MiniView™ Ultra 8 Port KVM Switch User Manual (GCS138)
Welcome For businesses that have grown faster than expected and four computers simply are no longer enough to meet constant needs, IOGEAR’s eight-port MiniView™ Ultra is just the tool you need. The MiniView Ultra can reduce the need for redundant hardware monitors, mice and keyboards. Now you can control all up to 512 computers with a single keyboard, monitor and mouse. The cumulative time, space and financial savings can be considerable. The MiniView™ Ultra is more than a simple eight-port KVM switch.
Table of Contents Package Contents & Requirements………………………....……........................................................................................................... Features………………………………..……………………….................................................................................................….............. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................
Package Contents & Requirements Package Contents: System Requirements: • 1 MiniView Ultra KVM switch • 1 Power Adapter • 1 Rack Mount Kit • 1 Installation Manual • 1 Quick Start Guide • 1 Warranty Registration Card Computers with PS/2 or serial mouse* connection, PS/2 or AT keyboard** connections, and HDDB15 VGA connection. *Additional PS/2 to serial adapter required; **Additional PS/2 to AT adapter required. Note: Please check to make sure that all components are included and nothing is damaged.
Features • Use one keyboard, monitor and mouse to control eight computers • Control up to 512 computers by connecting multiple GCS138s together • On Screen Display provides a convenient method for accessing the computers • Add Macintosh support with IOGEAR’s optional Mac Adapter (GCV160) • Connected computers can be added or removed from the setup without disturbing the other computers • Keyboard/mouse translation allows PS/2 peripherals to control both PS/2 and serial-based computers • Plug-n-Play monitor
Introduction The MiniView™ Ultra GCS138 is a KVM switch that controls access to multiple computers from a single console (keyboard, monitor, and mouse). Before the development of the MiniView™ Ultra, the only way to control multiple computer configurations from a single console was through a complex and costly network system. Now, with the MiniView™ Ultra, you can easily access multiple computers in a simple and cost effective manner. One MiniView™ Ultra can control up to eight PCs.
Overview Front 3. MiniViewTM ULTRA Reset Switch To reset the MiniViewTM ULTRA, use a thin object (such as the end of a paper clip, or a ballpoint pen), to press this recessed switch in to initiate a warm reset. If the switch is kept in for longer than three seconds, a cold reset takes place. 1. Port LEDs On Line: Lights ORANGE to indicate that the PC attached to the corresponding port is up and running.
Overview Back 1. Port for optional power adapter 2. Console ports 3. CPU ports to connect computer, keyboard and mouse via our premium bonded KVM cables 4.
Installation Console Connection (power adapter connection) To connect your console to the MiniView™ Ultra, you will need your VGA monitor, PS/2 mouse, PS/2 keyboard and the MiniView™ Ultra power adapter. Attach the power adapter to your MiniView™ Ultra and plug the other end of the adapter into a standard surge protector.
Installation Console Connection (console ports on GCS138) Step 1. Connect your monitor cable into the console side of the MiniView™ Ultra video port. Step 2. Plug your PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard into their designated ports on the console side of the MiniView™ Ultra.
Installation CPU Port Connection Step 1. Connect the female VGA end of your IOGEAR KVM cable into the male video port on the MiniViewTM Ultra labeled with a CPU port number. Step 2. Plug in the PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard connectors located on the same end as the female video connector. The cables have images on them indicating that they are for the keyboard or mouse.
Installation Connecting the Computer (ports on the back of the computer) Step 3. Plug in the remaining PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard connectors into your computer’s keyboard and mouse ports. Step 4. Repeat steps 1-3 for any additional computers you wish to connect NOTE: You may need to attach a PS/2 to AT adapter on the keyboard cable if your computer has an AT keyboard connection. Also, if you do not have a PS/2 mouse port you will need to use our PS/2 to Serial adapter to connect the mouse cable.
Installation Cascading MiniView™ Ultra units Use standard IOGEAR PS/2 KVM cables to cascade units. Step 1. Connect the female VGA end of your IOGEAR KVM cable into the male video port on an available CPU port of the MiniView™ Ultra. Step 2. Plug in the PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard connectors located on the same end as the female video connector. The cables have images on them indicating that they are for the keyboard or mouse.
Installation Cascading MiniView™ Ultra units (continued) Step 3. Now, plug the male end of the video cable into the female video port on the secondary MiniView™ Ultra’s console port. Step 4. Plug in the remaining PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard connectors into the keyboard and mouse ports on the secondary MiniView™ Ultra’s console port.
Installation Root/Slave Switch Cascading units works in a pyramid format. The root unit is the first unit (top of pyramid) and the cascaded MiniView™ Ultras are the secondary slave units. Only the first unit will be set to root while the preceding switches will be set to slave mode. There is a maximum of three levels of MiniView™ Ultra for a maximum of 512 PCs. Cascading in Pyramid Format (Max: 512 computers) ( ) connection indicate level 1 (8 computers) ( .......
Powering Off Powering Off and Restarting 2. Wait 10 seconds, then power on the MiniView™ GCS138 stations starting with the last station in the chain and working back to the station you originally shut down. If it becomes necessary to power off one of the MiniView™ units, you must do the following before restarting it. 3. After the MiniViews are up, Power On the PCs, starting with the ones attached to the last station in the chain and working back to the station you originally shut down. 1.
Hot Plugging Hot Plugging • Hot Plugging Console Ports: The MiniView™ Ultra supports hot plugging, which means that components can be removed and added back into the installation by unplugging their cables from the CPU ports without shutting the unit down. There are certain procedures that must be followed in order for hot plugging to work properly: • Hot Plugging CPU Ports: 1. You may unplug the mouse and plug it back in again (to reset the mouse, for example), as long as you use the same mouse. 2.
Port ID Numbering Since each CPU Port on a MiniView installation is assigned a unique Port ID, you can directly access any computer on any level. Specify the Port ID using the Hotkey port selection method or the On Screen Display menu. The Port ID is a one, two, or three digit number that is determined by the Stage Level and CPU Port number of the MiniView unit that the computer is connected to.
Port Selection Port Selection HotKey Controlling all the PCs connected up in your MiniView Ultra GCS138 installation from a single console is simple. Four methods are available that provide instant access to any PC on the chain: Manual, Quick View Scanning, HotKey, and OSD. HotKey navigation allows you to conveniently access connected PCs directly from the keyboard, instead of having to manually select them by pressing Port Selection switches.
OSD Operation OSD Operation On Screen Display (OSD), provides a menu driven interface to handle the computer switching procedure. Although HotKey switching still works, using OSD is a great deal more convenient - especially in large, daisy chained installations where a great number of computers are connected to several MiniView™ Ultra GCS138 units, and it is difficult to keep track of which port a particular PC is attached to. • To activate a port, move the Highlight Bar to it then press [Enter].
OSD Operation OSD Main Menu Headings: PN This column lists the Port ID numbers (Station Number - Port Number) for all the CPU Ports on the installation. The simplest method to access a particular PC (assuming you know which port it is attached to), is to use the Navigation Keys to move the Highlight Bar to the desired location, then press [Enter]. QV Ports that have been selected for Quick View scanning have an arrowhead displayed in this column to indicate so.
Function Keys Function Keys Pressing a Function Key brings up a related submenu that is used to conveniently configure and control the OSD. For example, you can rapidly switch to any port, scan selected ports only limit the list you wish to view, designate a port to be included in the Quick View scan group, create or edit a port name, or make OSD setting adjustments.
Function Keys F3 List: This function brings up a submenu that lets you broaden or narrow the scope of which ports the OSD lists. The choices and their meanings are given in the following table. Move the Highlight Bar to your choice, then press [Enter]. An icon appears before the choice to indicate that it is the currently selected one. Choice Meaning All Lists the Port ID numbers and Names (if names have been specified - see F5) of all the ports on the installation.
Function Keys F4 QV. The QuickView function is disabled in GCS138. F5 Edit: For convenience in remembering which PC is attached to a particular port, every port can be named. The Edit function allows you to name the currently highlighted CPU Port (if it doesn’t already have a name), or to modify/delete the Port Name if it does. To edit a Port Name: 1. Use the Navigation Keys to move the highlight bar to the port you want (you can use the F3 List function to broaden or narrow the port selection list). 2.
Function Keys F6 Set When you press [F6] an OSD configuration submenu opens. To change a setting, move the highlight bar to the choice you want, then press [Enter]. On the submenu that appears next, move the highlightbar to the choice you want and press [Enter]. An icon of a pointing finger indicates which choice is the currently selected one. Setting Function Channel Display Duration Determines how long a Port ID is displayed for.
Function Keys Factory Default Settings The factory default settings are as follows: Setting Function Setting Default Display Duration Always On Display Mode The Port Number plus the Port Name Restore Default Values Clears all settings from memory, and returns the unit to the factory defaults. You are asked to confirm before the procedure goes on. Key in Y, then press [Enter] to confirm. While the settings are being cleared, a message appears on the display to indicate so.
OSD Security Access Authorization If the entries do not match, the screen displays the message: The OSD password function is used to control locking and unlocking consoles. To prevent unauthorized switching, the administrator can use the password to lock the console on a particular computer, or even a null port to prevent unauthorized access of any computers. PASSWORD NOT MATCH in which case you must start again from the beginning.
PC Connection Table Mini View Ultra - PC Connection Table The following table indicates the relationship between the number of MiniView Ultra units and the number of PCs that they control: MVs PCs MVs PCs MVs PCs MVs PCs 33 225 - 232 42 288 - 295 51 351 - 358 60 414 - 421 34 232 - 239 43 295 - 302 52 358 - 365 61 421 - 428 35 239 - 246 44 302 - 309 53 365 - 372 62 428 - 435 36 246 - 253 45 309 - 316 54 372 - 379 63 435 - 442 37 253 - 260 316 - 323 55 379 - 386
Specifications Function Specification Function Direct 8 Scan Interval (OSD Select) 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60 secs.
Trouble Shooting Troubleshooting: Symptom Possible Cause If you are experiencing any erratic behavior from your MiniView TM Ultra, first make sure there are no problems with the cables and that they are all properly connected. Turn off all MiniView Ultra GCS138 units and wait five seconds before turning them back on. Improper MiniView Ultra G-CS138 reset. Symptom Possible Cause Action Pressing the Hot Keys gets no response. Check the Online LED for the selected port.
Technical Support To help IOGEAR® customers obtain the highest level of performance form their ION™ Drive, IOGEAR® Service Support team is available to answer your technical questions. Do not hesitate to call if you are having trouble getting your drive to work correctly. Service Support can be reached at IOGEAR® from 8am to 5pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday or at the following address: 23 Hubble Drive Irvine, CA 92618 You may also reach us online at www.iogear.com/support 24 hours a day.
Radio & TV Interference Statement & Limited Warranty Radio & TV Interference Statement Limited Warranty WARNING!!! This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause interference to radio communications.
Contact info. 23 Hubble • Irvine, CA 92618 • (P) 949.453.8782 • (F) 949.453.8785 • www.iogear.
