Setup Procedure for CRT Interface
The FMT-150 CRT interface is the most powerful method of monitoring, controlling, and troubleshooting a FMT-150 system. It is typically accessed through a standard CRT terminal (VT100 compatible), either locally or through a dial-up modem. Many terminals and most personal computers can emulate this standard. The addition of an optional Centralized Access Maintenance and Monitoring System (CAMMS) will also provide for a centralized monitoring interface for up to sixteen FMT-150 systems. Alarms and status points of up to sixteen nodes in the system can also be accessed from any site equipped with a NT7H90xx Maintenance Control Unit (MCU).
Maintenance Control Unit Installation
The MCU has DIP switches to determine the node's address (1-16). They are set as follows:

The baud rate must also be determined. For local access, it would be 9600 baud (the fastest). For remote access, the rate would be dependent on the modem being used.


Connection to the MCU is made using RS-232. The port on the back of the MCU takes a standard male DB-25 connector. The other end will be determined by the connection port on the particular piece of equipment.
Note: The pin-outs for the RS-232 connector and other information concerning the operations of the Hayes Smartmodem 1200 can be found in the FMT-150 Quick Reference Guide under "CRT Operations".
Some of the indications that should be seen on the front of the modem are:
If the TR signal is not there, the modem is not recognizing the MCU. Check the cable connections and cable type; ensure the telephone line is properly connected; make note of the assigned phone number.
For more information see Northern Telecom Publication (NTP) 321-3211-202.
CRT Configuring
Before an operator can log on, the CRT terminal must be configured for proper communication. The basic settings required are as follows:
Terminal Communication Parameters
Note: The CRT interface will support both 7 and 8 data bit transmission selectable by the user via switch #8 of the MCU's DIP switch.
DIP #8 = '0' --> 7 data bits selected / 2 stop bits DIP #8 = '1' --> 8 data bits selected / 1 stop bit
Printer Connection
If a printer is going to be used for logging of alarms, certain protocol settings might have to be changed so that XON/XOFF from the terminal to the FMT-150 might be passed. The printer will only record the alarm/status messages, and not the full-screen displays from the FMT-150. Also, the alarm logger feature must be enabled for the printer to operate.
Logging On
The way in which the connection is made to the FMT-150 will determine what will be seen on the screen of the CRT. If there is a direct connection to the FMT-150, the terminal should be in the "on-line" mode. If the connection is made through a modem, after normal dial-up procedures, there should be a CONNECT prompt. For both ways of connection, the next procedure is the same. The Carriage Return key (<CR>) is pressed three times until a "Enter Terminal Type:" prompt appears on the screen. After the terminal type is selected (#1 for DEC VT-100), a message "Waiting for initialization ..." will be displayed. Next, will come the "Login:" prompt. The operator input would be the password, if it has been set. If there is no password, then the <CR> is pressed, and the operator is logged on.
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Nortel FMT-150 Log In Procedures (MCU NT7H90CA)
Steps Dialogue Comments
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1. <CR> <CR> <CR> Enter carriage returns until the message
"Querying Terminal Type" appears.
1 - DEC VT100
2 - NT Meridian 6000
(Procom or Crosstalk
with VT100 emulation)
3 - Tandy 200 (running Telecom)
F4 - NT CAMMS MDU
Enter Terminal Type:
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2. # <CR> Type number (1, 2, 3, or press F4)
corresponding to terminal type.
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3. Login: <password> <CR> Enter user password.
Note: If password has not been previously
selected, or if this is an initial
logon into a new system, the password
is defaulted to a <CR>.
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Entering Commands
The commands that can be entered cover a wide variety of areas as detailed on the following pages; alarm, switching, configuration, and maintenance.
The command tables are read left to right. Entries are made from each column until a <CR> is reached. Whenever a letter is presented in the command table, it means type that letter on the keyboard. A pound sign (#) refers to a number that must be entered. After entering a full command string (terminated by a <CR>), the requested information will be displayed on the CRT's screen. All numerical entries must be followed by a "space" character (<SP>). All commands are terminated with a carriage return (<CR>).
Help Screens
There are hundreds of possible command strings available. Whenever there is doubt about what character(s) may be entered next, simply press the space bar. A list of legal entries will be displayed at the bottom of the screen (for example, try: "a c m l s ?"). To request additional information about these entries, type a question mark (?). A brief help screen will be displayed explaining the available options at that point in the command string.
Keyboard Shortcuts
If you wish to repeat a string of commands, or enter commands very similar to it, you may use the right-arrow key. This will repeat your previous command line, piece-by-piece. Individual elements may be replaced as it goes by.
Command elements may be deleted with either the left-arrow or backspace keys.
For a detailed explanation of commands and parameters see NTP 231-3211-301.
Remote Loopback
There are two different types of loopbacks available with the FMT-150:
Low Speed Loopback
A low speed loopback (DS-1 or DS-1C), must be inititated at the near-end location. In this case, "near-end" is defined as the location where the signal is to be received for testing. The low speed loopback process will internally loop individual tributaries back to the user for signal testing.
Note: During a loopback condition, any traffic associated with the tributary is interrupted; therefor, caution should be used when performing low speed remote loopbacks.
Translator Loopback
A translator loopback (DS-3 or STX), must be initiated at the far-end location via the CRT which can be accessed from any location in the system. In this case, "far-end" is defined as the location opposite from which the signal is to be received for testing.
To perform a translator loopback the standby translator of the DS-3 stream to be tested must be looped back. At the opposite location, the corresponding translator must be in the active position (a translator force switch operation may be required) for the loopback process to occur.
Note: Although only one of the translators (the standby translator) in a pair will display the actual loopback condition, both translators (that is, the actual DS-3 signals) are looped back. This means that during a translator loopback condition, any traffic associated with the translator (or DS-3) is interrupted. As a result, caution should be used when performing remote loopbacks at the translator level.