Nortel DMS-100 Input/Output Device Maintenance Overview

Overview

To monitor, maintain, operate, and administer the Input/Output Device (IOD) subsystem, operating company personnel use the IOD level and the associated sublevels at the Maintenance and Administration Position (MAP) terminal.

The Input/Output Controller (IOC) and Input/Output Module (IOM) are the main components of the IOD subsystem.  Both these components have a MAP sublevel that is accessed from the IOD level.  This article provides an overview of IOC and IOM maintenance.

The following table shows where to find information about IOD MAP sublevels other than IOC and IOM:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information on IOD MAP Sublevels

IOD Sublevel             Location of Information               NTP Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Device Independent       Magnetic Tape Reference Manual        297-1001-118
Recording Package
(DIRP)

                         Feature Description Manual            297-8xxx-801

		         Hardware Description Manual           297-8xxx-805

		         Alarm and Performance Monitoring      297-8xxx-543
			 Procedures

		         Trouble Locating and Clearing         297-8xxx-544
			 Procedures

		         Recovery Procedures                   297-8xxx-545

		         Routine Maintenance Procedures        297-8xxx-546

		         DMS-100 Family Commands Reference     297-1001-822
			 Manual
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributed Processing   Distributed Processing Peripheral     297-1001-537
Peripheral (DPP)         Recovery and Routine Maintenance 
                         Procedures

                         Distributed Processing Peripheral     297-1001-536
			 Card Replacement Guide

			 Alarm and Performance Monitoring      297-8xxx-543
			 Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-End-

IOC Functional Description

The IOC user interface provides access to commands that allow operating company personnel to use IODs to enter machine controls, perform tests, and request information.

Maintenance and administrative IODs are in an Input/Output Equipment (IOE) frame or a Cabinetized Input/Output Equipment (CIOE) frame.  The following sections describe IOE frame and the IODs.

Input/Output Equipment Frame

The IOE frame is a standard DMS-100 frame.  The frame contains a Magnetic Tape Drive (MTD) and a Frame Supervisory Panel (FSP).  The frame also contains an IOC, and a maximum of two Disk Drive Units (DDU).  The FSP provides power, control, and alarm circuits for the frame hardware.  Figure 1 shows the locations of I/O equipment in an IOE frame.

Figure 1 - Input/Output Equipment Frame

Input/Output Controller

The IOC is an equipment shelf in the IOE frame (see Figure 1).  The IOC provides an interface to the SuperNode or SuperNode SE Message Switch (MS) for a maximum of 36 IODs.  The IOC also provides an interface to the Central Message Controller (CMC) in an NT40 switch.  The IOC shelf is part of the maintenance and administration area.  For enhanced reliability, each maintenance and administration area must have at least two IOC shelves.  The DMS-100 switch can have a maximum of twelve IOCs.  When you configure the switch to have a maximum of twelve IOCs, network capacity decreases as a result of hardware limits.

The device controller cards provide the interface between the IOC and the IODs.  There are 26 slots in an IOC shelf.  A maximum of nine of the slots can contain device controller cards.  One of the slots contains the power converter for the shelf.  Eleven of the slots contain filler faceplates.  Two of the slots contain the IOC processor cards.

The following sections describe some of the more common maintenance and administration IODs.

Disk Drive Unit

A Disk Drive Unit (DDU) is a device used to store and retrieve DMS-100 information and data.  The following are examples of DMS-100 information and data:

You can transfer data to or from a tape, or any other medium, to the DDU that stores the data.  A DMS-100 office requires a minimum of two DDUs (DDU 0 & DDU 1).

SCSI Disk Drive Unit

The Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) DDU (NT1X55FA) is a disk drive mounted directly on an IOC card.  The SCSI DDU (NT1X55FA) is also known as an IOC DDU.  The SCSI DDU is based on the industry standard SCSI.  The SCSI DDU provides a migration path to the Fault-Tolerant File System (FTFS) for all DDU applications.

The SCSI DDU occupies a single slot on the IOC shelf.  The SCSI DDU replaces the disk drive controller card (NT1X55DA) and associated DDU in the DDU shelf.

Magnetic Tape Drive

A Magnetic Tape Drive (MTD) is a device that allows transfer of DMS-100 information to a permanent memory tape.  The permanent memory tape can be external to the switch.  You can transport the permanent memory tape.  You can use the MTD to store and retrieve the same type of information as the DDU.  The MTD allows transportation of data with the magnetic tape.  The MTD also serves as the backup for the DDU.  A DMS-100 office requires a minimum of one MTD.

Modem

A modem is an external device that allows computers to send and retrieve information over telephone lines.

Printer

A printer provides paper copies of reports that the system generates.

Visual Display Unit

Visual Display Unit (VDU) is a terminal that serves as the main entry point for maintenance and administration commands made by operating company personnel.


IOC Processor Cards

The IOC processor cards are the main component of the IOC.  IOC processor cards are also called as common control cards because they are always provisioned.  The IOC processor cards consist of the I/O message processor card (NT1X62) and the I/O terminator card (NT0X67).  The following sections describe the IOC processor cards.

I/O Message Processor Card (NT1X62)

The I/O message processor card (NT1X62) contains a microprocessor that can connect serial message links to the message switch.  The card can connect a parallel data bus to the separate device controller cards.  The NT1X62 card controls the complete operation of the IOC.

I/O Terminator Card (NT0X67)

The I/O terminator card (NT0X67) contains terminating resistors for the parallel data bus of the IOC.

Power Converter Card (NT2X70)

The power converter card NT2X70xx supplies the voltage required by the cards in the IOC shelf.  This card does not provide power redundancy.  If the power converter card fails, power to the complete IOC shelf fails.

The NT2X70AF power converter is the current and preferred selection.  Existing IOC shelves equipped with SCSI DDU may be equipped with power converter NT2X70AE cards, this is acceptable.

If an IOC shelf is equipped with at least one SCSI DDU (NT1X55FA), power converter cards NT2X70AA, NT2X70AB, NT2X70AC, or NT2X70AD must not be used to power the shelf.

IOC Device Controller Cards

The IOC contains Device Controller (DC) cards that control the activity of each IOD.  The DC cards allow IODs to communicate with the rest of the DMS-100 switch.  You can place device controller cards in any of the even-numbered IOC shelf slots from 4 to 20.  An IOC shelf can contain a maximum of nine DC cards.  Every DC card has four ports.  The ports are numbered 0, 1, 2, and 3.

Device controller cards allow IODs to communicate with the DMS-100 switch.  Device controller cards use the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standard RS-232 interface or the Current Loop (CL) interface.

Figure 2 shows the locations of the DC cards in the IOC shelf.

Figure 2 - Device Controller Cards in the IOC Shelf

The following sections describe the DC cards that provide an interface with the main types of IODs.

Disk Drive Controller Card (NT1X55)

A disk drive controller card (NT1X55) provides an interface for one DDU.  The DDU must be on port 0 at the MAP display.  The NT1X55 card uses ports 2 and 3 to connect two control cables.  Ports 0 and 1 are not equipped.  A DMS-100 office requires two or more NT1X55s because the office requires two or more DDUs.  The disk drive controller cards are in slot 4 of the shelves in IOE frame 0 and in IOE frame 1.  The NT1X55 can pass message data to and from an I/O message processor card (NT1X62).  See Figure 3.

Magnetic Tape Controller Card (NT1X68)

A magnetic tape controller card (NT1X68) provides an interface for one MTD.  The MTD must be on port 0 at the MAP display.  The NT1X68 card connects a read cable, a write cable, and a control cable.  The card connects the cables with ports 1, 2, and 3 (in the order given).  Port 0 is not equipped.  Port 0 can pass message data to and from an I/O message processor card (NT1X62).  See Figure 3.

Multi-Protocol Controller Card (NT1X89)

A Multi-Protocol Controller (MPC) card (NT1X89) allows data communications between a DMS-100 switch and an external computer.  For example, a Central Office (CO) billing computer can have data communications with a DMS-100 switch.  The system downloads the NT1X89 protocol software from the DMS-100 CPU.  The NT1X89 protocol software supports software routines for Data Packet Network (DPN) communications.  See Figure 3.

Terminal Controller Card (NT1X67)

A terminal controller card (NT1X67) provides an interface for a group of four devices.  One of the devices can be a VDU.  The NT1X67 card also provides an interface for any group of four printers (read-only or keyboard send-receive), or modems.  The number of NT1X67 cards required depends on the number of console devices equipped in the DMS-100 switch.  The NT1X67 card can pass message data to and from an I/O message processor card (NT1X62).  See Figure 3.

Figure 3 - IODs Attached to the Device Controller Cards

IOM Functional Description

The IOM user interface provides access to commands that allow operating company personnel to use IODs to enter machine controls, perform tests, and request information.

Maintenance and administrative IODs are in the Integrated Services Module (ISM) shelf.  The following sections describe the IOM and the associated IODs.  The following sections also describe the ISM shelf, Integrated Services Module (ISME) frame, and Integrated Services Module (CISM) cabinet.

ISM Shelf

The ISM is a single shelf unit that replaces the current Trunk Module (TM) shelf or the Maintenance Trunk Module (MTM) shelf.  The ISM shelf is on the Cabinetized Metallic ISM (CISM), the Frame ISM (FISM), or Cabinetized Metallic Test Access (CMTA).  The CISM, FISM, and CMTA contain a maximum of four ISM shelves.  The ISM shelf has the same functionality as current TM/MTM shelves.  See Hardware Description Manual, NTP 297-8xxx-805 for a complete description of the ISM shelf.




ISME Frame

The ISME frame is a standard DMS-100 frame that supports a maximum of four ISM shelves.  The Modular Supervisory Panel (MSP) provides power, and control for the frame hardware.  Figure 4 contains a schematic diagram of the IOM in an ISM positioned in an ISME frame.

Figure 4 - IOM Equipment in the ISM (ISME Frame)

CISM Cabinet

The CISM cabinet is a standard DMS-100 cabinet that supports a maximum of four ISM shelves and a cooling unit shelf.  The Modular Supervisory Panel (MSP) provides power and control for the frame hardware.  Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the IOM in an ISM positioned in a CISM cabinet.

Figure 5 - IOM Equipment in the ISM (CISM Cabinet)

Input/Output Module

The Input/Output Module (IOM) is a direct replacement for the IOC shelf.  The IOM provides all the functionality of the current IOC cards, with the exception of the NT6X91.  The IOM with a Digital Audio Tape (DAT) and a Disk Drive Unit (DDU) replace the IOC and Magnetic Tape Drive (MTD).  The IOM occupies three shelf slots.  If a DAT is not required, the IOM controller cards provide 9-track MTD support.

The IOM supports all peripheral equipment that a completely provisioned IOC shelf supports.

The main IOM controller card (NTFX30) is in slots 3 or 4 of the Integrated Services Module (ISM).  This card has all the communication ports and controller circuits for the storage media card.  Together, the controller card and the storage media card provide all the communications and storage functions of a completely provisioned IOC shelf.

The storage media card (NTFX32AA) occupies slot 4 of the ISM shelf.  The card has plug-in DAT (NTFX32CA) and DDU (NTFX32BA) units.  The plug-in design gives maximum flexibility.  The plug-in design does not require card replacement for upgrades and repairs.  The NTFX31AA paddle board mounted on the rear of the backplane supplies power to the IOM smart connectors.  The backplane supplies power to the NTFX32AA card directly.

The main controller card provides the interface between the IOM and the IODs.  The card has twenty DS-30 communication ports.  Sixteen ports are general-purpose input/output ports.  The ports provide RS-232C, V.35, current loop, or PERTEC interfaces with a smart connector at the end of the cable for the protocol conversion.  Communication with the message switch requires two DS-30 ports.  The remaining ports are not used.

Smart connectors have a 6-pin Teledapt connector on the IOM side and a 25-pin connector on the user side.  The PERTEC interface connects to the IOM through a 6-pin D-type connector on the IOM side.  The interface also connects to the IOM through a 50-pin connector on the user side.  The PERTEC conversion box is on the MTD in a vertical position.  The cables from the box connect to the MTD or DPP.

The IOM controller card (NTFX34AA) has the option of setting the clock to internal or external.  The option is only available when NTFX34AA is used as a MPC RS-232 port.  For other synchronous configurations, the smart connector expects clock from the modem or external devices.

In external clocking modes with NTFX34AA, NTFX35AA, or NTFX35BA, the smart connector expects the external device to provide the receive clock and the transmit clock to be from the same source.  The receive clock and the transmit lock should also be with the same frequency and locked in phase.  The same frequency and locked in phase forces the user to set the same baud rate for both transmission and reception and disallows the use of modems that have limited clocking features with IOM.  This is not in alignment with the IOC operation, and the solution is to replace the modem with another modem.

The following table lists supported I/O devices for IOM and the type of its connectors:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Device             Make/Model                   CPC                    Connector
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Printers           DEC LA75/424 (MD)            -                      6-pin MMJ
                   DEC LA30 (Narrow Carriage)   A0660002               6-pin MMJ
                   DEC LA400 (Wide Carriage)    A0660949               6-pin MMJ
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terminals/VDUs     DEC VT320/340/420 (MD)       -                      DB25M, 6-pin MMJ
                   DEC VT520                    A0661478               DB25F, DB25M, 6-pin MMJ
                   DEC VT525                    A0385880               DB25F, DB25M, 6-pin MMJ
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modems/Data Sets   
GDC Modems         GDC, DS 6/R 1 Modem Shelf    A0602127               DB25F
                   DC 202S/T                    A0328522               DB25F
                   DC 9600 RPA                  A0378922               DB25F
		   DC 596                       A0351816               DB25F
		   DC 596X.25                   A0378945               DB25F
		   DT VFAST (RS-232) 28.8K      A0620530               DB25F
		   DC 500G/UXR                  A0632487               DB25F
		   DC 500F/AXR                  A0614226               DB25F, V.35
		   DT 500A                      A0386041               DB25F
		   NMS 510/IFP                  A0605210               DB25F
		   NMS 510                      A0640834               DB25F
		   DT VFAST 28.8K V.35          A0620540               DB25F

UDS/Motorola
Modems             UDS RM16M Modem Shelf        A0344310               DB25F
                   DC 202S/T                    A0336496               DB25F
		   2440                         A0360824               DB25F
		   DDS/MRS ADPT                 A0609600               DB25F
		   DDS/MR1 RS-530               A0600483               DB25F
		   V.3229                       A0600471               DB25F
		   DU 170 RS-232                A0633604               DB25F
		   DU 170 RS-530                A0636941               DB25F

Rixon Case/Osicom  RM4200 Modem Shelf           A035525                DB25F
Modems             DCM4202                      A0355257               DB25F
		   DCM4212                      A0355260               DB25F
		   DCM4229                      A0355256               DB25F
		   DCM4222                      A0351638               DB25F
		   DCM4232                      A0352027               DB25F
		   DCM4296                      A0351641               DB25F
		   DCM4256                      A0385841               DB25F
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-End-

The following sections describe the maintenance and administration IODs that correspond to the IOM.

IOM Subsystem Components

The IOM controller card (NTFX30AA) and the associated paddle board (NTFX31AA) are the main components of the IOM.  The following sections describe the IOM cards.

IOM Controller Card (NTFX30)

The IOM controller card (NTFX30) contains hardware and firmware to support 16 general-purpose ports.  The ports include the RS-232C, V.35, current loop and PERTEC.  The hardware and firmware also support two DS-30 links to the message switch and two optional external SCSI devices on the storage media card.  The NTFX30 controls the emtire operation of the IOM.

IOM Paddle Board (NTFX31)

The IOM paddle board (NTFX31) contains the power feed circuits.  The paddle board contains a maximum of 16 smart connectors and circuits.  The paddle board implements a local loopback for diagnostic purposes.  The paddle board is at the rear of the backplane at the slot 3 position.  The paddle board has 20 connectors.  Sixteen connectors supply power and the signal to the smart connector at the end of the cable.  The four connectors that remain do not have power.  Two of the connectors have connections to the message switch and the last two are not used.

IOM Storage Media Card (NTFX32)

The IOM storage media card (NTFX32) is an optional unit for the IOM.  The media card holds the 3.5-inch DDU (NTFX32BA) and/or DAT (NTFX32CA) units.  With these units installed, the media card is functionally equivalent to the IOC DDU and/or 9-track MTD.  You can use the media card in all applications that require a DDU and/or 9-track MTD.

Disk Drive Unit

The IOM 3.5-inch DDU (NTFX32BA) has a capacity of 2-GByte.  The DDU performs the same function as the current IOC SCSI DDU.  The disk drive unit is on the IOM storage media card.  The DDU is based on the industry standard SCSI.

Digital Audio Tape Unit

The DAT unit (NTFX32CA) has a capacity of 1.3-GBytes (not compressed).  The DAT unit performs the same function as the IOC MTD.  The DAT unit is on the IOM storage media card.

Bulkhead Splitter Unit (NTFX39)

The bulkhead splitter unit (NTFX39) is a one-to-nine cable splitter unit for the cabinetized ISM.

Fault Conditions (IOC and IOM)

Fault conditions in the IOC or IOM are caused by product design, product defects, or product failures during operation.

The IOM uses the same alarm indications as the IOC.  The alarm clearing procedures for the IOM are different than the procedures for the IOC.  The following sections explain the IOC and IOM level fault conditions.

Babbling Device

The babbling device fault occurs when a device sends an excessive quantity of I/O interrupt messages to the message switch.  This condition is referred to as babbling.  The message switch detects the babbling device when the quantity of I/O interrupt messages exceeds the threshold.  When babbling starts, the babbling remains until maintenance actions correct it.  The babbling device thresholds are set at low, medium, and critical.  Removal of the IOD from service occurs for medium or critical levels.

Circuit Error

A Circuit Error (CKEr) fault occurs when one or more I/O or IOM devices disconnects at the IOC end of the link to the IOC or IOM.

Circuit Out-of-Service

For IOC, the Circuit Out-of-Service (CkOS) fault occurs when there is a problem with the terminal controller card (NT1X67).  When the CkOS fault condition occurs, there is no service to devices connected to the NT1X67 card .

For IOM, the CkOS fault occurs when a controller port is out-of-service.  When a controller port is out-of-service, there is no service to devices connected to the NT1X67 card.

Disk Drive Unit Out-of-Service

For IOC, the Disk Drive Unit Out-of-Service (DDUOS) fault occurs when there is a problem in the disk drive controller card (NT1X55).

For IOM, the DDUOS fault occurs when one or more of the DDUs are out-of-service.

If the DDUOS fault occurs, you cannot record or download files to or from tape, or the DDU.

Input/Output Controller Out-of-Service

For IOC, a problem in one of the IOC processor cards causes the Input/Output Controller Out-of-Service (IOCOS) fault condition.  The IOC processor cards are the I/O message processor card (NT1X62) or I/O terminator card (NT0X67).

For IOM, a problem in the IOM controller card (NTFX30) causes the IOCOS fault condition.

When the IOCOS fault condition occurs, all devices associated with the out-of-service IOC lose communication with the DMS-100 switch.

Multi-Protocol Controller Out-of-Service

For IOC, the Multi-Protocol Controller Out-of-Service (MPCOS) fault occurs when there is a problem in one or more multi-protocol controller cards (NT1X89).  Remote terminals lose access to the DMS-100 switch for any affected cards.

For IOM, the MPCOS fault occurs when there is a problem with one or more multi-protocol ports.  Remote terminals lose access to the DMS-100 switch for any affected ports.

Magnetic Tape Drive Out-of-Service

For IOC, the Magnetic Tape Drive Out-of-Service (MTDOS) fault condition occurs when there is a problem in the magnetic controller card (NT9X68).  If the Device Independent Recording Package (DIRP) utility uses the MTD to record billing data, loss of billing data occurs.  If the DIRP utility does not use the MTD, you cannot download or record files to or from tape.

For IOM, the MTDOS or Digital Audio Tape Out-of-Service (DATOS) fault condition occurs when there is a problem in one or more magnetic tape drives or digital audio tapes.  If the DIRP utility uses the MTD or DAT to record billing data, loss of billing data occurs.  If the DIRP utility does not use MTD or DAT, you cannot download or record files to or from tape.

Automatic Maintenance

The system performs self-diagnostics.  The system isolates and tests an IOD component that has faults.  The system attempts to return the component that has faults to service.

Manual Maintenance

When the system cannot clear an alarm, perform manual actions to clear the alarm.  Perform manual maintenance on a periodic schedule according to local operating company policy.