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Technical Information IDEX Information
Overview The primary application of the IDEX Switch is hard drive switching, although it can be used to switch any IDE device and SATA drive. In multiple-user situations, IDEX Switches allow each user to effectively have their own "personal" computer. In single-user applications IDEX Switches provide a simple and truly "bullet proof" means of keeping different operating systems and/or applications completely separate - thus preventing conflicts and providing greater virus protection. IDE and ATA Applications When the computer is turned-on, a single hard drive is selected. The Drive Selector activates the Bus Switch, for this one drive only; all other drives have their Bus Switches disabled. The unselected drives are disconnected from the IDE bus, so they cannot be affected. SATA Applications When the computer is turned-on, a single hard drive is selected and powered; all other drives have no power. The Data cables are connected directly to the motherboard. Classroom Applications All of the IDEX switches can be connected to a Master Drive Selector, which provides convenient central control of up to 200 individually mounted IDEX Switches. One key lock-controlled Master in each classroom provides an instructor or technician with a single point to securely control the operation of the entire room. Specialty Orders & Custom Design Any of the IDEX Switch products can be specially ordered to fit a customer’s requirements. A minimum order of 100 is required. IDEX Switches – How They Work IDEX Switches allows for multiple independent drives in a PC by selecting only one drive to be connected to the motherboard. The IDEX Switch will only activate a drive when the computer power is first turned-on. The selected hard drive cannot be changed while power is on. This guarantees, proper operation and prevents damage to the system and hard drives. This also ensures that dangerous programs or viruses residing in RAM are erased before a different drive is connected preventing contamination between drives. ATA and IDE One IDE connector is required on the motherboard to switch 4 drives. When the computer is turned-on, a single hard drive is selected. The Drive Selector activates the Bus Switch, for this one drive only; all other drives have their Bus Switches disabled. The unselected drives are disconnected from the IDE bus, so they cannot be affected. The IDEX 400 and IDEX 410 units also switch power to the selected drive; all other drives have no power.  SATA Each SATA drive to be switched requires an SATA connector on the motherboard, PCI card or an IDE to SATA connector. If you wish to switch 4 SATA drives your motherboard will need 4 SATA connectors. The only cables that run from the IDEX 400 unit in the drive bay are the incoming power cable from the internal power source and the Hard Drive Power Cables, one to each drive. You may need the Serial ATA Hard Drive Power Cable (4-pin - 15-pin) depending on the hard drive. The SATA data cables are connected directly to the motherboard. The data lines do not get switched in this arrangement. There are some combinations of motherboards and drives that will prompt a message stating that one drive is disconnected. Activating F1 usually makes the computer continue booting. IDEX Master Selector & Classroom Cabling To facilitate classroom applications, IDEX Switch units can be controlled from a single Master Selector. The Master Selector is keylock operated and can control all computers in a room (up to 200). If the Master Selector is set to drive 1,2,3 or 4 all IDEX Switches will activate the drive specified by the Master Selector regardless of where the individual IDEX Switches are set. If the Master Selector is set to "Local", each IDEX Switch will activate the drive specified by its own selector switch. In this way an instructor can control which drive is used by his/her class and can optionally give control to the students. The controlling signal is done through a daisy chain link between IDEX units. This link can be through DB-9 connectors and cabling, or through CAT-5 cable with an RJ-45 connector. The cabling systems use a jumper cable that provides a female 9-pin D-Sub connector, or dual RJ-45 jacks on the back of the PC. We have cables available to meet any requirement. Pinout diagrams ( DB-9 & RJ-45 ) are available for anyone wishing to fabricate their own cables. Where security is an issue, brackets are available to screw the unit to the desk. DB9 Cable System The diagram below shows how the cable system works. (Many different cabling arrangements are possible, the diagram shown here is just one example.) 9-pin D-Sub connectors are used on all cables. There are two types of cables; Y-Cables (male to dual female) and Extension Cables (male to male). The Y-Cables are 1 ft on each leg. The number of Y-Cables and Extension Cables depends on the layout. Standard Extension Cables come in lengths of 6, 10, and 15 feet*. 
 Master Selector DB-9 Cabling Pinout Diagram RJ-45 Cable System The diagram below shows how the cable system works. (Many different cabling arrangements are possible, the diagram shown here is just one example.) RJ-45 connectors are used on all cables. The RJ-45 jumper cable installs dual RJ-45 connectors on the back of the computer. The install technician makes the RJ-45 cables to the required lengths. 
 Master Selector RJ-45 Cabling Pinout Diagram Mixing IDE/ATA and SATA All IDEX products can connect to a mixture of IDE/ATA and SATA drives at the same time. Order the appropriate IDE or ATA Kit to get the BusX Boards and ribbon cables, then order as many SATA power cables as you require. Slave Drives A slave drive that is connected to multiple (switched) masters is possible but usually not recommended. Any virus (Trojan, spyware, etc.) that gets on the slave will be able to spread to all drives. In addition, slave drives can have a significant impact on speed so it is generally better to use a single larger drive. For these reasons the cabling system is not designed to connect slave drives. If you still need to have the system connected this way, it is possible. There are a couple of options:
Switching More Than Four Drives It is possible to cascade the IDEX400/410 units to control more than 4 drives. With two open 5.25” bays you can use two of the IDEX 400/410 switches to control seven drives. The first IDEX switch connects to drives 1, 2 & 3 as in a standard configuration. The drive 4 power output on the first IDEX switch connects to the power input of the second ODEX 400/410 switch. Reverse Operation The Bus Switches are bi-directional so they will allow the IDEX switch to switch between two different processor boards accessing the same IDE/ATA hard drive. In this configuration only one of the two processors will be powered at any given time. Connect the Header cable to the drive and the individual cables to the separate motherboards. When "Drive 1" is selected it will connect motherboard 1 to the drive, when "Drive 2" is selected motherboard 2 will be connected to the drive. You must power off both motherboards and the drive to switch. Distance may be an issue - both motherboards must be close enough for the cables to reach. Mounting in an External Cabinet The IDEX switches can be mounted in an external cabinet if you are using IDE or SATA hard drives. The ATA cables are very sensitive to cable length and the internal configuration is already at the maximum acceptable length. IDE Cables can be longer lengths so an external cabinet will work if you don’t exceed a total cable length of 4 feet from the motherboard to the hard drive. Anything longer than 4 feet and reliability will be a problem. Trouble Shooting 1. Master LED Flashing
b. If you are using the Master selector, the flashing light indicates that there is no signal detected. Check the cable connections between the computers.
Warranty - LIMITED FIVE YEAR Indus Technologies Inc. (“Indus Technologies”) warrants that these goods are free from defects in workmanship and materials on purchase. If the goods are defective, they will be replaced or repaired, at Indus Technologies’ option, without charge on return to Indus Technologies within five years from date of purchase with satisfactory proof of purchase. This warranty is only given to the original purchaser of the goods and is void if the goods have been:
This warranty is given in place of all other warranties and assurances, whether express or implied, including but not limited to matters of quality, fitness for purpose, or merchantability and the vendor accepts no liability, under any circumstances whatsoever, for any consequential damage or loss suffered by anyone as a result of using or being unable to use this product. Certain jurisdictions have consumer protection laws which may give you additional rights. |
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