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This section describes the first installation of a test-box. Figure 3 shows a drawing of a test-box that should help you to locate the various connectors on the test-box.
This section will, as we get more experience with the installation of our test-boxes, be updated. Before you begin with the installation, please visit our web-site (http://www.ripe.net/test-traffic/) and download the latest version of this document. Site-specific details will be discussed by email.
When the test-box arrives check it for obvious shipment damage before mounting it into a rack. If the test-box has been damaged, notify the delivery company as well as the RIPE-NCC. Depending on the nature of the problem, we will then decide how to proceed. Do not switch on a damaged test-box.
On the back of the test-box, you will find a grey flat-cable with a DB9-connector. This cable has to be connected to the left DB9-connector on the back of the machine. If the cable has been disconnected during shipping, please put it back in.
Mounting the antenna is discussed in the previous section. Depending on your particular situation, antenna cables and connectors may be included with the test-box. If necessary, one can open the antenna and unplug the cable by removing the black, plastic, nut on the bottom of the antenna.
If your site uses Aircell7 cable, please note that, although the cable is quite heavy, it is also quite fragile. When installing it, please avoid making sharp bends, do not squeeze the cable and do not pull it through a large number of holes at once.
For calibration purposes, we have to know the length of the antenna cable with an accuracy of about 1 m, so if you use cables other than the ones provided by use, please measure their length before installing them. It might be necessary to move the antenna a bit in order to optimize reception, so do not cut any cables or fix the antenna in a permanent position yet. The antenna cable has to be connected to the BNC plug on the back of the crate (figure 3).
Then connect the test-box to Ethernet using the RJ-45 connector on the back. If your site uses BNC connectors for the local Ethernet, get an adapter. Do not use the BNC connector on the back to connect the box to the local Ethernet, this may seriously damage your routers as well as the test-box.
The test-boxes use 2 different brands of power-supplies. The first one will recognize the voltage automatically, the second one (recognizable by the two green LED's just below the main-connector, has to be switched to the right voltage. The default is 220 V.If your site use 110 V.set the TWO red switches below the LED's and chrome handle to 110. After that, connect the test-box to a power outlet.
Now switch on the test-box. A console monitor can optionally be attached to the test-box to monitor the boot process but this is not necessary. The test-box will boot automatically.
There is no need for the local contact to configure the test-box, as the test-box will be pre-configured at the RIPE-NCC before it is sent to you. Also, system maintenance and further configuration will be done from the RIPE-NCC.
When the test-box is running (approximately 3 minutes after it has been switched on, or when a login prompt appears on the screen), check if it is visible from your local network by pinging it at the pre-configured address. If it doesn't respond, first check the green status LED on the Ethernet card. If it is off, check your cables, reboot the machine and ping it again. If the LED is on, attach a console monitor, reboot the machine and write down any errors that appear. After that, please contact us and we will try to solve the problem.
As soon as the box is on the net, please send an email to tt-ops@ripe.net . We will then check the performance of the box and the antenna position remotely, and, if necessary, contact you in order to fine-tune the installation.
When the optimal antenna position has been found, we suggest that you fix the antenna at this position. The easiest way to do this is with cellotape. Alternatively, you can unscrew the base of the antenna, drill a hole and then put the antenna back together. If you have to unplug the antenna cables for this, please inform us in advance.
The front panel of the test-box can be locked. After you have powered up the test-box, we suggest that you lock the front panel, remove the key from the lock and put the key in a safe place away from the test-box. This will make it harder, though by no means impossible, to tamper with the test-box.
We will, as we get more experience with the installation of our test-boxes, put a list with questions and problems, as well as their solution, related to the installation of test-boxes on our web page.
Henk Uijterwaal