SynOptics LattisTalk 3394 Instruction Manual

*893-319-E*
SynOptics Communications, Inc.
4401 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054
408-988-2400
April 1994
Release Notes for the
LattisTalk™Model 3394
Router/Repeater
Software Version 1.06

ii 893-319-E
© 1994 by SynOptics Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
SynOptics Communications and SynOptics are registered trademarks of SynOptics
Communications, Inc. LattisTalk is a trademark of SynOptics Communications, Inc.
Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective
holders.
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, SynOptics
Communications, Inc. reserves the right to make changes to the products described in this
document without notice.
SynOptics Communications, Inc. does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or
application of the product(s) or circuit layout(s) described herein.

893-319-E 1
Introduction
These release notes contain information about the SynOptics®LattisTalk™
Model 3394 Router/Repeater operating image version 1.05 and 1.06, and the
major fixes made since version 1.04.
The Model 3394 Router/Repeater operating image version 1.06 is provided in
resident flash EPROM for new Model 3394 Router/Repeaters as shipped from
the factory. Version 1.06 is also provided via the LattisTalk Upgrade Kit for
DOS (SynOptics product number U780-01) for those customers wishing to
upgrade existing modules at their sites. The LattisTalk Upgrade Kit for DOS is
available at no charge and contains:
nOne 3.5-inch DOS diskette; operating image filename LT3394.IMG
nOne 5.25-inch DOS diskette; operating image filename LT3394.IMG
nThe Release Notes for the LattisTalk Model 3394 Router/Repeater
Software Version 1.06 (SynOptics part number 893-319-E)
Version 1.06 Operating Image
The following information pertains to the Model 3394 Router/Repeater
operating image version 1.06. Except where noted, operating images 1.05
and 1.06 are identical.
Changes to the Version 1.06 Operating Image
Version 1.05 was revised to version 1.06 to facilitate manufacturing system
testing. No user-oriented changes or features are associated with this version.
Version 1.05 Operating Image
Software Compatibility
The version 1.05 operating image is compatible with the Model 3394 Router/
Repeater using version 1.04 operating image. Version 1.04 and version 1.05
operating images can be used simultaneously on one network or can inter-
operate between separate networks or segments. However, if you continue to
use version 1.04 on some of your Model 3394 Router/Repeaters and they
experience reset problems as detailed in these release notes, SynOptics recom-
mends that you update those devices to version 1.05.

Release Notes for the LattisTalk Model 3394 Router/Repeater Software Version 1.06
2 893-319-E
System Requirements
The version 1.05 operating image for the Model 3394 Router/Repeater must be
downloaded across the network using BootP and TFTP. If you do not have a
BootP/TFTP server configured at your site, contact your local SynOptics sales
representative for details on obtaining appropriate load server software, such as
the LattisBoot Server for DOS Version 1.0 (SynOptics model number 691).
If you have a LattisBoot server configured at your site, refer to the LattisBoot
Server V1.0 For DOS Installation Reference Guide (SynOptics part number
893-354-A).
Problems Fixed in Version 1.05 Operating Image
Version 1.05 fixes problems found in version 1.04. The fixes cover the
following areas:
nSystem resets
nSystem initialization/configuration
nPacket leakage
nOther fixes
System Resets
nThe Model 3394 Router/Repeater would experience sporadic resets,
during which all user-configured parameters (such as network number,
zone names, IP network numbers, and IP subnet mask numbers) would
be deleted. Version 1.05 allows the router/repeater to retain its user-
configured parameters in its battery-backed RAM after a system reset.
Refer to the LattisTalk Model 3394 Router/Repeater Management Guide
(SynOptics part number 893-322-A) for details on user-configured
parameters.
nIn another instance, the Model 3394 Router/Repeater would sporadically
reset and never recover. A Telnet reset was not possible; instead, a
physical reset from the front panel was required to reboot the unit. A
terminal attached to the console port of the router/repeater after the reboot
would show dump messages in the system event log. Version 1.05 corrects
this problem, and the unit no longer sporadically resets.
nExternal factors, such as sudden power failures, could trigger the
Model 3394 Router/Repeater into constant reset cycles (loops) when
the version 1.04 operating image was resident. The front panel LEDs of
the unit would flash on and off with each reset/reboot, but the unit would
never fully recover. Version 1.05 corrects this problem, and the unit no
longer cyclically resets (loops). Upon reset, the router/repeater loads its
stored configuration from its battery-backed RAM and becomes a fully
operational device on the network.

893-319-E 3
Problems Fixed in Version 1.05 Operating Image
System Initialization/Configuration
nModel 3394 Router/Repeater dynamically assigns itself a random network
number (a number not currently used by other devices on the same
network) each time it resets. With version 1.04, the router/repeater would
sporadically pick an invalid random network number during the reboot
process. An invalid network number is a number that is outside the
predefined range assigned for a particular network interface such as
LocalTalk. This problem has been corrected in version 1.05. The router/
repeater now picks valid random network numbers during automatic
configuration.
nIn certain instances, users need to reset the Model 3394 Router/Repeater
to its default factory configuration without resetting each parameter
separately. With version 1.04, users could not force the unit to reset to its
factory default settings except through the use of the Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP). Version 1.05 allows you to use Telnet,
the local console, or SNMP to reset the unit to its factory default settings.
nWith version 1.04, static MacIP clients (Macintosh computers with an
assigned permanent IP address) on another LocalTalk network could not
connect through a Model 3394 Router/Repeater acting as the local MacIP
gateway. With version 1.05, the unit supports both local and remote MacIP
clients.
nMacIP clients resident in AppleTalk phase I and II zones would
sporadically lose their existing (active) connections through a Model 3394
Router/Repeater running version 1.04 when the unit was configured to act
as an IP gateway. Subsequent connection attempts would time out. With
version 1.05, MacIP clients in nonlocal zones can connect through the
router/repeater without causing the session to be erroneously dropped.
nSometimes the Model 3394 Router/Repeater did not update its AppleTalk
address map table to reflect those devices that started up while the router
was active on the network. The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
function failed to initialize the address map table index when a new probe
packet was received.
The Model 3394 Router/Repeater address map table performs properly
with version 1.05. The address map table now updates its table entries for
addresses being assigned to new AppleTalk devices on the same network.
Packet Leakage
nWhen the Model 3394 Router/Repeater operates in a large network and
is using version 1.04, Zone Information Protocol (ZIP) packets are
mishandled, which prevents certain (unused) packets from being released.
This situation results in an extremely high buffer utilization rate and a
subsequent loss of throughput performance. Version 1.05 causes ZIP
packets (used and not used) to be received, processed, and released
normally.

Release Notes for the LattisTalk Model 3394 Router/Repeater Software Version 1.06
4 893-319-E
nOccasionally, when confirming a static client’s address, the Model 3394
Router/Repeater would incorrectly release (leak) MacIP packets that
should have been processed and released normally. With version 1.05,
the router/repeater properly receives, processes, and releases MacIP
packets during the confirmation of static clients.
Other Fixes
nWith version 1.04, the Model 3394 Router/Repeater failed to reply to
a directed RTS packet as specified in the LocalTalk InterFrame Gaps
Specification. This failure prevented the unit from interoperating with
Farallon’s LocalTalk PC cards. With version 1.05, the router/repeater
can now communicate with PCs that have Frailness LocalTalk/PC cards
installed.
nWhile performing the deepest level of SNMP MIB traversals, the
Model 3394 Router/Repeater occasionally hangs if the task stack size
exceeds the unit’s allocated maximum stack size. When the router/repeater
hangs, it can subsequently crash. Version 1.05 allows the unit to operate
correctly during the deepest levels of SNMP MIB traversals.
nWith version 1.04, the Model 3394 Router/Repeater occasionally
generates erroneous messages in the system event log after a reset.
Version 1.05 corrects this problem.
Known Problems in Version 1.05 Operating Image
nThe User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packet buffer of the Model 3394
Router/Repeater may overflow when the router is configured to run
IPTalk. An error message “IPTalk: No UDP buffer available” shows
in the system event log.