Adding Servers
 Hot-pluggable & Cascade/Daisy Chain
Questions?
Answers!
    Hot-pluggable
     1.Can I connect a computer to a switch that is powered?
     Yes, Connect a computer that is UNPOWERED, then turn that computer on.

     2. Do I have to reboot every time I switch to another server?
     No, there is constant keyboard and mouse emulation to all attached CPUs. Therefore, the computer constantly thinks there is a keyboard attached and active.

     3. I installed a new CPU Module and now I can't address it. What is wrong?
     Check the jumper blocks per page 8 of the downloadable PDF Manual 025 located at the bottom of the ST-nXm Modular Matrix KVM Switch page.
    Cascade
     4. I am using all the channels on my current NTI KVM switch. Can I control additional servers from the same keyboard, monitor and mouse by cascading?
     Yes, you can cascade NTI's electronic switches to control up to 128 computers as if from one switch. Our Multi-Platform/Multi-User KVM switches can now be cascaded to up to 512 computers.

     5. How do I cascade NTI's switches?
     The UNIVERSAL switch can be expanded to access up to 128 CPU's by cascading multiple units together. Up to 8 SUN, MAC or UNIVERSAL switches can be connected into another switches CPU ports, as illustrated below. The UNIVERSAL switch connected to the monitor & keyboard must be configured as the "MASTER" unit (via dip-switches). Any switches connected to the "MASTER" must be configured as "SLAVE" units. Refer to Tables 2-4 for instructions on proper cascading dip-switch configurations. All UNIVERSAL switches are fully configurable for this expansion method, the only additional hardware required is a set of keyboard, monitor & RMT extension cables for each "SLAVE UNIT".
diagram of cascaded switches
    1. LIMITATIONS
      1. All the slave units must be the same size and must be a 4, 8 or 16 port unit.
      2. Up to 8 slave units may be connected to form a maximum system size of 128 ports (1x8 port master + 8x16 port slaves).
      3. Slave units must be added to the master unit in order (slave #1 to master's port 1, slave #2 to master's port 2, etc).
        NOTE: Master Unit Port 1 with Slave Unit #1 connected to it will become ports 1-8 (for an ST-8U, 1-4 for an ST-4U, etc), Master Unit Port 2 with Slave Unit #2 connected will become the next sequential port numbers (9-16 for an ST-8U, 5-8 for an ST-4U, etc).
      4. The master unit must be a 4, 8 or 16 port switch.
      5. All units must be powered OFF during configuration and interconnecting.
      6. For multi-platform cascaded systems, each slave unit is "uni-platform" - that is, slaves can only have CPUs of the same platform connected to them and the cable between the slave and master unit must support that platform.

    2. CONFIGURATION:
      All units are configured using the 8-position dip-switch (located on the front of each unit) according to Tables 2-4.
    3. CASCADED INSTALLATION
      1. Perform steps 1-3 under INSTALLATION for each slave unit.
      2. Configure each switch as per tables below before proceeding.
      3. With a VEXT-xx-MM cable, connect Slave #1 "MONITOR" port to the Master's "CPU-VID 1" port (see Fig 1 below).
      4. With an SKTINT-xx-MM or VKTINT-1/VKTINT-xx-MM pair or MKTINT-1/MKTINT-xx-MM pair, connect Slave #1 "KEYBD" port to the Master's "KEY 1" port (see Fig 1 page 4).
      5. Repeat steps C&D for each additional Slave unit, keep in mind that each slave will connect into the next available Master's port (i.e. Slave #2 to Master's "CPU VID-2" & "KEY-2", etc.)
      6. With an RMT extension cable, connect Master's "RMT OUT" port to Slave #1's "RMT IN" port.
      7. With another RMT extension cable, connect Slave #1 "RMT OUT" port to Slave #2's "RMT IN" port.
      8. Repeat step g. until all Slave units are connected together.
      9. Repeat the installation section of the manual for any CPU's to be connected to the Master.
        NOTE: If you are using an optional wired remote, it will be connected to the Master Switches "RMT IN" port.
Cascading dip-switch Configurations

Table 2
(* default settings)

Switch Master Slave

SW1

OFF*

ON

SW5

See Table 3

OFF*

SW6

See Table 3

OFF*

Table 3

Slave Unit Size SW5 SW6

Not Cascaded

OFF

OFF

4-port

OFF

ON

8-port

ON

OFF

16-port

ON

ON

Table 4 (* default settings)

SW2 SW3 SW4 Master Slave

OFF*

OFF*

OFF

1 Slave attached

Unit #1

OFF

OFF

ON

2 Slaves attached

Unit #2

OFF

ON

OFF

3 Slaves attached

Unit #3

OFF

ON

ON

4 Slaves attached

Unit #4

ON

OFF

OFF

5 Slaves attached

Unit #5

ON

OFF

ON

6 Slaves attached

Unit #6

ON

ON

OFF

7 Slaves attached

Unit #7

ON

ON

ON

8 Slaves attached

Unit #8

Fig 1
    6. I have different models of NTI KVM switches. Is there an order in which I should cascade them?
     When you cascade different models of NTI KVM switches together, they must be ordered in a specific way to work correctly. Contact Customer Service at 800-742-8324.

     7. How far can the switches be located from each other when cascading?
     NTI products allow you to locate the CPUs up to 250 feet from the keyboard, monitor and mouse with crisp and clear 1900x1200 resolution, or up 500 feet at 800x600 VGA resolution, with no degradation of signal.

     8. What should the DIP switch settings be when I cascade NTI switches?
     Answer coming soon.

     9. I have two single-user 16-port PC units; can I cascade them?
     Yes. When cascading the units, you must set the DIP switches to the proper setting. You can use a 4-port, an 8-port, or a 16-port switch as a slave and you can use any size single-user switch (excluding 2-port switches) for the master.

    For example, you can cascade a 16-port switch off of a 16-port switch if you set the DIP switch setting to 16-port. However, in this example the switch will tell you that you have 27 ports available when really you only have 23.

    We don't suggest you do this. If you do, it is recommended that you use the front panel push buttons to do your switching.

     10. When I cascade single-user PC units, does it matter where the OSD unit is?
     Although you can cascade in any fashion, only the Master needs to be OSD. It would be more economical to have a regular unit and an OSD unit. If you cascade an OSD unit off a regular unit, you can use the switch(es) in a normal fashion, except you won't be able to use the OSD.