Digi 90031300 manual Software Installation and Configuration, Setting the Node Number

Software Installation and Configuration

Setting the Node Number

The EPC/X host adapter identifies T1 Modem Bank units and/or EPC concentrators by their node numbers, which are stored in non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). Each T1 Modem Bank and concentrator in a daisy chain must have a unique node number which must be set during installation. The node numbers must be assigned in ascending order with the lowest number assigned to the T1 Modem Bank or concentrator closest to the EPC/X host adapter. It is permissible to skip node numbers to facilitate insertion of additional T1 Modem Bank units at a later date as long as the ascending sequence is maintained. If node numbers are not skipped, the node numbers of added T1 Modem Bank units must begin with a number that is greater than the total number of existing T1 Modem Bank units and/or EPC concentrators in a daisy chain.

When setting up remote T1 Modem Bank units, the node number of the last T1 Modem Bank on a sync line must be the same as the total number of T1 Modem Bank units that will be configured in the device driver software for that line. This is because the clocking mode for the last T1 Modem Bank is set by the device driver software for synchronous modem clocking. If the device driver has been configured for six T1 Modem Bank units on a sync line, the node number of the last T1 Modem Bank must be set to 6, regardless of the actual number of T1 Modem Bank units that are physically present on that line.

Similarly, fault tolerance is not effective if the last T1 Modem Bank of a remote string fails, because the software only programs that T1 Modem Bank, by its node number, for synchronous modem clocking. The other T1 Modem Banks are all set for regular (8-wire direct) clocking. If the last T1 Modem Bank in a remote string fails or is removed for any reason, you must either reconfigure the device driver software for one less T1 Modem Bank, or change the node number of the next-to-last T1 Modem Bank to the number of the T1 Modem Bank that was removed. If you change a T1 Modem Bank's node number, be sure to reboot the T1 Modem Bank (power off and then on) so that the host system can reinitialize it properly.

Node numbers must be correctly assigned in order for the T1 Modem Bank to properly function. If there is a problem, the COM port assignment may be incorrect, or two nodes may have been assigned the same number. This situation may arise if T1 Modem Bank units are swapped or moved, but the node numbers are not changed.

To set the node number on a T1 Modem Bank, activate the T1 Modem Bank by setting the power switch on the rear of the chassis to the ON () position. Soon after the lights on the display panel flash, press the right push button on the display panel (see Figure 16 on page 28) until the current setting is displayed (1n if directly from the factory).

To avoid an error condition during the power-on self test (POST) of a T1 Modem Bank that you’ve added to existing T1 Modem Bank units and/or EPC Concentrators in a daisy chain, you must change the T1 Modem Bank’s 1n (Node 1) factory configuration. Make sure you press the right push button on the display panel before POST is completed.

Software Installation 27