User's Guide DockPod Docking Station Model #: RPDOCKU2FA Windows & Mac For the Please retain this guide. CONTENTS CONTACT INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 PACKAGE CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 PRODUCT REGISTRATION FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 ABOUT ROCKETPOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 DOCKPOD AT A GLANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 DOCKPOD IN-DEPTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR MAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 3 CONNECTING DOCKPOD TO YOUR COMPUTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 HOW TO STACK&PLAY ROCKETPOD MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 STACKING ROCKETPOD MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 REMOVING STACKED-ON MODULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 TURNING OFF A ROCKETPOD STACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 CONNECTION OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 CONNECTING DOCKPOD TO A USB HUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 CONNECTING YOUR ROCKETPOD STACK TO A FIREWIRE DAISY-CHAIN . . . . . . 31 TROUBLESHOOTING/FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) . . . . . . . . . .33 SOLVING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 CONTACT INFORMATION Mailing Address: P BOX 5499 .O. Diamond Bar, California 91765-7499 Telephone: (909) 348-0680 Fax: (909) 598-8663 Web: www.acomdata.com Customer Service: customerservice@acomdata.com Technical Support: techsupport@acomdata.com Pre-Sales Questions: sales@acomdata.com 4 5 WELCOME Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of DockPod, the Docking Station for RocketPod Hi-Performance Peripherals from AcomData. This guide contains instructions on how to connect your DockPod to your computer and stack on RocketPod modules using the patented Stack&PlayTM system. For instructions pertaining to the usage of a specific RocketPod product, please see the User's Guide for that product. Please read this guide carefully before using your DockPod, and retain it for future reference. PACKAGE CONTENTS The package should contain the following items: · · · · · · DockPod Docking Station FireWire cable (6-pin to 6-pin) USB 2.0 cable (compatible with USB 1.x) AC adapter and power cord User's Guide Warranty Registration Card If you are missing any of the items listed above, please contact AcomData Customer Service at customerservice@acomdata.com or call 1-800-470-4495 or (909) 348-0680. 6 7 PRODUCT REGISTRATION FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE Please take a few moments to register your AcomData product. Registration is required in the event that your product needs warranty service. Also, please retain your sales receipt from the purchase of this product; a copy of the sales receipt is also required to attain warranty service. Two ways to register: 1. Fill out and return the Warranty Registration Card included in the package; 2. Register your AcomData product online at www.acomdata.com. To register, click on the Customer Support button and follow the instructions. Online registration entitles you to free online support services, including online tech support and customized software updates. PRECAUTIONS BE S URE TO FO L O W THE P RE CA UTIO NS L TE D B E L W. L IS O THE S E P RE CA UTIO NS M A Y CA US E DA M A G E TO YO UR A ND VO ID THE WA RRA NTY. FAILURE TO ACOM DATA FO L O W L P RO DUCT · Read this User's Guide carefully and follow the correct procedures for installing and using the device. · Do not open the device or attempt to disassemble or modify it. If it appears to be malfunctioning, contact AcomData Technical Support. · Never expose the device to rain or use it near water or in damp or wet conditions. · Never place containers on it containing liquids which may spill onto the device. This can damage the device and increase the risk of electric shock, short-circuiting, fire or personal injury. · Make sure that the computer and the device are electrically grounded. If the device has a three-prong (grounded) plug, never plug the device into a two-prong (non-grounded outlet). 8 · Do not expose the device to temperatures outside the range of 5° C to 40° C (41° F to 104° F). Doing so may damage the device or disfigure its casing. · Do not use a third-party AC adapter or power cord. Doing so may damage the device. · Do not bump, jar or drop the device as this may damage it or result in loss of data. · Do not try to set the device on its side; it is not designed to be placed on its side. · Do not disconnect any cables while the device is powered on. · AcomData highly recommends that you regularly back-up the files stored on your hard drive(s). AcomData is not responsible for any data loss, nor will AcomData perform any recovery of lost data or files. 9 ABOUT ROCKETPODTM RocketPod is a revolutionary new line of hi-performance computer peripherals from AcomData­­and they're unlike anything you've seen before. If you want a computer peripherals solution that is portable, expandable, compact, can eliminate the `rat's nest' of wires on your desktop­­and is ready for the future­­ you want RocketPod. Patented Stack & PlayTM System This revolutionary technology lets you stack RocketPod peripherals without additional data cables or power cords. The patented Stack&Play connectors 10 built into RocketPod devices safely and seamlessly relay power and data signals between stacked RocketPod modules. Modular Design Connect a DockPod Docking Station to your computer and then stack on the RocketPod modules that you need right now. Then, simply add more modules as you need them­­and as new RocketPod products become available. You can stack any combination of up to five RocketPod modules onto your DockPod. Portable Super-compact size and grab-and-go convenience make it a snap to take RocketPod peripherals on the go: · transfer large amounts of data to another computer; · bring your work to and from your home and office; · secure your daily backups off-site; or whatever reason you may have to make your data portable. Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and FireWire No matter what interface you choose, you get blazing performance. You can even combine USB 2.0 and FireWire RocketPod modules in the same stack with the DockPod Docking Station. Hot Swappable This is the way hot swapping was truly meant to be. Add or remove RocketPod peripherals without turning off your computer­­or fussing with cables. Mac or PC All RocketPod modules are compatible with both Mac and PC. Rugged and Stylish With solid metal alloy tops, rugged construction and advanced technology, RocketPod peripherals are designed to give you years of reliable performance­­and look great while doing it! 11 12 DOCKPOD Stack&PlayTM Connector Relays electrical power and data signals to stacked-on RocketPod modules. AT A GLANCE ON THE BACK PANEL 13 Lights up when a link between the DockPod and stacked-on RocketPod module(s) is established. Stack Light FireWire (IEEE 1394a) port Voltage Meter Measures the amount of power used by stacked-on RocketPod modules. USB 2.0 port Power Button AC adapter power port Lights up blue when the DockPod is powered on and ready. 14 15 DOCKPOD IN-DEPTH STACK&PLAYTM CONNECTOR Your DockPod has two main functions: 1) to supply electrical power for up to five stacked-on RocketPod modules, and; 2) to relay data signals between those modules, your computer, and other devices connected to the same USB and/or FireWire data buses. The Stack&Play connector, located on the top-side of your DockPod, is the power and data link to your stacked-on RocketPod modules. The standard power and data connections located on the back of the DockPod are used to connect DockPod to your computer. Your DockPod is equipped with a built-in, analog voltage meter. The voltage meter measures the amount of power used by stacked-on RocketPod modules. Whenever there is a sufficient power fluctuation caused by some activity from a RocketPod module, the needle will fluctuate until a rest state is reached. POWER BUTTON When the DockPod is turned on, the power button illuminates with a stunning, deep blue color. DockPod's power button is also used to control power to stacked-on RocketPod modules. AND USB 2.0 COMPATIBILITY Your DockPod is equipped with both a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface and a FireWire (IEEE 1394a) interface for the ultimate combination of compatibility, convenience and flexibility. FIREWIRE STACK LIGHT The Stack light, located on the fascia of your DockPod, tells you when a proper link has been established between the DockPod and any stacked-on RocketPod modules. The Stack light will be illuminated when your DockPod is powered on and one or more RocketPod peripherals are stacked onto the DockPod. You can use the USB 2.0 connection, or the FireWire connection, or both at the same time. RocketPod Peripherals that are currently available or coming soon are available in either USB 2.0, FireWire, or both USB 2.0 and FireWire Combo configurations. VOLTAGE METER About FireWire 16 FireWire­­also known as iLink and the High Performance Serial Bus­­is a cross-platform serial input/output technology for transferring data between computers and peripherals. Developed by Apple Computer and Texas Instruments, FireWire was adopted as an official standard by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; the official name is IEEE 1394x. Isochronous data transfer at a rate of 400 Mbps FireWire is suitable for applications where delayed or out-of-order data frames are unacceptable, such as digital video editing. Supports up to 63 devices FireWire devices can be linked in a daisy-chain configuration. With the use of FireWire hubs, up to 63 devices can be linked on a single FireWire bus. Peer-to-peer architecture FireWire devices are intelligent. Data transmission can take place without the need for input from the computer. Cable length up to 4.5 m On-bus power up to 45 W Some FireWire devices do not need to be plugged into an outlet; they can get their power via the FireWire cable. Plug & Play You do not need to install drivers, assign unique ID numbers, or connect terminators. Hot-swappable Devices can be added and removed while the computer is running. Also, you can turn off the device when not needed. 17 About USB 2.0 USB (Universal Serial Bus) quickly became the standard for low-bandwidth computer peripherals, such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras. The second generation (USB 2.0) is up to 40 times faster, making it suitable for devices­­such as external hard drives­­that require large data throughput. Data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps Data transfer rates can vary depending on a number of factors, including available CPU resources. 18 Supports up to 127 devices Connecting more than one or two USB devices to a computer typically requires the use of one or more hubs; each hub can accommodate several USB devices. Master-slave architecture The computer (master) dictates data flow between attached devices (slaves). Cable length up to 5 m On-bus power up to 2.5 W Suitable for low-powered devices such as flash card readers. Plug & Play You do not need to assign unique ID numbers, or connect terminators. On most operating system you do not need to install drivers. Hot-swappable Devices can be added and removed while the computer is running. Also, you can turn off a device when not needed. Model #: RPDOCKU2FA 19 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Interfaces: FireWire (IEEE 1394a) ­ 400 Mbps USB 2.0 ­ up to 480 Mbps Physical Dimensions: W 4.7" x H 1.85" x L 7.4" Weight: ...........450g Electrical Input DC voltage: .... Input current:......... Input power: ......... Output voltage: ....... Output current: .... 6A peak (10 sec) Efficiency: ............. 19~25V 4A max 75W max 12V +/- 5% 5A average, >90% - non-operating: .-40 ­ +70 ºC; Humidity: - operating : .....5 ­ 90 % - non-operating: .5 ­ 95% Environmental Temperature: - operating: ......+5 ­ +40 ºC; 20 21 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR PC · Minimum 233MHz Pentium or equivalent process ...