MiniView™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch User Manual (GCS1732/1734) ®
Thank you for purchasing one of the most feature rich KVM and peripheral sharing switch on the market. IOGEAR’s MiniView™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch brings extra value to conventional KVM switches by offering USB peripheral sharing capabilities, audio and microphone support, and multi-platform support for Mac, Sun, USB and PS/2. You can save money and space by eliminating the need for multiple monitors, keyboards, mice, and peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, zip drives, and more.
Table of Contents Package Contents Overview Features Requirements Introduction Installation Operation Hotkey Configuration for Mac and SUN The Firmware Upgrade Utility Appendix Specification Technical Support Radio & TV Interference Statement Limited Warranty ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Package Contents This package contains: 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 MiniView™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch (GCS1732 or GCS1734) or 4 bonded KVM Cables (2 for GCS1732, 4 for GCS1734) Power Adapter Firmware Upgrade Cable User Manual Quick Start Guide Warranty/Registration Card If any items are damaged or missing please contact your dealer.
Overview Overview IOGEAR’s new MiniView™ Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch brings extra value to conventional KVM switches by offering USB peripheral sharing capabilities, audio and microphone support, and multi-platform support for Mac, Sun, USB and PS/2. You can save money and space by eliminating the need for multiple monitors, keyboards, mice, and peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, zip drives, and more. Up to 127 different USB devices can be daisy chained from this KVMP switch.
Features Features • Multi functional switch allows multiple USB or PS/2 (additional cables needed) computers to share one USB console and two USB peripheral devices such as printers and scanners, as well as speakers and a microphone • User can conveniently switch USB peripheral devices from one computer to another using Hot Keys • USB peripheral devices and USB consoles can be switched asynchronously from one computer to another using Hot Keys • Fully compliant with USB 1.
Requirements System Requirements • • • • • Computers with USB or PS/2 connections (additional cables needed for PS/2 computers) Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP Mac OS 8.
Introduction Front View 1 1. Port Selection Buttons Pressing the port selection buttons to access the computer connected to its corresponding port. Pressing Buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously for 2 seconds performs a keyboard and mouse reset. 2 Pressing Buttons 3 and 4 simultaneously for 2 seconds starts Auto Scan Mode. See p.18 for details.
Introduction USB Peripheral Selected LEDs: Lights to indicate that the computer attached to its corresponding port is the one that has access to the USB peripherals. 3. USB Console Ports Your USB keyboard and USB mouse plug in here.
Introduction Back View 2 1 3 6 1. Console Audio Jacks The cables from your microphone and speakers plug in here. Each jack is marked with an appropriate icon to indicate itself. 2. USB Peripheral Section USB peripherals (printers, scanners, etc.) plug in here. 3. Firmware Upgrade Section • Firmware Upgrade Recovery Switch: During normal operation and while performing a firmware upgrade, this switch should be in the NORMAL position. See Pg. 33 for details about the use of this switch.
Introduction in here. Each CPU port is comprised of a microphone jack, speaker jack, and KVM data connector. Note: The shape of these 15-pin KVM data connectors has been specifically modified so that only KVM cables designed to work with this switch can plug in (see the Cables section for details). Do NOT attempt to use ordinary 15 pin VGA connector cables to link these ports to the computers Cable The USB KVM Cables are included in the package. DB-5 KVM data cable.
Installation Setup and Installation Before you Begin 1. Make sure that power to all the devices you will be connecting up have been turned off. You must unplug the power cords of any computers that have the Keyboard Power On function. Otherwise, the switch will receive power from the computer. 2. To prevent damage to your installation make sure that all devices on the installation are properly grounded.
Installation Setup and Installation 1. Plug your USB keyboard and USB mouse into the USB Ports located on the unit’s front panel. Plug your monitor into the Console monitor port located on the unit’s rear panel. Note: For computers with older operating systems, such as Windows ME or prior, you may have to load the USB driver. Keep your OS CD ROM handy during installation.
Installation 4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for any other computers you are connecting up. 5. Plug the power adapter cable into the switch’s Power Jack, then plug the power adapter into an AC power source. 6. Turn on the power to the computers.
Operation Hot Plugging The MiniView™ Extreme supports USB hot plugging – components can be removed and added back into the installation by unplugging their cables from the CPU ports without the need to shut the unit down. Powering Off and Restarting If it becomes necessary to power off the MiniView™ Extreme unit, before starting it back up you must do the following: 1. Shut down all the computers that are attached to the switch.
Operation Port ID Numbering Each CPU port on the Miniview™ Extreme switch is assigned a port number (1 or 2 for the GCS1732; 1 to 4 for the GCS1734). The port numbers are marked on the rear panel of the switch. The Port ID of a computer is derived from the CPU port number it is connected to. For example, a computer connected to CPU port 3 has a Port ID of 3. The Port ID is used to specify which computer gets the KVM focus and USB peripheral access with the Hotkey port selection method.
Operation Basic Hotkeys to switch ports The most basic hotkey operation allows you to hotkey switch the KVM focus and USB peripheral access from the port that currently has the KVM focus to the next port on the installation (1 to 2; 2 to 1 for the GCS1732; 1 to 2; 2 to 3; 3 to 4; 4 to 1 for the GCS1734), without having to invoke Hotkey Mode. To perform this basic hotkey, tap the Scroll Lock key twice.
Operation Invoking Hotkey Mode To invoke Hotkey Mode, do the following: 1. Press and hold down the Num Lock key 2. Press and release the minus [–] key 3. Release the Num Lock key Note: 1. The minus key must be released within one half second, otherwise Hotkey invocation is canceled. 2. There is an alternative key combination to invoke Hotkey Mode. See Pg. 20 for details.
Operation When Hotkey Mode is active, ordinary keyboard and mouse functions are suspended -OSD only Hotkey Operation compliant keystrokes and mouse clicks (described in the sections that follow), can be input. At the conclusion of some hotkey operations, you automatically exit Hotkey Mode. With some operations, you must exit manually. To exit Hotkey Mode manually, press the Esc key, or the Spacebar.
Operation Switch the KVM focus to another computer and let USB peripherals remain on the current computer: You can bring only the KVM focus (asynchronous switching, without changing the USB device access) to any computer with the following hotkey combination: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (See Pg. 16). 2. Press and release the K key 3. Press and release the computer’s Port ID number (1, 2, 3, or 4). 4. Press [Enter].
Operation Audio Port Selection Audio ports are switched along with the console port. When you switch console to any computer, the audio ports will be switched simultaneously. Auto Scan Mode The MiniView™ Extreme’s Auto Scan feature automatically cycles through the computer ports at regular 5 second intervals. This allows you to monitor the computer activity without having to take the trouble of switching from port to port manually. To start Auto Scan Mode: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (See Pg. 16) 2.
Operation Alternate Hotkey Invocation Keys and Alternative Basic Hotkey An alternate set of Hotkey Invocation keys is provided in case the default set conflicts with programs running on the computers. To switch to the alternate Hotkey Invocation set, do the following: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (See Pg. 16) 2. Press and release the H key The Hotkey Invocation keys become the Ctrl key (instead of Num Lock) and the F12 key (instead of minus). You automatically exit Hotkey Mode following this procedure.
Operation The Basic Hotkey Operation can be changed from tapping the Scroll Lock key twice to tapping the Ctrl key twice by doing the following: 1. Invoke Hotkey Mode (See Pg. 16) 2. Press and release the T key You automatically exit Hotkey Mode after this procedure. Note: This hotkey is a toggle between the two invocation methods. To revert back to the original Hotkey Invocation methods, invoke Hotkey Mode, then press and release the T key. The basic Hotkey reverts back to [[Scroll Lock] [Scroll Lock].
Operation Hot Key Configuration for Mac and SUN The MiniView™ Extreme’s default port configuration is for a PC Compatible keyboard operating platform, and a US English keyboard language code. If your requirements call for different port settings (you have a Mac or Sun attached to a port, e.g.), you can change them by bringing the KVM focus to the port and using the hotkey combinations shown below.
Hotkey Configuration for Mac and SUN Keyboard Emulation: Sun Keyboard The PC (101/104) key keyboard can emulate the functions of the Sun keyboard when the Control key [Ctrl] is used in conjunction with other keys. The corresponding functions are shown in the table below. But make sure you set this port to Sun first (refer to the above section). Note: When using [Ctrl] combinations, press and release the Ctrl key, then press and release the activation key.
Hotkey Configuration for Mac and SUN Mac Keyboard The keyboard emulation mappings from the Mac keyboard to the PC keyboards (101 key and 104 key), are listed in the table below. But make sure you set this port to Mac first (refer to the above section). These hotkeys are designed for Mac OS X or later, for OS9.X or previous version, only part of the keys are supported. Note: When using key combinations, press and release the first key (Ctrl or Alt), then press and release the activation key.
The Firmware Upgrade Utility The Windows-based Firmware Upgrade Utility (FWUpgrade.exe) provides a smooth, automated process for upgrading the KVM switch’s firmware. The Utility comes as part of a Firmware Upgrade Package that is specific for each device. New firmware upgrade packages are posted on our web site as new firmware revisions become available. Check the web site regularly to find the latest packages and information relating to them: http://www.iogear.com/support/download.
The Firmware Upgrade Utility 4. Shut down the computers on your MiniView™ Extreme installation and make sure the firmware upgrade switch is set to “Upgrade”. 5. Make sure the power plugged into the KVM. 6. Once the power is plugged in and the switch is set to upgrade, all of the amber lights on the KVM will flash once per second. Now you are ready to run the firmware upgrade utility.
The Firmware Upgrade Utility Starting the Upgrade To upgrade your firmware: 1. Run the downloaded Firmware Upgrade Package file - either by double-clicking the file icon, or by opening a command line and entering the full path to it. The Firmware Upgrade Utility Welcome screen appears: 2. Read and Agree to the License Agreement (enable the I Agree radio button).
The Firmware Upgrade Utility 3. Click Next to continue. The Firmware Upgrade Utility main screen appears: The Utility inspects your installation. All the devices capable of being upgraded by the package are listed in the Device List panel.
The Firmware Upgrade Utility 4. As you select a device in the list, its description appears in the Device Description panel.
The Firmware Upgrade Utility 5. After you have made your device selection(s), Click Next to perform the upgrade. If you enabled Check Firmware Version, the Utility compares the device’s firmware level with that of the upgrade files. If it finds that the device’s version is higher than the upgrade version, it brings up a dialog box informing you of the situation and gives you the option to continue or cancel.
The Firmware Upgrade Utility As the Upgrade proceeds status messages appear in the Status Messages panel, and the progress toward completion is shown on the Progress bar. After the upgrade has completed, a screen appears to inform you that the procedure was successful: Click Finish to close the Firmware Upgrade Utility.
The Firmware Upgrade Utility Firmware Upgrade Recovery If the upgrade failed to complete successfully a dialog box appears asking if you want to retry. Click Yes to retry. If you click No, the Upgrade Failed screen appears: There are basically three conditions that call for firmware upgrade recovery: • When you begin a firmware upgrade, but decide not to proceed with it. • When the Mainboard firmware upgrade fails. • When the I/O firmware upgrade fails.
Appendix Troubleshooting Symptom Erratic behavior Keyboard and/or Mouse not responding Action Possible Cause Unit not receiving enough power Keyboard and/or mouse need to be reset No connection to the computer Use a DC 5V power adapter if you are not already using one. If you are already using a power adapter, check that it matches the system specification (DC 5V), and that it is plugged in and functioning properly. Press and hold port selection switches 1 and 2 for two seconds. (GCS1734 only.
Specification 34
Specification 35
Technical Support If you need technical support, please check out our IOGEAR Tech Info Library (T.I.L.) at www.iogear.com/support for the latest tips, tricks, and troubleshooting. The IOGEAR T.I.L. was designed to provide you with the latest technical information about our products. Most of the answers to your questions can be found here, so please try it out before contacting technical support.
Radio & TV Interference Statement 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. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when operated in a commercial environment.
Limited Warranty IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DIRECT VENDOR’S LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, DISK, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT. The direct vendor makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory with respect to the contents or use of this documentation, and especially disclaims its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
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