Release Notes for Cisco 6700 Series Release 1.2(23)

These release notes for the Cisco 6732 integrated access device support software release 1.2(23). These release notes are updated as needed to describe new features, memory requirements, hardware support, software platform deferrals, and related documents.

For a list of the software caveats that apply to release 1.2(23), see the "Caveats" section.

These release notes discuss the following topics:

System Requirements

This section describes system requirements for software release 1.2(23) and includes the following:

Hardware Supported

Software release 1.2(23) supports the Cisco 6732.

Caution Before upgrading to release 1.2(23), you must visually inspect the Connor-Winfield timing module that is located on the MCC board. MCC boards that have a Connor-Winfield timing module serial number of V16.8MC-nnnn will not operate with software release 1.2(23). Customers finding MCC boards with these serial numbers (example shown in the figure below) should return the MCC board to Cisco for replacement.

Connor-Winfield timing modules with serial numbers of V13.38-nnnn, V16.8-nnnn or V16.38-nnnn are compatible with software release 1.2(23).

Supported Common Cards and Line Cards

The following table lists Cisco 6732 common cards and line cards supported by release 1.2(23):

Table 1: Cisco 6732 Common Cards and Line Cards

Card Name	Ordering Number
BPS/HP	6732-PWR-HP=
MCC/STR3	6732-SM-MCC3=
BRG	6700-SM-BRG=
AMM	6700-SM-AMM=
RUVG/8	6700-LIM-RUVG-8=
FXS/16	6700-LIM-FXS-16=
DSX1/8	6700-LIM-DS1=
T1-2-V.35	6700-LIM-T1-2-V35=
DSX3/CHNL	6700-LIM-DS3-C=
STSX1/CHNL	6700-LIM-STS-1=

Software Compatibility

The Cisco 6700 series software release 1.2(23) should be used in conjunction with version 1.2.22 of the Element Management System (EMS) software.

Determining Your Software Release

To determine the version of software currently running on the Cisco 6732, you must connect the chassis to a workstation with EMS installed. For more information about installing EMS, see the "EMS Installation" section of the Cisco 6700 Series Element Management System User Guide .

1. Launch EMS on the workstation.

2. In the EMS root view, double click on the node icon representing the Cisco 6732 chassis. EMS launches the node view for the chassis.

3. In node view, double click on the nameplate button (located near the top of the window). EMS launches the NE provision window.

4. The software release is listed in the NE Loaded Software Version field.

Important Notes

This section contains important information about use of your Cisco 6732 system.

Provisioning a GR-303 Interface Group

When creating a GR-303 interface group for the Cisco 6732, you must allocate call reference values (CRVs) for the group before assigning DS1 lines. For more information, see the "CRV Batch Provisioning" chapter of the Cisco 6700 Series Element Management System User Guide .

In Service System Software Upgrade

This procedure should be used in conjunction with the "System Software Utilities" chapter of the Cisco 6700 Series Element Management System User Guide .

Caution Cisco recommends that you perform a local software upgrade, with a local EMS workstation directly connected to the Cisco 6732 chassis.

Before You Begin

Before beginning the system software upgrade, perform the following tasks:

Connect a local EMS workstation to the Cisco 6732 chassis.
Backup the system database before starting the software upgrade. Refer to the "Database Backup and Restore" section of the "System Software Utilities" chapter.
Verify that a TFTP server is online and available to receive the database backup information. TFTP server verification can be confirmed by pinging the TFTP host (confirms that the Cisco 6732 is properly routed to the TFTP host).
Verify that the TFTP server is online and contains the system software file SwLoad.fbx.

Note When upgrading multiple nodes in a network, always start from the far end of the network, one node at a time. In a typical network, a number of remote nodes (subscriber nodes) are connected to a central office terminal (COT) node. If the upgrade of COT is mishandled, the entire network may be lost. Upgrade tests and sample enhancements should be made at the edge node. If the upgrade tests fail on the edge nodes, never attempt to upgrade the network node.

Upgrade System Software on the Main Control Card (MCC)

To upgrade the system software, perform the following tasks:

Step 1 Upgrade the standby main control card (MCC) first. Typically, the B side of the chassis is in standby mode; in this case, the MCC in slot "MCC-B" is the standby MCC.

Step 2 Reset the standby MCC. MCC-B should come back to full standby status.

Step 3 Upon completion, EMS will report that the software upgrade has passed.

Caution If EMS is unable to complete the system software upgrade, an error message will be displayed in the EMS NE provisioning window. In this case, do not reset the MCC; restart the system software upgrade process from Step 2.

Step 4 Use EMS to perform an MCC switchover from MCC-A to MCC-B. From the NE provisioning window in EMS, select the Common Control Card Switch Over option, then click on the Switch button to perform the switchover. Allow several minutes for the MCC switchover to take place before proceeding.

Step 5 Repeat steps 2-3 to upgrade the remaining MCC (in this case, MCC-A). After the MCC-A has been reset, both MCCs in the Cisco 6732 chassis will be running with the new system software.

Reset Cisco 6732 Line Cards

To load the new system software on line cards in the Cisco 6732 chassis, each line card must be reset individually. Line cards are seated in slots 1 through 32 of the Cisco 6732 chassis.

Note Cisco 6732 common cards (BPS/HP and AMM) do not need to be reset.

Caution Resetting a line card is a service-affecting procedure. Cisco recommends that line cards in an active Cisco 6732 chassis be reset during off-peak hours.

Use one of the following two methods to reset a line card:

Physically remove and reseat (insert) the line card in the Cisco 6732 chassis.
From the Plugin Card provisioning window in EMS, select the Card Reset option, then click on the Reset button.

After resetting the line card, allow 15 to 30 seconds for the line card to load the new system software. Repeat this procedure for the remaining line cards in the Cisco 6732 chassis.

Caveats

This section contains open and resolved caveats for the current Cisco 6732 software release.

Open Caveats-Release 1.2(23)

This section describes possibly unexpected behavior by release 1.2(23). This section describes only severity 1 and 2 caveats.

CSCdp28452

: Some DS3 PM TCA (Threshold Crossing Alerts) will continue to be reported in C-Bit and M13 applications.
: Workaround: Set all 15-minute and 1-day threshold values to 0 (the EMS default value is 0, so leave the default values as they are).
: Impact Severity: Non-Service Affecting

CSCfx00104

: Condition: The EMS and Cisco 6732 time of day may become out of sync rapidly. This may cause confusion when interpreting the alarm reports.
: Workaround: Periodically synchronize the Cisco 6732 time of day to the EMS time of day. Refer to the Cisco 6700 Series Element Management System User Guide for step-by-step time of day sync procedures and additional information.
: Impact Severity: Non-Service Affecting

CSCdm62754

Condition: Phantom ringing will occur in a channel bank if the following conditions exist.

CRVs are provisioned from the 6732 to 3rd-party T1 channel banks (e.g., Vina and CAC).
The channel bank does not support 16-state signaling in ESF mode.
ESF is used as the signaling protocol to the channel banks.
A downstream AIS condition is raised, causing phantom ringing at the channel bank.

Workaround: Use SF framing towards 3rd-party channel banks that don't support 16 state signaling in ESF mode.

Impact Severity: Non-Service Affecting

CSCdm62677

: Condition: Cannot provision remote CRVs over a DS3 interface.
: Workaround. Don't use remote CRVs over DS3 interfaces. Use external CRVs over DS3.
: Impact Severity: Non-Service Affecting

CSCfx00103

: Condition: The Ethernet port on the Alarm Maintenance and Monitoring (AMM) card is not usable if the AMM card is inserted into the Cisco 6732 chassis after the MCC has booted.
: Workaround: Insert the AMM card before inserting the MCC cards.
: Impact Severity: Non-Service Affecting

CSCfx00613 and CSCfx00625

: Condition: Batch provisioning over an ESF-FDL internode datalink is not recommended. Because of the very slow performance of the 4 kbps link, occasional time-outs may occur causing incomplete provisioning operations. This problem has occurred during remote CRV provisioning.
: Workaround: Use external CRVs and single provisioning operations when using ESF-FDL internode datalinks.
: Impact Severity: Non-Service Affecting

Resolved System Software Caveats-Release 1.2(23)

All the caveats listed in this section are resolved in release 1.2(23). This section describes only severity 1 and 2 caveats:

CSCdp15078

: To avoid incorrect watchdog starvation under high stress conditions, a processing delay was added to EMS information requests. Resolved 10/27/99.

CSCdp04634

: When working with a DSX3/CHNL card, DS0 #24 of a DS1 could not be set to clear channel. This prevented initialization of an inter-node data link (INDL). Resolved 10/20/99.

CSCdp13588

: DSX3/CHNL cards were prone to bit error rate failure when operating at low temperature (-40^oC). Resolved 10/20/99.

CSCdp20599

: DSX3/CHNL and STSX1/CHNL cards were able to overrun their PM bins on rollover, causing memory corruption and incorrect PM counts. Resolved 10/18/99.

CSCdm77693

: Ethernet performance was degraded during periods of heavy broadcast traffic. Resolved 10/27/99.

CSCdp04634

: A condition was identified in release 1.2(21) in which the EMS software would allow users to perform CRV provisioning on DS0 #24 of an INDL link. This condition subsequently caused the link to go down (disabled).
: In release 1.2(22), the EMS software displays an error message if the user attempts to perform CRV provisioning on DS0 #24 of an INDL link. EMS also displays the error message if the user attempts to provision DS0 #24 and there is not an INDL link. Furthermore, the system does not prevent the CRV provisioning on DS0 #24 of an INDL link. Resolved 10/20/99.

Document Title	Chapter Topics
Cisco 6732 Hardware Installation Guide	Hardware Description Hardware Installation Troubleshooting Hardware Specifications
Cisco 6705 Hardware Installation Guide	Hardware Description Hardware Installation Troubleshooting Hardware Specifications
Cisco 6700 Series Module Installation Guide	Module Installation
Cisco 6700 Series Element Management System User Guide	EMS Installation Initial Provisioning Configuring Network Topology Configuring the Cisco 6700 Inter Node Data Links Cross Connections CRV Batch Provisioning System Software Utilities System Maintenance and Monitoring

Service and Support

For service and support for a product purchased directly from Cisco, use CCO.

Software Configuration Tips on the Cisco Technical Assistance Center Home Page

If you have a CCO login account, you can access the following URL, which contains links and tips on configuring your Cisco products:

http://www.cisco.com/kobayashi/serv_tips.shtml

This URL is subject to change without notice. If it changes, point your Web browser to CCO and click on this path: Products & Technologies: Products: Technical Tips.

The following sections are provided from the Technical Tips page:

Access Dial Cookbook---Contains common configurations or recipes for configuring various access routes and dial technologies.
Field Notices---Notifies you of any critical issues regarding Cisco products and includes problem descriptions, safety or security issues, and hardware defects.
Frequently Asked Questions---Describes the most frequently asked technical questions about Cisco hardware and software.
Hardware---Provides technical tips related to specific hardware platforms.
Hot Tips---Describes popular tips and hints gathered from the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Most of these documents are available from the TAC Fax-on-demand service. To reach Fax-on-demand and receive documents at your fax machine from the United States, call 888-50-CISCO (888-502-4726). From other areas, call 650-596-4408.
Sample Configurations---Provides actual configuration examples that are complete with topology and annotations.
Special Collections---Lists other helpful documents, including Case Studies, References & Request for Comments (RFCs), and Security Advisories.

Cisco Connection Online

Cisco Connection Online (CCO) is Cisco Systems' primary, real-time support channel. Maintenance customers and partners can self-register on CCO to obtain additional information and services.

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, CCO provides a wealth of standard and value-added services to Cisco's customers and business partners. CCO services include product information, product documentation, software updates, release notes, technical tips, the condition Navigator, configuration notes, brochures, descriptions of service offerings, and download access to public and authorized files.

CCO serves a wide variety of users through two interfaces that are updated and enhanced simultaneously: a character-based version and a multimedia version that resides on the World Wide Web (WWW). The character-based CCO supports Zmodem, Kermit, Xmodem, FTP, and Internet e-mail, and it is excellent for quick access to information over lower bandwidths. The WWW version of CCO provides richly formatted documents with photographs, figures, graphics, and video, as well as hyperlinks to related information.

You can reach CCO in the following ways:

WWW: http://www.cisco.com
Telnet: cco.cisco.com
Modem: From North America, 408 526-8070. Use the following terminal settings: VT100 emulation; databits: 8; parity: none; stop bits: 1; and connection rates up to 28.8 kbps.

For a copy of CCO's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), contact cco-help@cisco.com. For additional information, contact cco-team@cisco.com.

Note If you are a network administrator and need personal technical assistance with a Cisco product that is under warranty or covered by a maintenance contract, contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center (TAC) at 800 553-2447, 408 526-7209, or tac@cisco.com. To obtain general information about Cisco Systems, Cisco products, or upgrades, contact 800 553-6387, 408 526-7208, or cs-rep@cisco.com.

Documentation CD-ROM

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Table of Contents

Release Notes for Cisco 6700 Series Release 1.2(23)