KEYSTROKE TRANSLATIONS AND EMULATIONS FOR
MULTI-PLATFORM SWITCHES


Keystroke Translation:

Different keyboard platforms (PS/2, Mac, Sun or USB) use unique protocols to communicate keystrokes to the host so that the computer will understand and act upon them. Mac keyboards are designed to use a Mac ADB protocol, Sun keyboards use a Sun legacy (8 pin miniDIN) protocol, etc. NTI Multi-platform KVM switches translate these protocols, which enables you to use the keyboard you prefer with any host platform.

For instance, if you are using a Mac keyboard to control a PS/2 computer through an NTI switch, our switch will translate Mac ADB protocols into PS/2 protocols that will be understood by the PS/2 computer. This translation is transparent to the user.

Emulation:

Keyboards and mice are available in a variety of layouts and some have special keys. For example, a keyboard with a Sun layout has 14 additional keys which do not appear on keyboards with a Mac or Windows layout. Another example would be the Mac mouse, which does not have a second button to perform the right-click functions supported by a PS/2 two-button mouse.

NTI's Multi-Platform switches are engineered to enable you to use the keyboard and mouse layout that you prefer, without losing functionality, by emulating missing keys and/or buttons. By utilizing a combination of keystrokes, you can emulate Sun extra keys, right mouse clicks, etc. See the emulation charts below for more details:


SUN EXTRA KEY EMULATION
Use the chart below to emulate SUN's additional 14 keys when using keyboards with a Standard 101/102, Windows or Apple Extended layout.
Windows or MAC Keyboard SUN Extras
Space Bar + F1 Stop (L1)
Space Bar + F2 Again (L2)
Space Bar + F3 Props (L3)
Space Bar + F4 Undo (L4)
Space Bar + F5 Front (L5)
Space Bar + F6 Copy (L6)
Space Bar + F7 Open (L7)
Space Bar + F8 Paste (L8)
Space Bar + F9 Find (L9)
Space Bar + F10 Cut (L10)
Space Bar + F11 Help
Space Bar + F12* Compose
SB+Right Arrow/Power Power
Space Bar + Up Arrow Vol +
Space Bar + Down Arrow Vol -
Space Bar + Left Arrow Mute

* Supported by KEEMUX-USBV-xU and ST-nXm-USBV-u only.
MOUSE EMULATION
Use the chart below to emulate right-click of a PC two-button mouse when using MAC one-button mouse.
MAC Mouse PC Hosts
Apple Command + Click Right Click
Equivalent Keys:

Keyboards and mice are available in a variety of layouts and some have special keys. For example, the Microsoft Windows keyboard layout has a Microsoft Windows key, and keyboards with Mac or Sun layouts have a Power key.

NTI Multi-Platform switches are designed to allow you to use the keyboard layout you prefer, without losing functionality, by using equivalent keys. For instance, if you are using a keyboard with a Sun legacy layout to control a PC and wanted to use the Microsoft Windows key, the chart below indicates that you can press the equivalent key on the Sun legacy layout, which is the Meta key. The computer will perform the action that pressing the Microsoft Windows key on a Microsoft Windows layout keyboard would have initiated. See the equivalent key chart below for more details.

Equivalent Key Charts

Using the charts below:

  1. Find the chart relevant to the operating system of the computer you are controlling.
  2. On the left side of that chart, find the desired key.
  3. Follow the row across to the column for the keyboard layout and interface you are using to find the equivalent key.

For example: You are controlling a computer with a Sun operating system using a keyboard with a Windows layout. You want to hit the Meta key. Using the chart entitled "When controlling a computer using Sun OS," find the Meta (the Desired Key) and follow the row across to the column for Windows keyboard layout. The chart indicates that the equivalent key is the Microsoft Window key.


When controlling a computer running a Windows OS
 Equivalent Key
Desired Key SUN Legacy Keyboard SUN USB Keyboard Standard 101/102
PS/2 Keyboard		 MAC Extended Keyboard
Command Meta Meta SB+Alt Apple Command
Left Alt Left Alt Left Alt Left Alt Left Opt
Left Control Left Control Left Control Left Control Left Control
Microsoft Windows Meta Meta SB+Alt Apple Command
Right Alt Alt-Graph Alt-Graph Right Alt Right Opt
Right Control Compose No Equivalent Right Control Right Control

When controlling a computer running a SUN OS
 Equivalent Key
Desired Key Standard 101/102 PS/2 Keyboard Windows Keyboard MAC Extended Keyboard
Alt-Graph Right Alt Right Alt No Equivalent
Compose Right Control Application Right Control
Left Alt Left Alt Left Alt Left Opt
Left Control Left Control Left Control Left Control
Meta SB+Alt Microsoft Windows Apple Command
Power SB+Right Arrow SB+Right Arrow Power

When controlling a computer running a MAC OS
 Equivalent Key
Desired Key SUN Legacy Keyboard SUN USB Keyboard Standard 101/102 PS/2 Keyboard Windows Keyboard
Apple Command Meta Meta SB+Alt Microsoft Windows
Left Control Left Control Left Control Left Control Left Control
Left Opt Left Alt Left Alt Left Alt Left Alt
Power Power Power SB+Right Arrow SB+Right Arrow
Right Control Compose No Equivalent Right Control Right Control
Right Opt Right Alt Alt-Grapy Right Alt Right Alt

"SB"=Space Bar
"Left" and "Right" - This parameter is used when two keys are marked with the same character, one to the left of the space bar and one to the right of the space bar (example: Left Alt and Right Alt keys), and only the designated key will produce the action. When either key will produce the equivalent action, Left and Right are not specified (example: Microsoft Windows key)


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