The C.A. Designs PC keyboard, mouse and video sharing system VKMS2U enables any one IBM compatible computer to be operated with two or more sets of keyboards, mice and video.  An additional VKMS2U may be plugged into the slave port of the first unit to increase the number of shared workstations by an additional two.

The unit can be used for keyboards only, mice only or keyboards and mice only (note that use with serial mice only requires an external PSU).

Keyboards and mice may be of any PC type but all must be the same.  The VKMS2U will detect which type of mouse port (PS/2 or serial) it is attached to on PC boot up and will configure itself accordingly.

The unit is "IntelliMouse" compatible, so if all mice attached are of this type (with an extra button / roller) and the correct driver is loaded in the PC, they will be fully functional.  However if one standard PS/2 mouse is fitted then any "IntelliMouse" attached will be disabled.

All PC commands are sent to all workstations so that keyboard lamps and function key states are updated at all workstations.

Individual users demand control by any keystroke or mouse action.  The users operate a contention system with control on a "first come - first served" basis.

When control resides with one user, the others are locked out while it is in use and for a short time afterwards.

There may be both local and remote workstations, up to 200m away, on each unit.  To attach remote workstations (using low-cost UTP cable with RJ45 connectors) add the C.A. Designs CX1X-100 extender for each remote end.

On powering up of the VKMS2U unit, the 'Power On' LED should illuminate, followed by any of the channel LEDs - these should go out after a short time.  Channel LEDs normally indicate which workstations are locked out (channel with unlit LED has control).

Should a channel LED stay on longer than the timeout period and all keyboard and mouse activity has ceased, the most probable cause is a mouse chattering.

Turn the mouse for the stuck channel on it's back to prevent it from sending any further data - if the problem persists, have the mouse serviced.

Power is normally derived from the computer for a single VKMS2U. However, if extenders are used or if more than one VKMS2U is added as a slave unit, the total load from the extra keyboards and mice may exceed the rated output from the PC keyboard port.

If this is the case, then an external power supply may be used (+5v 3A, available from C.A. Designs - order part code MP5C).  There is a self-resetting fuse in the unit that removes load from the PC port if the current is above 1 amp.

If the load exceeds 0.5 amp then the green 'power ON' LED will turn red (indicating that an external PSU must be added).

Keyboard inputs and outputs are normally 6-pin mini-DIN connections.  Adapter leads are available to convert to 5-pin DIN format if required.

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