Chapter 4, Cisco Transport Controller Operation

This chapter describes Cisco Transport Controller (CTC), the CiscoONS15600SDH software interface that is stored on the Timing and Shelf Controller (TSC) card and downloaded to your workstation each time you log into the ONS15600SDH. For CTC set up and login information, refer to the CiscoONS15600SDH Procedure Guide.

4.1 CTC Software Delivery Methods

Use CTC to provision and administer the ONS15600SDH. CTC is a Java application that is installed in two locations:

CTC is stored on the TSC card and downloaded to your workstation each time you log into an ONS15600SDH.

4.1.1 CTC Software Installed on the TSC Card

CTC software is preloaded on the ONS15600SDH TSC cards; therefore, you do not need to install software on the TSC. To upgrade to a newer CTC software version, use the CiscoONS15600SDH Software Upgrade Guide.

You can view the software versions that are installed on one ONS15600SDH by clicking the Maintenance > Software tabs in node view. Click the tabs in network view to display the software versions installed on all the network nodes.

4.1.2 CTC Software Installed on the PC or UNIX Workstation

When you connect to the ONS15600SDH, the TSC card automatically downloads the CTC software to your computer, where it is automatically installed if you have the correct Java Runtime Environment (JRE). The automatic download/installation process ensures that your computer is running the same CTC software version as the TSC you are accessing. The CTC software files are stored in the temporary directory designated by your computer's operating system. You can use the Delete CTC Cache button to remove files stored in the temporary directory. If the files are deleted, they are downloaded the next time you connect to an ONS15600SDH. Downloading the Java archive files, called JAR files, for CTC takes several minutes depending on the bandwidth of the connection between your workstation and the ONS15600SDH. For example, JAR files downloaded from a modem or an Regenerator Section Data Communication Channels (RSDCC) network link will require more time than JAR files downloaded over a LAN connection.

4.2 CTC Installation Overview

To connect to an ONS15600SDH using CTC, enter the ONS15600SDH IP address in the URL field of a web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. After connecting to an ONS15600SDH, the following events occur automatically:

Note

Each ONS15600SDH has a unique IP address that you use to access it. The initial IP address, 192.168.1.2, is the default address for ONS15600SDH access and configuration.

A CTC launcher applet is downloaded from the TSC to your computer's temporary directory. (If these files are deleted, they are automatically reinstalled the next time you connect to the ONS15600SDH.)

The launcher determines whether your computer has a CTC release matching the release on the ONS15600SDH TSC.

If the computer does not have CTC installed, or if the installed release is older than the TSC version, the launcher downloads the CTC program files from the TSC.

The launcher starts CTC. The CTC session is separate from the web browser session, so the web browser is no longer needed. If you log into an ONS15600SDH that is connected to ONS15600SDH nodes with older versions of CTC, or to CiscoONS15454SDH nodes, CTC "element" files are downloaded automatically to enable you to interact with those nodes. You cannot interact with nodes on the network that have a newer software version than the node that you are logged into (the nodes will appear gray in network view). Therefore, always log into nodes with the latest software release.

Each ONS15600SDH can handle up to 16 simultaneous CTC sessions. CTC performance might vary depending upon the volume of activity in each session.

Note

You can also use TL1 commands to communicate with the ONS15600SDH through VT100 terminals and VT100 emulation software, or you can Telnet to an ONS15600SDH using TL1 port 3083. See the CiscoONS15600 TL1 Command Guide for a comprehensive list of TL1 commands.

4.3 PC and UNIX Workstation Requirements

To use CTC with an ONS15600SDH, your computer must have a web browser with the correct JRE installed and a modified java.policy file. The correct JRE, Java plugin, and modified java.policy file for the CTC software release are included on the CiscoONS15600SDH software CD.

The requirements depend on the network size. Network size is determined by the following criteria:

•

Number of nodes—A small network has 50 nodes or less, a medium network has between 50 and 200 nodes, and a large network has more than 200 nodes.

•

Number of circuits—A small network has 6000 circuits or less, a medium network has between 6000and 12000 circuits, and a large network has over 12000 circuits.

Table 4-1 Computer Requirements for CTC
Area	Requirements	Notes
Processor	•Small networks—Pentium II 300 MHz, UltraSPARC, or equivalent •Medium and large networks—Pentium II 500 MHz P3 processor, UltraSPARC, or equivalent	300 Mhz is the recommended processor speed. You can use computers with a lower processor speed; however, you might experience longer response times and slower performance.
RAM	•Small networks—256 MB •Medium networks—512 MB •Large networks—512 MB or more	—
Hard drive	•Small networks—2 GB •Medium and large networks—10 GB	CTC application files are downloaded from the TSC to your computer's Temp directory. These files occupy 3 to 5 MB of hard drive space.
Operating System	•Small networks—PC: Windows 95, Windows98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP; Workstation: Solaris 2.6 or 2.7 •Medium and large networks—PC: Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or WindowsXP; Workstation: Ultra 10 Sun running SunOS6, 7, or 8	—
Web browser	•PC: Netscape Navigator 4.73 or higher, or Internet Explorer 5.0 (Service Pack 2) or higher •Workstation: Netscape Navigator 4.73 or higher	Netscape Communicator 4.73 (Windows) and 4.76 (UNIX) are installed by the CTC Installation Wizard included on the CiscoONS15600SDH software and documentation CDs.
Java Runtime Environment	JRE 1.3.1_02	JRE 1.3.1_02 is installed by the CTC Installation Wizard included on the CiscoONS15600SDH software and documentation CDs.
Java.policy file	A java.policy file modified for CTC	The java.policy file is modified by the CTC Installation Wizard included on the CiscoONS15600SDH software and documentation CDs.
Cable	Use a crossover or straight-through LAN (CAT-5) cable to connect: •The ONS15600SDH to a hub using the backplane RJ-45 ports, or to connect through a LAN. •The ONS15600SDH to a PC using the backplane RJ-45 ports. •The active TSC RJ-45 port to a laptop or hub.	A direct PC-to-ONS15600SDH connection means your computer is physically connected to the ONS15600SDH. This is most commonly done by connecting a LAN (CAT-5) straight-through cable from your PC to the RJ-45 port on the TSC. However, direct connections include connections to switches or hubs where the ONS15600SDH is physically connected. Note Use only the active TSC connector for connectivity. If you connect to the standby or switch TSCs, you will lose connectivity. Cisco recommends that you use the RJ-45 connector on the CAP card so that connection to the ONS 15600 SDH will not be lost during a TSC switch.

4.4 CTC Login

After you have installed CTC, you can log in to a node using your browser. To log in, you must type the node IP address in the URL window. The CTC Login window appears ( Figure4-1).

The CTC Login window provides the following options to accelerate the login process.

•

The Disable Network Discovery option omits the discovery of nodes with DCC connectivity. To access all nodes with DCC connectivity, make sure that Disable Network Discovery is not checked.

•

The Disable Circuit Management option omits the discovery of circuits. To view circuits immediately after logging in, make sure that Disable Circuit Management is not checked. However, if disabled, after you have logged in you can click the Circuits tab and CTC will give you the option to enable circuit management.

These options are useful if you want to log in to a node to perform a single task, such as placing a card in or out of service, and do not want to wait while CTC discovers DCC connections and circuits.

4.4.1 Legal Disclaimer

The ONS15600SDH allows a user with Superuser privileges to modify the default login warning message and save it to a node using the Provisioning > Security > Legal Disclaimer > HTML tab ( Figure4-2). The login warning message field allows up to 250 characters of text (1600 characters total, including HTML markup).

4.4.2 Login Node Group

Login node groups display nodes that have only an IP connection. After you are logged into CTC, you can create a login node group from the Edit > Preferences menu. Login groups appear in the AdditionalNodes list ( Figure4-1) on the Login window.

For example, if you logged into Node 1, you would see Node 2 and Node 3 because they have DCC connectivity to Node 1. You would not see Nodes 4, 5, and 6 because DCC connections do not exist. To view all six nodes at once, you create a login node group with the IP addresses of Nodes 1, 4, 5, and 6. Those nodes, and all nodes optically connected to them, appear when you select the login group from the Additional Nodes list on the Login window the next time you log in.

4.5 CTC Window

The CTC window appears after you log into an ONS15600SDH. The CTC node view is the first view that appears after you log into an ONS15600SDH ( Figure4-3). The login node is the first node displayed, and it is the home view for the session (accessed by choosing View > Go To Home View).

The CTC window includes a menu bar, toolbar, and a top and bottom pane. The top pane displays status information about the selected objects and a graphic of the current view. The bottom pane displays tabs and subtabs, which you use to view ONS15600SDH information and perform ONS15600SDH provisioning and maintenance. From the default node view window you can display the other two ONS15600SDH views: network and card.

4.5.1 Node View

Node view allows you to view and manage one ONS15600SDH node ( Figure4-3). The status area shows the node name; number of critical (CR), major (MJ), and minor (MN) alarms; IP address; session boot date and time; name of the current logged-in user; and user security level.

4.5.1.1 CTC Card Colors

The graphic area of the CTC window depicts the ONS15600SDH shelf assembly. The colors of the cards in the graphic reflect the real-time status of the physical card, slot, and port. Table4-2 describes the node view card colors.

Table 4-2 Node View Card Colors
Card Color	Status
Gray	Slot is not provisioned; no card is installed.
Violet	Slot is provisioned; no card is installed (the card immediately changes to yellow because the IMPROPRMVL alarm is raised).
White	Slot is provisioned; a functioning card is installed or booting.
Yellow	Slot is provisioned; a minor alarm condition exists.
Orange	Slot is provisioned; a major alarm condition exists.
Red	Slot is provisioned; a critical alarm exists.

The color of the port in both card and node view indicates the port status. Table4-3 describes the port colors.

Table 4-3 Node View Card Port Colors
Port Color	State	Description
Cyan	OOS_MT	Port is out of service for maintenance. The maintenance state does not interrupt traffic flow. Alarm reporting is suppressed, but traffic is carried and loopbacks are allowed. Raised fault conditions, whether their alarms are reported or not, can be retrieved on the CTC Conditions tab or by using the TL1 RTRV-COND command. Use OOS_MT for testing or to suppress alarms temporarily. Change the state to IS when testing is complete.
Green	IS	Port is in service. The port will transmit a signal and display alarms; loopbacks are not allowed.

4.5.1.2 Node View Card Shortcuts

If you move your mouse over cards in the graphic, popups display additional information about the card including the card type; card status (active or standby); the type of alarm, such as critical, major, and minor (if any); and the alarm profile used by the card. Right-click a card to reveal a shortcut menu that you can use to open, reset, or delete a card. Right-click an empty slot to preprovision a card (that is, provision a slot before installing the card).

4.5.1.3 Node View Tabs

Table 4-4 Node View Tabs and Subtabs
Tab	Description	Subtabs
Alarms	Lists current alarms (CR, MJ, MN) for the node and updates them in real time.	—
Conditions	Allows you to retrieve a list of standing conditions on the node.	—
History	Provides a history of node alarms including date, type, and severity of each alarm. The Session subtab displays alarms and events for the current session. The Node subtab displays alarms and events retrieved from a fixed-size log on the node.	Session, Node
Circuits	Allows you to create, delete, edit, and reroute circuits.	Circuits, Rolls
Provisioning	Allows you to provision the ONS15600SDH node.	General, Network, Protection, MS-SPRing¹, Security, SNMP², DCC/GCC³, Timing, Alarm Behavior, Alarm Extenders
Inventory	Provides inventory information (part number, serial number, Common Language Equipment Identification [CLEI] codes) for cards installed in the node. Allows you to delete and reset cards, and provision the user code (a 20-character ASCII string stored in nonvolatile memory so that it is not lost when the unit is moved or stored as a spare).	—
Maintenance	Allows you to perform maintenance tasks for the node.	Database, Protection, Diagnostic, MS-SPRing1, Software, Timing, Audit, Routing Table, Test Access, Alarm Extenders, Preferred Copy

¹MS-SPRing = multiplex section-shared protection ring

²SNMP = Simple Network Management Protocol

³DCC/GCC = data communications channel/general communications channel

4.5.2 Network View

Network view allows you to view and manage ONS15600SDH nodes, ONS 15454 SDH nodes that have DCC connections to the node that you logged into, and any login node groups you have selected ( Figure4-4).

Note

Nodes with DCC connections to the login node do not display if you selected Disable Network Discovery in the Login dialog box.

To access network view, choose View > Go To Network View or click the up arrow in the CTC toolbar.

The graphic area displays a background image with colored node icons. A Superuser can set up the logical network view feature, which enables each user to see the same network view.

The node icon colors indicate the node status ( Table4-5). Lines show DCC connections between the nodes. Selecting a node or span in the graphic area displays information about the node and span in the status area.

Table 4-5 Node Status
Color	Alarm Status
Green	No alarms.
Yellow	Highest-level alarm is a minor alarm.
Orange	Highest-level alarm is major alarm.
Red	Highest-level alarm is a critical alarm.
Gray with node name	Node is initializing.
Gray with IP address	Node is initializing; a problem exists with IP routing from node to CTC or your login/password is not provisioned on this node.

Table 4-6 Network View Tabs and Subtabs
Tab	Description	Subtabs
Alarms	Lists current alarms (CR, MJ, MN) for the network and updates them in real time.	—
Conditions	Displays a list of standing conditions on the network.	—
History	Provides a history of network alarms including date, type, and severity of each alarm.	—
Circuits	Create, delete, edit, filter, and search for network circuits.	Circuits, Rolls
Provisioning	Provision security, alarm profiles, MS-SPRing, and overhead circuits.	Security, Alarm Profiles, MS-SPRing, Overhead Circuits
Maintenance	Displays the type of equipment and the status of each node in the network; displays working and protect software versions, and allows software to be downloaded.	Software

4.5.3 Card View

Card view displays information about individual ONS15600SDH cards. Use this window to perform card-specific maintenance and provisioning ( Figure4-5). To access card view, select a card and click the down arrow in the toolbar, or double-click the card.

A graphic of the selected card and ports is shown in the CTC graphic area. The status area displays the node name, slot, card type, number of alarms, equipment type, and the card status (active or standby). The information displayed and the actions you can perform depend on the card.

Note

CTC displays a card view for all ONS15600SDH cards except the TSC and Core Cross Connect (CXC) cards. Provisioning for these common control cards occurs at the node view; therefore, no card view is necessary.

Use the card view tabs and subtabs, shown in Table4-7, to provision and manage the ONS15600SDH. The subtabs, fields, and information displayed under each tab depend on the card type selected.

Table 4-7 Card View Tabs and Subtabs
Tab	Description	Subtabs
Alarms	Lists current alarms (CR, MJ, MN) for the card and updates them in real time.	—
Conditions	Displays a list of standing conditions on the card.	—
History	Provides a history of card alarms including date, object, port, and severity of each alarm.	Session (displays alarms and events for the current session); Card (displays alarms and events retrieved from a fixed-size log on the card)
Circuits	Create, delete, edit, and search circuits.	Circuits, Rolls
Provisioning	Provision an ONS15600SDH card.	MS¹, QoS² Thresholds, AU4, and Alarm Behavior
Maintenance	Perform maintenance tasks for the card.	Loopback, Transceiver, Protection, and J1 Path Trace (options depend on the card type)
Performance	Perform performance monitoring for the card.	—

¹MS = Multiplex Section

²QoS = Quality of Service

4.6 CTC Card Reset

You can reset the ONS15600SDH cards by using the hard-reset or soft-reset commands in CTC, or by physically reseating a card (card pull). From the node view, select a card and right-click to open a menu with the hard-reset and soft-reset commands.

A soft reset on the TSC reboots the TSC and reloads the operating system and the application software. A CTC hard reset temporarily removes power from the TSC and clears all buffer memory. You can apply a CTC soft reset to either an active or standby TSC without affecting traffic, but you should only perform a hard reset (or a card pull) on a standby TSC. If you need to perform a CTC hard reset or card pull on an active TSC, put the TSC into standby mode first by performing a soft reset.

A soft reset on an optical card with an active port in a 1+1 protection group will result in a loss of all DCC traffic terminated or tunneled on the active port for the duration of the reset time. A soft reset of an optical card with a standby port in a 1+1 protection group will not affect DCC traffic. A CTC hard reset of an optical card causes a switch to the protect card.

4.7 TSC Card Database

Each TSC card hosts a separate database; therefore, the protect card's database is available if the database on the working TSC fails. After a database change, there might be a 30-second interval before the TSC starts writing the data to the flash drive. If you reset the active TSC immediately after a database change, the change could be lost.

You can also store a backup version of the database on the workstation running CTC. This operation should be part of a regular ONS15600SDH maintenance program at approximately weekly intervals and should also be completed when preparing an ONS15600SDH for a software upgrade or a pending natural disaster, such as a flood.

Note

The Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) port is not backed up and restored.

Note

The ONS15600SDH does not allow you to restore a database from one node to another node. You can install a database from one node to another node by using the Configure Node option on the Maintenance> Database tab.

4.8 Software Load Revert

Before you upgrade to a later software release, you must create a database backup. If you later need to restore the original working software load from the protect software load, CTC displays a prompt requesting the location of the backup. Any provisioning performed with the later software release will be lost when the earlier software release backup is restored.

Note

After a software load is activated (upgraded to a later software release), any circuits created and provisioning performed will not reinstate if an older database is restored. The database configuration at the time of activation is reinstated after a revert.

Table Of Contents

Cisco Transport Controller Operation

4.1 CTC Software Delivery Methods

4.1.1 CTC Software Installed on the TSC Card

4.1.2 CTC Software Installed on the PC or UNIX Workstation

4.2 CTC Installation Overview

4.3 PC and UNIX Workstation Requirements

4.4 CTC Login

4.4.1 Legal Disclaimer

4.4.2 Login Node Group

4.5 CTC Window

4.5.1 Node View

4.5.1.1 CTC Card Colors

4.5.1.2 Node View Card Shortcuts

4.5.1.3 Node View Tabs

4.5.2 Network View

4.5.3 Card View

4.6 CTC Card Reset

4.7 TSC Card Database

4.8 Software Load Revert