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Planning Your Installation

Planning Your Installation

Before you begin to install your Cisco MC3810 series concentrator, consider the information in this chapter:

Location and Mounting Requirements

There are three mounting possibilities for your Cisco MC3810 series concentrator:

The mounting location must provide:

Make sure that these requirements are met before you begin the installation.

Heat Dissipation

The room where the Cisco MC3810 is operated must maintain a temperature between 32 and 122° F (0 to 50° C) and must have adequate air circulation to ensure proper cooling.

Enclosed racks must have adequate ventilation. An enclosed rack should not be overcrowded and should have louvers and a fan.

Make sure that the ventilation ports of the Cisco MC3810 are not blocked. If the chassis is installed using slide rails, check for blocked ventilation ports when it is fully in position.

If the Cisco MC3810 is installed in an enclosed rack with a ventilation fan at the top, make sure that heated air drawn upward is not too hot for adequate cooling.

Baffles can help to isolate exhaust air from intake air, which also helps to draw cooling air through the chassis. The best placement of the baffles depends on the airflow patterns in the rack, which are found by experimenting with different arrangements.


Caution If the unit is placed on a desktop, the rubber feet must remain in place to provide space for cooling air circulation. Inadequate ventilation can result in overheating and damage.

Access to Chassis

Allow space at the rear of the chassis for cable connections. Consider also the need to access the chassis for future upgrades, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Power Source

If you suspect that your AC power is not clean--if lights flicker often or there is machinery with large motors nearby--have a qualified person test the power. Install a power conditioner if necessary.


Warning Read the installation instructions before you connect the system to its power source.


Warning Before working on a chassis or working near power supplies, unplug the power cord on AC-powered versions; disconnect the power at the circuit breaker on DC-powered versions; unplug the input power connector on models powered by the Cisco RPS.


Warning This product relies on the building's installation for short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that a fuse or circuit breaker no larger than 120 VAC, 15A U.S. (240 VAC, 10A international) is used on the phase conductors (all current-carrying conductors).


Warning The device is designed to work with TN power systems.


Caution To avoid damage from lightning and power surges, install proper grounding.

A Cisco MC3810 series concentrator with AC power supply autoselects either 100-127 volt or 200-240 volt operation. AC versions include a 6-foot (1.8-meter) electrical power cord. (A label near the power cord indicates the correct voltage, frequency, current draw, and power dissipation.)

Synchronous Serial Interfaces

Before you connect a device to one of the synchronous serial ports (labeled SERIAL 0 or SERIAL 1), you will need to know the following:

DTE or DCE

A device that communicates over a synchronous serial interface is either a DTE or DCE device. A DCE device provides a clock signal; a DTE device does not provide a clock signal. DTE devices usually connect to DCE devices. The documentation that shipped with the device should indicate whether it is a DTE or DCE device. (Some devices have a jumper to select either mode.) If you cannot find the information in the documentation, refer to Table 2-1 to help you select the proper device type. The synchronous serial ports on a Cisco MC3810 can be configured as DTE or DCE (opposite to the device being connected).


Table 2-1: Typical DTE and DCE Devices
Device Type Connector Gender at Device Typical Devices

DTE

Male1

Terminal
PC
Multiservice access concentrator

DCE

Female2

Modem
CSU/DSU3
Multiplexer

1If pins protrude from the face of the connector, the connector is male.
2If the connector face has holes to accept pins, the connector is female.
3CSU/DSU = channel service unit/data service unit.

Signaling Standards

The synchronous serial ports support the following signaling standards: EIA/TIA-232, EIA/TIA-449, V.35, X.21, and EIA-530. You can order a shielded serial transition cable for your application. One end of this cable has a DB-60 connector, which connects to one of the serial ports on your Cisco MC3810. The other end has the connector required for the signaling standard being used. The documentation for the device you want to connect to should indicate the standard used for that device.


Note   All serial ports configured as DTE require external clocking from a CSU/DSU or other DCE device.

Figure 2-1 shows the serial transition cables you can connect to the serial ports on the rear panel of the Cisco MC3810.


Figure 2-1: Serial Transition Cables


Although attempting to manufacture your own serial cables is not recommended (because of the small size of the pins on the DB-60 serial connector), cable pinouts are provided in "Cable Specifications." To order a cable, see the "Obtaining Technical Assistance" section.


TimeSaver Use of the standard Cisco cables shown in Figure 2-1 is recommended to ensure quick and trouble-free interconnection of serial devices.

EIA/TIA-232 Connections

The EIA/TIA-232 standard supports unbalanced circuits at signal speeds up to 64 kbps.

The EIA/TIA-232 serial transition cable (not included) has a DB-60 connector for connection to a Cisco MC3810 serial port. The opposite end has a DB-25 connector, as shown in Figure 2-2. The DB-25 connector can be male for DTE or female for DCE. To order a cable, see the "Obtaining Technical Assistance" section.


Figure 2-2: EIA/TIA-232 Serial Transition Cable Connectors


EIA/TIA-449 Connections

The EIA/TIA-449 standard, which supports balanced and unbalanced transmissions, is a faster (up to 2 Mbps) version of the EIA/TIA-232 standard that provides more functions and supports transmission over greater distances.

The EIA/TIA-449 standard was intended to replace the EIA/TIA-232 standard, but it was not widely adopted primarily because of the large installed base of DB-25 hardware and because of the larger size of the 37-pin EIA/TIA-449 connectors, which limited the number of connections possible (fewer than are possible with the smaller, 25-pin EIA/TIA-232 connector).

The EIA/TIA-449 serial transition cable (not included) has a DB-60 connector for connection to a Cisco MC3810 serial port. The opposite end has a DB-37 connector, as shown in Figure 2-3. The DB-37 connector can be male for DTE or female for DCE. To order a cable, see the "Obtaining Documentation" section.


Figure 2-3: EIA/TIA-449 Serial Transition Cable Connectors


V.35 Connections

The V.35 standard is recommended for speeds up to 48 kbps, although in practice it is used successfully at 4 Mbps. The Cisco MC3810 supports speeds up to 2.048 Mbps.

The V.35 serial transition cable (not included) has a DB-60 connector for connection to a Cisco MC3810 serial port. The opposite end has a standard 34-pin Winchester-type connector, as shown in Figure 2-4. The 34-pin Winchester-type connector can be male for DTE or female for DCE. To order a cable, see the "Obtaining Technical Assistance" section.


Figure 2-4: V.35 Serial Transition Cable Connectors


X.21 Connections

The X.21 connector uses a 15-pin connector for balanced circuits and is commonly used in the United Kingdom to connect to the public data network. X.21 relocates some of the logic functions to the DTE and DCE interfaces and, as a result, requires fewer circuits and a smaller connector than EIA/TIA-232.

The X.21 serial transition cable (not included) has a DB-60 connector for connection to a Cisco MC3810 serial port. The opposite end has a DB-15 connector, as shown in Figure 2-5. The DB-15 connector can be male for DTE or female for DCE. To order a cable, see the "Obtaining Technical Assistance" section.


Figure 2-5: X.21 Serial Transition Cable Connectors


EIA-530 Connections

The EIA-530 standard, which supports balanced transmission, provides the increased functionality, speed, and distance of EIA/TIA-449 on the smaller, DB-25 connector used for EIA/TIA-232. Like EIA/TIA-449, EIA-530 refers to the electrical specifications of EIA/TIA-422 and EIA/TIA-423. Although the specification recommends a maximum speed of 2 Mbps, EIA-530 is used successfully at 4 Mbps or faster speeds over short distances. Cisco MC3810 series concentrators support speeds up to 2.048 Mbps.

The EIA-530 serial transition cable (not included) has a DB-60 connector for connection to a Cisco MC3810 serial port. The opposite end has a DB-25 connector, as shown in Figure 2-6. The DB-25 connector can be male for DTE or female for DCE. To order a cable, see the "Obtaining Technical Assistance" section.


Figure 2-6: EIA-530 Serial Transition Cable Connectors


Distance Limitations for Interface Cables

When planning your installation, consider distance limitations and potential electromagnetic interference (EMI) as defined by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA). Following are the distance limitation specifications for Ethernet, serial, T1/E1, and analog telephone interfaces.

Ethernet Maximum Distance

The maximum segment distance for Ethernet 10BaseT is 330 feet (100 meters) (specified in IEEE 802.3).

T1/E1 Port Maximum Distances

The distance limitations for T1 and E1 signals are shown in Table 2-2 (specified in ANSI T1.403).


Table 2-2: T1/E1 Distance Limitations
Line Rate Distance (Feet) Distance (Meters)

T1 (CSU)

6200

1890

E1

4800

1460

Serial Port Maximum Distances

Table 2-3 shows the standard relationship between baud rate and maximum distance for EIA/TIA-232 signals.


Table 2-3: EIA/TIA-232 Speed and Distance Limitations
Data Rate (Baud) Distance (Feet) Distance (Meters)

2400

200

60

4800

100

30

9600

50

15

19200

25

8

38400

12

4


Caution EIA/TIA-232 is often used at greater distances than specified in Table 2-3. If you understand the electrical problems that can arise and can compensate for them, you might still be able to get good results; however, Cisco recommends that you keep your cable runs within the standard-defined distance.

Table 2-4 shows the standard relationship between baud rate and maximum distance for EIA/TIA-449, V.35, and X.21 signals.


Table 2-4: EIA/TIA-449, V.35, and X.21 Speed and Distance Limitations
Baud Rate Distance (Feet) Distance (Meters)

2400

4100

1250

4800

2050

625

9600

1025

312

19200

513

156

38400

256

78

56000

102

31

T1

50

15


Caution The EIA/TIA-449 and V.35 interfaces support data rates up to 2.048 Mbps. Exceeding this maximum could result in loss of data and is not recommended.

Table 2-5 shows the standard relationship between baud rate and maximum distance for EIA-530 signals.


Table 2-5: EIA-530 Speed and Distance Limitations
Baud Rate Distance (Feet) Distance (Meters)

Up to 90000

3940

1200

110000

460

140

120000

425

130

130000

395

120

1000000

330

100

T1

230

70

E1

197

60

Digital Voice Port Maximum Distances

The maximum distances between the digital voice port of a Cisco MC3810 series concentrator and a digital PBX are shown in Table 2-6.


Table 2-6: Speed and Distance Limitations for the Digital Voice Port
Line Rate Distance (Feet) Distance (Meters)

T1 (CSU)

3000

915

E1

1150

350

Analog Voice Port Maximum Distance

The maximum distance is established by a total allowable loop resistance, including the phone or terminal equipment, of 600 ohms.

BRI S/T Voice Port Maximum Distance

The maximum distance between the BRI S/T voice ports of the Cisco MC3810 and a Private Integrated Services Network Exchange (PINX) is 3280 feet (1000 meters).

BRI S/T Backup Port Maximum Distance

The maximum distance between the BRI S/T backup port of a Cisco MC3810 series concentrator and the Network Termination 1 (NT1) equipment is 3280 feet (1000 meters).

Video Dialing Port Maximum Distance

The maximum distance between the VDM port of a Cisco MC3810 series concentrator and a video codec is 50 feet (15 meters).

Interference Considerations

When you run cables for any significant distance in an electromagnetic field, interference can occur between the electromagnetic field and the signals on the cables. This has two implications for the installation of terminal plant cabling:

If you use twisted-pair cables with a good distribution of grounding conductors in your plant cabling, emitted radio interference is unlikely.

If you have cables exceeding recommended distances, or if you have cables that pass between buildings, give special consideration to the effect of lightning strikes or ground loops. If your site has these characteristics, consult experts in lightning suppression and shielding. The electromagnetic pulse caused by lightning or other high-energy phenomena can easily couple enough energy into unshielded conductors to destroy electronic devices.

Most data centers cannot resolve the infrequent, but potentially catastrophic problems just described without pulse meters and other special equipment. Take precautions to avoid these problems by providing a properly grounded and shielded environment and by installing electrical surge suppression.

If you remove any module, you must either install a module in its place or install a cover plate over the opening. All module openings must be either occupied or covered to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI).

For advice on the prevention of electromagnetic interference, consult experts in radio-frequency interference (RFI).


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Posted: Wed Aug 2 14:08:18 PDT 2000
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