Remote Virtual Console

Function Description

The Remote Virtual Console allows you to remotely access the server to control and manage the server, install and restore the operating system (OS), and install drivers.

• On the local PC, you can use the keyboard and mouse to remotely operate the server.
• You can enable the server to remotely access the local PC over a network using a virtual floppy disk drive (FDD) or DVD-ROM drive. For the server, the method of using the virtual FDD or virtual DVD-ROM drive is the same as that of using a physical USB device.
  NOTE:

  The media on the local PC can be a local FDD or DVD-ROM drive, or a floppy disk or DVD image file stored on the local PC or network drive.

Table 1 describes the icons on the KVM screen.

Table 1 Icons on the KVM screen

Icon	Description
	Float button that locks the toolbar.
	Float button that hides the toolbar.
	Full screen display button, which shows the real-time desktop of the server in full-screen mode. NOTE: If you move the pointer to the top of the real-time desktop in full-screen mode, the toolbar is displayed.
	Synchronize mouse location button, which used to synchronize mouse location. NOTE: This button is available on the toolbar only when a desktop is displayed in full screen mode on a real-tim basis.
	Change mouse mode button, which used to change the mouse mode. NOTE: This button is available on the toolbar only when a desktop is displayed in full screen mode on a real-tim basis.
	Indicates a Back button. You can click this button to select an appropriate screen to display the real-time desktop of the server. NOTE: This button is displayed on the toolbar only when the real-time desktop of the server is displayed in full screen.
	Power Management button, which controls server power. The control operations include the following: Power On Forced Power Off Normal Power Off Forced System Reset Forced Power Cycle
	Video button, which records a video for remote real-time operations.
	Mouse Control button, which controls the server mouse. The control operations include the following: Mouse Acceleration Accelerates the mouse on the real-time desktop to synchronize it with the mouse on the local PC. NOTE: SUSE versions earlier than SUSE 12 do not support mouse acceleration. Single Mouse Hides the mouse on the local PC and displays only the mouse on the real-time desktop. Mouse & Key Reset Simulates the removal and installation of a USB keyboard and mouse. When the keyboard and mouse on the real-time desktop stop responding, you can click Mouse & Key Reset to restore them. The default operation: Mouse Control
	CD/DVD button, which selects and uses a virtual DVD-ROM drive.
	Floppy Driver button, which selects and uses a virtual FDD.
	Create Image File button, which uses a DVD-ROM drive or FDD to create an image file.
	Combination keys button, which sends or customize combination keys.
Image Clarity	Image Clarity slider bar, which adjusts the clarity of a remote real-time image.
	Icon that indicates the status of the indicator for the Num Lock key on the server.
	Icon that indicates the status of the indicator for the Caps Lock key on the server.
	Icon that indicates the status of the indicator for the Scroll Lock key on the server. If you press Ctrl+S by mistake after entering the Linux character mode, the screen is locked. Press Scroll Lock to unlock the screen. NOTE: If a keyboard input error occurs when you operate the server using the KVM, check the status of the , , and icons first.
	Help button, which displays the online help.
Note: The icons on the KVM screen and their functions vary according to the server model.

Figure 1 shows the process for using a virtual DVD-ROM drive on the toolbar. The process for using an image file or virtual FDD is similar to this process.

Figure 1 Process

Page Description

On the menu bar, choose Remote. On the Remote page, click Remote Virtual Console (shared mode) or Remote Virtual Console (private mode). The KVM screen is displayed.

NOTE:

After you click Remote Virtual Console (shared mode), two users are allowed to access and perform operations on the server simultaneously. One user can view the operations performed by the other user, which causes security risks.

The KVM screen consists of three areas. Figure 2 shows the areas. Table 2 describes the areas.

Figure 2 KVM screen

Procedure

Sending a Combination Key

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar.

   The combination key dialog box is displayed. The combination keys are described as follows:

   • Ctrl+Shift: switches between input methods.
   • Ctrl+Esc: expands or collapses the Start menu.
   • Ctrl+Alt+Del: locks the OS window, logs out a user, changes the password, opens Task Manager, or restarts the server.
   • Alt+Tab: switches between running applications.
   • Ctrl+Space: enables or disables an input method.
   • ResetKeyboad: simulates the release of a key on the keyboard.
2. Click a combination key.

   The server performs the operation defined for the combination key.

NOTE:

If you want to customize a combination key, enter the keys in the text box next to Custom, and click Send.

Installing a Virtual DVD-ROM Drive

The following describes how to use the DVD-ROM drive on the local PC to install a virtual DVD-ROM drive.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar.

   The dialog box shown in Figure 3 is displayed.

   Figure 3 Installing a virtual DVD-ROM drive
   
   
2. Click the CD/DVD option button.
3. Select the drive letter of the DVD-ROM drive on the local PC from the drop-down list, for example, G:.
4. Click Connect.

   The virtual DVD-ROM drive is successfully installed on the server.

   NOTE:

   To uninstall the virtual DVD-ROM drive, click Disconnect, and click Yes in the Select an Option dialog box.

Using an Image File to Install a Virtual DVD-ROM Drive and Loading the Image File

The following describes how to use a DVD image file on the local PC to install a virtual DVD-ROM drive and load the image file to the virtual DVD-ROM drive.

Before performing this operation, ensure that an *.iso DVD image file is stored on the local PC.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar.

   The dialog box shown in Figure 3 is displayed.

2. Click the Image File option button.
3. Click Browse.

   The Open dialog box is displayed.

4. Select the DVD image file on the local PC, and click Open.

   The dialog box shown in Figure 3 is displayed.

5. Click Connect.

   The virtual DVD-ROM drive is successfully installed on the server and the image file is successfully loaded.

   NOTE:

   • To load a new DVD image file, click Eject to eject the existing DVD image file, select the new DVD image file, and click Insert.

   • To uninstall the virtual DVD-ROM drive, click Disconnect, and click Yes in the Select an Option dialog box.

Installing a Virtual FDD

The following describes how to use a floppy disk image file or an FDD on the local PC to install a virtual FDD.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar.

   The dialog box shown in Figure 4 is displayed.

   Figure 4 Installing a virtual FDD
   
   
2. Click the Floppy option button.
3. Select the drive letter of the FDD on the local PC from the drop-down list, for example, A:.
4. Select the Write Protect check box.
   NOTE:

   Write Protect is a mechanism that prevents alter or erasure of important data. If Write Protect is selected, no data can be written to the specified FDD.

5. Click Connect.

   The virtual FDD is successfully installed on the server.

   NOTE:

   To uninstall the virtual FDD, click Disconnect, and click Yes in the Select an Option dialog box.

Using an Image File to Install a Virtual FDD and Loading the Image File

The following describes how to use a floppy disk image file on the local PC to install a virtual FDD, and load the image file to the virtual FDD.

Before performing this operation, ensure that an *.img floppy disk image file is stored on the local PC.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar.

   The dialog box shown in Figure 4 is displayed.

2. Click the Image File option button.
3. Click Browse.

   The Open dialog box is displayed.

4. Select the floppy disk image file on the local PC, and click Open.

   The dialog box shown in Figure 4 is displayed.

5. Click Connect.

   The virtual FDD is successfully installed on the server, and the image file is successfully loaded.

   NOTE:

   • To load a new floppy disk image file, click Eject to eject the existing floppy disk image file, select the new floppy disk image file, and click Insert.

   • To uninstall the virtual FDD, click Disconnect, and click Yes in the Select an Option dialog box.

Creating an Image File

The following describes how to use a floppy disk or DVD inserted into the FDD or DVD-ROM drive to create an image file. The created image file is stored on the local PC, and can be used to install and load to a virtual FDD or DVD-ROM drive.

Before performing this operation, ensure that a floppy disk or DVD has been inserted into the FDD or DVD-ROM drive on the local PC.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar.

   The dialog box shown in Figure 5 is displayed.

   Figure 5 Creating an image file
   
   
2. Select the drive letter of the FDD or DVD-ROM drive on the local PC from the Driver drop-down list.
3. Click Browse. The Save dialog box is displayed.
4. Select a local directory for saving the image file, and enter a file name in the File Name text box.
   NOTE:

   You can create only *.iso DVD image files or *.img floppy disk image files.

5. Click Save.

   The dialog box shown in Figure 5 is displayed.

6. Click Make.

   The system displays a message indicating that the image file is successfully created.

   Progress indicates the image file creation percentage.

   NOTE:

   To stop creating an image file, click Stop.

Installing a Virtual Directory

This operation allows you to mount the directories on the local PC to the server so that the server can access the local directories in read-only mode.

NOTICE:

Before mounting the virtual directory, copy the required files to the target directory. After the virtual directory is mounted, you cannot perform file addition or deletion operations on it.

1. On the Remote Control screen, click from the toolbar.

   The page shown in Figure 6 is displayed.

   Figure 6 Installing a virtual directory
   
   
2. Click the Directory option button.
3. Click Browse.

   The dialog box for selecting a local directory is displayed.

4. Select the required local directory and click Open.
5. Click Connect.
   NOTE:

   • The virtual directory is displayed in the server OS list if the connection is successful. You can copy files from this directory.
   • You can click Disconnect to uninstall the virtual directory if the connection is successful.

Powering On the Server

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar, and choose Power On from the shortcut menu.

   The Select an Option dialog box is displayed.

2. Click Yes.

   The server is powered on.

   NOTE:

   The server power-on time varies according to the server configuration.

Powering Off the Server

NOTICE:

Before powering off the server, ensure that no service risk exists.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar, and choose Normal Power Off from the shortcut menu.

   The Select an Option dialog box is displayed.

2. Click Yes.

   The server is powered off.

   NOTE:

   • A forcible power-off may cause data loss or damage to programs. Forcibly power off the server only when necessary.

   • Select a power-off mode based on your requirement. For details about the difference between between

Forced System Resetting the Server or Forced Power Cycling the Server

NOTICE:

• Before forced system resetting the server or forced power cycling the server, ensure that no service risk exists.

• Select a reset mode (Forced System Reset or Forced Power Cycle) based on site requirements. For details about the difference between the two modes, see the description on the page displayed after you choose Power > Power Control.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar, and choose Forced System Reset or Forced Power Cycle from the shortcut menu.

   The Select an Option dialog box is displayed.

2. Click Yes.
   The server starts to reset or to power off and then on.

   NOTE:

   The duration required by the server to reset or power off and then on varies according to the server configuration.

Resetting the Keyboard and Mouse

The following describes how to simulate the removal and installation of a USB keyboard and mouse.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar, and choose Mouse & Key Reset from the shortcut menu.

   The Select an Option dialog box is displayed.

2. Click Yes.

   The USB keyboard and mouse are reset.

Recording a Video for the Real-time Desktop

The following describes how to record a video for the real-time desktop displayed on the Remote Virtual Console.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar.

   The Select an Option dialog box is displayed.

2. Click Yes.

   The Save dialog box is displayed.

3. Select a local directory for saving the video file to be recorded, and enter a file name in the File Name text box.
4. Click Save.

   The KVM screen is displayed, and the video recording starts.

5. After the video is recorded, click .

   The Select an Option dialog box is displayed.

6. Click Yes.

   The video file is saved to the specified directory.

The video file is a .rep file. You can play the video file and capture pictures on the Play Back page.

Using a Single Mouse

If the mouse on the local PC is not synchronized with the real-time desktop, you can use the single-mouse function to hide the mouse on the local PC and display only the mouse of the real-time desktop on the KVM screen.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar, and choose Single Mouse from the shortcut menu.

   The Select an Option dialog box is displayed.

2. Click Yes.

   Only the mouse on the real-time desktop is displayed on the KVM screen.

Accelerating the Remote Mouse

The following describes how to accelerate the mouse on the real-time desktop to synchronize it with the mouse on the local PC.

1. On the KVM screen, click on the toolbar, and choose Mouse Acceleration from the shortcut menu.

   The Select an Option dialog box is displayed.

2. Click Yes.

   The server mouse is synchronized with the mouse on the local PC.