Issues with USB Keyboard and Mouse
New member, first post.
We use the Sun Blade 1500 with Solaris 8 on Foxboro's I/A control system. SB is remote mounted in a cabinet about 50' from the console.
We are having problems with the mouse and keyboard losing connection to the SB. USB extenders are being used that Foxboro provided. It appears that static discharge from the operators maybe the problem and we are working to make sure that everything is properly grounded. It takes a reboot to reconnet the mouse and keyboard. This is a real problem when equipment is being used in Plant process control.
Is there a USB extender that emulates the mouse and keyboard?
Can a file or script be written to auto scan and reconnect the mouse and keyboard?
Foxboro's has been that it is a Sun problem not theirs so they have been no help.
Thanks for any help that may come.
[927 byte] By [
tlbrazell] at [2007-11-25 22:45:00]
# 1
Some USB extenders only work up to 10 meters ( 30' ), can you check the spec of the item and post back? I am not 100% on your setup, but we have terminal servers with Sun workstations and servers installed in the same rack. Cisco 2511RJ is an example, this router allows me to connect to any server using the console port of the server from any host on the network ( LAN ) or remotely from any host on the internet ( at home drinking tea! ). Alternitively a Sun Ray 150/170 could be used for remote GUI for the SB 1500.
# 2
Who provided the USB extender equipment?
Since you mentioned that Foxboro provided it, then Foxboro will ultimately be responsible for its effectiveness.
Can Foxboro advise you on how their other customers are doing this?Can you get contact info to those other customers and discuss their experiences, directly?
As Martin mentioned, 30' (10-meter) is the usual effective maximum distance for USB.
Remember, it was originally "invented" to add a spider-web of local peripherals.
If you need more than that, then the cabling manufacturer should have some knowledge on how to sell you repeater equipment that is externally powered (boosts the signals back to original levels but can add static noise).You cannot be the only end-user that needs their USB equipment to function from a distance.
Martin's description of using terminal server equipment is usually a bullet-proof answer.
Lastly, keep in mind that these forums are hosted for user-to-user discussions. This is NOT Sun techsupport.
You can request Foxboro to open a service case for you.
Bill at 2007-7-5 16:56:57 >
# 3
Yes I agree with Martin 100% on the terminal server front. But if you can afford the time on the system it would be a good idea to remove all of the extension cables, etc that you have for the mouse, keyboard, etc and just use the connectors attached to the mouse, keyboard, etc to connect to the system. This will atleast rule in or out the extenders.
# 4
Thanks Stuart, of course I never thought of troubleshooting further than the USB extenders. I have a tendancy to avoid any type of extended KVM or other ( especially USB 1.1 ), and blame this setup as the main issue with any type of direct access further than a few feet.
Having a machine that is part of a manufacturing tool would probably be more secure on a LAN and without direct console access ( KVM ), it would also be easier to troubleshoot console output after a crash or during diagnostics etc.
# 5
I agree 100% with you Martin, i hate KVM setups with a passion, but removing the extenders will help him progress further with this atleast by ruling them in or out of the issue.
