ECI Network Elements in “Loss of Communications”

(Disconnected)

Guidance notes for returning communications to NE.

BEFORE AN ENGINEER IS DISPATCHED:

1. Right click on NE.
2. Select “Ping” from the menu.
3. If NE ping is successful, go to section 1, if unsuccessful, go to section 2.

Section 1 – Successful “Ping” to NE.

This could indicate a possible Database issue or a major issue with the eNM.

1. Ensure you are logged into the eNM as “admin”.

2. Right click on NE. Try “Upload NE Data” from the NE menu. If successful, stop the
procedure here, wait, and leave the NE to upload its database. If unsuccessful, continue
with the procedure.
3. If out of hours, transmission support using the correct callout procedure. Do not send
an Engineer to site with parts unless requested to do so by Transmission support.
4. Await ECI updates.

Section 2 – Unsuccessful “Ping” to NE.

1. Ensure you are logged into the eNM as “admin”.

2. Right click on NE. Try “Upload NE Data” from the NE menu. If successful, stop the
procedure here, wait, and leave the NE to upload its database. If unsuccessful, continue
with the procedure.
3. Select “Info” from NE menu
4. Check for NE management method (read “IP Interface Config.”). Options are: Dcc-Only,
Gateway (Dcc and Ethernet – treat as Ethernet), and Ethernet-Only
5. If Ethernet managed, continue to section 3, if Dcc managed, go to section 4.

Section 3 – Ethernet managed NE.

1. Dispatch an engineer to site with spare a COM card, MCP card, NVM card, MAU, and
LCT with eEM loaded. After each of the following points, check the NE on the eNM to
see if comms has returned. If not, continue with the process.
2. Engineer to locate the MAU (Multi-station Access Unit) (See Appendix B for locations).

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Section 3 – Ethernet managed NE continued.

3. Engineer to check to see if MAU is active (lights flashing etc – look down the side of
the unit on the CCP).
4. If unit is inactive, Engineer to replace MAU - Engineer to ensure SQE switch is OFF (if
switch is left on, the MAU will inject test signals into the network preventing any
ethernet traffic passing around the network).
5. Engineer to check the cables (10base2 Thin Ethernet Connection is COAX, 10baseT
connection is Straight Through Multi-core cable) are seated correctly, and any 75
terminators connected to the MAU “T-piece”.
6. Engineer to check the MAU is seated correctly, pins aligned etc.
7. Engineer to change the COM card. If still unable to ping, replace the original card.
8. Engineer to change the MCP card. (Engineer to check the status of the NVM BEFORE
changing the card – if lights are lit on NVM, the unit is still writing to database)
(Correct sequence of events to prevent the NVM downloading any residual configuration
to the NE – remove the NVM, remove the MCP, replace the MCP with new card, replace
original NVM, unless instructed by the NMC to use a new NVM.).
9. Engineer to connect LCT to CCP via slip cable (See Appendix B for locations). Engineer
to check that eEM can converse with the NE. If able to, check the IP addressing of the
NE, and compare with the eNM in the NMC (Select “Info” from NE menu on eNM).
Correct any discrepancies. Engineer to take a download of the NE configuration to the
LCT in case of the need for disaster recovery.
10. Engineer to try to ping the NE from the eEM.
11. If communications has still not been established with the NE, contact transmission
support.
Section 4 – DCC managed NE.

1. Dispatch an engineer to site with spare COM card, MCP card, NVM card, and LCT with
eEM loaded. After each of the following points, check the NE on the eNM to see if
comms has returned. If not, continue with the process.
2. Engineer to change the COM card. If still unable to ping, replace the original card.
3. Engineer to change the MCP card. (Engineer to check the status of the NVM BEFORE
changing the card – if lights are lit on NVM, the unit is still writing to database)
(Correct sequence of events to prevent the NVM downloading any residual configuration
to the NE – remove the NVM, remove the MCP, replace the MCP with new card, replace
original NVM, unless instructed by the NMC to use a new NVM.).
4. Engineer to connect LCT to CCP via slip cable (See Appendix B for locations). Engineer
to check that eEM can converse with the NE. If able to, check the IP addressing of the
NE, and compare with the eNM in the NMC (Select “Info” from NE menu on eNM).
Correct any discrepancies. Engineer to take a download of the NE configuration to the
LCT in case of the need for disaster recovery.
5. Engineer to try to ping the NE from the eEM. (Or from adjacent mux.)

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Appendix B
SDM-1 Central Connection Panel (CCP)

eEM (Slip connector) Multi-station Access Point

M
A
U
Tributaries
INF1

SDM-4 Central Connection Panel (CCP)

Multi-station Access Point eEM (Slip connector)

Tributaries
INF4

MAU

SDM-16 Central Connection Panel (CCP)

eEM (Slip connector) Multi-station Access Point

M
A
U

Tributaries

INF16