WTI PLS-345 User manual

WTI Part No. 13236
Rev. A
PLS-345
Physical Layer Switch
User's Guide

Warnings and Cautions:
No Serviceable Parts Inside;
Authorized Service Personnel Only
Do not attempt to repair or service this device yourself. Internal
components must be serviced by authorized personnel only.
•Shock Hazard - Do Not Enter
Nameplate Power Warning
This device should only be operated with the type of power
source indicated on the instrument nameplate. If you are not
sure of the type of power service available, consult your local
power company.
•Connect unit only to a properly measured supply. Use
only three wire cord which is provided with the unit.
•Reliable earthing of this equipment must be maintained.
Particular attention should be given to supply
connections when connecting to power strips, rather than
direct connections to the branch circuit.
Rack Mount Installation
When installing this device in an instrument rack, the following
factors must be accounted for:
1. Enclosed Racks: Enclosed racks must provide adequate
ventilation. Make certain that the rack is not overly
crowded and note that each unit in the rack generates its
own heat. An enclosed rack should have louvered sides
and a fan to circulate cooling air.
When mounting the unit in an enclosed rack with a
ventilation fan at the top of the rack, note that excessive
heat generated by devices at the bottom of the rack can be
drawn upward and into the ventilation slots of units located
at the top. Make certain to provide adequate ventilation for
equipment installed at the bottom of the rack.
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Rack Mount Installation (Continued)
1. Enclosed Racks (Continued):
The ambient within the rack may be greater than room
ambient. Installation should be such that the amount of air
flow required for safe operation is not compromised. The
maximum temperature for the equipment in this
environment is 45°C. Consideration should be given to the
maximum rated ambient.
Installation should be such that a hazardous stability
condition is not achieved due to uneven loading.
2. Open Racks: Make certain that the rack frame does not
block the ventilation slots on the instrument cover. If the
device is installed on sliders, check the unit when seated
all the way into the rack to make certain that ventilation
slots are not blocked.
Ventilation
Slots in the instrument cover are provided to allow ventilation
for heat dissipation. To ensure safe, reliable operation, these
openings must not be covered or blocked.
Disconnect Power
If any of the following events are noted, immediately disconnect
the unit from the outlet and contact qualified service personnel:
1. If the power cord becomes frayed or damaged.
2. If liquid has been spilled into the device or if the device
has been exposed to rain or water.
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PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch; User's Guide

Table of Contents
1. Introduction .........................................1-1
2. Unit Description ......................................2-1
2.1. Front Panel ............................................2-1
2.2. Back Panel ............................................2-2
3. Quick Start / System Overview ........................3-1
4. Installation...........................................4-1
4.1. Power Supply Connection ...............................4-1
4.2. Initialization...........................................4-1
4.3. Connecting Common and A/B Lines ......................4-2
4.4. Connecting the Network Cable ...........................4-2
4.5. Connecting an External Modem ..........................4-2
4.6. Connecting a PC to the Console Port .....................4-2
5. SetUp and Configuration ..............................5-1
5.1. System Mode and User Mode ............................5-1
5.2. Communicating with the PLS-345 ........................5-2
5.3. PLS Command/Menu Conventions .......................5-4
5.4. Defining General Parameters ............................5-5
5.5. Circuit Parameters......................................5-8
5.6. Network Parameters ....................................5-9
5.6.1. Implementing IP Security ......................5-11
5.7. The Monitor Mode ....................................5-13
5.7.1. Hardware Configuration .......................5-13
5.7.2. Selecting Monitor Mode Parameters .............5-13
5.8. Save Configuration Parameters .........................5-16
6. The Status Screens....................................6-1
6.1. The Circuit Status Screen ...............................6-1
6.2. The Network Status Screen ..............................6-3
7. Operation ............................................7-1
7.1. Manual A/B Switching ..................................7-1
7.2. Code Activated A/B Switching...........................7-2
7.2.1. The /A Command and the /B Command ...........7-2
7.2.2. The /D Command ..............................7-3
7.3. The Monitor Mode .....................................7-4
8. Saving and Restoring Configuration Parameters ........8-1
8.1. Sending Parameters to a File.............................8-1
8.2. Restoring Saved Parameters .............................8-2
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9. Application Examples .................................9-1
9.1. Monitoring Signal Drop and/or Power Loss................9-1
9.2. Monitoring a Contact ...................................9-3
10. Command Summary .................................10-1
10.1. Display Commands ....................................10-1
10.2. Configuration Commands ..............................10-2
10.3. Control Commands ....................................10-4
Appendices
A. Interface Descriptions ..............................Apx-1
A.1. Console Port Interface................................Apx-1
A.2. Modem Port Interface ................................Apx-1
A.3. Common Ports and A/B Ports .........................Apx-2
B. Specifications......................................Apx-3
C. Customer Service ..................................Apx-4
List of Figures
2.1. Front Panel ................................................2-1
2.2. Back Panel ................................................2-2
3.1. The Circuit Status Screen ...................................3-3
3.2. The Command Help Screen (System Mode)....................3-4
5.1. The Circuit Status Screen ...................................5-3
5.2. The General Parameters Menu ...............................5-5
5.3. The Circuit Parameters Menu ................................5-8
5.4. The Network Parameters Menu .............................5-10
5.5. The IP Security Menu......................................5-11
5.6. The Monitor Mode Parameters Menu ........................5-14
6.1. The Circuit Status Screen ...................................6-1
6.2. The Network Status Screen ..................................6-3
9.1. Monitoring Signal Drop .....................................9-1
9.2. AUX Port Connection.......................................9-2
9.3. Monitoring a Switch or Relay................................9-3
9.4. AUX Port Connection.......................................9-4
A.1. Console Port Interface....................................Apx-1
A.2. Modem Port Interface ....................................Apx-1
A.3. Common Ports and A/B Ports .............................Apx-2
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PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch; User's Guide

1. Introduction
The PLS-345 Physical Layer Switch is a versatile A/B switching
system, which can be controlled over any TCP/IP network using
standard Telnet, or out-of-band using an external modem and
basic VT100 type terminal emulation. Each of the three A/B
circuits can be switched via code command, or locally via
manual switches on the instrument front panel. Other intelligent
features include password protected access to command mode
functions, site I.D. Message, connector labels, status displays
and more.
The PLS-345 is designed for applications that require automatic
routing of Cat5 10/100Base-T signals between a common jack
and an A and B jack. The PLS is also ideal for switching
RS-232, DSL, RS-422/485, or telephone lines.
Monitor Mode
The Monitor Mode allows the PLS-345 to monitor an external
RS-232 line or contact closure input and automatically switch
selected A/B paths. Easily definable parameters allow the user
to select the monitor signal trigger duration, circuits to switch,
and the option to return circuits to their original A/B position.
Security Features
Address-specific IP security masks prevent unauthorized sources
from accessing the PLS-345 menu through the network. The
PLS-345 provides two levels of operational passwords; the
system administrator level, which allows access to all
configuration and switching functions, and the user level, which
only allows switching of the circuits.
Easy to Configure, Easy to Use
The PLS-345 can be configured over the network, via modem, or
from a local PC or terminal connected to the unit's Console Port.
Easy to use commands let you assign a location name, set system
parameters, and view circuit status. Circuits can be switched
using numbers or names.
1-1

Applications
·Controlled A/B Switching of Cat5 Connections.
·A/B Routing of 10/100Base-T Ethernet, ISDN, DSL, Telco,
or RS-232 Lines.
·Remote Switching to "Out-of-Service" or "Off-Line"
Conditions.
·Switch to Backup Firewall or VPN.
·Disaster Recovery Switching.
Features
·Three Individually Controlled RJ-45 Circuits.
·IP and Password Security Features.
·Signal Monitoring for Automatic Switching.
·Retains Selected Position with Power Off.
·Independent 10Base-T Ethernet Control Port.
·Independent RS-232 Console Port.
·Independent Modem Port for Out-of-Band Management.
Typographic Conventions
Throughout this manual, typefaces and characters have been used
to denote the following:
COURIER FONT Indicates characters typed on the keyboard.
For example, ]S or ]P 02.
[Bold Font] Text set in bold face and enclosed in
square brackets, indicates a specific key.
For example, [Enter] or [Esc].
1-2
PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch; User's Guide

2. Unit Description
2.1. Front Panel
As shown in Figure 2.1, the PLS-345 Front Panel includes the
following components:
ÀCircuit 1: Status indicator lights and manual controls for
Circuit 1. Includes the following:
A) Line "A" Selector Button and Status LED: Press
the "A" button to switch the common line for Circuit 1
to the "A" connector. The LED adjacent to the
Selector Button will light when Line "A" is selected.
B) Line "B" Selector Button and Status LED: Press
the "B" button to switch the common line for Circuit 1
to the "B" connector. The LED adjacent to the
Selector Button will light when Line "B" is selected.
Note: Each circuit can either be manually switched
using the corresponding selector button, manually
switched using the Master A/B Switch, switched in
response to the /A and /B commands, or switched
automatically by the Monitor feature.
ÁCircuit 2: Same as item 1 above, except these
components control switching of common line 2.
ÂCircuit 3: Same as item 1 above, except these
components control switching of common line 3.
ÃON: Lights when AC Power is applied to the PLS-345.
2-1
Figure 2.1: Front Panel

ÄRDY: Flashes when the PLS-345 is ready to receive
commands.
ÅRXD: Flashes when the PLS-345 receives commands.
ÆMaster A/B Switch: Used to manually switch all three
circuits. When the "A" or "B" button is pressed, all three
circuits will be switched to the corresponding "A" or "B"
line, and the appropriate status LED on each circuit
will light.
2.2. Back Panel
ÀCircuit 1 Connectors and Indicators: RJ45 connectors
and LED status indicators for the Circuit 1 common line
and "A" and "B" lines.
A) "A" Connector and Status LED: The status LED
will light when line "A" is selected.
B) "B" Connector and Status LED: The status LED
will light when line "A" is selected.
C) Common Connector: For connection to Common
Line 1.
ÁCircuit 2 Connectors and Indicators: Same as item 1
above, except these components are used for connection to
the Circuit 2 "A", "B", and Common lines.
ÂCircuit 3 Connectors and Indicators: Same as item 1
above, except these components are used for connection to
the Circuit 3 "A", "B", and Common lines.
2-2
PLS-345 - Physical Layer Switch; User's Guide
Figure 2.2: Back Panel