Using the BCGEN Tool

Use the BCGEN tool as a complement to the configuration tool (CT) to provision configurations with large numbers of bearer channels. The BGCEN tool allows you to omit the creation of traffic channels in the CT. Traffic channels are instead allocated based upon simple script files you create that are read by the BGCEN tool. The BCGEN tool is useful when provisioning large configurations with many bearer channels.

The BCGEN tool is automatically installed at the time of software installation if you use the automated install script. The present release is for configurations that map SS7 traffic to ISDN PRI over IP, such as the Cisco Dial Access Solution, and for Classic TransPath configurations that perform protocol conversion.

2. Configuring a Classic TransPath System

2.1 Using the Configuration Tool

Step 1 Use the CT to configure a Classic TransPath setup. Perform the following tasks:

(a) Create one or more multiplexers (muxes).

(b) Create network, subscriber, and TransPath lines to carry the signaling. You still need to map lines carrying signaling channels together. Do not create lines that carry only bearer traffic. The BCGEN tool creates these bearer lines when it reads your scripts.

(d) Create signal paths and assign signal channels.

Step 2 Build, deploy and transfer the data (.dat) files (using FTP) to your UNIX host server for the Cisco SC2200.

2.2 Stopping the Software

Step 1 Make sure that the software is not running by entering the following command:

ps -ef | grep tran

Step 2 If the system returns no response, the software is not running. If the response indicates that the software is running, make sure that you are logged in to the system as the root user and enter the following command:

/etc/init.d/transpath stop

Repeat Step 1 until the system returns no response, showing that the software is not running.

2.3 Creating the BCGen Directory

Step 1 Change to the TransPath directory and make a new directory called BCGen:

cd /opt/TransPath/etc

mkdir BCGen

The BCGen directory is used to store your scripts.

Step 2 Change to the BCGen directory by entering:

cd /opt/TransPath/etc/BCGen

2.4 Creating Your Scripts

Use a text editor to create your script files in the BCGen directory. Name the files with the extension .bcg; for example, rack1.bcg.

The first required field in the script is MAPTYPE. The arguments describe the two sides of a nailed bearer configuration. You can use the following maptypes:

FAS:PC---FAS path to SS7.
PC:PC---SS7 path to SS7.
FAS:FAS---FAS path to FAS path.
NFAS:PC---NFAS path (ISDN PRI or DPNSS) to SS7.
NFAS:NFAS---NFAS path to NFAS path (ISDN PRI or DPNSS to ISDN PRI or DPNSS).

Examples of each of these follow, with explanations of the script.

Note All channels, CICs, and spans are to be given in hexadecimal. Comment lines begin with the # character.

Example 1: FAS:PC Script Example

# Rack 1 bearer channels
MAPTYPE:FAS:PC
# FAS to SS7
#MMLName, TSStart, TSRange, TSSkip,  DPC, Net_Ind., CICstart, CICRange,
CICSkip
SC-1, 1, 1F, 10, 2.2.1,  2,  1,  1F,  10
 

FAS Side

 Field
 Hex Value
 Decimal Value

 TSStart
 1
 1

 TSRange
 1F
 31

 TSSkip
 10
 16

Notes:

Using time slots 1 to 31, skipping 16
Number of time slots: 30

PC Side

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

CICStart

1

1

CICRange

1F

31

CICSkip

10

16

Notes:

Using CICs 1 to 31, skipping 16
Number of CICs: 30

Example 2: PC:PC Script Example

# Rack 1 bearer channels
MAPTYPE:PC:PC
# SS7 to SS7
#DPC, Net_Ind., CICstart, CICRange, CICSkip, DPC, Net_Ind., CICstart,
CICRange, CICSkip
3.21.2, 2,  1, 78, 18, 2.2.1,  2,  1,  78,  18
3.21.3, 2,  1, 78, 18, 2.2.1,  2,  101, 178, 178

2.4.1 Line 1 Description

PC Side 1
Field	Hex Value	Decimal Value
CICStart	1	1
CICRange	78	120
CICSkip	18	24

Notes:

Using time slots 1 to 120, skipping 24
Number of time slots: 119

PC Side 2

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

CICStart

1

1

CICRange

78

120

CICSkip

18

24

Notes:

Using CICs 1 to 120, skipping 24
Number of CICs: 119

2.4.2 Line 2 Description

PC Side 1
Field	Hex Value	Decimal Value
CICStart	1	1
CICRange	78	120
CICSkip	18	24

Notes:

Using time slots 1 to 120, skipping 24
Number of time slots: 119

PC Side 2

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

CICStart

101

257

CICRange

178

376

CICSkip

178

376

Notes:

Using CICs 257 to 375, skipping 376
Number of CICs: 119

Example 3: FAS:FAS Script Example

# Rack 1 bearer channels
MAPTYPE:FAS:FAS
# FAS to FAS
#MMLName, TSStart, TSRange, TSSkip,  MMLName, TSStart, TSRange, TSSkip
SC-1, 1, 18, 18, SC-3  1,  18,  18
SC-2, 1, 18, 18, SC-4, 1,  18,  18

2.4.3 Line 1 Description

FAS Side 1
Field	Hex Value	Decimal Value
TSStart	1	1
TSRange	18	24
TSSkip	18	24

Notes:

Using time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
Number of time slots: 23

FAS Side 2

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

TSStart

1

1

TSRange

18

24

TSSkip

18

24

Notes:

Using time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
Number of time slots: 23

2.4.4 Line 2 Description

FAS Side 1
Field	Hex Value	Decimal Value
TSStart	1	1
TSRange	18	24
TSSkip	18	24

Notes:

Using time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
Number of time slots: 23

FAS Side 2

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

TSStart

1

1

TSRange

18

24

TSSkip

18

24

Notes:

Using time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
Number of time slots: 23

Example 4: NFAS:PC Script Example

# Rack 1 bearer channels
MAPTYPE:NFAS:PC
# NFAS to SS7
#MMLName, SpanStart, SpanRange, TSStart, TSRange, TSSkip,  DPC,
Net_Ind., CICstart, CICRange, CICSkip
SC-1, 1, 3, 1, 18, 18, 2.2.1,  2,  1,  46,  18
 

NFAS Side

 Field
 Hex Value
 Decimal Value

 SpanStart
 1
 1

 SpanRange
 3
 3

 TSStart
 1
 1

 TSRange
 18
 24

 TSSkip
 18
 24

Notes:

Using 3 spans (span IDs 0, 1, and 2)
Each span has:
- Time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
- Number of time slots: 3 x 23 = 69

PC Side

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

CICStart

1

1

CICRange

46

70

CICSkip

18

24

Notes:

Using CICs 1 to 70, skipping 24
Number of CICs: 69

Example 5: NFAS:NFAS Script Example

# Rack 1 bearer channels
MAPTYPE:NFAS:NFAS
# NFAS to NFAS
#MMLName, SpanStart, SpanRange, TSStart, TSRange, TSSkip,  MMLName,
SpanStart, SpanRange, TSStart, TSRange, TSSkip
SC-1, 1, 3, 1, 18, 18, SC-3  4, 3, 1,  18,  18
SC-2, 1, 2, 1, 18, 18, SC-4, 4, 2, 1,  18,  18

2.4.5 Line 1 Description

NFAS Side 1
Field	Hex Value	Decimal Value
SpanStart	1	1
SpanRange	3	3
TSStart	1	1
TSRange	18	24
TSSkip	18	24

Notes:

Using 3 spans (span IDs 0, 1, and 2)
Each span has:
- Time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
- Number of time slots: 3 x 23 = 69

NFAS Side 2

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

SpanStart

4

1

SpanRange

3

3

TSStart

1

1

TSRange

18

24

TSSkip

18

24

Notes:

Using 3 spans (span IDs 4, 5, and 6)
Each span has:
- Time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
- Number of time slots: 3 x 23 = 69

2.4.6 Line 2 Description

NFAS Side 1
Field	Hex Value	Decimal Value
SpanStart	1	1
SpanRange	2	2
TSStart	1	1
TSRange	18	24
TSSkip	18	24

Notes:

Using 2 spans (span IDs 0 and 1)
Each span has:
- Time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
- Number of time slots: 2 x 23 = 46

NFAS Side 2

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

SpanStart

4

1

SpanRange

2

2

TSStart

1

1

TSRange

18

24

TSSkip

18

24

Notes:

Using 2 spans (span IDs 4 and 5)
Each span has:
- Time slots 1 to 23, skipping 24
- Number of time slots: 2 x 23 = 46

Note All FAS or NFAS paths are referenced by the MMLName of the path.

To determine the MMLName of the path, perform the following steps:

Step 1 Look in the /opt/TransPath/etc directory at the sigPath.dat file to find the compID; for example, 00070001.

Step 2 Look in the components.dat file and find that compID. The MMLName is listed in the third column. Do not use the quotes in this file.

The other fields in the scripts are:

DPC---The destination point code of the switch from which the SS7 bearers are coming.
Net_Ind---The network indicator of the switch from which the SS7 bearers are coming.
CIC start---The starting CIC channel.
CIC range---The number of CICs to include from CIC start.
CIC skip---A CIC to skip in the block defined by (cicstart and cicrange).
SpanStart---The beginning of a block of spanIDs being defined.
SpanRange---The number of spans in the block of spanIDs.
TimeSlotStart---The beginning of the time slots on each span.
TimeSlotRange---The range of time slots.
TimeSlotSkip---Which channels to skip.

Tips Remember the following tips when creating the script.

The point code information must match exactly with the entries you used when you configured the system with the CT. If you are unsure, you can print out the dpc.dat file and verify.

The number of CICs defined must match the number of time slots defined. If not, the BCGEN tool gives an error.

The BCGEN tool does not validate that CICs or time slots have not already been used. You must ensure that a CIC or time slot is not overcommitted.

2.5 Processing Your Scripts

Step 1 After you create the scripts, enter the following command:

bcgen

Caution All files in the /opt/TransPath/etc/BCGen directory with the .bgc extension will be processed. Do not store any unwanted scripts or backups in this directory.

Step 2 Watch the screen for any error messages. Error messages direct you to .dat files you can view to get the correct values for fields in the script that cause the error.

For example, if you use an incorrect point code in your script, the error message directs you to the dpc.dat file. You would change to the /opt/TransPath/etc directory and view the dpc.dat file to obtain the correct point code and replace that value in your script.

Tips A common error is incorrectly configuring your bearer channels. Make sure your scripts follow the format in the examples shown in this document.

Step 3 Restart the software by making sure that you are logged in as the root user and entering:

/etc/init.d/transpath start

3. Configuring a Dial Access Solution

3.1 Using the Configuration Tool

Step 1 Use the configuration tool to configure your Dial Access Solution setup. Perform the following tasks:

(a) Create all of your network access servers (NASs).

(b) Create IP interfaces and IP services on the NASs.

(c) Create lines for signaling from the NAS to the Cisco SC2200. Do not create lines that carry only bearer traffic. The BCGEN tool creates these bearer lines when it reads your scripts.

(d) Create traffic paths; however, do not assign CICs.

(e) Create signal paths and assign signal channels.

Caution Do not create any access lines. No access lines should be connected to the NASs; these are created when the BGCEN tool reads your script files.

Step 2 Build, deploy and transfer the data (.dat) files (using FTP) to your UNIX host server for the Cisco SC2200.

3.2 Stopping the Software

Step 1 Make sure that the software is not running by entering the following command:

ps -ef | grep tran

Step 2 If the system returns no response, the software is not running. If the response indicates that the software is running, make sure you are logged into the system as the root user and enter the following command:

/etc/init.d/transpath stop

Repeat Step 1 until the system returns no response, showing that the software is not running.

3.3 Creating the BCGen Directory

Step 1 Change to the TransPath directory and make a new directory called BCGen:

cd /opt/TransPath/etc

mkdir BCGen

The BCGen directory is used to store your scripts.

Step 2 Change to the BCGen directory by entering:

cd /opt/TransPath/etc/BCGen

3.4 Creating Your Scripts

Use a text editor to create your script files in the BCGen directory. Name the files with the extension .bcg; for example, rack1.bcg.

The first required field in the script is MAPTYPE. The arguments describe the two sides of a nailed bearer configuration. You can use the following maptypes:

PC:PRIIP---SS7 to ISDN PRI over IP on the other.
PC:PC---SS7 to SS7.
NFAS:PC---ISDN PRI or DPNSS to SS7.
NFAS:NFAS---ISDN PRI or DPNSS to ISDN PRI or DPNSS.

This section shows an example of PC to PRIIP, with an explanation of the script. For examples of other types of scripts, see the "Creating Your Scripts" section.

Note All channels, CICs, and spans are to be given in hexadecimal. Comment lines begin with the # character.

Example 6: Script File Example

# Rack 1 bearer channels
MAPTYPE:PC:PRIIP
# only one NAS for now
#DPC, Net_Ind., CICstart, CICRange, CICSkip, NAS IP, IPPort, SpanStart,
SpanRange, TimeSlotStart,range,skip
2.2.1,  2,  1,  78,  0,  2.33.12.1,  3000,  0,  4,  1,   1F,  10
2.2.1,  2,  C8,  1E,  0,  2.1.2.1,  3000,  1,  1,  1,   1F,  10

3.4.1 Line 1 Description

PC Side
Field	Hex Value	Decimal Value
CICStart	1	1
CICRange	78	120
CICSkip	0	0

Notes:

Using CICs 1 to 120, skipping 0
Number of CICs: 120

PRIIP Side

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

SpanStart

0

0

SpanRange

4

4

TSStart

1

1

TSRange

1F

31

TSSkip

10

16

Notes:

Using 4 spans (span IDs 0, 1, 2, 3)
Each span has:
- Time slots 1 to 31, skipping 16
- Number of time slots: 4 x 30 = 120

3.4.2 Line 2 Description

PC Side
Field	Hex Value	Decimal Value
CICStart	C8	200
CICRange	1E	30
CICSkip	0	0

Notes:

Using CICs 200 to 229, skipping 0
Number of CICs: 30

PRIIP Side

Field

Hex Value

Decimal Value

SpanStart

1

1

SpanRange

1

1

TSStart

1

1

TSRange

1F

31

TSSkip

10

16

Notes:

Using 1 span (span ID 1)
Span ID 1 has:
- Time slots 1 to 31, skipping 16
- Number of time slots: 1 x 30 = 30

The format for the PC:PRIIP contains the following fields:

DPC---The point code of the switch from which the SS7 bearers are coming.
Net_Ind---The network indicator of the switch from which the SS7 bearers are coming.
CIC start---The starting CIC channel.
CIC range---The number of CICs to include from CIC start.
CIC skip---A CIC to skip in the block defined by (cicstart and cicrange).
NAS IP---The IP address of the access device. If there is more than one access device, enter only one address for each line.
NAS port---The port on the NAS carrying the ISDN PRI over IP service.
SpanStart---The beginning of a block of spanIDs being defined.
SpanRange---The number of spans in the block of spanIDs.
TimeSlotStart---The beginning of the time slots on each span.
TimeSlotRange---The range of time slots.
TimeSlotSkip---Which channels to skip.

Tips Remember the following tips when creating the script.

The point code information and the IP information must match exactly with the entries you used when you configured the system with the CT. If you are unsure, you can print out the dpc.dat and sigChanDevIp.dat files and verify the numbers.

The number of CICs defined must match the number of time slots defined. If not, the BCGEN tool gives an error.

The BCGEN tool does not validate that CICs or time slots have not already been used. You must ensure that a CIC or time slot is not overcommitted.

3.5 Processing Your Scripts

Step 1 After you create the scripts, enter the following command:

bcgen

Step 2 Watch the screen for any error messages. Error messages direct you to .dat files you can view to get the correct values for fields in the script that cause the error.

For example, if you use an incorrect IP address in your script, the error message directs you to the sigChanDevIp.dat file. You would change to the /opt/TransPath/etc directory and view the sigChanDevIp.dat file to obtain the correct IP address and replace that value in your script.

Tips A common error is incorrectly configuring your bearer channels. Make sure your scripts follow the format in the examples shown in this document.

Step 3 Restart the software by making sure that you are logged in as the root user and entering:

/etc/init.d/transpath start

4. Related Documentation

For the Cisco Dial Access Solution, see the Configuration Tool Guide for Signaling Controller, available at:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/sc/r2/ctg2/index.htm

For the TransPath Classic configuration, see the TransPath System Configuration Tool Guide, available at:

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/sc/r1/tct_gd.pdf

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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 Bug 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 access CCO in the following ways:

WWW: http://www.cisco.com
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WWW: http://www-china.cisco.com
Telnet: cco.cisco.com
Modem: From North America, 408 526-8070; from Europe, 33 1 64 46 40 82. 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.

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Table of Contents

Using the BCGEN Tool