BCM 400 reinstatement problems

[setenvjt]

I have a BCM 400 running version 4.0.2.03a. Its a 6/2 split running 3 PRI DTM's with 3 DSM 32's. For the last year the system has been idle with no PRI's hooked up. We had a "tech" out a few months ago to run patches and get it ready. He left it with some strange problems. We have 3 new PRI circuits set up for the 400 but the DTM's will not sync up with them. We have even tried known working PRI's from our BCM 450 with the same results. I have checked the bus settings and dip switches. Everything looks good aside from the tech changing one module to BRI loop and one set as a DSM. I changed them back to PRI with all the correct settings NI-2 etc... that correspond with our circuits. In element manager they are enabled. Is there something else I am missing here? It seems like they should sync up at this point. Could something else like line provisioning be getting in the way? Any help/information would be great. Thanks.

~Jeremy

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

What release of patches were installed as there are problems with some of the older system patches for the 400 range.

All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian 1 / Succession and BCM / Norstar Programmer in the UK

http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbromley

If it's working, then leave it alone!.

 

[setenvjt]

looks like the patches are from 11/20/2011 BCM 400 4.0 SU 0029 and SU 017.

 

[telcodog]

If this was all working before, it should still work unless the tech changed what was on what bus. I would recheck how the resources are set up and verify the dip switch settings.

From the manual:
BUS Switch settings
2 on on on on on on
3 on on on on on off
4 on on on on off on
5 on on on on off off
6 on on on off on on
7 on on on off on off

Make sure that your carrier has indeed set them to NI-2 and not NI-1 (DMS100 in BCM config)

Make sure each one has it's own D-Channel. BCM does not support single D (NFAS)

For each PRI, make sure all 23 channels have been provisioned in the BCM.

In the BCM under the Administration tab, go into Telephony Metrics>Trunk Module Metrics and see if your DTMs show up there with a status of enabled. If they do, click on each one and check the D channel status. It should say active. Anything else and they won't work. Call your provider and figure out what is preventing the d channel from coming up (make sure you're using a straight through RJ-45 patch cord).

If the status stays disabled, go back into the telephony resources and try enabling them there. If they still won't come up, it's likely the dip switch settings. If it says enabling, then it's the d channel so concentrate your efforts there.

Other than that, they are pretty simple to get working.

As well, you might want to have a look at the Monitor and see if any of the channels ever get used.

If all that fails, REBOOT the POS!

Good Luck.

 

[setenvjt]

double checked the BUS settings. DSM 32's are working and are at buses 2,3,4. DTM's are at 5,6,7. In metrics it says D channel is out of service. the state of the module is N/A. All other settings seem correct. I had tried to reboot with no results.

 

[telcodog]

OK then. You have 6 physical modules. You do have an expansion cabinet with a license right, and it is connected with the proper patch cable that came with it? Suggest you plug the 3 DTM cards into the main cabinet and see if they come up. Leave the DSM32s in the expansion. That N/A status means it can't see them.

 

[setenvjt]

I do have an expansion module. I am not sure if the license is installed anymore. I can guarantee the patch cable is not the one that shipped with it. Is there a way I can make the correct one? I believe the techs use the expansion patch cable on the BCM 450 when they installed it. I'll change the mbm around see what happens. One of the DTM's is in the main chassis and still shows up N/A.

 

[telcodog]

Now we're getting somewhere! You cannot use a regular patch cable to connect the expansion cabinet. The ones that come with the expansion units are made to exacting specs and is very difficult to duplicate. Many of us have tried and gave up.

As for the license, just go into the system and look at what licenses are installed. Until you verify that, keep testing using the main cabinet only and make sure you do a power off reboot every time you swap cards. They are not hot swappable. Maybe try one DTM at a time and leave the rest out.

 

[setenvjt]

telcodog your information was very useful. I got my DSM32's in the expansion cabinet working. Don't tell nortel but a 20ft shielded cat6e seems to do the trick for a patch cable(shot in the dark but worked). My 3 DTM's are now in the main chassis. BUS 6,7 work perfectly. BUS 5 still shows up as N/A unequipped module. The dip settings are definitely correct for BUS 5. I suppose that DTM could be bad. Even in the hardware inventory it shows up as unknown. Aside from that thank you very much, I can at least get to provisioning the two working PRI's.

 

[telcodog]

Cool! yes, that DTM is probably defective.