Apex Digital Viewpoint 64 Installer/User Manual

Brand: Apex Digital

Model: Viewpoint 64

Type: Installer/User Manual

Run Your Servers Smarter

Viewpoint 64

Installer/ User Guide

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide

Viewpoint

64 User Guide

October 2001

Part Number 053-0145-00 Rev B

The information contained in this guide is subject to change without notice.

Avocent Corporation shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor is it liable for incidental

or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. PC/AT, PS/2,

RS/6000, and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Sun Microsystems and Sun

SPARC are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Viewpoint, Viewpoint 64, OutLook and OSCAR are trademarks or

registered trademarks of Apex Inc.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide

Contents

Chapter 1 - Overview 1

The Viewpoint 64 System............................................................................................ 1

Chapter 2: Installation 2

Component Checklist................................................................................................... 2

Viewpoint 64 Installation Quick Start.......................................................................... 3

Installing Agent ........................................................................................................... 3

Components of the Viewpoint 64 System.................................................................... 5

Cable Length and Location.......................................................................................... 9

Rack-Mounting the Components ................................................................................. 9

Installing the Cable Looms (Optional)........................................................................10

Connecting the System Pod to the Core......................................................................11

Connecting the User Pod to the Core..........................................................................12

Connecting the Dual System Pod to Your Computer..................................................13

Connecting the Octopod to a Computer......................................................................13

Connecting the User Pod to the Console.....................................................................14

Connecting the Agent Server Directly to the Core......................................................14

Turning On the System...............................................................................................15

Startup Behavior and the Status Flag at the User Pod.................................................15

Connecting Computers While the System is Running ................................................15

Chapter 3: Operation 16

Security Mode.............................................................................................................16

Logging In and Logging Out ......................................................................................17

Accessing the OSCAR Selection Screen ....................................................................17

Opening the OSCAR Advanced Menus Screen..........................................................18

Interpreting and Changing the Status Flag..................................................................18

Switching to a Computer ............................................................................................20

Switching Video Only ................................................................................................21

Disconnecting a User..................................................................................................22

Querying Pod Status ...................................................................................................22

Scanning the Computers .............................................................................................23

Establishing Security ..................................................................................................24

Optimizing Video Quality for the User Pod................................................................25

Changing Menu Attributes..........................................................................................26

Displaying Firmware Version and Settings ................................................................27

Resetting the Mouse and Keyboard ............................................................................28

Appendices 29

Options and Accessories.............................................................................................30

Tiering with Other Apex Switch Systems...................................................................31

Getting Help ...............................................................................................................32

Troubleshooting..........................................................................................................33

Communications Regulation Information...................................................................34

Limited Warranty........................................................................................................35

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 1 - Overview • 1

Chapter 1 - Overview

The Viewpoint 64 System

The Viewpoint 64 is a high-end extension to the Apex family of Viewpoint matrix switches. Designed for the

medium- to large-scale, multi-console server environments, the Viewpoint 64 is the most cost effective way

to administer your data center.

Viewpoint 64 Features

• Allows network administrators at a local console to pass keyboard and mouse commands to as many as

64 remote computers.

• Accommodates tiered OutLook switches to expand your control to as many as 1024 remote computers.

Tiers multiple Viewpoint 32s or 64s to expand your control to as many as 4096 computers. Incorporates

new boards in the core to meet future needs.

• Shares control with the Apex Emerge2000 remote control device.

• Provides user management, security management and system administration via the Apex Agent

application. The Agent server allows you to view all connections, system types, and names associated

with the target systems. Viewpoint 64 is equipped with a serial port to connect the Agent server to the

core.

• Allows users (via user pods) to be located up to 600 feet away from the core and servers (via system

pods) to be located up to 250 feet away from the core. This enables the user and the system pods to be up

to 850 feet away from one another. If you are tiering cores, the user and the system pods can be up to

1,100 feet apart.

• Switches any user to a selected computer in either Full control mode or Watch mode.

• Displays system-related information on the Apex On-Screen Configuration and Activity Reporting

(OSCAR) screen.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 2

Chapter 2: Installation

Component Checklist

Viewpoint 64 components (quantity of each depends on your system needs)

• user pods

• dual system pods

• octal system pods

• core

• front cover

• patch panel

• DB9 null modem cable

• Agent and User Guide CD

Interconnecting cables (not included in kit)

• two male to male CAT 5 cables for each user pod to core

• four male CAT 5 cables for each dual system pod to core

• sixteen male CAT 5 cables for each Octopod to core

• four SCSI KVM cables for each Octopod

• up to sixteen male/female cable looms to connect core to patch panel (optional)

• keyboard, video, and mouse interconnecting cables to each server

Rack mounting brackets (quantity depends on your system needs)

Monitor, keyboard, and mouse for each user pod

Your computers

Your server for use with the Agent application

(See System Requirements in the Agent User Guide)

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 3

Viewpoint 64 Installation Quick Start

1 Unpack the Viewpoint 64 core.

2 Rack mount the core.

3 Rack mount the system pods (ELC-00SP or ELC-08SP).

4 Install the patch panel, if you are using one.

5 Install the cable looms, if you are using them.

6 Connect CAT 5 cables from the system pods to the patch panel (if applicable)

—or—

directly to the core if you are not using the patch panel and the cable looms.

7 Install the CAT 5 cables from the user pods to the patch panel (if applicable)

—or—

directly to the core if you are not using the patch panel and the cable looms.

8 Connect the KVM cables from the dual system pods to the servers (ELC-00SP)

—or—

connect the SCSI KVM cables from the octopods to the servers (ELC-08SP).

9 Connect the monitor, keyboard, and mouse directly to the user pods (ELC-02UP).

To turn on the Viewpoint 64 system

The order you turn on your systems is very important. Turn on your system in the following order:

1 Agent server

2 Viewpoint 32/64 cores

3 System pods

4 User pods

5 OutLook switches (if applicable)

6 Console monitors

7 Servers

Installing Agent

1 Connect one end of the null modem cable to the core and the other end to a COM port of the server that

will be running Agent.

2 Install the Agent application on the server. See Installing Agent in the Agent User Guide for instructions.

3 Verify that ASAdmin is loaded as a service, that it is started and that it is set to automatic. See Verifying

that ASAdmin is Running in the Agent User Guide.

4 Define the installation configuration. See Chapter 2, Configuration in the Agent User Guide for

instructions.

5 Download the configuration to the Viewpoint 64 core. See Downloading the Configuration into

Viewpoint in the Agent User Guide.

6 Install any applicable Viewpoint 64 core upgrades. Contact technical support for the latest version or

visit the Avocent Web site, www.avocent.com. See Performing Firmware Uploads in the Agent User

Guide.

Symbols on Equipment

Caution

Any surface area of the equipment marked with this symbol indicates the presence of electrical shock

hazards. Enclosed area contains no operator serviceable parts.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 4

Symbols in Text

Warning

Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to follow directions can result in damage to equipment or loss

of information.

Grounding

Viewpoint 64 is a Safety Class I product and it has a protective grounding terminal. Use grounded, 3-prong

power cords to provide power to the product and connect your power cords to grounded sockets. If the ground

is damaged, disconnect the power cord(s).

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 5

Components of the Viewpoint 64 System

The Viewpoint system is a highly expandable and configurable system that allows you to start small and grow

as your server needs increase. Shown below are two examples of Viewpoint configurations showing different

components you might use.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 6

The Standard User Pod

Each user console (consisting of a keyboard, mouse, and monitor) connects to a user pod. The user pod

encodes mouse and keyboard data then transmits it, via the CAT 5 cables, to the output cards in the core, and

on to the selected system pod. OSCAR (On-Screen Configuration and Activity Reporting) is used to operate

the Viewpoint 64 system. OSCAR is accessed at the user pod.

The Dual System Pod

Each dual system pod can attach to two computers or servers. The system pod decodes the keyboard and

mouse commands it receives via the CAT 5 cables from the input cards in the core, and forwards the data to

the selected computer.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 7

The Octal System Pod (Octopod)

Each Octopod can attach to eight computers. The Octopod allows for greater system density to one system

pod. It decodes the keyboard and mouse commands it receives from the input cards in the core via the CAT 5

cables, and forwards the data to the selected computer.

NOTE: The Octopod uses special KVM cables with a 50-pin D connector on one end that connects to the Pod that

splits out into two sets of standard KVM cables in order to attach to the KVM ports on two separate systems.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 8

The Viewpoint 64 Core

Each Viewpoint 64 system contains a core that connects to user pods, system pods, and an Agent server. The

core contains the internal input and output cards that provide the connection between user pods and system

pods. Its master card provides the connection to the Agent server.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 9

Cable Length and Location

Choosing good locations for each component enhances the benefits of the Viewpoint 64 system. The user

pods can be located up to 600 feet away from the core and the system pods can be up to 250 feet away from

the core. Therefore, if you place the pods at the maximum distance from the core, then you can locate each

user and system pod up to 850 feet away from each other.

Cable Length and Video Quality

All Viewpoint 64 components arrive configured for cable lengths of 25 feet or less. If you are using cables

longer than 25 feet, you can improve video quality by changing the cable length configuration or additional

configuration of the DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) settings. You will adjust video settings for the user

pods through OSCAR (see Optimizing Video Quality for the User Pod in the Operation Chapter), and you

will adjust the settings for the system pods through Agent.

Cable Type and Video Quality

For best video quality use high quality CAT 5 cables because of their superior electrical and mechanical

properties. See Appendix B, Options and Accessories, for descriptions and part numbers.

Power Disconnect

The power switches are located on the rear of the unit. These switches are difficult to access once your

Viewpoint is fully populated, especially if you are using the optional Patch Panel. Before populating your

Viewpoint, plug in your power cables to an appropriate power strip and power up the Viewpoint system.

Then, when necessary, power cycle the Viewpoint unit from the power strip.

Rack-Mounting the Components

You can mount the core, patch panel, dual system pods and octopods in any EIA standard 19-inch rack. If you

install rack-mounted units in a closed or multi-unit rack assembly, they may require further evaluation by

Certification Agencies. Consider the following:

Maximum rated ambient temperature—40°C

The ambient temperature within the rack may be higher than the room’s ambient temperature. Make sure that

there is enough airflow for safe operation.

Stability of the installation

Load the rack evenly. Uneven loading can result in an unstable rack.

Follow Safety Measures When Installing Equipment

Before you install the switch and other components in the cabinet, make sure that the cabinet is installed in a

permanent location and that it is stable. Start rack-mounting your equipment at the bottom of the cabinet, then

work to the top. Avoid uneven loading or overloading the cabinet.

CAUTION

Do not exceed your cabinet load rate. Overloading or uneven loading of cabinet may result in shelf or cabinet

failure. This can damage equipment, and it can cause personal injury.

Only connect the unit to power source specified on the unit. Do not exceed the circuit’s capabilities. Overloaded

power sources and extension cords present fire hazards and electrical shock hazards.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 10

To rack-mount the core

1 Place the core in the rack where you want to install it.

2 Place a cage nut behind each hole in the core’s flange.

3 Insert a screw in each hole in the core’s flange, and then tighten the screw.

To rack-mount the patch panel (Optional)

1 Place the patch panel in the rack where you want to install it.

2 Place a cage nut behind each hole in the panel’s flange.

3 Insert a screw in each hole in the panel’s flange, and then tighten the screw.

Installing the Cable Looms (Optional)

Install the cable looms (CTZ-LOOM) in the patch panel before the patch panel is mounted into the rack.

To attach the cable loom to the patch panel

Each column in the patch panel takes one cable loom. When you look at the connections, each pair has a

number on the purple connector. Each female connection has two extensions on the bottom. The top has a clip

and is labeled up.

You will install the female end of the cable loom in the patch panel. Start installing the cable loom at the

bottom of the patch panel.

1 Locate female connection pair number one.

2 Insert the black connector in the bottom slot of the patch panel with the end of the connector tilting

upwards. Push the bottom extensions over the edge of the slot.

3 Push down on the top clip with your finger and rotate the connection into the slot until it snaps into

place.

4 Insert the purple connector from pair number one in the second slot from the bottom by following the

directions in steps 3 and 4.

5 Continue working your way up the patch panel, inserting first the black connector and then the purple

connector from each connection pair in numerical order. The final connection you insert in the column

(the top slot) should be the purple connector from pair number eight.

To attach the cable loom to the core

1 Feed the tightly bound (or zipped) portion of the Cable Loom through the cable tray from the rear to

front.

2 Plug the corresponding CAT 5 connections into the Input or Output Card.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 11

Connecting the System Pod to the Core

To connect the CAT 5 cables to the dual system pod or to the Octopod

1 Connect one end of the video CAT 5 cable to the RJ45 jack with a monitor symbol.

2 Connect one end of the data CAT 5 cable to the RJ45 jack with a data symbol.

3 Repeat steps for additional system pods.

To connect the CAT 5 cables to the core

1 At the front of the core locate the input cards (slots 1 to 8).

2 If you are using the Patch Panel, locate the corresponding input slot on the back of the panel.

3 Connect the other end of the video CAT 5 cable to the RJ45 jack with the monitor symbol in one of the

system ports.

4 If you are using the Patch Panel, connect the other end of the video CAT 5 cable to the corresponding

system port with a monitor symbol.

5 Connect the other end of the data CAT 5 cable to the RJ45 jack with the data symbol in the same port

number.

6 If you are using the Patch Panel, connect the other end of the data CAT 5 cable in the same system port

number.

7 Route and bundle cables to facilitate adding or removing the input and output cards.

8 Repeat steps for additional system pods.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 12

Connecting the User Pod to the Core

To connect the CAT 5 cables to the core

1 Locate the output cards (slots 9 to 16) on the front of the core.

2 If you are using the Patch Panel, locate the corresponding output slot on the back of the panel.

3 Connect the other end of the video CAT 5 cable to one of the user ports with a monitor symbol.

4 If you are using the Patch Panel, connect the other end of the video CAT 5 cable to the corresponding

user port with a monitor symbol.

5 Connect the other end of the data CAT 5 cable to the port with the data symbol in the same user port

number.

6 If you are using the Patch Panel, connect the other end of the data CAT 5 cable in the same user port

number.

7 Route and bundle cables to facilitate adding or removing the input and output cards.

8 Repeat steps for all user pods.

To connect the CAT 5 cables to the user pod

1 Locate the RJ45 jacks on the back panel.

2 Connect one end of the video CAT 5 cable to the RJ45 jack with a monitor symbol.

3 Connect one end of the data CAT 5 cable to the RJ45 jack with a data symbol.

4 Repeat steps for all user pods.

NOTE: A mouse and keyboard must be plugged into the user pod for proper operation of your Viewpoint

system.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 13

Connecting the Dual System Pod to Your Computer

To connect the dual system pod to your computer

Connect the monitor, keyboard, and mouse cables between the computer and the jacks with the monitor,

keyboard, and mouse symbols in one of the ports on the dual system pod.

Connecting the Octopod to a Computer

Each Octopod SCSI cable connects one of the Octopod’s SCSI ports to two computers.

To connect the Octopod to a computer

1 Connect the SCSI end of the Octopod cable to the SCSI port on the Octopod.

2 Connect one of the purple plugs to the computer’s keyboard port.

3 Connect the corresponding green plug to the computer’s mouse port.

4 Connect the corresponding blue plug to the computer’s video port.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 14

Connecting the User Pod to the Console

To connect the user pod to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse

Connect the monitor, keyboard, and mouse cables to the jacks that show the monitor, keyboard, and mouse

symbols on the back panel of the user pod.

Connecting the Agent Server Directly to the Core

To connect the Agent server

1 On the master card at the front of the core, connect one female end of the DB9 null modem cable to the

serial port.

2 Connect the other end of the null modem cable to the serial port on the back of your Agent server.

NOTE: See the Agent User Guide for instructions on using Agent, Apex’s Administration and Security software.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 2: Installation • 15

Turning On the System

To start the system

1 With the power switch (located on the back panel) of each component in the Off (0) position, connect

each component to an AC power source using the supplied three-wire grounded power cords.

2 Turn on the Viewpoint 64 core by pushing both power switches located on the back panel to the On (1)

position.

NOTE: If you are using a Patch Panel, steps 1 and 2 should be done before attaching and populating the Patch Panel.

3 Turn on each pod by pushing the power switch located on the back panel to the On (1) position.

4 Turn on the Apex OutLook power switches (if applicable).

5 Turn on the console monitors.

6 Turn on the computers.

Warning

Always observe the proper power up sequence. Turn on devices from the core outward.

1 Core

2 Pods

3 Systems

Startup Behavior and the Status Flag at the User Pod

When you turn on the Viewpoint 64 system, it performs the following actions at the User Pod:

• Displays each pod’s particular identification number on the user console monitor.

• Identifies the mouse and keyboard and puts them into default states; the keyboard LEDs illuminate.

• Displays a status flag on each user console monitor that appears similar to that shown below. (On startup

there is no system connection.) For more information about status flags, see in Chapter 3, Interpreting

the Status Flag and Changing Status Flag Attributes.

If the monitor does not display the status flag, make sure that the monitor is connected and turned on.

Connecting Computers While the System is Running

You can connect additional computers to the Viewpoint 64 system while the device is running and do not

have to power down the core to replace computers. When you turn on a newly connected computer, its system

pod recognizes it. You can switch users to the new computer without taking any additional steps.

You can also connect a new user console to the Viewpoint 64 system while it is running. When you connect

the new keyboard, mouse, and monitor to the new user pod, the pod configures automatically. This allows for

easy expansion and replacement of failed devices. It also allows the user to move input devices from one

console to another if necessary.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 3: Operation • 16

Chapter 3: Operation

You’ll operate the Viewpoint 64 system using OSCAR (On-Screen Configuration and Activity Reporting). The

OSCAR GUI enables you to set up, view information about, and operate the servers in your Viewpoint system.

Keyboard Conventions for Navigating OSCAR

This key Does This

Print Screen Opens OSCAR Selection screen

F1 Opens OSCAR Help screen

F2 When in OSCAR Selection screen, opens OSCAR Advanced Menus screen

F5 Logs out current user when in Security mode

F8 Connects console to computer in watch mode (video only)

ARROWS Moves indicator to select command feature or setup

+ / – Changes the value of the selected option

ENTER Saves current settings or changes and returns to OSCAR Advanced Menus screen

ESC Cancels unsaved changes and returns to OSCAR Advanced Menus screen. When in

OSCAR Selection or Advanced Menus screens, ESC exits OSCAR.

Numeric Keypad Stays in the numeric state, although the indicator on the keyboard may indicate otherwise

CAPs LOCK Disabled, use the shift key to change case

Page Up/Down Displays previous or next screen, respectively

Home/End Displays first or last item in a list, respectively

Security Mode

Setting up security allows you to customize which servers a user has access to. Without security, a user can

connect to all the servers without a password.

When Security mode is active:

• OSCAR defaults to the login screen

• F5, logout, is available

• Switch in the Commands menu is not available

• Security in the Setup menu disconnects the user from the server

Set up security mode on the Security screen. See Establishing Security later in this chapter for instructions.

ViewPoint 64 System Installer/User Guide Chapter 3: Operation • 17

Logging In and Logging Out

When security mode is active, log into OSCAR as an authorized user. You can then access the OSCAR

Selection screen. Your system administrator will assign you a user name and password.

To log in

1 At the Login screen, type your user name in the User Name field.

2 Type your password in the Password field.

NOTE: The password is case sensitive for default users.

3 Press ENTER.

To log out

1 Press PRINT SCREEN to open the OSCAR Selection screen.

2 Press F5.

Accessing the OSCAR Selection Screen

Use the OSCAR Selection screen to select computers. This screen lists all the ports in the system, and the

associated computer names. You can display either by port number or by computer name. (To assign names

see Configuring Servers and Devices in the Agent User Guide. To change the order in which the computers

are listed, see Changing Menu Attributes found later in this chapter.) On large systems, you may need to use

the ARROW keys or the PAGE DOWN key to scroll through the list of ports.

NOTE: The OSCAR Selection screen above shows the default screen. Your screen will show the computer

names and port numbers assigned to your system.

To open the OSCAR Selection screen

1 Press the PRINT SCREEN key.

Because the PRINT SCREEN key is used to activate the OSCAR menus, you cannot use it to print a

screen in the usual way. To send the PRINT SCREEN command to the correct computer, press PRINT

SCREEN twice.

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Apex Digital Viewpoint 64 Installer/User Manual

Apex Digital Viewpoint 64 Installer/User Manual

Apex Digital Viewpoint 64 Installer/User Manual

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