APPENDIX D: MASTERCONSOLE II CONFIGURATIONS 29
Appendix D: MasterConsole II Configurations

Programming MasterConsole II at Power Up

MasterConsole II Product Design Background and Considerations
• User connection and operation of MasterConsole II is through the unit's local KVM port (marked
Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse - Din 6F,HD15F, Din 6F) on the back panel of each MasterConsole II.
• For operation, a console-keyboard, monitor and mouse-plugs into the local KVM port. MasterConsole
II includes front panel buttons as well as an integrated On-Screen User Interface for switching and
other operations.
• The On-Screen User Interface is activated through a console keyboard and facilitates operation of
MasterConsole II with on-screen menus and commands.
• In a one-tier configuration, the console operates the all connected computers. The KVM port is called
first-tier ports, which means that they have an active On-Screen User Interface for console operation.
• In a two-tier configuration, one or more MasterConsole II second-tier units are cascaded from the base
unit. This is accomplished by connecting MasterConsole II computer cable from the base unit to the
KVM port of the second-tier unit. The base unit's local KVM port and remote access port are first-tier
ports with an active On-Screen User Interface; and the base unit's on-screen menus include the names
of all the computers accessible from the base unit's console. This way, the base unit's console can
access and operate all MasterConsole II units and all connected computers. For proper operation, the
user must see only the base units On-Screen User Interface menus from the base unit console. To
accomplish this, the On-Screen User Interface at the port by which the second-tier unit is connected
must be deactivated, so that the base unit console can access and operate all connected computers. A
port with a deactivated On-Screen User Interface and is called a second-tier port.
Programming MasterConsole II
Each MasterConsole II is programmed at the factory as a base tier unit. To modify the factory
setting, a MasterConsole II unit can be programmed as a second-tier unit by holding down the #2
button on the front panel at power up for a minimum of 3 seconds.