Preparing A Lucent PortMaster (TM) For Configuration

August 17, 1999

Preparing For Configuration For The Following Models:

PM-2, PM-2E, PM-2R, PM-2ER, PM-25, IRX-111, IRX-112, IRX-114, IRX-211

Summary:

To prepare the Lucent PortMaster (TM) for configuration, it generally needs to be connected to an ethernet port and have an ethernet address set. Setting the ethernet type is done by setting dip switches 4 and 5. To set an IP address to the ethernet port, one must connect a terminal configured for 9600,8,N,1 to the S0 port on the PortMaster with dip switch 1 raised.

Before You Start:

  1. It is required that a null modem cable or a straight through serial cable and a null modem adapter be used for initial set up of the PortMaster.

    2. NOTE: The DB25 connector on the PortMaster is female.

    •  Refer to the following pin assignments for the modem cable:

      • Pin out for a full Null modem cable  

       
pin 1  (GND) goes to pin 1  (GND)
pin 2  (TD)  goes to pin 3  (RD)
pin 3  (RD)  goes to pin 2  (TD)
pin 4  (RTS) goes to pin 5  (CTS)
pin 5  (CTS) goes to pin 4  (RTS)
pin 6  (DSR) goes to pin 6  (DSR)
pin 7  (GND) goes to pin 7  (GND)
pin 8  (DCD) goes to pin 20 (DTR)
pin 20 (DTR) goes to pin 8  (DCD)

      If there is a problem identifying which cables to use you may choose to take the pin out to  any retail computer store or computer game store for assistance.

      If you are making the cable yourself, the MINIMUM required null modem pin out for a console to do basic configuration is:  

      pin 2 (TD)  goes to pin 3 (RD)
pin 3 (RD)  goes to pin 2 (TD) 
pin 7 (GND) goes to pin 7 (GND)
  2. A Dumb Terminal Emulator (DTE) device to act as a terminal console.

    3. This can be a dumb terminal, a laptop, a desktop, or another PortMaster. Your DTE device must be able to run at 9600. In the example we will use the terminal program that comes as an accessory to Windows 3.11.

  3. An IP subnet:  Most ISP's will have at least one Class C network address. These IP network address are given to you by your Internet Service Provider, leased line carrier or by the Internic http://www.internic.net/. If you do not plan to connect network in question to the Internet an IP network address set aside for private use may also be used. The IP network address for private use can be found in RFC1597. The most commonly used network address is IP 192.168.0.0.
  4. An Ethernet: Optional, only when an IRX or a PM-2ER with no other hosts can operate without the ethernet.
    • If using Thin-net verify that you have T-Connectors and terminators. 
    • If using Thick-net use a 10-Base-T transceiver and an Ethernet Hub or Switch. 
    • If using 10-Base-T verify that you have an Ethernet Hub or Switch. 

    It is recommended to have know good spares of the most commonly used cables available. If you make your own cables, try to keep a few cables that have been purchased from retail computer stores strictly as a precaution 

Getting The PortMaster Ready For Configuration:

  1. Verify that the unit power switch is set to off, connect the PortMaster into a power outlet. 

    2. NOTE: It is best to use a UPS or a surge 1 to protect the PortMaster unit. A surge "suppresser" is  a fire 1 with a fuse. A surge "protector" usually advertises a clamping speed and jules and will protect your system. A UPS is also a good thing to have. 

    NOTE: When moving into a new location , it is recommended to call the local power company and have them check the wiring at the intended location for adequate and stable power. Power companies will generally do this without a charge. 

  2. Set the dip switches. 

    3. The bank of 5 dip switches are found on the back of the PortMaster unit next to a single green LED. Switches are numbered from left to right. Dip switch 1 is on the far left.

    • Set dip switch 1 ON or UP putting the PortMaster in console mode..

      • This forces port S0 into 9600,8,N,1 which will allow a connection to port S0 over the null modem cable permitting commands to be issued to the PortMaster.

    • Leave dip switch 2 down.

      • When dip switch 2 is ON or UP it forces the PortMaster into a Netboot mode. 

    • Leave dip switch 3 down.

      • This dip switch currently has no function it is reserved for future use.

      Dip switches 4 & 5 set the type of Ethernet connection to be used as shown below:

         Dip 4 Dip 5  Ethernet Type
     -----------------------------------------------
     Down  Down   Thin Net (BNC, Coaxial, 10-base-2)
     Down  Up     Thick Net (AUI, Ethernet D)
     Up    Up     Twisted Pair (RJ-45, 10-base-T)

    NOTE: If you are NOT connecting the PortMaster to an ethernet,  set dips 4 and 5 UP, this will suppress warnings when in console mode. 

  3. Connect the Null modem cable to the S0 port on the PortMaster. 
  4. Connect the other end of the Null Modem to a DTE device; for example a PC or laptop. 
  5. Set the DTE device for 9600,8,N,1, xon/xoff.

    6. Example: Setting the Windows 3.1 Terminal program found under the "Accessories" group. 

    • Start the Terminal program 
    • Select "Settings" from the menu bar and then "Communications" from the sub menu. 
    • Select the COM port you have connected the NULL modem to on your PC. 
    • Change the speed from 1200 (default) to 9600 
    • Click "OK", all other settings should work with their default settings. 

     

  6. Turn on the PortMaster. The PortMaster booting takes approximately one minute. 
  7.  When  the login prompt is displayed, login using "!root" as the username. A new installation
  8.   will not have a password assigned. 

    9. If this not a new installation, and the password is unknown, you may submit an email request to support@ra.lucent.com for a password override.  Include the 16 character challenge or call Lucent Technical Support (1-800-458-9966) for  password override assistance. 

  9. Give the PortMaster unit an IP address for its ethernet port using the following command:
  10. command> set address x.x.x.x  

In this example, the PortMaster has been assigned an IP address of 192.168.0.36  

 
Command> set address 192.168.0.36
Local(ether0) address changed from 0.0.0.0 to
192.168.0.36
Command> save all

Next set the ethernet netmask as shown in example below:  (The default netmask is set to 255.255.255.0.)  

Command> set netmask 255.255.255.192
ether0 netmask changed from 255.255.255.0 to
255.255.255.192

Remaining configurations can now be done from either the console,  a telnet session, or a PMconsole or Lucent PMVision (TM)  (Lucent ComOs (TM) version 3.7.2 is required for use of PMVision on the PortMaster product). Configuring the PortMaster from a remote location,  may require setting the IP for the gateway. The gateway address represents the route of last resort and is usually the next step to the Internet.
Often this is the IP address of your primary router or the router of your ISP.

Using IP 192.168.0.1 as the gateway in this example enter the following commands:  

 
Command> set gateway 192.168.0.1
Gateway changed from 0.0.0.0 to 192.168.0.1, metric = 1
Command> save all

Testing Your Setup:

From the PortMaster prompt, ping another host on your network. If you get a reply that the host is alive, then the PortMaster has been configured properly.  

Command> ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

Troubleshooting

Solid green LED on or solid LED off:

If the green LED next to the dip switches not flashing off and on once every 5 seconds call Lucent Technical Support. 
Nothing seen on the console:

  • Verify that the PortMaster is on and plugged in with the Null modem cable firmly attached to port S0 and the other end of the cable firmly connected to the terminal. 
  • Verify that dip switch 1 is ON/UP. Turn the PortMaster off and flip dip 1 up and down a few times leaving it in the up position,  then reboot with dip 1 ON/UP. 
  • Verify that you have the right COM port selected on your PC. 
  • Verify that  the single green LED next to the dip switches flashes off and on once every 5 seconds. 
  • Swap the Null modem cable with a known good cable
  • Swap the COM port on the terminal 
  • Try another terminal program 
  • Try another hardware device as your console. 
  • Program a modem for 9600,8,N,1 and auto answer and attempt dialing into the port. 
  • If you have other Lucent products, try connecting your terminal to those devices and then swing the console over to the terminal. If it works on another Lucent product but not this one, contact Lucent Technical Support. 

Can see the PortMaster boot and the prompt, but you are unable to type:

  • Swap the NULL modem cable with a known good cable.
  • Another possibility is a defective serial port or COM port.

Getting garbage on the console:

  • DTE speed mismatch. Verify that your terminal is set to 9600 baud. 
  • Interrupt Requests (IRQ) mismatch. If you have another device that is using the IRQ of your COM port you will see 0 from the other device. 
  • Use a different COM port. 
  • Swap NULL modem cable with a known good cable. 
  • Try another hardware device for your terminal. 

Error message on boot up, "Panic watchdog error"

Call Lucent Technical Support. . This may be a problem with the Nonvolatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM). 
Error message on boot up, "Shared memory error"

Call Lucent Technical Support. 
Fan is not turning:

  • Put your hand behind the PortMaster and verify that  the fan is working. 
  • If the fan is inoperative the PortMaster will overheat. 
  • Call Lucent Technical Support 

The PortMaster does not complete the boot process:

Call Lucent Technical Support. 
Unable to ping other hosts on network:

  1. Ping another host on your ethernet. The PortMaster display an 'ARP' request. Even if the other side fails to answer, you should see some blinking on the lights next to the ethernet connection on the PortMaster. 
  2. Next, view the ARP cache which displays a list of recently received MAC addresses and their associated IP addresses. If you see any entries at all then your ethernet connection is good, however, there is an incorrect configuration on the network. 
    3. Command> sh arp ether0
10.0.0.10 at 00:00:c0:6f:19:5c
[IP address] [MAC address]
  3. If  no ARP is displayed, swap the ethernet cable, preferably with a host known to be working. 
    • If using BNC (coaxial cables) Verify that  you have T-connectors and terminators. Try swapping cables and the order of the hosts on the thin-net cable. 
    • If using 10-Base-T. Swap socketson the HUB or swap hubs as well as cables. 
    • If using AUI. verify that the cable is firmly connected and also make sure that any cable connected to the transceiver is also secure. 

     

  4. Verify that you have the correct IP address and netmask set to the ethernet interface on the PortMaster. The PortMaster ethernet IP address must be on the same subnet as the other hosts on the LAN. 

    5. To check IP address and netmask, enter the following commands:  

     
Command> ifconfig
ether0: flags=16<IP_UP,IPX_DOWN,BROADCAST>
        inet 10.0.0.1 netmask ffffffc0 broadcast
        10.0.0.0 mtu 1500
        [IP ADDRESS]      [NETMASK]
  5. Repeat steps 1 and 2. If you still see no ARP in the ARP cache, contact Lucent Technical Support. There is also a possibility of a defective ethernet 0 card.