OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide For models: 140ES 180ES 280ES 1160ES 2160ES 4160ES
INSTRUCTIONS The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Avocent, the Avocent logo and “The Power of Being There” are trademarks of Avocent Corporation. OSCAR is a registered trademark of Apex Inc. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. © 2001 Avocent Corporation. All rights reserved.
USA Notification Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
Table of Contents Chapter 1: Product Overview OutLook ES Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Chapter 2: Installation Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Rack Mounting your OutLook ES Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Installing a 4- or 8-Port Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Installing a 16-Port Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Product Overview Contents OutLook ES Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1: Product Overview 3 Chapter 1: Product Overview OutLook ES Features and Benefits Avocent’s family of OutLook switches allows you to control up to 256 computers from one keyboard, monitor and mouse. OutLook switches are available in single or multiuser versions and are easily customized to fit your particular network and operating system needs. The OutLook switch system consists of the user station (your monitor, keyboard and mouse), the switch unit and the attached servers.
4 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide FLASH upgradable The OutLook ES is FLASH upgradable. This allows you to update your firmware at any time through a simple serial connection to ensure that your OutLook system is always running the most current version available. Built-in scanning capabilities A built-in scanning feature allows you to automatically monitor, or scan, connected computers without intervention. When keyboard activity is detected, scanning is suspended until all activity stops.
Chapter 1: Product Overview 5 Figure 1.2: OutLook ES Model Comparison Safety Precautions To avoid potential video and/or keyboard problems when using Avocent products: • If the building has 3-phase AC power, ensure that the computer and monitor are on the same phase. For best results, they should be on the same circuit. • Use only Avocent-supplied cable to connect computers and KVM switches. Avocent warranties do not apply to damage resulting from user-supplied cable.
6 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Rack mount safety considerations • Elevated Ambient Temperature: If installed in a closed rack assembly, the operation temperature of the rack environment may be greater than room ambient. Use care not to exceed the rated maximum ambient temperature of the unit. • Reduced Air Flow: Installation of the equipment in a rack should be such that the amount of airflow required for safe operation of the equipment is not compromised.
2 Installation Contents Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Rack Mounting your OutLook ES Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Installing a 4- or 8-Port Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Installing a 16-Port Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Installing a Multiple Switch System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Powering up the OutLook Switch System . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 2: Installation 9 Chapter 2: Installation Getting Started Before installing your OutLook system, refer to the lists below to ensure that you have all the items that shipped with the OutLook as well as all other items necessary for proper installation.
10 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide CAUTION Power Considerations: Connect only to the power source specified on the unit. When multiple electrical components are installed in a rack, assure the total component power ratings do not exceed circuit capabilities. Overloaded power sources and extension cords present fire and shock hazards. To install the switch mounting bracket: 1. Line up the holes in the “long side” of the kit’s side brackets with the screw holes in the switch. 2.
Chapter 2: Installation 11 Installing a 4- or 8-Port Switch (140ES, 180ES and 280ES models) The diagram below illustrates one possible configuration for your 4- or 8-port switch. Follow the step-by-step instructions to properly install your new OutLook switch. Figure 2.2: 8-Port Installation Example WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to your equipment: - Do not disable the power cord grounding plug. The grounding plug is an important safety feature.
12 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide To install a 4- or 8-port switch: 1. Prepare the location for the switch. See Rack Mounting your OutLook ES Unit in this chapter if you are rack mounting the unit. 2. Select cables with appropriate connectors and length. (See Appendix B for cable specifications.) NOTE: Cable length affects video quality as well as keyboard and mouse data timing. The maximum cable length is determined in part by the computer and peripherals used.
Chapter 2: Installation 13 Installing a 16-Port Switch (1160ES, 2160ES and 4160ES models) The diagram below illustrates one possible configuration for your 16-port switch. Follow the step-by-step instructions to properly install your new OutLook switch. Figure 2.3: 16-Port Installation Example WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to your equipment: - Do not disable the power cord grounding plug. The grounding plug is an important safety feature.
14 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide To install a 16-port switch: 1. Prepare the location for the switch. See Rack Mounting your OutLook ES Unit in this chapter if you are rack mounting the unit. 2. Select cables with appropriate connectors and length. (See Appendix B for specifications.) All 16-port switches require one high density 50-pin for every two computer cable sets of keyboard, video and mouse connectors. 3.
Chapter 2: Installation 15 Installing a Multiple Switch System The following diagram illustrates one possible cascading configuration using your OutLook switch. Perform this installation if you want to add another switch to your existing system. Follow the step-by-step instructions to properly cascade your new OutLook switch. Figure 2.
16 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Checklist of Steps for Adding a Secondary Switch At the Primary Switch 3. 6. At the Secondary Switch 1. Select its location. 2. Connect cables to station connections. 4. Plug in power cord. 5. Power up switch. 7. Connect servers. 8. Power up servers. 9. If switch was previously used as a primary device, then reset OSCAR defaults (optional). Connect cables to a port. Assign specific device types. 10. Check status of secondary servers. 11.
Chapter 2: Installation 9. 17 If a secondary switch was previously used as a primary switch, reset OSCAR settings by doing the following: a. b. c. d. e. f. At the primary switch, press Print Screen to open the Main dialog box. Select the port number of the secondary switch. Press Print Screen again to gain access to the Main dialog box on the secondary switch. Click Setup - Devices. Click Defaults, then click OK. From the Setup dialog box, click Names. Click Defaults, then click OK.
18 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Powering up the OutLook Switch System The switch must be powered up before the attached servers since the switch stores mouse and keyboard connection and rate data for each server. The switch uses this information to initialize the keyboard and mouse interfaces of the servers. If the servers are turned on before the switch, the servers may exhibit abnormal or erratic behavior. To power up the OutLook switch system: 1. Turn on the monitors. 2.
3 Basic Operations Contents Viewing and Selecting Ports and Servers . . . . . . . . . . . 21 OSCAR Navigation Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Setting up OSCAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Using Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Resetting your Keyboard and Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Displaying Version Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Sending the Print Screen Keystroke . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 21 Chapter 3: Basic Operations Viewing and Selecting Ports and Servers Use the Main dialog box to select, control and configure servers in your OutLook system. To access the Main dialog box: Press Print Screen to start OSCAR and gain access to the Main dialog box. Figure 3.1: Main Dialog Box Viewing the Status of your Switch System The status of servers and switches in your system is indicated in the far right column of the Main dialog box.
22 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Selecting Servers Use the Main dialog box to select servers. When you select a server, the OutLook switch reconfigures the keyboard and mouse to the settings for the selected server. To select servers: 1. Double-click the server name or port number. - or If the display order is by port, type the port number and press Enter. - or If the display order is by name, type the first few letters of the name of the server to establish it as unique and press Enter.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 23 OSCAR Navigation Basics Use the following keystrokes to navigate though OSCAR. This Keystroke Does This Print Screen Opens OSCAR. (To print a screen, see Sending the Print Screen Keystroke in Chapter 3.) F1 Opens the Help screen for the current dialog box. Escape Closes the current dialog box without saving changes and returns to the previous one. In Main dialog box, it closes OSCAR and returns to the selected server.
24 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Setting up OSCAR You can configure your OutLook system from the Setup dialog box. Use the Scan, Menu, Flag, Security and Broadcast options to manage routine tasks for your servers. Use the Devices and Names options when initially setting up your switch system to assign device types and to identify servers by unique names. To access the Setup dialog box: 1. Press Print Screen. The Main dialog box appears. 2. Click Setup in the Main dialog box.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 25 Assigning Server Names Use the Names dialog box to identify servers by a unique name that makes sense to you and reset names back to the default settings. To access the Names dialog box: 1. Press Print Screen. The Main dialog box will appear. 2. Click Setup - Names. The Names dialog box appears. Figure 3.3: Names Dialog Box To assign names to servers: 1. Double-click or press Enter to select the text in the Name box. Type a name.
26 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Changing the Display Behavior Use the Menu dialog box to change the server display order, set the Delay Time for OSCAR after pressing Print Screen and change the switch connection mode. To access the Menu dialog box: 1. Press Print Screen. The Main dialog box will appear. 2. Click Setup - Menu. The Setup dialog box appears. Figure 3.4: Menu Dialog Box To choose the display order of servers in the Main dialog box: 1.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 27 Preemptive to have the OutLook allow any user to select any server at any time; a request from another user disconnects the current user. 2. Click OK. Setting up a Scan Pattern In scan mode, the switch automatically scans from port to port (server to server). Each user can scan the entire system sequentially or designate a custom scan pattern by specifying servers and durations. To access the Scan dialog box: 1. Press Print Screen. The Main dialog box will appear.
28 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide To remove a server from the scan list: 1. In the Scan dialog box, click the server to be removed. 2. Press Delete. — or— Press Shift+Delete to remove the selected server and all entries below it. 3. Click OK. To set up a custom scan pattern: 1. In the Scan dialog box, type the name or port number of the server you want to scan. — or— On the first line, press Insert; the first server listed in the Main dialog box appears.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 29 Controlling the Status Flag The status flag displays on your desktop and shows the name or port number of the selected server or the status of a particular port. Use the Flag dialog box to display the flag by port number or by server name, limit the time the flag displays, change the flag color, make the flag transparent or opaque and change the flag’s location on the desktop. Status Flag Examples Flag Flag Description Flag type is by name. Flag type is by port number.
30 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide 5. To position the status flag on the desktop: a. Click Set Position to gain access to the Position Flag screen. Figure 3.7: Position Flag b. c. Left click on the title bar and drag to the desired location. Right click to return to the Flag dialog box. NOTE: Changes made to the flag position are not saved until you click OK in the Flag dialog box. 6. Click OK to save settings or click X to exit without saving changes.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 31 Passwords can be up to 12 characters long and are case sensitive. Legal characters are: A-Z, a-z, 0-9 and (space). 3. In the Repeat box, type the password again and press Enter. 4. Click OK. To password protect your user station: 1. Set your password as described in the previous procedure. 2. Select Enable Screen Saver. 3. Type the number of minutes for Delay Time (from 1 to 99) to delay activation of password protection and the screen saver feature. 4.
32 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide To enable the screen saver mode with no password protection: 1. If your station is password protected, perform the previous procedure first. 2. Now select Enable Screen Saver. 3. Type the number of minutes for Delay Time (from 1 to 99) that you want to delay activation of the screen saver. 4. Choose Energy if your monitor is EnergyStar compliant; otherwise you should select Screen.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 33 Figure 3.9: Broadcast Dialog Box NOTE: Broadcasting Keystrokes - The keyboard state must be identical for all servers receiving a broadcast to interpret keystrokes identically. Specifically, the Caps Lock and Num Lock modes must be the same on all keyboards. While the switch attempts to send keystrokes to the selected servers simultaneously, some servers may inhibit and thereby delay the transmission.
34 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide To turn broadcasting on or off: From the Commands menu, click to enable or disable the Broadcast Active checkbox. Using Snapshot Snapshot saves the keyboard and mouse information of the servers that are powered up. The OutLook switch uses this information to initialize the keyboard and mouse interfaces of the servers.
Chapter 3: Basic Operations 35 Displaying Version Information Use the Version dialog box to display the version number of the firmware as well as keyboard and mouse information for the currently selected server. This information facilitates system troubleshooting and support. For optimum performance, keep your firmware current. To display version information: 1. Click Version in the Commands dialog box. The Version dialog box appears. 2. Click X to close the Version dialog box.
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4 Advanced Operations Contents Assigning Device Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Accessing OSCAR at a Secondary Switch . . . . . . . . . . 40 Scan Behavior with a Multiuser Cascaded System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Broadcasting to Cascaded Configurations . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations 39 Chapter 4: Advanced Operations Assigning Device Types Use the Devices dialog box to assign device types to either make your primary switch aware of a secondary switch or to delete a device from the Main dialog box. To access the Devices dialog box: 1. Press Print Screen. The Main dialog box will appear. 2. Click Setup - Devices. The Devices dialog box appears. Figure 4.
40 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide 3. Choose one from the following: • • • No Device: If no switch or server is attached and you want to delete it from the list of devices in the Main dialog box Computer: If a server is attached (default setting) Port number: If a secondary switch is attached, select the number of ports it has. 4. Click OK. 5. Repeat steps 2–4 for each port you want to assign a device type. 6. Click OK in the Devices dialog box to save settings.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations 41 Scan Mode Behavior Full Connection User has keyboard and mouse control. Watch Connection User sees video only; has no keyboard or mouse control. Skip Connection User cannot select the server because access is unavailable. Either the port connection is in use or the power is turned off to the port. Scan Behavior Examples Full Connection Watch Connection Example 1: User A is accessing server 2-4.
42 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Broadcasting to Cascaded Configurations Broadcasting to a cascaded configuration requires special consideration at both the primary and secondary switches. Follow these step-by-step instructions to properly configure your system for cascaded broadcasting. To set up servers attached to secondary switches: 1.
Chapter 4: Advanced Operations 43 4. From the Commands menu, click the Broadcast Active checkbox to activate the broadcast mode for the primary switch. 5. From a user station attached to the primary switch and connected to the secondary switch, type the information and/or select the mouse movements you want to broadcast. NOTE: Once you exit OSCAR, broadcasting is activated and any keystrokes or mouse movements will be active. To turn off broadcast mode for a cascaded configuration: 1.
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Appendices Contents Appendix A: FLASH Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Appendix B: Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Appendix C: Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Appendix D: Connecting the 280ES DC Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Appendix E: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendices 47 Appendices Appendix A: FLASH Upgrades OutLook Firmware Upgrade Instructions You can update the firmware of your OutLook switch by using a special update utility provided by Avocent. This utility automatically configures the port communications settings to allow direct downloading from the connected server.
48 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Appendix B: Technical Specifications Product Specifications Dimensions Model 140ES, 180ES, 280ES, 1160ES, 2160ES, 4160ES Height 1.75 in (4.5 cm) Depth 8.00 in (20.3 cm) Width 17.00 in (43.2 cm) 140ES 5.25 lb (2.38 kg) 180ES 5.25 lb (2.38 kg) 280ES 5.70 lb (2.60 kg) 1160ES 5.70 lb (2.60 kg) 2160ES 5.70 lb (2.60 kg) 4160ES 5.70 lb (2.
Appendices 49 Appendix C: Technical Support Our Technical Support staff is ready to assist you with any installation or operating issues you encounter with your Avocent product. If an issue should develop, follow the steps below for the fastest possible service: 1. Check the pertinent section of the manual to see if the issue can be resolved by following the procedures outlined. 2. Check our web site at www.avocent.com/support to search the knowledge base or use the on-line service request. 3.
50 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide Appendix D: Connecting the 280ES DC Switch Use only #18 AWG stranded wire UL 1007 or UL 1015. The maximum length should not exceed 10 meters (32.8 feet). WARNING: Always disconnect power before changing any wiring. To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to the equipment, this product must be installed in accordance with the following guidelines.
Appendices 51 Appendix E: Troubleshooting VIDEO No OSCAR or video at server Check for loose video cable connection or bad video cable. Confirm Devices, Names and Flag settings. Reset settings to default in these dialog boxes. No OSCAR at primary switch On the front panel of the switch, confirm that the LED lights (if applicable). Reconnect the power cord to the switch. Replace the power cord. Check AC outlet for power. Check that the monitor is turned on. Check the control for brightness on the monitor.
52 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide KEYBOARD Console keyboard is not working or cannot start OSCAR Ensure that Delay Time is off. Click Setup - Menu, Type 0 secs for Delay Time. Check keyboard operation. See if the Num Lock and Caps Lock keys light. Keyboard worked, but then stopped working with one server Check for loose keyboard cable connection or bad keyboard cable.1 Check maximum length of the keyboard cable (maximum length = 12 feet). Check maximum length of station cable extension.
Appendices 53 STATUS SYMBOLS No or shows next to server number or name Check for loose keyboard cable connection between server and switch. Disconnect and reconnect the keyboard cable at the same port number on the switch. Restart OSCAR: Press Escape or click X in Main dialog box to exit OSCAR. Then press Print Screen. shows next to cascaded port Disconnect and reconnect the keyboard cable at the same port number on the switch. Replace keyboard cable.
54 OutLook ES Series Installer/User Guide FIRMWARE UPDATES Firmware does not download Check for loose cable connections. Replace serial cable. Check that the serial cable is connected to the COM port on the server and to the serial port on the switch. Download timed out Confirm that the correct port was selected. If another program is using the same port, quit the program. If a serial cable is not installed, install one. If it is defective, replace it.
Appendices 55
LIMITED WARRANTY Avocent Corporation warrants to the original retail purchaser that this product is and will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase. Additionally, all Avocent products carry an unconditional thirty-day satisfaction guarantee. If, for any reason, you are dissatisfied with the performance of this product, you may return it to the point of purchase for a refund of the purchase price (excluding shipping charges).
For Technical Support: Email: support@avocent.com www.avocent.com Avocent Corporation 4991 Corporate Drive Huntsville, Alabama 35805-6201 USA Tel: +1 256 430 4000 Fax: +1 256 430 4031 Avocent International Ltd.
