Appendix D: Two-Tier System
87
Limitations of the Two-Tier System
The two-tier system has several limitations.
There is only one path (Cat5 UTP cable) between the base switch and
each second-tier device. When a user from the base switch is
accessing any channel of a second-tier device, there are no other
paths left for the other user from the base switch to access the same
second-tier device's channels.
The user from the base switch always shares second-tier channels
with the "local" user, who operates the keyboard and mouse directly
connected to the second-tier device. This is because the PC Share
mode is automatically applied to all second-tier devices regardless of
the operation mode selected at the base switch.
If you operate the input/output devices (keyboard, mouse and monitor)
connected directly to a second-tier device, you only gain access to the
channels of that specific second-tier device.
Establishing a Two-Tier System
Basically, there are four major steps to establish a two-tier system:
STEP (A): Programme an MCCAT switch as a second-tier device
STEP (B): Connect the second-tier MCCAT switch to the base switch
STEP (C): Specify the type of the second-tier device on the OSD
STEP (D): Connect computers to the TMCAT17 system
Note: The major steps are applicable to both of "one-user" and "two-user"
MCCAT switches. The only difference is that a "one-user" MCCAT switch
does not have the User 2 port so the way to connect it is different from the
way to connect a "two-user" MCCAT switch. For instructions on
connecting "one-user" MCCAT switches, see
How to Connect
MCCAT18/116 Switches to the Base Switch
(on page 91).
STEP (A): Programme an MCCAT Switch as a Second-Tier Device
Each MCCAT switch is programmed as a base switch by default. To
establish a two-tier system, you must change the default programming of
the MCCAT switches that you want to set as the second-tier devices.
To programme the MCCAT switch as a second-tier device:
1. Turn OFF the MCCAT switch.
2. Press and hold down the channel number 2 button on the front panel,
and turn ON the MCCAT switch simultaneously.
3. Continue holding down the channel number 2 button until you hear the
beep sound.
