuration utility allows you to perform all of the following functions: •...
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Chapter 4: Configuration 4.1.4.2 Accessing the Browser-Based Configuration Utility 1 Temporarily connect the ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC unit and a computer via a network, as discussed left. 2 Run a web browser on your computer and enter the IP address of the ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC unit, e.g. http://169.254.1.33 The default settings are as follows: Agility Dual with VNC transmitter...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.2 The VNC port: Initial configuration This section deals with the initial configuration of the VNC port of the Agility Dual with VNC unit. For details about the main 4.1 System and Teaming ports: Initial configuration.
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Chapter 4: Configuration 3 Click the link ‘Download the Windows VNC Viewer from unit’. 4 Once the file is downloaded, run it and follow the on screen instructions to open a VNC connection to the Agility Dual with VNC. (The VNC Viewer is a single executable file which does not require an ‘installation’ step. Simply put the file in a suitable place (such as the Desktop) and run it from there.) 4.2.2 Note on viewers The windows VNC viewer supplied by the unit is 4.4.3se4.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.3 Initial configuration To perform the initial configuration, you need to connect the Agility Dual with VNC to an IP network and use a computer located on the same network to connect to it. To perform the initial configuration 1 Connect the Agility Dual with VNC to an IP network (using the VNC port) where a suitable computer is available on the same subnet (please see the section VNC network link...
Chapter 4: Configuration 6 Click the Configure button to display the Configuration menu: Use the various options (particularly the ‘Unit Configuration’ and ‘Network Configuration’ options) to arrange the Agility Dual with VNC to suit your requirements. Appendix A - Configuration menus.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.5 Mouse Control This option displays a mouse control dialog and is useful when the remote cursor is failing to respond correctly to your mouse movements, even after using the Resync mouse option. The mouse control dialog allows you to control the remote mouse cursor using a selection of buttons that you click with your local mouse.
Chapter 4: Configuration 4.6 Advanced mouse configuration This dialog allows the mouse acceleration to be configured according to the operating system in use and also permits manual fine tuning for situations where problems are encountered with the Calibrate function. For best results, choose the appropriate Change motion: entry to match the host in use. The available Change Motion schemes are: Constant, XFree86, Windows Pre-XP, Windows XP, Windows XP SP2, OS/2, Solaris, Solaris 9 and Mac OSX.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.7 Info When selected, this option displays an information dialog showing the current logged on users, the current host, its video mode and its mouse motion details. 4.8 Power switching When configured (and where you have access rights) this option allows you to control the mains power input to the currently selected host computer.
Chapter 4: Configuration 4.9 Keyboard Control This option displays a keyboard control dialog and is useful for sending keyboard combinations (to the host) that are needed regu- larly or that are trapped by the Agility Dual with VNC. Click to send Click to send the code the code...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.10 Video settings This option provides a range of options related to the video configuration. Video source Ignore Dithering Threshold Selects which video input to use. It is Dithering is a technique used by some graphics cards Adjusts the level of dithering noise that is possible to display both single head to improve perceived image quality by continuously...
Chapter 4: Configuration 4.11 Editing the viewer window menu bar If required, you can customise the menu bar of the viewer window to ensure that it contains only the necessary options. The menu bar can be edited locally by each user or edited singly by the admin or alternatively, the admin can globally alter the menu bar for all users.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.12 Virtual Media The Virtual Media feature allows you to remotely make files available to a host computer that is linked to the Agility Dual with VNC. Disk drives, single files or collections of files and folders up to 2GB in size can be mounted via the VNC link, and appear as a read-only disk on the host.
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Chapter 4: Configuration To remotely transfer files from the clipboard 1 On the remote system, log into the Agility Dual with VNC using the VNC viewer. 2 If not already done, use Windows Explorer to locate and copy the required file(s), or folder(s) to the clipboard. 3 Within the VNC viewer window, click the Controls button and then select the Virtual Media option.
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ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.12.2 Remotely exporting a disk drive to the host 1 On the remote system, log into the Agility Dual with VNC using the VNC viewer. Remote Drive(s) This section lists any located storage devices on the remote system that are 2GB or less, and which could be copied en masse to the host computer, if desired.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.13 A rough guide to configuring TX and RX units 4.13.1 TX (transmitter) unit configuration In an Agility dual system, the majority of configuration settings are dictated by the RX units. Therefore, the local TX unit setup (using its browser-based configuration utility) is usually concerned only with three main factors: Its IP address details, the data streams to enable/disable and video signal optimization.
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Chapter 4: Configuration 4.13.2 RX (receiver) unit configuration In an Agility dual system, it is the RX unit (receiver) that determines where and how data signals are sent (and received) by the TX unit. Although numerous topologies (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, etc.) are made possible by the Agility system, they are all dependent on two underlying modes of operation: either Unicast or Multicast transmission.
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ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 6 For installations that will include more than one RX unit, for either video or audio or both, then you need to configure the Multicast Settings section. The two Video and the single Audio Multicast sub-sections are configured in exactly the same way: •...
See next page for details. 4.14.1 To upgrade a single unit via network link 1 Download the latest upgrade file from Black Box technical support. Note: There are separate upgrade files for TX and RX units. 2 Temporarily connect the Agility Dual with VNC unit and a computer via a network (see browser-based configuration utili- section for details).
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 4.15 Options switches A pair of Options switches are located on the rear panel of every Agility Dual with VNC unit. 4.15.1 Switch 1 - firmware image select Each Agility Dual with VNC unit retains a backup firmware image which can be used in situations where the primary firmware becomes corrupted (most often through failed upgrade operations).
Chapter 5: Operation 5. Operation In operation, many ServSwitch Agility installations require no intervention once configured. The local transmitter and remote receiver units take care of all connection control behind the scenes so that you can continue to work unhindered. 5.1 Front Panel Indicators The six front panel indicators on the ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC unit provide a useful guide to operation.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 5.2 Using the VNC viewer 1 On a network connected computer, locate and select the VNC viewer icon A connection details dialog will be displayed: Enter the Agility Dual with VNC address here and click OK If required, select the encryption mode Options button Provides a range of viewer and connection settings...
Chapter 5: Operation Viewer options Ctrl Alt Del Controls Power Dialog area (VNC viewer Sends the Displays a menu Click to access Indicates your username only) Click the Ctrl Alt Del of options con- the power on/ and the host system that VNC icon to sequence to cerning key-...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC 6. Further information This chapter contains a variety of information, including the following: • Appendix A. Configuration menus (via VNC) - see opposite • Appendix B. VNC viewer window options Appendix C. The KVMADMIN utility •...
Appendices Appendix A. Configuration menus (via VNC) When viewing remotely via VNC, the unit has a main configuration menu through which you can access various sub menus to configure particular items. To view the main configuration menu 1 Using VNC viewer or a browser, log on as the ‘admin’ user. 2 Click the ‘Configure’...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC User accounts Up to 16 users can be created by the admin user, each with their password. One of the 16 users can be the admin user. This user has access to the units configuration menu. Ticking the ‘IsAdmin’ box creates the Admin user. The admin user can also determine whether the users are allowed access to the power control menu in order to turn servers on and off.
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Appendices Gui edit configuration If required, you can customise the menu bar of the viewer window to ensure that it contains only the necessary options. The menu bar can be edited locally by each user or edited singly by the admin or alternatively, the admin can globally alter the menu bar for all users.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Unit configuration This page provides access to a selection of both basic and advanced settings for the Agility Dual with VNC. Many of the settings displayed here are also accessible through the on-screen menu. Hardware Version Indicates the version of the electronic circuitry within the Agility Dual with VNC unit.
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Appendices Encryption Four options are available: Always On, Prefer Off, Prefer On, or Maximum. The one to choose depends on the specific details of your installation. The use of encryption imposes a slight performance overhead of roughly 10% but is highly secure against third party intrusion.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Advanced unit configuration Click this button to display advanced options that do not normally require alteration. Force VNC Protocol 3.3 IMPORTANT: Protocol 3.3 is a legacy version that does not offer any encryption. Hashed passwords are not supported with 3.3 Idle Timeout Determines the period of inactivity on a global connection before the user is logged out.
Appendices Mouse Latency Allowance This option is used during calibration to account for latency delays that may be caused as signals pass through a device. During calibration, the Agility Dual with VNC waits for 40ms after each mouse movement before sampling the next. If a device adds a significant delay to the flow of data, the calibration process can be lengthened or may fail entirely.
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ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Time & date configuration This page allows you to configure all aspects relating to time and date within the unit. Use NTP When this option is selected, the Agility Dual with VNC will synchronise its internal clocks using information from the (Network Time Protocol) server listed in the NTP Server IP address field.
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Appendices Timezone specifier Optionally enter a recognised timezone specifier related to the current position of the Agility Dual with VNC unit. When an NTP server is used, the specifier will be used to provide the correct real time. The timezone specifier takes the following form: std offset dst [offset],start[/time],end[/time] offset specify the standard time zone, such as GMT and 0, or CET and -1, or EST and 5, respectively.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Network configuration This page allows you to configure the various aspects of the IP port. MAC address Media Access Control address – this is the unique and unchangeable code that was hard coded within your Agility Dual with VNC unit when it was built.
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Appendices IP Gateway This is the address of the device that links the local network (to which the Agility Dual with VNC is connected) to another net- work such as the wider Internet. Usually the actual gateway is a network router and it will be used whenever a required address lies outside the current network.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Setting IP access control The golden rule with this feature is ‘Include before you exclude’ or to put it another way ‘Arrange allowed addresses in the list before the denied addresses’. This is because the positions of entries in the list are vitally important. Once a range of addresses is denied access, it is not possible to make exceptions for particular addresses within that range.
Appendices Serial port configuration This page allows you to configure the baud rate of the Agility Dual with VNC serial port that is used to control power switch devices. A full range of standard baud rates are available. Baud Rate Determines the communication speed of the OPTIONS port.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Host configuration This page provides the opportunity to configure various details for each of the host systems that may be connected to the Agility Dual with VNC. Each entry can be configured with a name, the permitted users, the hot key combinations required to switch to it and, if required, appropriate power control commands.
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Appendices To create a new host entry 1 Click one of the host entries to reveal a Host configuration dialog. Name Enter the name that will be displayed in the viewer window when you click the Host button. Users Select the users that will be permitted to connect to this host. Either enter to allow all users or a list of users separated by commas.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Power switching configuration Power switch configuration comprises two main steps: • Configure the serial port to the same speed as used by the power switch box(es), using the Serial port configura- OPTIONS tion menu. • Configure power ON and OFF strings for each relevant host computer. For each power port there needs to be a valid ‘Power ON string’...
Appendices Logging and status This screen provides various details about the user activity on the Agility Dual with VNC unit. Date and time the Type of event, user name and access method or remote IP address event occurred Click to clear Click to Optionally enter an IP Click to return...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Appendix B. VNC viewer window options Click the VNC icon in the top left corner of the viewer window (or press F8) to display the window options: Standard window control items Full screen Expands the VNC viewer window to fill the whole screen with no visible window edges or toolbar.
Appendices Appendix C. The KVMADMIN utility Particularly useful for complex Agility Dual with VNC configurations and the control of remote installations, KVMADMIN is a pow- erful administration tool. KVMADMIN is based upon the established VNC viewer and uses the same security system. Rather than a graphical interface such as the standard viewer, KVMADMIN uses command line control to provide the following administration facilities: •...
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Appendix D. Java viewer options When you are connecting to the Agility Dual with VNC using the Java viewer, a number of options are available. Click here to access the options There are four options pages: Encoding and colour level Auto select When ticked, this option will examine the speed of your connection to the Agility Dual with...
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Appendices Security 512 bits (low security) Selects the lowest level of encoding for communications between the browser and the Agility Dual with VNC. 1024 bits (medium security) Selects the middle level of encoding for communications between the browser and the Agility Dual with VNC.
ServSwitch Agility Dual with VNC Appendix E. Hotkey sequences Agility Dual with VNC allows you to enter commands suitable for any KVM switch in order to choose from up to 128 host systems. These switching commands can take the form of hotkey sequences that emulate standard keypress combinations. Hotkey sequences Almost any combination of keypresses can be emulated using the following notations: means press down the key that follows;...
Appendices Appendix G. Safety Information • For use in dry, oil free indoor environments only. • The units and their power supplies generate heat when in operation and will become warm to the touch. Do not enclose them or place them locations where air cannot circulate to cool the equipment. Do not operate the equipment in ambient tempera- tures exceeding 40 degrees Centigrade.
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