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Mapping / Assigning Hardware Devices

As all workstations in a Cluster share the same Host PC, some devices such as printer, scanner etc, may be shared by all workstations in the Cluster.

On the other hand, devices such as keyboard, mouse, HID devices, audio device, removable disk (USB port) must be assigned to a Workstation. Each such hardware plugged into the Host must be assigned to the relevant user's Workstation so he/she can access and work with it.

By default, after SoftXpand Xpress is installed all keyboards, mice and other HID devices attached to the host will be mapped to the primary monitor.

By default, after SoftXpand Xpress is installed all audio devices and removable disks (if any are connected to the Host during installation) connected to the host will be mapped to the Host Console.

In simple terms, each Workstation is a monitor / screen. Each Workstation must have a minimum set of a keyboard and mouse to enable basic user activity, with optional HID and audio devices. Removable disks (USB port) can also be mapped per Workstation. IP addresses can be mapped per application/process.

For best practice, the most recommended hardware setup is a basic star topology – allocating a dedicated Host USB port per Workstation and connecting a single USB hub to it, to which only that Workstation's devices are connected.

Assigning Keyboards and Mice to Workstations

There are 3 methods to map keyboards and mice to monitors:

·    Manual mapping

This is mainly done following a SoftXpand Xpress installation.
A device assignment instruction in each Workstation's logon dialog will indicate which Ctrl+Shift+F[#] will be used to assign the keyboard and mouse to it (# = a number digit).
For each Workstation click the relevant Ctrl+Shift+F[#] key combination, release the keyboard keys

and immediately click the mouse's left and right buttons together

.
This will assign both keyboard and mouse to monitor / Workstation #.

See the following example which will require the Ctrl+Shift+F2 keys for assignment of keyboard and mouse.

Note: the Ctrl+Shift+F2 demonstrated in the image below is an example. For each Workstation, a different Ctrl+Shift+F# will be acquired.

·    Using the Workstation Properties dialog box
See description of this method below.

·    Map to Primary
See description of this method below.

General Mapping Methods

The following 2 mapping methods apply to more than one type of device, as enlisted in each device type's section:

·    Using the Workstation Properties – Device Map  dialog box:

·    Decide to which Workstation you wish to assign devices and access the relevant Workstation Properties dialog box through the Workstation Tray Icon or via Workstation properties using the Admin Tools. This dialog box will enable assigning devices only to that Workstation.

·    In the Device Map tab, select the appropriate device type from the drop down menu. A table of devices will appear.

·    Select the ‘Edit mode’ checkbox to change the mapping settings.

·    Select the checkbox to the left of the appropriate device you wish to assign to the Workstation and click ‘Apply’ or ‘OK to save and close.

·    Map to Primary

This is the initial status upon conclusion of the SoftXpand Xpress installation – all keyboards and mice are mapped to the primary monitor / Workstation – the monitor from which the installation was initiated.
To return to this status (in case of hardware mapping mixtures and complication), use the Admin Tools to go to: Host Properties > Peripheral Devices > Keyboards & Mice and click the ‘Reset Settings’ button.
Use this option with extra care as it will affect ALL Host keyboards and mice.

Mapping Audio Devices to Workstations

All in/out audio devices (not MIDI) can be mapped to specific Workstations.

A SoftXpand Xpress Workstation cannot be assigned with more than one audio device.

Multiple Workstations can use the same ‘out’ audio device.

For mapping audio devices to Workstations use the Workstation properties – Device Map dialog box.

To return all audio device assignments to installation default (assigned to Host Console) you can use the reset settings button in the Audio Devices tab under Host Properties.

Use the ‘Reset Settings’ button with extra care, as it will also un-assign all mappings of audio devices to all workstations and re-assign them back the Host Console.

Mapping removable USB disks to Workstations

USB removable disks can be mapped to a workstation.

This is done by assigning the USB port (to which the removable disk is plugged in to) to the Workstation.

Any removable disk which will be plugged into the assigned USB port will be automatically mapped to the Workstation, and only that Workstation will be able to see the removable disk and have access to it.

When deploying a SoftXpand Xpress cluster it is recommended to assign for each Workstation a USB port (or a number of USB ports) which will be used for connecting USB removable disks.

The assignment of USB removable disk to a Workstation is done through the Workstation Properties - Device Map tab.

The easiest way to do so is:

·    Log on to all SoftXpand Xpress Workstations.

·    On each Workstation open the Workstation Properties - Device Map tab from the Workstation tray icon.

·    Connect a USB removable disk to a designated USB port and assign it to the Workstation.

·    Do so for each USB port per Workstation.

To return all removable disk assignments back to the installation defaults you can use the ‘Reset Settings’ button in Removable disk tab under Host Properties.

Mapping other HID to Workstations

Most HID devices can be mapped to specific workstations. Contact MiniFrame's support team at support@miniframe.com for more details.

Mapping IP Addresses

IP addresses are not mapped to Workstations but, rather, to processes. To map IP address to a process, use the Device map tab of the Workstation Properties dialog box.

In the device type drop down menu, change the Device type to IP Address and add the relevant applications and their respective IP addresses as needed.

NOTE: Those applications must first be enabled for Virtual IP in the Host Properties - Peripheral Devices - Virtual IPs tab.

NOTE: single-instance applications cannot use the multi-IP feature.