Home > Articles > Networking

This chapter is from the book

Alarm Interface Controller Card

The Alarm Interface Controller (AIC-I) card is an optional circuit pack that is installed in shelf Slot 9. The faceplate of the card is marked with a red diamond, corresponding to the symbol marked on the front of the ONS 15454 shelf assembly. This serves as an aid in easily identifying the correct location to install the card. For MSPP sites where the AIC-I is not required, a BLANK/FILLER is required to maintain proper airflow through the system while operating without the front door, and also to allow the system to meet Network Equipment Building Standards (NEBS), electromagnetic interference (EMI) standards, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) standards.

When is the AIC-I card required? The card provides four main capabilities to the network operator:

  • Environmental alarm connection and monitoring
  • Embedded voice-communication channels, known as orderwires
  • A-Side and B-Side power supply input voltage monitoring
  • Access to embedded user data channels

You examine each of these major functions, as well as the associated card faceplate LEDs and cabling connectors, in this section. Figure 6-6 shows the faceplate layout of the AIC-I.

bm740606.gif

Figure 6-6 AIC-I Card Faceplate Diagram

An earlier version of the Alarm Interface Controller is called the AIC (no -I). This older version provides a more limited environmental alarm-monitoring capacity and does not provide user data channel access or input voltage monitoring. Although they may be installed in some existing systems, Cisco no longer produces the AIC version.

Similarly to all ONS 15454 common control cards, the AIC-I has a FAIL LED and ACT LED on the upper part of the card faceplate, just below the top latch. The FAIL LED is red and indicates that the card's processor is not ready for operation. This LED is normally illuminated during a card reset, and it flashes during the card boot-up process. If the FAIL LED continues to be illuminated, this is an indication that the card hardware has experienced a failure and should be replaced. The ACT (Active) LED is green and illuminates to indicate that the card is in an operational state. Unlike the XC cards and TCC cards, the ACT LED does not have a standby (STBY) state because there is no secondary or back-up card to protect the active AIC-I card. If the card fails, the system can continue to operate normally, with the exception of the functionality provided by the AIC-I.

Environmental Alarms

Environmental alarms are associated with events that affect the operation of the system and are specific to the surrounding environment and external support systems at an MSPP node location. These alarms are usually provisioned and monitored at locations other than those staffed and maintained by a carrier (for example, a central office). This can include an end-user customer's telecom equipment room or an outside plant location, such as a controlled-environment vault (CEV) or concrete hut. Some examples of these alarms include power system performance degradation or failure, hazardous condition alarms (for example, smoke, heat, rising water, and so on), and intrusion alarms (for example, unauthorized entry into a secured area). The ONS 15454 can use the alarm-monitoring capability of the AIC-I to report alarms via the SONET overhead back to the network operations center for trouble resolution or dispatch of maintenance personnel. Figure 6-7 shows an example of this application. A pair of LEDs, labeled as INPUT and OUTPUT, are included on the card faceplate, and illuminate when any input alarm or output control are active.

bm740607.gif

Figure 6-7 Environmental Alarms Reported Using AIC-I Card Interfaces

CTC enables the user to provision several parameters related to the operation of the environmental alarms, including an assigned severity (Critical, Major, Minor, or Not Reported), an alphanumeric alarm description, and the capability to set the alarm to be raised upon detection of an "open" or "closed" condition across the alarm contacts. The AIC-I card provides 12 alarm input connections and 4 additional connections that are provisionable as either inputs or outputs. An output is used to control operation of an external device, such as an alarm-indication lamp or a water pump. The backplane of the ONS 15454 chassis has 16 wire-wrap pin pairs for connection to the external equipment to be monitored or controlled. Figure 6-8 shows these connections.

bm740608.gif

Figure 6-8 Backplane Environmental Alarm Connections

By using an additional piece of hardware, called the Alarm Expansion Panel (AEP), the AIC-I can actually be used to provide up to 32 alarm inputs and 16 outputs, for a total of 48 connections. The AEP is a connector panel that is wired to a subset of the environmental alarm wire-wrap pins and attached to the backplane. Cables can then be installed from the AEP to an external terminal strip for connecting alarm contacts to the system.

One interesting application that involves the use of both an environmental alarm and a control is referred to as a "virtual wire." A virtual wire enables the user to consider the activation of an incoming environmental alarm as triggering the activation of a control. Figure 6-9 encourages this: One such scenario is shown in Figure 6-9, where the activation of an alarm at the remote location of Node A causes a control to activate an audible alarm at the staffed location of Node B. A virtual wire is used to associate the alarm with the control activation.

bm740609.gif

Figure 6-9 Virtual Wire Operation

Orderwires

Orderwires allow technicians to attach a phone to the faceplate of the AIC-I card and communicate with personnel at other ONS 15454 MSPP sites. The AIC-I provides two separate orderwires, known as local and express. These can be used simultaneously, if desired. The local orderwire uses the E1 byte in the Section overhead to provide a 64-kbps voice channel between section-terminating equipment, while the express orderwire uses the E2 byte in the Line overhead to provide a channel between line-terminating equipment. Both orderwires operate as broadcast channels, which means that they essentially behave as party lines. Anyone who connects to an orderwire channel can communicate with everyone else on the channel.

Phone sets are connected to the AIC-I using the two standard RJ-11 jacks marked LOW (Local Orderwire) and EOW (Express Orderwire). A green LED labeled RING is provided for each jack. The LED lights and a buzzer/ringer sounds when the orderwire channel detects an incoming call.

Power Supply Voltage Monitoring

The AIC-I monitors the A and B power supply connections to the ONS 15454 for the presence of voltage, under-voltage, and over-voltage. Two bicolor LEDs are provided on the AIC-I faceplate for visual indication of either normal (green) or out-of-range (red) power levels. These LEDs are marked as PWR A and PWR B, and are located on the upper portion of the faceplate between the FAIL and ACT LEDs. The TCC2 and TCC2P controller cards also monitor the A and B power supplies for the chassis, and will override this feature of the AIC-I if installed in the same shelf. The TCC2/TCC2P force the power monitor LEDs on the AIC-I faceplate to match the state of their power-monitor LEDs. Because the older TCC+ controller cards do not include the power-monitoring feature, this feature of the AIC-I is more useful when installed with them.

User Data Channels

Four point-to-point data communications channels are provided for possible network operator use by the AIC-I, with two user data channels (UDC-A and UDC-B) and two data communications channels (DCC-A and DCC-B). These channels enable networking between MSPP locations over embedded overhead channels that are otherwise typically unused. The two UDCs are accessed using a pair of RJ-11 faceplate connectors; the two DCCs use a pair of RJ-45 connectors.

The UDC-A and UDC-B channels use the F1 Section overhead byte to form a pair of 64-kbps data links, each of which can be routed to an individual optical interface for connection to another node site. The DCC-A and DCC-B use the D4-D12 line-overhead bytes to form a pair of 576-kbps data links, which are also individually routed to an optical interface.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020