2. Introduction
2.1 Overview
With the ServSwitch Multi™, multiple users at your site can operate sets of IBM® PC compatible, Apple® Macintosh®, Sun Microsystems®, and other computers at the same time. Each ServSwitch Multi Expansion Chassis (product code KV160A-R2)—the preferred “starting” model for mid- to large-scale applications— supports as many as 14 external connections through plug-in cards. You can connect computers, keyboard/monitor/mouse/etc. user stations, terminals, and other ServSwitch Multi units to the system through those cards. Front-panel LEDs show which of the Chassis’ card slots is “on line” (has a card installed that is connected to powered equipment) and, of these, which slots are currently selected by system users.
ServSwitch Multi Base Units (KV150A-R2) are like the Expansion Chassis, but are more suited for use in small-scale applications such as those involving a single Multi unit that doesn’t require frequent reconfiguration. In the Base Units, one of the plug-in card slots is replaced with a “local console module,” a user-station port with dedicated front-panel connectors for a nearby keyboard, monitor, mouse, and other peripherals. (Unfortunately, the ServSwitch Multi’s on-screen display menus can’t be used with this local console.) The Base Unit has front-panel pushbuttons for card-slot selection, LEDs that show which slots are currently selected by system users, and a two-character alphanumeric display that shows which port is currently selected by the local console.
The ServSwitch Multi MX (KV155A) is a smaller version of the Base Unit with four card slots plus a local console, without the alphanumeric display. It only supports two video/control pathways instead of the usual four. It’s intended for desk- or countertop use only in individual or local-cluster applications.
The ServSwitch Multi SB (KV162RA) is virtually identical to the Expansion Chassis, except that it supports eight video/control pathways instead of the usual four, so that users can independently access as many as eight of the attached computers.
The ServSwitch Multi Hub (KV170RA) is designed to be a centerpiece for the very biggest applications. It has nine slots exclusively for special concentrated Transmit and Receive Modules (KV1701C and KV1702C respectively) that have 16 ports each. Using the Hub can greatly reduce the number of regular Expansion Cards and expansion cables needed for Multi systems with large numbers of computers and users. The Hub can be controlled with front-mounted pushbuttons and a 4-x-20-character display.
