Appendix D: Pod Switch Mode; Configuration - Avocent AMX Switch Serie Guide D'installation

Appendix D: Pod Switch Mode

Introduction
Created for broadcast and studio environments, Pod Switch mode is designed to meet the needs of
AMX switching system users who have multiple monitors in their work area. When Pod Switch
mode is enabled on the user station, one monitor will continuously display video from the local
target device while the second monitor will display video from a remote target device. You may
switch keyboard and mouse control between the local and remote target devices by entering
a hotkey.
NOTE: The term pod refers to the keyboard and mouse connections to the user station.
Pod Switch mode is useful, for example, in a broadcast environment where a studio operator may
need to access audio/video data from the local target device while using both local and remote
target devices to upload data to live production. By entering the pod switch hotkey, the studio
operator may immediately switch keyboard and mouse control from the remote target device to the
local target device, while still viewing remote video on one of the monitors.
Requirements
To use Pod Switch mode, your AMX switching system must comply with the
following requirements:
• The AMX switching system configuration should be similar to the example shown
in Figure 1.1.
• The local target device must be connected to the user station using an AMIQ (single port)
module, not an AMIQDM (dual port) module. The remote target devices may be connected to
the AMX switch using any IQ module.
• The user station at which you will perform Pod Switch mode must have two RJ-45 ports
(AMX 5111, AMX 5121 or AMX 5130 user stations). The user station must have access to
remote target devices through the AMX switch and must be connected to a local target device.
• The user station must be running firmware version 4.3.0.2 or later.
To determine the current firmware version, launch the OSCAR graphical user interface and
click the ? tab. Press the
If the user station needs to be updated, visit www.avocent.com to download the latest firmware
version. Use the AMWorks Java-based system administration tool to Flash upgrade your AMX
switching system with the new firmware version.

Configuration

Figure 1.1 illustrates an AMX switching system configured for pod switching. The dual port
user station is connected to the AMX switch for remote target device access and also to a local
target device. An AMIQ module is connected to the local server, and the video connector is left
unconnected. One monitor is connected to the local target device and another monitor is
key to view the firmware version at the bottom of the screen.
End
Appendices 93