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WHITE PAPER KVM SWITCH SOLUTIONS

1. mio ST4U KEEMU3 P4 KEEMUZ M 52 SUN daw unit 2 daw unit 4 daw unit CPU CPU ST 16U Figure 6 KVM Switch used a Cascade Application All slave units must have the same number of ports All computers attached to one slave must share the same platform NTI s line of KVM switches is designed to allow cascading The following protocols must be followed in cascade applications e Any KVM Switch of 4 8 or 16 ports can be used as a master or slave with the exception of USB KVM switches which can be used as a slave only 32 port KVM switches can be used as a master only If the master switch is a universal the slaves can be universal or single platform switches e Up to eight slave switches can be attached to a master for a maximum cascaded application size of 152 ports Slave switches can be universal or single platform switches e Universal switches including the USB Universal switch can be used as slaves but all attached CPUs must be of one platform the cables connecting the slave switch to the master switch support that particular platform e Each slave KVM switch must have the same number of ports For instance a user might purchase a 16 port KVM switch then subsequently purchase several 4 port KVM switches to be used as slaves as illustrated in Figure 6 All slaves added to this application must be 4 port switches e Individual computers can also be attached to the master switch in
2. A term used in cascade applications This refers to a KVM switch which has additional KVM switches attached via the computer ports thus expanding the total number of computers which can be controlled by one keyboard monitor and mouse The master KVM switch can be a 4 8 16 or 32 port KVM switch See the section on Cascading for additional information mechanical KVM switch A KVM switch which does not utilize microprocessors to communicate with the attached computers a passive switch microprocessor A single chip computer element that contains the control unit central processing circuitry and arithmetic and logic functions and is suitable foruse as the central processing unit of a microcomputer or a dedicated automatic control system Source Ilustrated Dictionary of Electronics 4 Ed Turner and Gibilisco network A group of two or more computer systems equipped with hardware and software to allow shared access OSD Abbreviation for On Screen Display method of controlling a switch that provides an on screen menu providing feedback to the user regarding the status of attached computers in response to keyboard or mouse commands such as port information names of assigned computers computer platform etc ohm Symbol U The basic unit of resistance reactance or impedance A resistance of 1 ohm passes a current of 1 ampere in response to an applied emf of 1 volt Source Illustrated Dictionary
3. COM CAST MANO eo e m 12348678 ON 9 E L J mm REMOTE REMOTE 5 7 DUULITEE MANNUNMRAENMLEMLIU CC GG OUT TI de LED m the rsoda Figure 14 LCD Front Panel Multiple User Multiple Platform KVM Switches The dedicated processors in NTI s Modular Matrix multiple user multiple plattorm KVM switches ensure reliable performance at all times Each port has its own processor that emulates the keyboard and mouse for the connected computer This means that even PCs will not crash because the computer will always recognize the attached mouse and keyboard even when the Switch activates another computer The power cycling utilized by NTI s Sun KVM switch ensures that users can power the KVM switch up or down without crashing the operating system on the attached computers This feature can also be utilized on NTI Universal and Universal Matrix KVM switches configured for the attached SUN computers NTI s Modular Matrix multiple user multiple platform KVM switches are also reconfigurable as needs change Plug in cards make this possible These cards are removable from the KVM Switch so if an application changes and the network administrator wants to use a port for a computer of a different platform all he need do is purchase the card install it and connect the computer This eliminates the need to purchase a whole new KVM switch Directional c
4. ERN Ee EROS 17 IBEE 1394 FireWire osi ertet ei ER e e ee d ERE HS 18 Off site remote sis RC Ra Rede e e He RE Re ERE e RH 18 Flat Panel Display ned ev coi i e Ee re ence eed oe dde eee eos eee oH 18 Intemet Keyboards eene RE ee EU anand dee dedere or eee od 18 DDG ct ee needed eee eee 18 Other Features of Note sscsscccssssscsssssecsssssscscesssesessceesscseesscssesssessscseesssessssssones 18 JR p EE 18 CertifiCatlOl i uide de eite eet leid ci esee idee a dale celeb e ee 18 International dem dede de dene orte arte ede ete tette eie eget eese eet e e ERREUR 19 ad ee eee teet e reete 19 Message Boards reb eed etate de Bc A E R bee scere 19 GonfIBUrator dote tente rede ecelesie tette eet edes 19 Tech ically SCAN saccus den NI du Ed rv ER 20 Evol tion of KVM 20 Mechanical KVM switches eese eene n tnter ete tenete nenne nenne nennen 20 Electronic KVM Switches 20 Fd Pp DD 34 GIGSSAPY 35 Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 2 D White Paper nti_white_paper_2001 doc ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1 Basic KVM switch configuration Figure 2 Diagram of a Server Based Network Configuration Figure 3 Addition of KVM Switches to a Server Based Network Figure 4 Reconfigured server
5. KVM Switching Control The KVM switch technology is similar across manufacturers As mentioned in earlier sections the differences occur primarily in the processor firmware engineering as well as in the physical design Whether the KVM switch is for a single platform multiple platform multiple user cascading or classroom application the process is the same 1 The KVM switch receives input from the keyboard or mouse 2 The KVM switch translates the input data to the engineered code 3 The KVM switch translates the data again to the correct output for the particular computer platform 4 The KVM switch directs the data to the correct port and user where applicable The method for switching between connected computers depends on the configuration of the KVM switch you purchase In its simplest form the KVM switch console contains buttons that you push to activate computers In a more complex form you can select a variety of different functions from an on screen display Push Button Control The front of the KVM switch console contains buttons that correlate to each port Simply push the desired button to activate the computer connected to that port The switch sends signals to that computer and receives output data that appears on the monitor REMOTE REMOTE OUT IN Figure 12 Front Panel Push Buttons On some NTI models pressing the CPU Select button lets the user cycle through three modes of operation SCAN BROA
6. The purpose of KVM Switches e technilogical development of KVM switches and how they work today e Design issues in choosing a KVM switch e How NTI through its commitment to research and development of innovative KVM solutions has addressed these design issues e What the future holds for KVM switch technology The first section Simply Put provides an introduction to KVM switches including the issues to be considered in determining the KVM Switch solution that will best meet your needs The second section Technically Speaking is designed to provide a more detailed explanation of the technology utilized by KVM switches and how it impacts performance Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 4 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Simply Put What is a KVM Switch KVM stands for Keyboard Video Mouse The primary purpose of a KVM switch is to control more than one computer with ONE keyboard ONE mouse and ONE monitor also known as a control console This is achieved with no special software or hardware modifications to the attached computers Control of the computer at all stages of operation is achieved by utilizing the keyboard video and mouse ports It may help to begin by defining what a KVM switch is NOT e AKVM switch is not a software based application such as PCAnywhere or NetMeeting Software based applications can be used to control the desktop of remote computers However t
7. access any of the computers connected to the switch shared processors A microprocessor configuration used in a KVM switch in which one microprocessor is dedicated to communication with more than one attached computer as opposed to a dedicated processor configuration in which one microprocessor handles communication for only one computer slave switch A term used in cascade applications This refers to a KVM switch which has been attached to the master KVM switch via the computer ports thus expanding the total number of computers which can be controlled by one keyboard monitor and mouse Any KVM switch with more than 2 ports may be utilized as a slave All slaves must have the same number of ports See the section on Cascading for additional information stripline technology A technology which provides a buffer that isolates signals from the rest of the cable data used to reduce the possibility of noise from cables TDR Abbreviation of Time Domain Reflectometry A quality control measure of relfection time to avoid offsets thus decreasing signal degradation measuring the reflective characteristics of a device or system by superimposing upon a time calibrated Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 37 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc oscilloscope screen the direct and reflected components of a step formed test signal Source Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics 4 Ed Turner
8. added or removed to the KVM switch be powered down Other attached computers do not perceive any loss of keyboard or mouse and thus are not disrupted by the change impedance matching A measure utilized to ensure a high quality signal over long distances of cable the adjustment of impedances so they equal each other or the insertion of a suitable transformer between different impedances to accomplish the same purpose infrared wireless remote A method of controling a KVM switch from up to 50 feet away The KVM switch is equipped with an infrared signal receiver the user then controls the KVM switch by utilizing a remote control with an infrared signal transmitter keylock access A method of limiting access to a KVM switch Authorized users must possess a key which must be inserted and turned before the KVM switch will accept commands KVM switch A keyboard video mouse switch device which allows multiple computers to be controlled from one or more control stations LCD Abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display A method of controlling a KVM switch in which Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 36 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc the Liquid Crystal Display provides feedback to keyboard or touch button commands such as the names assigned to the attached computers scan dwell time and port selection legacy A term for computers not equipped with USB ports master switch
9. and Gibilisco terminate To cap off a video sign translating switch A KVM switch whose software allows it to talk between different keyboard and mouse types and computers attached to the switch USB Abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus a new external bus standard that supports data tranfer rates of 12 Mbps A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices such as mice modems and keyboards USB also supports Plug and Play and hot plugging Universal Multi Platform A KVM switch which allows one user to control multiple computers which can be KVM Switch composed of a mix of platforms 1 Sun Macintosh and PS 2 Universal Matrix KVM A KVM switch which allows multiple users to control multiple computers which can be Switch composed of a mix of platforms 1 Sun Macintosh and PS 2 video format Signal format the style of video utilized by a monitor i e RGB RGBS or RGBHV video resolution The number of pixels transmitted to the monitor i e 1900x1200 800x600 The higher the resolution capacity the greater the detail in the resulting image workstation An individual computer and control console attached to a network Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 38 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc
10. commitment to investing in research and development in order to provide our customers with innovative KVM solutions Taking into consideration the concerns outlined above next set out to produce a line of KVM switches that would provide improved e Reliability eliminating the problem of the computer losing its connection with the keyboard and or mouse e Video Resolution provide a clean and crisp video image at higher resolutions with no ghosting or fuzziness e Control of equipment staffing and environmental costs e Security Features for control of user access e Efficiency Flexibility allowing users to Extend control to the user rather than requiring the user to travel to the control console Access additional control options such as On Screen Display OSD RS232 and Infrared Wiresles Remote Boot all computers simultaneously Utilize the peripheral platform that best meets their needs Control multiple computer platforms through one control console Share control of the attached computers multiple users control multiple computers Integrate control of both USB enabled and legacy computers Allow hot plugging of keyboards and computers while the switch is powered on NOTE Computer should be powered off when it is plugged into the switch NTI s KVM Switch Implementation Reliability To provide optimal reliability NTI KVM switches feature a dedicated microprocessor to each attached compute
11. connected keyboard and mouse switches with shared processors may freeze or go into an error mode This can happen when a computer Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 20 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc searches for its keyboard or mouse while the switch processor is communicating with another connected computer as illustrated in Figure 9 If the switch is on another port the searching computer cannot recognize the keyboard and mouse The problem occurs most frequently in larger installations where a shared processor attempts to keep up with all the computers requiring attention Information and Instructions About Input Devices Address Information Figure 9 Shared Processors provide keyboard and mouse information to multiple computers but can t exchange data with all attached computers all the time Benefits e The sophisticated internal programming and advanced technology lessens but does not eliminate the chance of the computer losing the keyboard and mouse Some manufacturers still use this method because it is less expensive than current technology In many general applications this method provides satisfactory results especially if reliability is NOT critical e Most computers can boot up simultaneously e There are several easy ways to select connected computers depending on the KVM switch model you install e Up down buttons e RS232 e Direct selection buttons e Rotary knob e Inf
12. control multiple computers of different platforms Thus several control consoles can be attached to the matrix switch and each console can independently control or simultaneously share any of the attached computers There is no costly installation of networking hardware and software necessary The network administrator can add control points wherever needed such as the manufacturing floor or another department area Design Issues What makes a good KVM switch NTI approached the design process by first identifying the concerns critical to producing KVM switches that meet the needs of today s work environment Please note More detailed explanations of KVM switch technology and the causes of the problems mentioned below are contained in the Technically Speaking section Performance Concerns KVM switches should enable users to boot all computers connected to the switch simultaneously The KVM switch should provide reliable control with freedom from crashes This reliability is an important factor for businesses that cannot tolerate downtime errors or other catastrophic problems KVM switches should support high video resolution 1900x1200 with no degradation of signal This is necessary in order for users to take full advantage of the high resolution display available in monitors commonly in use today Flexibility The ability to control multiple computer platforms from one keyboard monitor and mouse is important as many customers
13. interface which can make use of their KVM switch products cumbersome Again a few manufacturers such as NTI take that extra time to design a user interface that is intuitive and easy to use The firmware instructs the processor which protocols should be used to recognize the e Mouse such as PS 2 IBM RS6000 HP9000 and SGI Specialized products such as trackballs touchpads and graphic tablets require additional programming Also high end engineering can provide smooth fluid mouse movement that users appreciate but few KVM switch manufacturers implement If the switch manufacturer does not include this movement code the mouse movement appears jerky and reacts in delayed motion e Keyboard such as IBM PS 2 SGI The firmware instructs the processor on how to recognize keystrokes and take them as commands instead of transparently passing them to the computer such as when the user presses a key for On Screen Display commands Some processors can even update the NumLock Scroll Lock and Caps Lock status lights on the keyboard for the currently active computer e Video such as the multiscan monitor Most switches support a scan function which causes the switch to sequentially and incrementally display the video from each connected computer Most also provide a broadcast function that sends data to all the attached computers simultaneously Multiple platform and multiple user KVM switch processors require further firmware codi
14. to a network A network utilizes a combination of hardware and software to allow attached computers to share files printers and other resources Computers attached to the network are called workstations Each computer is independent with shared privileges to the printer and server In the application illustrated in Figure 2 any workstation can share files or use the printer or servers pesare LET j Printer 1 ENT IN ETT ETIN FILE SERVERS WIRING CLOSET WORKSTATION 3 Figure 2 Diagram of a Server Based Network Configuration Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 6 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc The advantages of using a KVM switch in a network environment depend to some degree on the operating system being used Networks Utilizing a Windows Operating System Users on a network with a Windows operating system can access files which reside on other workstations in the network as long as the other workstations have been set up to allow them access However they cannot run programs that reside on the other workstations or see that workstation s desktop on their monitor In the application illustrated in Figure 3 KVM switches have been added that would provide these capabilities Switeh ST 2XB N 1 Printer 1 FILE SERVERS EA EN N2 WIRING CLOSET MANAGERS OFFICE Figure 3 Addition of KVM Switches to a Server Based Network Net
15. user can turn that computer on or power up but then must wait for it to completely boot up turn on and perform self tests before going to the next computer e Mechanical KVM switches often lose the keyboard and mouse on closed computer port channels which results in errors that require you to restart the affected computer e Low video resolution 800x600 maximum users who have monitors which have a higher resolution who use a mechanical KVM switch will not receive the full advantage of high resolution display e No PS 2 mouse support serial mouse only users who do have a serial mouse for the mechanical KVM switch will need to purchase one Electronic KVM Switches Electronic KVM switches or active switches operate on the same principal as mechanical switches but utilize one or more microprocessors to communicate with the computer The processor s in the KVM switch works like any CPU The function of the processor is to tell the switch how to process data received from keyboard or mouse signals and what to display on the monitor There are two types of electronic KVM switches those with one shared microprocessor and those with individual microprocessors Shared Processor Shared Processor electronic KVM switches utilize one processor to communicate with all attached computers and so are generally less dependable than those with dedicated processors Since computers require constant contact with the
16. 001 doc Page 34 Mating face of 6 pin miniDIN female GND CLOCK Mating face of 5 DIN female SIGNAL SIGNAL RED 2 GREEN 3 BLUE 2 12 101 5 GND TEST 13 HS GND 14 vs 7 GND 15 8 0G Mang jJ 2 RX 3 TX 4 DTR 5 GND 7 ATS Mating face of 8 pin miniDIN female hoe 3 MOUSE KYBD RCV KYBD XMT PWAN Mating tace of 6 pin miniDIN temale KYBD DATA 1 2 MOUSE DATA 3 GND 4 5 5 KYBD CLOCK 5 MOUSE CLOCK SIGNAL Pine SIGNAL 1 GND 6 HSYNC RED 2 VSYNC 7 GND A2 GREEN 3 102 8 i01 A3 BLUE 4 GND 8 hee amp GN 22 Mating tace of 4 pin miniDIN female SIGNAL Pine SIGNAL 1 GND 8 BLUE 2 RED 10 103 3 CSYNC 11 GND 4 101 12 vs 5 GREEN 13 GND 6 GND 14 GND 7 102 15 HS 8 NC 20000 Maing 7 9D male OUO Cable Bandwidth Distance Type Megahertz Feet Mating face of USB Mating face of USS Type A temale Type B female 1 5 2 DATA 3 1 1 00 8 inches 4RG59 coax 4twisted lo cap pairs PVC jacket Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc miniRG59 25 250 15 miniRGS9 150 a5 miniRG59 100 100 5 RGSS as 250 242 RGSS 50 150 242 RGse 100 100 a 22 RG6 25 300 270 RE EE HE m RG
17. 14 inch color CRT monitor consumes about 145kW of energy per year as illustrated in Figure 5 The power saving translates directly into utility cost savings The elimination of the heat generated by extra monitors also saves HVAC expenses Figure 5 Energy Savings Annual energy usage of 14 CRT displays operating 45 hours per week 48 weeks per year with 5 5 hours of power management per day Source http office nrcan gc ca Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 8 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc e Increasing user productivity is achieved several ways 1 A KVM switch eliminates user time spent traveling from one control location to another Instead the user has the advantage of quickly switching between computers from ONE keyboard ONE monitor and ONE mouse or control station KVM switches can allow extended control so that computers physically located in one area for instance a server room can be controlled from another location a network administrator s office A Universal KVM switch can eliminate the need for the user to switch gears from one peripheral platform to another in order to control computers of different platforms i e switching from a SUN keyboard to a PS 2 keyboard This translating switch allows one keyboard monitor and mouse to control all of the attached PCs Suns and Macs A Universal Matrix KVM switch can enhance employee productivity even further by allowing multiple users to
18. 6 100 150 270 RGH 25 soo 1405 RG11 50 300 405 100 il 200 405 Page 35 Glossary active switch An electronic switch in which one or more microprocessors communicate with the attached computers an electronic KVM switch ASCII Abbreviation of American Standard Code for Information Interchange a standard language for the transmission of information attenuation Signal loss the reduction of signal amplitude authorized access A feature of OSD which allows a network administrator to restrict access to particular computers to particular control stations and or users BIOS Abbreviation of Basic Input Output System the hardwired operating system utilized to start up a computer bandwidth The capacity of a signal route the higher the bandwidth the higher the capacity for information transfer 1 The frequency limits between which a device or circuit transmits ac energy with negligible loss 2 possessing the ability to allow passage of signals at a given frequency or band of frequencies while disallowing passage of other signals Source Ilustrated Dictionary of Electronics 4 Ed Turner and Gibilisco cascading A method of attaching KVM switches to each other in order to expand the number of computers which may be controlled from one control console control station A set of peripherals 1 keyboard monitor and mouse used to control attached KVM switches and or
19. DCAST and COMMAND The user simply releases the button when the console indicates the desired mode One flashing CPU port LED SCAN e than one CPU port LED flashing BROADCAST Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 28 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc e NumLock Caps Lock and Scroll Lock illuminated simultaneously on keyboard COMMAND Keyboard Control The user can control switching and send commands via the keyboard First enter COMMAND by pressing Ctrl and accent key in upper left hand corner of the keyboard simultaneously Most NTI KVM switch products use the following keys to initiate commands KEY FUNCTION orz Move to next higher port increment Move to next lower port decrement S Toggle SCAN mode on off B Toggle BROADCAST mode on off Txxx Set scan time out period on each port where xxx number of seconds 001 999 Pxx Switch to a specific port where xx the port 01 02 10 11 etc On Screen Display OSD Control OSD helps users easily switch from one computer to another without pushing buttons on the front panel of the switch It also provides the means to perform other functions that make KVM switch technology even more advantageous than earlier technology allowed NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES INC EDIT MODE INSERT ACCOUNTING PS2 ENGINEERING SUN MAIL SERVER PS2 MARKETING M
20. DR measures reflection time to avoid offsets If the signal reflection is too great the signal quality degrades as it travels along the cable TDR ensures that the signal G and B will be within 4 pixel of each other RS232 Compatibility NTI KVM switches are RS232 compatible with the addition of an optional module to the switch console This configuration is especially good for multiple user applications This is also a low power consumption application When users connect to the RS232 boards they get on screen commands rather than the console buttons This is very helpful when the KVM application resides at a remote location it eliminates the need for the user to get up and go to the KVM switch console to change to different computer ports or to perform tasks The optional RS232 control offers the following features e 300 9600 baud rate DIP switch selectable Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 27 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc e Up to 15 DIP switch addresses daisy chain compatible and one serial port control e Seven segment display that shows what input is connected to each output The RS232 commands include e RS to reset IN1 to OUT1 IN2 to OUT2 and so forth e CS to cause one Inx OUTx connection to occur e to connect all inputs to specified output e RO to read the input that is connected to the specified output e RU to read the matrix size and report the inputs outputs in the specified switch
21. NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES INC WHITE PAPER KVM SWITCH SOLUTIONS March 1 2001 TABLE OF CONTENTS EET 4 SUnply 5 What is KVM Switch RR 5 KVM Switches in a Network Environmennt ssccscccsscsscssssssssseessseesssessssceessseeesssssenes 6 Networks Utilizing a Windows Operating System esses 7 Networks Utilizing a UNIX Operating System essent 7 Benefits of Using KVM Switch scccscsssscsssssssccsssscccsscsscsssscsscsesscssesesscssssssssssesessees 8 Design Issues What makes good KVM switch eee e ecce ecce creen eee eee ee eee etna oo eene 9 Performance Concettis tereti edo 9 Flexibility oh oett eee dote t tdt 9 T 10 IBTTSP RE Errem E 11 KVM Switch Implementation eee eee e eee ee sees ean soos eese oett taa s assess seat aeos sao o ee 11 Ilia E Control of costs Efficiency and Flexibility ioo tet eere tei e rhe re pti eta 13 Analyzing Your 17 Deciding What KVM Switch Fits the Environment esee tenente nennen eene 17 Future Trends in KVM Switch Technology eee ee eee eee e eee eene eene eee teet eaa see e ee 17 ai chivas E hale Wak RR RR RR er E
22. T ST C5V LOCAL UNIT OR Re UL OR SUN PC Figure 8 Cat5 Video Only application Crisp and clear 1280x1024 video resolution is supported Automatic video equalization control compensates for image quality loss over long cables The 5 KVM Extender has auto equalization to provide the best image quality at any cable length The Cat5 Video Only Extender requires manual adjustment of equalization to obtain optimum image quality Multiple Platform Control Our Universal KVM switches support multiple platform control allowing one user to control up to 32 PC Sun or Mac computers or 152 computers with cascading with just one keyboard mouse and monitor Incorporating internal software that allows the KVM switch to translate the signals between the keyboard and mouse and the various computers universal KVM switches allow expansion of the network that is not limited to a particular platform Most KVM switches support only PS 2 keyboards and mice NTI s multiple platform KVM switches can be used with PS 2 Sun or Mac keyboards and mice users choose the peripheral platform that best meet their needs NTI s unique keyboard hot plug feature allows users to change their keyboard on the fly even to a different keyboard platform with no need to reboot the computer or power off the switch Multiple User Control NTPs line of KVM switches also include two types of Matrix KVM switche
23. Y COMPUTER PRINT SERVER ONG SUN PRODUCTION FO MAC WEB SERVER SUN FI HELP Figure 13 OSD Opening Screen Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 29 D White Paper nti_white_paper_2001 doc The user can activate the OSD from any active computer To activate the NTI OSD press Ctrl and accent key in upper left hand corner of keyboard simultaneously NTI s OSD lets you perform the following functions by keyboard and mouse control or front panel control e Name or rename each connected computer e Select a particular computer e Search for a particular computer connected to the KVM switch this is particularly helpful when users connect many computers to the KVM switch application For example if the user controls 40 computers from his or her workstation it may take a while to find a computer in the port listing since the OSD displays only eight names at one time Search mode goes directly to the desired computer listing Scan all computers the NTI default scan interval is 5 seconds A computer is active for 5 seconds then the switch selects the next powered on computer as active e Seta scan interval from 2 to 255 seconds NTI s LCD display also lets the user do the listed functions In that case the user can press buttons on the switch console or use keyboard commands An LCD screen on the console shows the appropriate information ST BU X it nee Lm NTl Quse mus 5 SCAN BROAD
24. a cascade application A point to remember As you cascade units monitor resolution may degrade a bit The degradation may seem negligible to the untrained eye but it is something to consider when you decide to add KVM switches and computers to an application Multiple Platform Control Our Universal KVM switch allows one user to control up to 32 PC Sun or Mac computers or 152 computers with cascading with just one keyboard mouse and monitor This switch allows for expansion of the network that is not limited to a particular platform Using a multiple platform switch as the master in a cascaded application does have one limitation in that each slave unit is uni platform as seen in Figure 6 That is slaves can only have computers of the same platform connected to them and the cable between the slave and master unit must also support that platform Additional benefits of Multiple Platform Control are discussed in the Efficiency Flexibility section below Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 12 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Multiple User Control NTPs line of KVM switches also includes two types of matrix KVM switches Matrix KVM switches support multiple users and multiple platforms There is no costly installation of networking hardware and software to allow for the multi user feature This feature lets the network administrator add control points wherever needed such as the manufacturing floor or ano
25. ace the failed power supply without interrupting the operation of the switch or requiring the powering down of the attached computers Classroom Applications One of the most innovative ways to use KVM switch technology is in the classroom NTI s KVM Classroom Commander gives the teacher trainer or instructor complete control of up to 32 computers in a class Through daisy chaining instructors can have an interactive role with each student They can observe students working or send out video to the entire class The instructor s video keyboard and mouse connect to a central box that contains eight ports for communication and eight ports for video interface from student computers Each port supports a chain of up to four students for a total of up to 32 connected computers e The keyboard and mouse ports support 6 pin miniDIN female connectors for PS 2 systems For serial mouse systems a converter is available e The video ports are 15 pin HD female connectors for VGA monitors The unit supports a video bandwidth of 150 MHz and 1600x1200 resolution e The unit supports either 110 or 220 VAC power sources at 50 or 60Hz e Each unused communication port requires a terminator available from NTI The student computers connect to a unit with connectors for the keyboard mouse and video as well as two communication ports and two video ports Up to four computers are chained through the communication and video ports to the central unit The la
26. are adding Sun and or Macintosh computer platforms to their PC networks Peripheral compatibility The variety of keyboards monitors and mice on the market utilize many standards Compatibility issues can result in lockups that disrupt operations The KVM switch should be designed to translate seamlessly emulate all variations of the different devices including specialized devices such as the Microsoft Intellimouse Video switching is more complicated KVM switches unlike video cards or monitors do not have a hard resolution limit that prevents them from handling anything higher than some particular resolution and refresh rate The switch simply sees an analog signal and passes it through Signals with a higher resolution and refresh rate require greater bandwidth If the bandwidth requirements exceed the capabilities of the cables connectors or switching components inside the KVM switch the picture can get fuzzy and distorted Impedance mismatching issues can cause ghosting at higher resolutions The resultant image on the monitor can become poor and degraded Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 9 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc To ensure there is clean clear video output better switches terminate the video output of all the non selected computers and actively buffer the selected one This avoids poor imaging ghost images and other video anomalies Users get a clear image with no ghosting or fuzziness In
27. computers DDC Abbreviation of Display Data Channel a VESA standard for communication between a monitor and a video adapter Using DDC a monitor can inform the video card about its properties such as maximum resolution and color depth The video card can then use this information to ensure that the user is presented with valid options for configuring the display Source www webopedia internet com dedicated processors A microprocessor configuration used in a KVM switch in which one microprocessor is dedicated to communication with one attached computer as opposed to a shared processor conformation in which one microprocessor handles communication for multiple computers electronic KVM switch A KVM switch which utilizes one or more microprocessors to communicate with the attached computer s an active switch GUI Abbreviation of Graphical User Interface a program interface utilizing the computer s graphics capabilities such as icons and drop down menus to make a program easier to use as opposed to utilizing only keyboard commands hot plugging The ability to add and remove devices to a computer while the computer is running and have the operating system automatically recognize the change NTI KVM switches that are described as hot pluggable allow the user to add and remove computers and or peripheral devices to the KVM switch without powering down the KVM switch NOTE it is recommended that computers being
28. ermit a new level of configuration and initializaiton NTI is working toward full compliance with the DCC standard for all of our KVM switches Other NTI Features of Note Testing NTI performs rigorous testing on all products to ensure you receive the best KVM switch performance possible NTI tests each unit burns in each unit for at least 24 hours and then performs a final test on the unit before shipping it to the customer Quality is NTI s first concern Certification KeyLabs an independent testing facility has tested NTI KVM switches and certified our products as meeting all the requirements for Solaris Ready amp and Novell Yes certification NTI is also a member of International This membership provides certification that our products are designed to work with products from other SPARC members Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 18 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc International NTI products are available for worldwide use Wherever you reside NTI builds units with the proper connectors and sends the appropriate cables for your requirements NTI has a worldwide system of distributors for the convenience of our customers Links to the websites of our distributors can be accessed on the NTI website at www nti1 com intldist html Rackmount NTI s KVM switch line includes 19 and 24 rackmount options for all switches with four or more ports Some switches include 19 rackmount as s
29. ff site remote This technology allows a user to access and control the KVM switch from the Internet UNIX platforms have this technology available but Windows does not The entire GUI would be captured and sent over the Internet via TCP protocol This requires higher bandwidth than terminal emulation Currently available KVM technology utilizing this protocol does not produce smooth mouse control for the user Those considering this technology must also consider the major security issues involved in this protocol Flat Panel Display As new digital flat panel monitors become more popular NTI is working to upgrade all KVM switch products to recognize this new technology These new monitors feature digital display with DVI connectors to provide a higher resolution than the current industry standard monitors do therefore manufacturers must develop KVM switches that can provide equivalent output after the data is processed NTI has incorporated cables and adapters for these monitors into our product line and is researching the issues involved in creating a product that will allow users of this type of monitor to enjoy the same simple simultaneous boot up procedure that our current product line provides Internet Keyboards Keyboards with specialized additional keys for accessing the Internet are starting to appear on the market DDC Future KVM switches must cooperate with smart devices and the digital messages they supply These messages p
30. for each cable type and bandwidth to achieve optimal performance from your cables LINK1 00 LINK 00 LINK1 D1 LINK1 01 LINK1 D2 LINKI 02 525892855 5959595N8 8 Mating face of 6 pin mate firewire LINK2 D3 LINK 03 LINK2 CLK LINK2 CLK DOC CLK SCL vec DOC DATA SDA GND SIGNAL 1 0 DATA 2 2 T M D S DATA 2 3 0 5 DATA 2 ATN 4 SYNC RTN HORIZ SYNC TTL 6 VERTICAL SYNC TTL 7 T M D S CLOCK ATN 8 CHARGING PIV INPUT 8 1394 PAIR A DATA 10 1394 PAIR A DATA 11 T M D S DATA 1 12 0 5 DATA 1 13 0 5 DATA 1 ATN 14 T M D S CLOCK 15 0 5 CLOCK 16 USB DATA 17 USB DATA 1394 VP T M D S DATA 0 T M D S DATA 0 TM DS DATA 0 ATN STEREO SYNCTTL DOC RTN DATA SDA DOC CLOCK SCL 5 VDC 1394 PAIR CLOCK 1384 PAIR CLOCK RED VIDEO OUT Mating face of 4 pin malo firewire 1 T M D S DATA 2 2 0 5 DATA 2 4 0 3 DATA 4 TM D S DATA 4 19 TM O S DATA 05 SMELO 20 T M D S DATA 5 21 T M D S DATA 5 22 TMDSCLOCK SHIELD 8 ANALOGVERT SYNC 23 0 5 CLOCK 9 T M D S DATA 1 10 T M D S DATA 1 11 TMDS DATA 19 SMELD C1 ANALOG RED 2 T M D S DATA3 C2 ANALOG GREEN 13 T M 0 8 C3 ANALOG BLUE 14 SV POWER C4 ANALOG HORZ SYNC 15 GND _1 5 ANALOG GROUND 24 TM D S CLOCK Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 D White Paper nti white paper 2
31. gineering of switch products There are differences in the processor configuration video board engineering and keyboard and mouse recognition and connectors Different manufacturers have different On Screen Display OSD software configurations Each manufacturer has their own way to present control switching methods This section will explore in more detail different aspects of KVM switch technology Evolution of KVM switching There are two types of KVM switches mechanical and electronic Mechanical KVM switches Mechanical switches or passive switches use no electronics or intelligent circuitry Mechanical KVM switches require that the user physically turn a rotary switch to open the computer port channel through which information is passed Benefits e While mechanical switch procedures can become tedious for large configurations mechanical switches could fit the bill in small installations such as Small Office Home Office SOHO environments In these situations mechanical KVM switches help keep costs down Limitations e Limited to manual switching Users must physically turn a rotary switch to open the computer port channel through which they want to pass information These passive devices cannot communicate with the computers at the end of each closed channel or interpret the information that passes through the switch e Each computer must be booted up individually While the rotary switch is at a particular computer port the
32. hese applications require that software be installed on each computer which will be accessed which can interfere with other programs and are not useful for working between different computer types and operating systems They also do not allow the user to access the computer when the machine is at the BIOS level e AKVM switch is not a Telnet or Serial terminal connection These connections can provide control to some lower level features from a distance but don t provide a GUI interface e AKVM switch is not a network KVM switches replace or eliminate the need for networking but can work in conjunction with a network KVM switches are a hardware based solution to reduce the number of keyboards monitors and mice needed to control multiple computers As illustrated in Figure 1 a KVM switch allows the user to control the selected computer PC 2 via his or her keyboard and mouse and view the video display from the selected computer on a monitor as if directly connected Select PC 1 at the switch and you ll see and control PC1 Select PC2 and you ll see and control PC 2 KVM switches are commonly used in environments where one user needs to operate two or more computers or where one or more administrators manage multiple computers from a central location These include data centers network operating centers server rooms software development and testing labs help desks departmental LANs and any desktop with multiple computers Now V
33. iewing 2 PC1 PC2 4 Figure 1 Basic KVM switch configuration Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 5 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Some typical applications include e Asalesman wants to control a notebook computer using a desktop monitor keyboard and mouse e A graphic artist wants to control two computers of different platforms i e a PC and a Mac without cluttering his or her desk with two keyboards two mice and two monitors Anetwork administrator wants the ability to control a large number of servers from both his office and the server room e A lab manager wants to be able to consolidate control of his lab computers and eliminate many keyboards monitors and mice where space is at a premium e Amanufacturer wants to allow workers on the shop floor and loading dock to conveniently control computers located in a server room while protecting the computers from theft and harsh environmental conditions e Abusiness owner wants to be able to control all of his computers from anywhere in the office but needs to limit access to authorized personnel KVM Switches in a Network Environment e A supervisor wants to be able to observe the desktops of employees to reduce downtime and prevent activities such as unauthorized web surfing KVM Switches in a Network Environment A KVM switch is not a substitute for networking computers but rather can add functionality
34. inistrator scan all servers on the network no matter what the platform He or she can add or remove servers at will while the switch is powered on without causing a disruption or using expensive cabling The administrator can spot check the operation of the network troubleshoot or make adjustments on any one of the servers from a single control station whether that control station is in the server closet and or at the administrator s desk Simultaneous Boot Up NTI uses a dedicated microprocessor for each keyboard mouse allowing administrators to boot all computers attached to the KVM switch in one operation Control Options A variety of control methods is available for the NTI KVM switch line as standard or optional equipment Below is a brief description of each e Liquid Crystal Display LCD provides a method to select and control attached computers by name from the front of the KVM switch itself e Screen Display OSD allows users to utilize the keyboard or mouse to operate the KVM switch from menus superimposed onto the user s monitor OSD on NTI s Matrix KVM switches includes advanced security features discussed under Security below e 5232 Control KVM switches RS232 compatible when you add the optional module to the switch When you connect to the RS232 option you can control the switch via a list of commands that appears on your monitor without having to utilize the console buttons This is very he
35. ity available on the market today This regard for high quality standard cables ensures that your video output not only meets but also exceeds your expectations NTI s cable distance guide see Appendix A will help you determine the cable length you can use for the bandwidth your configuration requires Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 26 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Minimizing Noise A more difficult challenge in engineering the video board and cables is minimizing noise and cross talk Engineers must lay out the copper trails that the signals travel on so that they do not interfere with each other or pick up extraneous noise from other components both inside and outside the switch console The copper line cannot be close to other components or other pieces of the copper A highly skilled technician or engineer has to lay out the copper trails that the signals travel on so that they don t interfere with each other or pick up extraneous noise from other components both inside and outside the switchbox They must then correlate all the board components so that the final signal strength matches the capacity of the cables ensuring that high resolution images can travel to the monitor as clearly and sharply as the original generated at the computer NTI accomplishes this in several ways Stripline Technology NTI uses stripline technology to reduce the possibility of noise from the cables Stripli
36. lpful when the KVM switch resides at a remote location it eliminates the need for the user to get up and go to the KVM switch console in order to switch to different computer ports or to perform tasks Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 13 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc e Infrared Wireless Remote capabilities an option on most NTI KVM switches This lets the user control the switch from up to 50 feet away switching from one computer to another with two touches of a button The remote unit has a seven segment display that shows which computer is active Wireless remote utilizes an optional transmitter sold separately and an optional receiver built into the switch to provide remote control Modes NTI s KVM switches feature the following modes of operation which allow users to efficiently control multiple computers e In Normal Operating Mode the user can directly operate the selected computer with transparent presence of the NTI switch Scan Mode causes the switch to automatically and sequentially display the video from each powered on computer Length of scan the delay between changing ports can be set for 2 to 255 seconds e Command Mode allows the user to give instructions to the switch such as changing ports or mode of operation through their keyboard Keystrokes are not passed on to the computer Extension Options Quality Cables Cables have bandwidth response limits Exceed the bandwidth
37. m frees up staff time to be used more productively e As computer networks expand flexible methods of controlling the KVM switch become more important While simple rotary knobs front panel buttons and keyboard commands may be sufficient for controlling only a few computers larger applications benefit from an array of control options including liquid crystal display HS232 control infrared wireless remote and on screen control OSD menus Security e Security is an important concern today Some switch manufacturers such as NTI provide security features that provide an additional layer of security in the work environment One such feature is authorized access which allows the network administrator to assign password protection and limit user access to servers attached to the KVM switch Another method is keylock access in which users must use a key that fits into the switch before the switch will allow controls to be operated e The ability to extend control over a distance as discussed in the Flexibility section above can be used to place computers in a physically secure environment without sacrificing control Computers can be located in a limited access temperature controlled server room while the KVM switch allows the computers to be conveniently controlled from the shop floor loading dock etc Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 10 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Design Goals NTI has demonstrated a
38. multiple platform KVM switches internal circuitry also converts between the different video formats depending on the selected computer While the information here has been greatly simplified it may be sufficient to understand that KVM switches 1 Take signals to and from the computer keyboards mice video cards and monitors 2 Translate convert the signals as necessary 3 Output the correct data according to the selected computer s platform e Expansion Upgrade amp Reconfiguration capability the ability to integrate additional KVM switches and computers into a growing network and to be able to transparently mix different hardware and software platforms is critical for many applications e Today s computers increasingly utilize USB standard peripheral ports KVM switch configurations must be capable of Integrating USB enabled computers with egacy PS 2 style computers Booting up all attached USB enabled computers PCs and Macs simultaneously Present a sustained presence of keyboard and mouse to USB enabled computers e Extending control to the user rather than requiring the user to travel to the control console e With computer networks expanding extending control over a distance becomes more important Utilizing a KVM switch configuration with cables and adapters can extend the control console keyboard monitor and mouse to the user s workspace rather than requiring the user to travel to the computer server roo
39. ne technology provides a buffer that isolates signals from the rest of the cable data Each signal travels independently from all other signals which ensures high quality output NTI using this stripline technology thus provides the widest available bandwidth to eliminate noise 300MHz Impedance matching NTI also uses impedance matching to avoid video noise and signal degradation Impedance matching ensures that the output signal is the same as the input signal even over long cables Generally longer cables without quality control measures result in poor output quality The distance the signal must travel greatly affects the quality especially if the data rate is high While the signal is adequate over short distances say 5 to 10 feet any longer distance increases the degradation of a signal Impedance or Ohms is a cable characteristic defined by its construction dimensions and materials An impedance mismatch will cause reflections to occur while the signal is propogating down its electrical path These signal reflections will appear as ghosted images on the display monitor NTI uses cables with impedance matching to ensure that all NTI products maintain bandwidth purity the signal that goes in the cable leaves the cable in the same high quality manner as the input signal Time Domain Reflectometry NTI also tests long video cables using time domain reflectometry TDR to ensure signal quality over long cables over 250 feet T
40. ng These switches must act as translators between the switch and the different platform computers attached to it The transparency of the transition from one platform to another depends on the engineering design Keyboard and Mouse Signal Recognition Keyboards and mice from the three platforms PC Sun and Mac are not compatible If your computer configuration contains only one platform your KVM switch selection is simple a single platform switch meets your needs However users who have two or more platforms connected to the KVM switch will need a multiple platform switch that can recognize the different types of computers and signals Keyboard Technology While keyboards for all three platforms are similar and look about the same generally 85 or 101 keys the technical working of each platform differs e signals to and from the keyboard travel in 8 bit serial data streams e Scan codes tell the computer what key or combination of keys is depressed and when it is released The BIOS whether keyboard or main translates the scan codes into American Standard Code for Information Interchange ASCII which lets KVM technology use any key combination desired to initiate tasks That s about the last of the similarities of the keyboards across different platforms Personal Computers PCs need constant communication with the keyboard If the computer sends out a signal to ensure the keyboard is still present and functional but doe
41. nitor and mouse One application would provide all of the necessary control In deciding what type of KVM switch will application consider the following e How many computers do you need to control e How many different computer platforms PC Sun or Mac will be included e How many users need access to the computers e What type of monitor would be used to control the KVM switch e What type of peripheral connector ports do the computers have USB or legacy e What is the distance from the computer to the switch location and from the switch location to the keyboard monitor and mouse e What is your budget for KVM switch products Future Trends in KVM Switch Technology USB The current trend in KVM switch technology is perfecting the Universal Serial Bus USB products USB technology provides true plug and play capability to personal computers You can add any external peripheral to a USB equipped computer without adding an internal card or configuring the new device through software As soon as you plug in a USB compatible peripheral the USB computer automatically recognizes the equipment Currently PC HP J5000 Sun Blade 10000 and Mac G3 G4 computers are available which support the USB standard We also offer a variety of USB hubs cables adapters and gender changers in our product line NTI is currently developing a new USB KVM switch with USB hub capabilities This product would combine the advantages of NTI s paten
42. of Electronics 4 Ed Turner and Gibilisco passive switch A KVM switch which does not utilize microprocessors to communicate with attached computers a mechanical KVM switch platform The type of computer i e Sun Macintosh PS 2 etc a standard around which a system can be developed often used as a synonym of operating system RS232 Abbreviation of recommended standard 232C a standard interface approved by the Electronic Industries Association for connecting serial devices This standard is utilized in a method of controlling KVM switches in which a module is built into the switch console which allows users to utilize on screen commands rather than console buttons This low power consumption application is helpful when the KVM application resides at a remote location and is particularly well suited to multiple user applications See the Section on RS232 Compatibility for additional information scan codes A code which tells the computer which key or combination of keys is deparesed and when it is released Utilized in KVM technology to initiate tasks security features Authorized access features of the OSD system used on NTI matrix KVM switches which allow the network administrator to assign user names and passwords The administrator can then enable or disable all security features and select which computers each user can access Once enabled a user or administrator must login in order to
43. on staff to control multiple computers PCs Suns and Macs from both the network administration office and the server room Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 7 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Benefits of Using KVM Switch A KVM Switch can increase efficient use of resources by Reducing equipment costs and space needs If users work on more than one platform for instance a graphic artist who uses both a PC and a Macintosh or on multiple computers a KVM switch can reduce the clutter of multiple monitors keyboards and mice and the cost of buying keyboards monitors and mice Fewer keyboards monitors and mice can also mean less racks cabinets furniture and floor space are required as illustrated in Figure 4 ONE RACK SPACE L Figure 4 Reconfigured server setup with three KVM switch controls This actual example illustrates configurations of a bank of 18 computers at Microsoft before and after using KVM switches to consolidate control Eliminating 15 keyboards monitors and mice cleared out an almost two entire racks Reduced environmental costs are achieved by eliminating 1150 1160 redundant peripherals According to the American Council for 125 kWh year an Energy Efficient Economy Office Technology Consortium and the Canadian Bureau of National Resources even with 5 5 hours of power management per day the average
44. ontrol ensures that the data retains its integrity and goes to the correct computer after the KVM switch processes the information Directional control also ensures that the output Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 30 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc goes to the correct user in the multiple user application Up to eight users can control as many as 32 computers on the modular matrix multiple user multiple platform unit NTI s multiple platform KVM switches lets users choose whichever keyboard and mouse platform they prefer The KVM switch recognizes the signals from each platform and translates the data to the appropriate platform as necessary This feature unique to NTI lets users continue to use their favorite control console Also when more than one user selects the same computer the KVM switch recognizes ALL keystrokes and mouse movements from each user The switch processes the signals and returns the output to all user monitors all users on the same computer see everyone else s input including their own Dual Redundant Power DRP NTI s Modular Matrix multiple user multiple platform KVM switches are available with an optional dual redundant power supply feature This separate unit adds a backup power supply to each of the switch s voltage levels This ensures that a power failure in one power supply does not take your KVM switch system down because the backup automatically kicks in Users can then repl
45. or 200MHz bandwidths and resolutions through to 1900x1200 with no degradation 37 Video Presentations Screens Video Buffer Box S oS ee 9 p oHe Tum M P Figure 15 Presentation Application Switch control is also made to order by NTI infrared wireless remote or RS232 which requires a DIPswitch configuration The KVM switch unit uses output ports for up to eight monitors for presentation display The unit also contains the desired number of input ports up to 32 for each computer that will send data to the presentation monitors NTI also installs the appropriate connector for the selected control method e For wired remote units the presenter selects an output cluster that also indicates the input selection e For infrared remote units the presenter first selects an output destination then selects the input source e The RS232 interface meets RS232C standards Any host computer can control the system but the program must send an entire command line at once not character by character HyperTerminal in Windows does not work with this system Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 33 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc The following illustrations and charts provide pin out designations for the different types of keyboard mouse and video connectors compatible with NTT s KVM switch product line The Cable Distance Guide lays out the maximum distance
46. ort the USB standard All Windows 98 and Windows 2000 PCs are fine with USB Windows 95 OSR2 PCs can be equipped with a patch contact your computer manufacturer for details USB ports can be added to the PC s motherboard with an inexpensive PCI card which the operating system recognizes automatically Recent Macintoshes such as the G3 G4s have USB support Any Mac with PCI slots should be able to handle a USB card Mac OS 8 6 or later is preferred for USB The latest Linux kernel has USB support This switch can also be used as a slave to control USB computers in a multiple platform configuration This allows users to consolidate control of both legacy and USB enabled computers in one configuration Our patented USB KVM switch technology allows NTI s USB KVM switch to present a sustained presence of the keyboard and mouse to all attached computers This provides a unique benefit all attached computers both PCs and Macs can be booted up simultaneously Other manufacturers USB switches do not have this technology Other USB KVM switches operate as a USB hub with a video switch that is the USB connections are plugged in and out and may require a sequential separate boot up of each attached computer NTI s switch also supports Mac Power on Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 16 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc This technology also prevents computer crashes caused by operating system sensitivity to hot
47. p D Enter diagnostic mode Stop F Enter Forth on TTYA instead of probing Stop N Reset NVRAM contents to default values Appendix A illustrates the available pin out configurations for keyboard connectors Mouse Technology Mouse engineering is also different across the three platforms It is difficult in fact almost impossible to run a Macintosh system without a mouse but you can operate a PC without one by using keyboard commands Since PCs were developed before mouse technology PC mice standards were developed ad hoc free for all and manufacturers developed three types of mice 1 bus which is archaic and now rare 2 serial and 3 PS 2 which IBM developed e The PC operating system must contain the appropriate driver to recognize the mouse signals If the computer does not contain the right driver it cannot recognize the mouse The use of dedicated processors in NTI KVM switches ensures that each computer recognizes the mouse Each processor emulates the existence of the mouse even when the computer is not active on the switch Thus when the computer is activated it immediately recognizes the mouse movements and commands e As mentioned in the keyboard section above Macintosh mice connect to a separate bus with the keyboard When you use a Macintosh mouse in a multiple platform configuration the mouse emulates the PC left and right button clicks See Table 2 e Sun computers use a totally different mouse
48. platforms Table 1 Keyboard Equivalency Translation Sun PS 2101 Win95 AppleExt L Control L Control L Control L Control L Alt L Alt L Alt L Opt Compose R Control R Control R Control Alt Graph R Alt R alt Aplcn R Opt Meta SB Alt Logo Cmnd Power SB RT Arrow SB RT Arrow Power SB Space Bar L and Left and right keys when two keys are marked the same on a keyboard Sun keyboard Sun keyboards have 14 extra keys not found on PS 2 101 Win95 and Apple Extended keyboards NTI provides a keystroke emulation chart for those extra keys as well as an emergency startup keys chart for Sun keyboards Table 2 provides the keystrokes required on other platform keyboards to emulate the extra keys of the Sun keyboard Table 3 lists the Sun emergency startup keys Table 2 Emulation Keystrokes for Sun s 14 Extra Keys PS 2 Win95 Mac Keystroke Sun Key Equivalents Stop L1 SB Fl Again L2 SB F2 Props L3 SB F3 Undo L4 SB F4 Front L5 SB F5 Copy L6 SB F6 Open L7 SB F7 Paste L8 SB F8 Find L9 SB F9 Cut L10 SB F10 Help SB Fl1 Vol SB Up Arrow Vol SB Down Arrow Mute SB Left Arrow SB Space Bar Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Page 24 Table 3 Sun Startup Keys Key Function Stop Bypass POST Stop A Abort Sto
49. plugging Most operating systems such as Windows 98 Mac G 4 OS and the HP6000 OS are sensitive to hot plugging to one degree or another Since other switches operate as USB hubs when you switch from one attached computer PC 1 to another PC 2 it will appear to PC 1 that the keyboard and mouse have been unplugged This may cause the computer to break and it will need to be rebooted The J5000 is particularly sensitive to this USB KVM switch presents a sustained presence of the keyboard and mouse and so switching from one computer to another does not result in crashes Analyzing Your Needs Deciding What KVM Switch Fits the Environment The first step in deciding what KVM switch product to purchase is to determine your needs The following questions will help you form that determination Each KVM switch application would consist of the appropriate KVM switch products as well as all attached computers and peripherals For example lets look at two ways of handling the needs of three graphic designers Each designer needs to control a PC and a MAC solution would be three individual applications each with a 2 port KVM switch controlling a PC and a MAC with one keyboard monitor and mouse e An alternate solution if each graphic designer needs to be able to control all of the department computers would be a matrix KVM switch attached to all three PCs and all three Macs with three user control stations keyboard mo
50. r for keyboard and mouse emulation 100 of the time This ensures that all attached computers can boot and maintain connections The individually dedicated microprocessors avoid the conflicts and resulting downtime that can otherwise occur when a single processor emulates the keyboard and mouse for multiple computers Control of costs Besides the cost control features inherent in a KVM switch application discussed above NTPs line of KVM switches have been designed to incorporate additional features to expand the potential savings that can be achieved Using Expansion Features to Control Costs Cascade Configuration Cascading KVM switches provides a cost effective method to expand KVM control as an application grows In such an application a second KVM switch a slave is connected directly to the first KVM switch a master In essence this creates a larger capacity KVM switch Cascading saves up front costs because the user need only buy a KVM switch with the capacity currently needed They do not need to guess at future needs because they can grow the KVM switch application as needs grow Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 11 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc MAC PS2 USB PS2 USB MAC USB USB ceul cru ceu CPU UN lew SUN N PSE Bw een ST 4U STAU oe IEBM 1 1 56 I EEMI I I EVA 7 caw unita caawunite
51. rared Remote e Screen Display OSD e Autoscan e Keyboard commands with mouse Limitations e The demands of all the attached computers can cause the occasional system failure e Failure of one attached computer may cause failure of the KVM switch e Failure of the one shared processor will cause failure of the KVM switch Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 21 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Dedicated Processors Dedicated Processor electronic KVM switches address the problem of system failure To solve this problem some manufacturers including dedicate a microprocessor to each attached computer for constant keyboard and mouse emulation This ensures that all attached computers can boot and maintain connections 100 of the time Information amp Instructions About Input Devices Figure 10 Dedicated Processors a KVM switch support a full set of instructions for each attached computer Benefits e Continuous fault free operation 1 1 microprocessor to computer ratio is more efficient in processing data and provides the most reliable performance Each computer connected to the dedicated processor KVM switch receives all the data required for each computer to constantly recognize the keyboard and mouse Each processor talks to only one computer thus eliminating errors freezing or other problems that can occur in the shared processor configuration This reliability is an importan
52. s Matrix KVM switches support multiple users and multiple platforms As discussed in the Control of Costs section above matrix switches utilize plug in modules Modular Matrix or adapter cables Universal Matrix to allow multiple users to control computers of multiple platforms The platform configuration is flexible when administrators needs to add a computer or change out an attached computer of one platform to a computer of a different platform they need only add or change the plug in module or adapter cable rather than replace the switch Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 15 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Expansion Flexibility The Switch Expansion Unit SEU formerly known as the Multiplexor Box combines up to 16 of NTI s switches to create a total capacity of eight users and 512 computers all with true matrix switching An application of matrix switching with the SEU is illustrated in Figure 7 All users can individually command or simultaneously share control of up to 512 PC SUN or MAC computers without interfering with each other Switches can be added as an operation grows Unique USB control NTI s new Universal USB KVM switch allows one user to control up to 32 USB computers with one keyboard mouse and VGA monitor This switch is compatible with all USB enabled PCs UNIX computers and 93 645 To be fully USB enabled computers must have both the hardware and software to supp
53. s not receive a response the PC may freeze or in a worst case scenario crash To avoid this problem the solution is a dedicated processor KVM switch configuration Macintosh computers use a separate bus for keyboard signals but it also carries the mouse signals and other peripherals Sun technology is similar to Macintosh in appearance only The mouse plugs into the keyboard which then plugs into the computer There are differences between the keyboard platforms NTI provides keystroke translation for multiple platform switches Sun keyboards have 14 extra keys not found on PS 2 101 Win95 Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 23 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc and Apple Extended keyboards NTI offers a keystroke emulation chart for those extra keys as well as a chart of emergency start up keys for Sun keyboards NTI has the appropriate keyboard connectors for your configuration NTI products let you use your keyboard of choice no matter what platform you use For example if a user prefers the PS 2 keyboard and attaches SUN or MAC computers to the KVM switch he or she can use that PS 2 keyboard for all platforms The NTI KVM switch properly translates the signals for each platform as necessary There are differences between the keyboards for different platforms NTI provides keystroke translations for multi platform switches Table 1 identifies the characters and their equivalent keystrokes across the various
54. s while disabling the student keyboards and mice The instructor can broadcast their own video to students or broadcast a student s video to other students SCAN Displays the Scan menu to let the instructor monitor the active student videos without interfering with the students work OVERRIDE Displays the Override menu from which the user can select which computer to control and a control source This lets the teacher control a student s computer or lets a student control another student s computer NAME ENTRY Displays a list of numbers corresponding to connected computers with fields to enter students names STATUS Displays current system status First column e L Local mode e S Screen Save Mode e Remote connection STATUS cont Second Column e B Blanked e Inhibited Third Column e Viewing own video e D Receiving video from another source e 5 Student is OVERRIDE source SETUP Gateway menu to set up scan mode time screen saver set up and diagnostic mode menu Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 32 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Presentation Applications Another interesting use of KVM switches is for presentations that use data from several computer sources to one or more monitors NTI s Video Matrix Switch allows up to 32 video sources to output to any or all of up to eight monitors This unit which NTI builds to order supports either 100
55. setup with three KVM switch controls Figure 5 Energy Savings Figure 6 KVM Switch used in a Cascade Application Figure SA Cat5 KVM Extender Application Figure B8 Cat5 Video Only application Figure 7 Matrix KVM switches provide multiple user control Figure 9 Shared Processors Figure 10 Dedicated Processors Figure 11 Basic layout of a Video Switching PCB Figure 12 Front Panel Push Buttons Figure 13 OSD Opening Screen Figure 14 LCD Front Panel TABLES Table 1 Keyboard Equivalency Translation 24 Table 2 Emulation Keystrokes for Sun s 14 Extra Keys 24 Table 3 Sun Startup Keys 25 Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Page 3 Introduction Network Technologies Inc NTI recognizes that advances in computer technology and the growing importance of the Internet in commercial transactions have resulted in computer networks becoming more critical to businesses than ever before Businesses today have increasing demands for space equipment and productive use of network administration personnel Customers need a method to control multiple computers efficiently KVM keyboard video mouse Switches can provide flexible efficient control of multiple computers while helping to minimize floorspace equipment environmental and administration costs This White Paper explains e
56. sic layout of a Video Switching PCB The quality of the components and engineering directly affects the quality of the video output As Figure 11 illustrates video signals travel through a number of conduits before they reach the monitor Like road surfaces influence the lifespan of tires and the quality of the ride everything a video signal passes through wears away at the video quality Each connector and integrated circuit is like a pothole it has the potential to destroy the quality of the video signal Because so much of the signal s journey is through cables the cables play the most important role Poor quality cables can reduce the distance good video can travel When a KVM switch is added to the equation degradation of video quality is almost inevitable especially because few switch manufacturers are willing to take the costly and painstaking measures needed to keep the video signal in optimal condition NTI minimizes video degradation in the switch in two ways e We invest in high quality fast amplifiers and crosspoint solid state switches e We engineer the design of the PCB to minimize noise and crosstalk Cable Quality Cables carry the signal for much of the journey and significantly affect the final video output Video signals can travel further on high quality cables than on poor quality cables which can cause ghosting and other video anomalies The cables that NTI supplies with its KVM switch product line are the highest qual
57. st student unit on the chain requires a terminator on the unused communication and video ports NTI has these terminators available upon request The last unit in the chain must be within 50 feet of the central unit e The keyboard and mouse ports support 6 pin miniDIN female connectors for PS 2 systems For serial mouse systems a converter is available e video import ports are 15 pin HD female connectors for VGA monitors and connect to the instructor s central unit e The video output port connects to the next computer in the chain with a 15 HD male connector The unit supports a video bandwidth of 150 MHz and 1600x1200 resolution e The students units require no external power they draw power from the keyboard and mouse ports on the CPU Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 31 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc e The instructor can control the classroom with on screen display OSD commands From the Main Menu the instructor can go to submenus to perform various tasks as follows Main Menu Item Description INHIBIT Displays the Inhibit menu to enable or disable keyboard and mouse of one or more students Students can see their own video BLANK Displays the Blank menu to disable the keyboard mouse and video of one or more students The student monitor goes blank BROADCAST Displays the Broadcast menu to select a video source and send it to any or all of the student monitor
58. t factor if your company cannot tolerate downtime errors or other catastrophic problems e All computers can boot up simultaneously which decreases start up time e NTI s patented USB KVM switch allows simultaneous boot up of USB enabled PCs and Macs Other USB KVM switches require that each USB computer be booted sequentially one at a time Failure of one processor will not cause the entire KVM switch to fail only the port controlled by that processor will fail Processor Software A KVM switch processor can only do what engineers tell it to do Each processor contains firmware software code that gives the switch operating instructions The firmware engineering determines what systems CPUs keyboards mouse and video the KVM switch can recognize and how it can process the data for final output to the monitor This engineering is where the various manufacturers differ the most Since so many third party vendors offer their own computer products it is nearly impossible to program a KVM switch processor to recognize them all Most manufacturers concentrate on keeping costs low and therefore provide minimal compatibility with the various systems on the market A few manufacturers including NTI invest in more highly engineered technology to allow maximum compatibility Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 22 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Most manufacturers do not invest time into developing a good user
59. tandard equipment Rackmount Universal switches with up to 8 ports are now produced in a 1 RU Rack Unit box Message Board The NTlIforum is the only Message Board solely dedicated to KVM solutions The Message Board provides a resource for users to discuss KVM applications with both other users and the NTI sales and technical staff who moderate the discussions Users can learn about KVM product applications ask questions discuss solutions suggest new products or features to meet their needs or search archives for information on KVM solutions The message board can be accessed from NTI s website at www networktechinc com or directly at http ntitorum com cgi bin Ultimate cgi NTI KVM Configurator In addition to our website www nti1 com NTI has developed a catalog on CD ROM with a unique configurator program This configurator will allow you to answer a series of questions regarding your application and the options you prefer and then uses your answers to produce a list of parts including any necessary cables or adapters This list can then be faxed or e mailed to NTI as an order To order a free copy of this CD contact our sales department at 800 742 8324 toll free in the US and Canada or 330 562 7070 or e mail us at sales ntigo com Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 19 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc Technically Speaking KVM Switch construction differs from manufacturer to manufacturer as does the en
60. ted USB switching technology constant presence of keyboard and mouse for each attached computer with the ability to support many USB devices on a USB hub built into the product NTI s KVM switch would continue to present a constant presence of the Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 17 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc keyboard and mouse to each attached computer Any of the attached computers would be able to utilize USB devices attached to the hub such as ZIP drives CD burners scanners printers etc The USB standard allows up to 127 devices to be attached to the hubs In practice while many devices can be connected this limit may be unreachable Some USB devices reserve bandwidth so it is likely that the maximum bandwidth would be used up before you hit the limit IEEE 1394 FireWire FireWire is another new standard providing plug and play capability for FireWire devices such as Digital Camcorders Scanners and VCRs Recently FireWire has become standard on all Mac computers and is slowly expanding into the PC market Sony has also made use of the IEEE 1394 standard on some of their computers however they refer to the standard as l link NTI currently offers FireWire Repeater Hubs cables and adapters for our customers utilizing this technology and is exploring the possibility of FireWire applications for KVM switches Off site remote The newest hot trend is towards the Ethernet SNMP protocol for o
61. ther department area Two or more users can then simultaneously access the same computer to collaborate on solutions from different locations although only one user at a time sholuld operate the accessed computer other users should stop All users see the same application screen Matrix switches save up front costs because the customer need only purchase the plug in modules or cables necessary to control their current network computers They do not need to guess at future needs because they can grow the KVM switch setup as needs grow by adding or changing the plug in modules or adapter cables necessary NTI s matrix switches can also be used as a multiple platform master switch in a cascade application The two types of matrix KVM switches which NTI offers are 1 Modular Matrix KVM switches utilize plug in modules for PC Sun USB and Mac computers and standard cables Modules can be added or changed as needed 2 Universal Matrix KVM switches are a low cost matrix switch solution which accesses PC Sun or Mac computers without the need for plug in modules Users can easily change platforms using adapter cables instead of being locked into a specific platform Additional benefits of Multiple Platform Control and Matrix switches are discussed in the Efficiency Flexibility section below Efficiency and Flexibility Consolidated Control of Computers A multiple user multiple platform KVM switch application lets the network adm
62. they can handle and your picture may get fuzzy Resonance issues may also cause ghosting at higher resolutions The cables that NTI supplies with its KVM switch product line are the highest quality available on the market today This regard for high quality standard cables ensures that your video output meets and exceeds your expectations Most NTI units are compatible with standard cables NTI also carries a variety of optional extension cables and adapters for extending signals and can create custom cables for our customers These cables support high bandwidth maximum 300MHz which is the highest on the market and are fire retardant for safety Cat5 KVM Extenders NTI also offers Cat5 Extenders which utilize Category 5 unshielded twisted pair UTP cable in house telephone wire to extend control up to 575 feet As illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B Cat5 Extenders are available in both KVM and Video Only models Each Cat5 Extender consists of a Local unit connected to the computer or NTI KVM switch and a Remote unit connected to the keyboard monitor and mouse or just the monitor in the Video Only model The Local and Remote units are interconnected with Cat5 cable through their RJ 45 connectors ST C5KVM REMOTE UNIT catscaaleE ST C5KVM LOCAL UNIT PS2 KEY BOARD 8 MOUSE PC Figure 8A Cat5 KVM Extender Application Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 14 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc ST C5V REMOTE UNI
63. with its own driver Similar to the PC Sun requires the driver installation before the system can recognize the mouse signals Video Board Technology Another differentiating feature in KVM switch construction is in the video board Switching video without degradation is a bit more difficult than switching the keyboard and mouse This is an instance where the quality of the components and careful engineering of the KVM switch makes a difference in the final output in this case in video resolution and bandwidth In most KVM switches the computer video signal travels through the Printed Circuit Board PCB on copper traces These conductive metal trails direct the individual signals to either the analog or digital switching chips e Color signals red green and blue go to the analog chip e Sync signals horizontal vertical and composite synchronizing go to the digital chip TTL Prepared by Kimara Andreas Rev 03 29 01 Page 25 D White Paper nti white paper 2001 doc e The quality of the analog chip and PCB layout determines its ability to handle high video and bandwidths Likewise sync switching chips vary in their capacity to process digital signals Switching chips allow only the signals from the selected computer to proceed to the amplifiers on the video board which give the video signals a little boost before they go to the monitor Signal Amplifier Signal Switcher Figure 11 Ba
64. works Utilizing a UNIX Operating System A KVM switch can benefit a user with Xwindows enabled workstations in the following ways e Direct access to the host console port There are some privileges that the console retains which cannot be accessed from another workstation Figure 3 illustrates a modification of the application in Figure 2 Here the KVM switches allow the user to control any workstation connected to the switch with full privileges Speed of display In cases where the UNIX network has high utilization being directly connected to the server s can improve the rapidity with which the display is refreshed e AKVM switch requires no special software such as Hummingbird eliminating the cost of purchasing and updating such software e AKVM switch can boot multiple servers simultaneously saving user time KVM switches are hardware based and transparent to the attached computers KVM switches do not need special software because they do not change the way the computer operates or interacts with users The modification illustrated in Figure 3 includes some applications for KVM switching A Sun computer is added to Workstation 3 s workspace The user at Workstation 3 can now control both the Sun and PC computers with one keyboard monitor and mouse The addition of an NTI ST 2x8 multiple user multiple platform matrix KVM switch with On Screen Display OSD and Security Features in the server room will allow a network administrati

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