Western Telematic PLS-345 manual

WTI Part No. 13236 Rev. A PLS-345 Physical Layer Switch User's Guide[...]

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Warnings and Cautions: No Serviceable Parts Inside; Authorized Service Personnel Only Do not attempt to repair or service this device yourself. Internal components must be serviced by authorized personnel only . • Shock Hazard - Do Not Enter Nameplate Power Warning This device should only be operated with the type of power source indicated on the[...]

Rack Mount Installation (Continued) 1. Enclosed Racks (Continued): The ambient within the rack may be greater than room ambient. Installation should be such that the amount of air flow required for safe operation is not compromised. The maximum temperature for the equipment in this environment is 45 ° C. Consideration should be given to the maximu[...]

Table of Contents 1. Introduction ......................................... 1-1 2. Unit Description ...................................... 2-1 2.1. Front Panel ............................................ 2-1 2.2. Back Panel ............................................ 2-2 3. Quick Start / System Overview ........................ 3-1 4. Installatio[...]

9. Application Examples ................................. 9-1 9.1. Monitoring Signal Drop and/or Power Loss ................ 9-1 9.2. Monitoring a Contact ................................... 9-3 10. Command Summary ................................. 10-1 10.1. Display Commands .................................... 10-1 10.2. Configuration Commands ..[...]

1. Introduction The PLS-345 Physical Layer Switch is a versatile A/B switching system, which can be controlled over any TCP/IP network using standard T elnet, or out-of-band using an external modem and basic VT100 type terminal emulation. Each of the three A/B circuits can be switched via code command, or locally via manual switches on the instrume[...]

Applications · Controlled A/B Switching of Cat5 Connections. · A/B Routing of 10/100Base-T Ethernet, ISDN, DSL, T elco, or RS-232 Lines. · Remote Switching to "Out-of-Service" or "Off-Line" Conditions. · Switch to Backup Firewall or VPN. · Disaster Recovery Switching. Features · Three Individually Controlled RJ-45 Circuits[...]

2. Unit Description 2.1. Front Panel As shown in Figure 2.1, the PLS-345 Front Panel includes the following components: À Circuit 1: Status indicator lights and manual controls for Circuit 1. Includes the following: A) Line "A" Selector Button and Status LED: Press the "A" button to switch the common line for Circuit 1 to the &[...]

Ä RDY : Flashes when the PLS-345 is ready to receive commands. Å RXD: Flashes when the PLS-345 receives commands. Æ Master A/B Switch: Used to manually switch all three circuits. When the "A" or "B" button is pressed, all three circuits will be switched to the corresponding "A" or "B" line, and the appropr[...]

à Network Port and Activity Indicator: An RJ45 Ethernet port, for connection to your TCP/IP network. T o communicate via Network, please access the PLS-345 as described in Section 5.2. Note: The PLS-345 features a 10Base-T network interface. When connecting the PLS-345 to a 100Base-T interface, most router switches will autosense to determine if t[...]

2-4 PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch; User's Guide[...]

3. Quick Start / System Overview This section provides a brief overview of basic PLS capabilities, and describes a simple test that can be performed to verify that you are able to communicate with the unit. The Quick Start procedure is included primarily to provide a quick demonstration of PLS capabilities. In order to take full advantage of the co[...]

3. Access the Command Mode: In order to invoke commands and display status screens, you must first access the PLS command mode via Network, modem, or Console Port (local PC.) For more information, on command mode access, please refer to Section 5.2. Notes: • Network Access: The PLS includes a default IP Address and Subnet Mask. This allows initia[...]

b) Modem Access: Start your communications program, and dial the number for the external modem. The PLS Circuit Status Screen (Figure 3.1) should be displayed, followed by the PLS> command prompt. c) Console Port Access (Local PC): Start your communication program, make certain the communications program is set for the PC COM port that is attach[...]

6. T est A/B Switching: Y ou may test both manual and command driven A/B switching as follows: a) Manual: Press one of the "A" or "B" Selector Buttons on the PLS Front Panel, the corresponding LED indicator should light. b) Command Driven: From the PLS> command prompt, type /B 1 and press [Enter] . After the command is execut[...]

4. Installation 4.1. Power Supply Connection Connect the PLS-345 to an appropriate power supply . CAUTIONS: • This device should only be operated with the type of power source indicated on the instrument nameplate. If you are not sur e of the type of power service available, please contact your local power company . • Reliable earthing (groundi[...]

4.3. Connecting Common and A/B Lines Connect your Cat5 cables to the appropriate A, B, and common line connectors on the PLS back panel. For a description of port interfaces, please refer to Appendix A. 4.4. Connecting the Network Cable The PLS Network Port is an RJ45, 10Base-T Ethernet Jack, for connection to a TCP/IP network. Connect your network[...]

5. SetUp and Configuration 5.1. System Mode and User Mode In order to restrict access to sensitive command functions, the PLS-345 features two separate operating modes; System Mode and User Mode. The System Mode allows access to all configuration menus, A/B switching functions and status screens, and the User Mode allows access only to A/B switchin[...]

5.2. Communicating with the PLS-345 In order to configure the unit or invoke command functions, you must first connect to the PLS-345 and access the command mode. 1. Start your communications program (e.g. Hyperterminal.) Make certain that the PLS and your communications program are set for the same parameters (e.g. COM port, baud rate, etc.) 2. Ac[...]

c) Network Access: The PLS includes a default IP address (192.168.168.168), which allows you to contact the unit from any network node on the same subnet. When the PLS is installed in a working network environment, it is recommended that you redefined the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Gateway Address as described in Section 5.6. T o contact the PLS [...]

5.3. PLS Command/Menu Conventions When invoking PLS commands or selecting items from configuration menus, note the following: · All PLS commands can be invoked at the PLS> command prompt, or from the General Parameters Menu, Circuit Parameters Menus, Monitor Parameters Menu, or Network Parameters Menu. · PLS commands are not case sensitive. ·[...]

5.4. Defining General Parameters When the "PLS>" prompt appears, type /G [Enter] to display the General Parameters menu (Figure 5.2). Note that this menu is only available in System Mode; if you have accessed the PLS Command Mode with the User Password, you must log out and then log back in using the System Password. The General Parame[...]

2. User Password: The User Password allows access to A/B switching commands and status screens, but does not allow access to the PLS configuration menus. T o define the User Password, type 2 , press [Enter] and follow the instructions in the submenu. (Up to 16 characters, case- sensitive; Default = undefined.) Note: The PLS General Parameters Menu [...]

7. Command Echo: Enables/disables command echo. When enabled, commands sent to the PLS will be echoed back to your PC, allowing keystrokes to be displayed. T o enable or disable the command echo, type 7 , press [Enter] , and follow the instructions in the submenu. (Default = Off.) 8. Inactivity Timeout: Determines how long the PLS will wait for add[...]

5.5. Circuit Parameters The Circuit Parameters menus are used to assign names and select default A/B positions for each of the switched A/B circuits. There is a separate Circuit Parameters menu for each A/B circuit. Note that the Circuit Parameters menus are not available in User Mode. T o access the Circuit Parameters menus from the PLS> comman[...]

3. "B" Name (T o): Assigns a name to the "B" line for this A/B circuit. When a name is assigned to the "B" line, and the circuit is in the "B" position, this name will appear in the "T o" column on the PLS Circuit Status Screen. T o assign a name to the "B" line, type 3 , press [Enter] , a[...]

Note: Although new network port parameters can be specified via a network connection, newly selected parameters will not be applied until your telnet connection to the PLS has been terminated. 1. IP Address: Defines the IP Address for the PLS unit. T ype 1 , press [Enter] and follow the instructions in the submenu. (Default = 192.168.168.168.) 2. S[...]

5.6.1. Implementing IP Security The PLS-345 can be configured to restrict unauthorized IP addresses from T elneting to the unit. This allows the user to grant T elnet access only to a specific group of IP Addresses, or block a particular IP address from gaining access. In the default state, the PLS accepts incoming IP connections from all hosts. T [...]

Example 1: Deny access to all hosts except 192.1.1.5: Security Mask #1: 255.255.255.255 Mask #1 Action: Deny Security Mask #2: 192.1.1.5 Mask #2 Action: Permit Since 255 is a wild card, Mask #1 blocks all IP Addresses. Mask #2 then specifically grants access to 192.1.1.5 only . Example 2: Allow access only by addresses that begin with 192. Security[...]

5.7. The Monitor Mode The Monitor Mode allows the PLS-345 perform automatic A/B switching in response to signal changes at the monitor port on the instrument back panel. The Monitor Mode can be set to monitor a Contact or an RS-232 Line. 5.7.1. Hardware Configuration In order to employ the Monitor Mode, you must first connect the monitored line to [...]

1. Monitor Mode: Enables/disables the Monitor Mode feature. Do not enable the Monitor Mode until you have finished selecting the other Monitor Mode parameters. (Default = Off.) 2. Switch If Level: Determines which line condition will cause the selected A/B circuits to switch. This item can either be set to "0 - Low" or "1 - High"[...]

5. Return: When enabled, the Monitor Mode will return the switched A/B circuit(s) to the original A/B position if the monitored signal also returns to its normal state. (Default = Off.) For example, assume the Monitor Mode is configured as follows: · Switch if Level: 1 - High · Switch to Position: B · Return: On If the circuit starts in position[...]

5.8. Save Configuration Parameters After the unit has been completely configured, it is recommended to save parameters to an ASCII file as described in Section 8. This allows quick recovery in the event that the unit is reset to default parameters, or if the configuration is accidentally deleted or altered. 5-16 PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch; Use[...]

6. The Status Screens The PLS Status Screens are used to display current conditions of the three switched A/B circuits and the network interface. There are two status screens; the Circuit Status Screen (/S), and the Network Status Screen (/SN). 6.1. The Circuit Status Screen The Circuit Status Screen lists the current A/B settings for the PLS-345&a[...]

3. From: The user-defined name for the Common Line (C) for each of the three A/B circuits. Note that if the Common Line name has not been defined, this field will remain empty . 4. To : The user defined name for the currently selected "A" or "B" line for each of the three A/B circuits. Note that if the A/B line names have not be[...]

6.2. The Network Status Screen The Network Status Screen lists the TCP port number , source port, source IP address and other Network related parameters. Note that the Network Status Screen is used primarily for diagnostic purposes, for a listing of current network parameters such as the IP Address and Subnet Mask, please refer to the Network Param[...]

6-4 PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch; User's Guide[...]

7. Operation The PLS-345 offers three dif ferent methods for switching A/B paths: 1. Manual A/B Switching: The manual A/B Switches on the PLS front panel are used to initiate switching of one or more A/B Circuits. 2. Code Activated A/B Switching: ASCII commands are sent to the PLS to initiate switching of one or more A/B Circuits. 3. Automated A/B [...]

7.2. Code Activated A/B Switching The PLS offers three dif ferent commands for controlling A/B switching: · The /A command, which is used to switch one or more circuits to the "A" line. · The /B command, which is used to switch one or more circuits to the "B" line. · The /D command, which is used to switch all three circuits [...]

The Command Confirmation Prompt: Normally , when the /A or /B commands are invoked, the PLS will prompt you for confirmation before actually implementing the command. If you wish to suppress this confirmation prompt, and execute commands without confirmation, you can employ one of the following methods: · Include the ",y" option in the c[...]

7.3. The Monitor Mode The Monitor Mode allows the PLS-345 perform automatic A/B switching in response to signal level changes at the monitor port on the instrument back panel. The Monitor Mode can be set to monitor a Contact or an RS-232 Line. For more information on the Monitor Mode, please refer to Section 5.7. 7-4 PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch[...]

8. Saving and Restoring Configuration Parameters After the PLS has been properly configured, parameters can be downloaded and saved as an ASCII text file. Later , if the configuration is accidentally altered, the file with the saved parameters can be uploaded to automatically reconfigure the unit without the need to manually assign each parameter .[...]

4. The PLS will send a series of ASCII command lines which specify the currently selected PLS parameters. The last line of the file should end with a “ /G-00 ” command. When the download is complete, press [Enter] to return to the "PLS>" command prompt. 8.2. Restoring Saved Parameters This section describes the procedure for using [...]

9. Application Examples 9.1. Monitoring Signal Drop and/or Power Loss In this application, the PLS-345 will monitor the DTR signal from a data device. If the signal drops or the data device loses power for more than one minute, the unit will automatically switch circuits 2 and 3 to the "B" line. 1. Connect Line from Data Device: Connect a[...]

3. Configure Monitor Mode: Access the PLS command mode as described in Section 5.2. At the PLS> command prompt, type /M [Enter] to display the Monitor Mode Parameters Menu. Note that the Monitor Mode Parameters Menu is not available in User Mode. Set Monitor Mode Parameters as follows: a) Item 1 - Monitor Mode: On. Note: Do not enable the Monito[...]

9.2. Monitoring a Contact In this application, the PLS will monitor a switch or contact. When the contact closes (signal goes low) for more than one minute, the PLS will automatically switch module 1 to the "B" position. Later , if the contact returns to the open position, the PLS will return circuit 1 to the "A" position. Note:[...]

3. Configure Monitor Mode: Access the PLS command mode as described in Section 5.2. At the PLS> command prompt, type /M [Enter] to display the Monitor Mode Parameters Menu. Note that the Monitor Mode Parameters Menu is not available in User Mode. Set Monitor Mode Parameters as follows: a) Item 1 - Monitor Mode: On. Note: Do not enable the Monito[...]

10. Command Summary All PLS-345 commands conform to the following standards: · All commands normally begin with the " / " (foreword slash) character . If you wish to temporarily suppress command echo, use the "" ( backward slash) character instead of a forward slash. · All command lines are invoked by pressing the [Enter] key[...]

/SN Display Network Status Displays a status screen (Figure 6.2), which lists current network parameters, such as the TCB port, T elnet port, and network status. Command Format: /SN [Enter] Response: Displays Network Status Screen, followed by the PLS> command prompt. Command A vailability: System and User . 10.2. Configuration Commands These co[...]

/N View/Set Network Parameters Displays the Network Parameters Menu (Figure 5.4), which is used to define the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway Address and access the IP Security Menu. For more information on the Network Parameters Menu, please refer to Section 5.6. Command Format: /N [Enter] Response: Displays Network Parameters Menu. Command A vai[...]

10.3. Control Commands These commands are used to switch A/B lines at each circuit, set circuits to default status, and reset the network interface. /A <n> Switch Circuit "n" to Line "A" Switches the target circuit(s) to Line "A". Note that this command can be used to switch one circuit, a combination of circuits[...]

/D Set Circuits to Default Switches all PLS-345 circuits to their default A/B state. Note that the default A/B state is set using the Circuit Parameters Menu, as described in Section 7.2.2. Command Format: /D [Enter] Command Arguments: ,y Suppress Confirmation (Sure) Prompt. For example, " /D,y " switches all circuits to their default sta[...]

/X Exit/Disconnect Exits from command mode. When you have contacted the PLS via network, the unit will exit command mode and the network connection will be terminated. When you have contacted the PLS via modem, the unit will exit command mode and the modem will hang up. When you have contacted the PLS via a local PC connected to the PLS Console Por[...]

A. Interface Descriptions A.1 Console Port Interface A.2 Modem Port Interface Apx-1 Figur e A.1: Console Port Interface Figur e A.2: Modem Port Interface[...]

A.3 Common Ports and A/B Ports Apx-2 PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch; User's Guide Figur e A.3: Common Ports and A/B Ports[...]

B. Specifications Interface: RJ-45, three jacks, Cat5 compliant, capable of switching 10/100Base-T with minimum dB loss, 8 pins switched, Common Jack to "A" or "B" Jack. Contacts: High reliability , mechanical relays, break-before- make contacts with 1 amp @ 30 VDC rating, 100 million cycle life. Switching: Manual: Individual or[...]

C. Customer Service Customer Service hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, PST , Monday through Friday . When calling, please be prepared to give the name and make of the unit, its serial number and a description of its symptoms. If the unit should need to be returned for factory repair it must be accompanied by a Return Authorization number from Cust[...]

Index # 100BaseT Networks 2-3, 4-2 A A Name (T o) 5-8 A/B Lines 4-2 A/B Settings 6-1 to 6-2 A/B Switching 7-1 to 7-4, 10-4 Code Activated 7-2 Manual 7-1 Monitor Mode 9-1 A/C/B Circuits Apx-2 A/C/B Indicators 2-1 Application Examples 9-1 to 9-4 Automated Mode 5-7 Automatic A/B Switching 5-13 to 5-15 B B Name (T o) 5-9 Back Panel 2-2 to 2-3 Baud Rate[...]

M MAC Address 5-10, 6-3 Manual A/B Switching 7-1 Manual Switch 2-2 Master A/B Switch 2-2 Menu Conventions 5-4 Modem Access 5-2 Modem Port 2-3, 4-2, 5-2, Apx-1 Disconnect String 5-6 Initialization String 5-6 Monitor Input 5-13 Monitor Input Connector 2-3 Monitor Mode 2-3, 5-13 to 5-15, 6-2, 7-4, 9-1 to 9-4 Contact 9-3 Examples 9-2 Hardware Configura[...]

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