User Guide
LaserCube-Desktop provides connection support for one or two business-class, low-profile PCI Express (PCIe) graphics controllers. It provides four USB 2.0 ports for peripherals such as keyboard and mouse, as well as audio ports for speakers or headphones. It also provides one PCI slot for a specialized adapter such as audio. One or two multimode fiber-optic cables link the unit with a LaserBlade to form a single computer. See the illustration at the right. The 60Watt power supply is auto-ranging and external to the unit.
Connections
LaserCube-Desktop provides two ports for multi-mode fiber connectivity to a LaserBlade computer. It also provides four USB 2.0 ports, multiple DisplayPorts or Digital Visual Interface (DVI) video ports, depending upon the video controller(s). LaserCube-Desktop provides two PCIe 16x expansion slots, usually occupied by two single-wide controllers or one double-wide controller providing one or two female DisplayPorts or DVI-I ports.
-------Caution: Disconnect power before connecting or disconnecting fiber on LaserBlade or LaserCube.
----------------When you disconnect a fiber cable, also remove that fiber transceiver from its port.
Power
LaserCube-Desktop uses an external power brick with a maximum capacity of 66Watts and 120-240Volts AC power. When connecting power, connect the external power cube to LaserCube-Desktop and then connect the power cube to the AC power source. When disconnecting power, disconnect AC power from the power cube and then disconnect the external power cube from LaserCube-Desktop
Remote Switch Box
Cubix optional Remote Switch Box (RSB) provides power on/off and reset control in a small, inconspicuous box (see the illustration at the right). Optionally, it also provides easy access to two of the LaserCube USB ports via USB extension cables. RSB connects to LaserCube via a PS/2 cable and two USB cables. The LEDs provide the status of the power and fiber link for the LaserCube.
Remote Switch Box Technical Specifications
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Ports
--2 USB 2.0 ports
--Total cable length must meet USB 1.0 / 2.0 length specifications
Operating Environment
--0° to 30° Celsius (32° to 86° Fahrenheit) temperature
--5% to 80% non-condensing humidity
Dimensions
--1.40” H x 3.70” W x 2.75” D (3.56cm H x 9.39cm W x 6.988cm D)
Weight
--1.00 lbs (0.45kg)
Warranty / Period
--Parts & Labor Return to Manufacturer / 1 year
--Ext. Warranty Period Optional 2, 3 or 4 years
Installation and Start-up Procedure
1. With LaserBlade and LaserCube-Desktop powered down, connect one multi-mode fiber cable pair with an LC connector pair between the top fiber port on LaserBlade and the top fiber port on LaserCube-Desktop front panel.
2. Repeat the procedure for the next port down from the top port.
------Note: Connect at least the top two ports to support minimum graphics performance levels.
-------------For the highest performance levels, connect all four fiber ports.
3. Enable fiber at the LaserBlade. Note: Make sure you have fully enabled both switches. Disable fiber for local operation such as installing an operating system or drivers.
------Note: Check to make sure you have fully enabled both switches.
------------Disable fiber for local operation when installing an operating system or drivers.
4. Power up LaserBlade, which will power up and down, which is normal operation.
5. Wait for the power LED to change from solid green to flashing green, which means it is ready to power up.
6. Press the LaserCube-Desktop power button; it will power up and run.
After powering down LaserCube-Desktop, wait for the power LED to change from steady green to flashing green (about 10 seconds) before powering it up again.
LaserCube-Desktop Indicators
Front panel LEDs (see the illustration above) from left to right function as follows:
• Top left LED is Reset
o On = reset is active
o Off = reset is not active
• Bottom left LED is Power
o Flashing green = unit is powered off; unit is active
o Steady green = unit power is on or initializing for 5 seconds
o Off = unit power off or malfunction
• Second pair of LEDs from the left applies to the two fiber ports: Lanes 1 & 2
o Flashing green = signal detected; no link
o Steady green = normal operation
o Off = unit power off, cable disconnect or laser malfunction
• Far right set of four LEDs indicate which signals inside LaserCube-Desktop are present.
o P1 = PCIe slot 1 (graphics controller, for example)
- Steady green = slot is populated with a card
- Off = slot is not populated with a card
o P2 = PCIe slot 2 (graphics controller, for example)
- Steady green = slot is populated with a card
- Off = slot is not populated with a card
o P3 = PCI slot and USB 2.0 or PS/2 (option)
- Steady green = PCI slot, USB or PS/2 is active
- Off = PCI slot, USB or PS/2 is not active
o P4 = Not used
- Off = normal operation
-------Note: Install at least one transceiver in each LaserCube and LaserBlade so that the units can detect a fiber signal.
-------------When a fiber port in any LaserCube or LaserBlade has no transceiver installed, its associated LEDs will be off.
-------------If LaserCube detects no fiber signal, the LaserCube will power off.
If you have questions about LaserCube, contact Cubix.
Troubleshooting Guide
Cubix recommends that you use the following steps to eliminate simple issues.
If no video displays when you power on the LaserCube remote unit, make sure that the following is true
- LaserBlade computer is plugged into a power source and switched on.
- LaserCube-Desktop’s power cube is plugged into both the wall socket and the desktop unit and that the power indicator is lit.
- LaserCube-Workstation is plugged into a power source, is switched on and that the power indicator is lit.
- LaserBlade computer Remote Connect switches are set to Enabled.
- Fiber cable is connected and undamaged.
- Fiber cable connection from the LaserBlade computer to the LaserCube has a single crossover.
- Fiber cable is properly connected to the LaserCube.
- LaserBlade computer and LaserCube are powered up in the proper sequence as follows:
- Make sure before applying power that the LaserCube is powered off, the fiber link connected and the Enable switches are both enabled on LaserBlade.
- Apply power to the LaserBlade computer. The computer will power up for a few seconds and then power down.
- Power on the LaserCube. The LaserBlade computer will power on.
- Reset or power on/off only from the remote desktop from now on.
If you experience problems setting up multiple monitors, make sure that you have
- Connected all of your monitors to power and video (either VGA or DVI ports).
- Powered up all of your monitors.
- Extended your desktop across all monitors, as shown in the illustration at the right (Windows only).
- Configured your xorg.conf file for multiple monitor operation (Linux only).
If you have warnings in Windows Device Manager, make sure that you have
- Installed the appropriate Intel chipset utility and other drivers for the LaserBlade computer.
- Installed a third-party graphics or other driver, if appropriate.
If USB devices do not work, make sure that you have
- Installed the Cubix USB driver for the LaserCube (legacy models only).
- Connected USB devices firmly to USB ports.
If audio output from the integrated sound card in the LS desktop unit does not work, make sure that you have
- Connected the speakers into the jack labeled OUT.
- Connected amplified speakers, which allow you to hear audio from the integrated sound device.
- Disabled on-board audio in the LaserBlade computer.
If both LaserBlade and LaserCube show green LEDs but the operating system detects no LaserCube devices, isolate one:
- Swap the LaserBlade with a known-good fiber connection and a known-good LaserBlade.
- Swap the LaserCube with a known-good fiber connection and a known-good LaserCube.
Before You Contact Cubix
For LaserCube, find the s/n on the rear panel. For LaserBlade computer, find the unique serial number (s/n) located on the front panel (see the illustration at the right). Have this s/n ready when you contact Cubix Customer Service.
Fill out and submit the Contact Form.
Email customerservice @ cubix dot com
Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific, Monday through Friday
Closed Weekends and holidays
Telephone 800.829.0554 (USA or Canada)
Telephone 775.888.1000 (International)
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