Chapter 2. Installation

Basic Operations

Hot Plugging

The KM0216 / KM0432 supports hot plugging—components can be removed and added back into the installation by unplugging their cables from the ports without the need to shut the unit down. In order for hot plugging to work properly, however, the procedures described below must be followed:

Switching Station Positions:

On daisy chained installations, you can switch station positions by simply unplugging from the old parent and plugging into a new one.

Hot Plugging Console Ports:

Keyboard, monitor, and mouse can all be hot plugged. If you experience a problem after you plug in a new mouse, do a system reset by pressing the reset button on the KM0216 / KM0432's front panel (see System Reset Button, page 7, for details). If this doesn't resolve the problem, restart the computers that have the problem.

Powering Off and Restarting

Powering off the KM0216 / KM0432 does not affect the computers attached to it. When you restart the KM0216 / KM0432, you will regain control immediately. To replace a KM0216 / KM0432, simply power it down; unplug the cables; plug them into the new unit; and power the new unit on.

Note: If any of the computers behave strangely after powering off and restarting, or changing a switch, simply restart the computer.

Port Selection

Port Selection is accomplished either by means of the KM0216 / KM0432's OSD (On Screen Display), or by entering Hotkey combinations from the keyboard. OSD Operation is discussed in detail in the next chapter; Hotkey Port Selection is discussed in Chapter 4.

Although hotkeys are handy for a single stage installation, we strongly recommend you use the more powerful and versatile OSD—especially for daisy chained, cascaded, and combined installations.

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