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| Email The UK Office |  |
| Tel: +44 (0)1525 382050 | |
NetVX FAQ
- What is Vidiem?
- What is the Craft Port Interface?
- What is a NetVX?
- What modules are available for the NetVX?
- What type of optical cable and connector do
I need for the ATM-M11, ATM-S11 or ATM-L11 module?
- Where is the configuration file for the NetVX
located?
- Is there a correct way to install the blank filler
panels on the NetVX?
- Are the blank filler panels required on unused
slots of the NetVX?
- What are the available shelf types for the NetVX?
- What are my choices for configuring and
monitoring the NetVX?
- What type of network interfaces are available
wtih the NetVX?
- What is a Feature Key?
- Can a NetVx module be upgraded in the field?
or do I have to send the module in?
- Does the NetVx chassis have any feature keys?
What is Vidiem?
Vidiem is the GUI interface option for both the Flexicoder and NetVx products.
It is an SNMP Network Manager that provides for easy configuration and changes,
saving and recall of backup files, as well as status feedback. Videim is
the recommended configuration interface for both the FlexiCoder and the
NetVx.
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What is the Craft Port Interface?
"Craft Port" is a telco term for a serial command line interface.
It uses Windows Hyperterminal or any other terminal emulator program to
access the dedicated serial port on the back of the NetVx labeled "Craft
Port". The craft port provides access to configuration, alarm and status
information along with access to the utilities menus. It uses the same basic
command structure as the front panel interface and can be used to view and/or
set any parameter in the NetVx. NOTE: Due to the sheer number of commands
available, Vidiem (the Graphical User Interface) is the recommended configuration
and troubleshooting interface. For more information about the Craft Port,
the syntax and the available commands see the Craft Port section of the
NetVx Technical manual. A video tutorial
on the use of the Craft Port interface is also available, contact
us for a video tutorial disc.
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What is a NetVX?
The NetVx™ Video Networking System is a modular video networking device
that connects to a wide variety of high speed data networks. The NetVx is
designed for professional video transport using today’s telecommunication
infrastructure. The NetVx joins standards-compliant audio and video interfaces
such as AES and SDI (or analog A/V) to standards-compliant networking interfaces
such as SONET, PDH and IP. This combination provides the ability to send
video signals across the globe over fiber, DS3, or IP networks. The NetVx’s
modular architecture supports a variety of application modules to suit user
requirements. Today these modules include an MPEG-2 encoder, an MPEG-2 decoder,
and an SONET/PDH (dual interface) ATM module. The encoder multiplexes audio,
video, and data input into MPEG-2-compliant transport streams. The decoder
demultiplexes and decodes MPEG-2 compliant transport streams. The ATM and
IP modules link the NetVx’s application modules to ATM and IP network.
Inside, the NetVx can be rapidly and dynamically configured to link signals
between application modules. These links, called cross connections, facilitate
the linking of signals between and among encoders, decoders, and ATM virtual
channels (VC).
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What modules are available for
the NetVX?
There are at present 8 application modules available for the NetVx, including
the System Controller module. These are: SYS-A12 System Controller Module
ATM-M11, S11 or L11 ATM Interface Module (E3/DS3 electrical and/or OC-3/STM-1)
ENC-S11 Standard Definition MPEG2 Encoder Module ENC-H11 High Definition
MPEG2 Encoder Module DEC-S11 Standard Definition Decoder Module TMX-M12
Transport stream Multiplexer/Demultiplexer Module TMX-M22 Transport stream
Multiplexer/Demultiplexer Module with Trans-rating capability GBE-C11 Gigabit
Ethernet Interface module For more information about each of these modules
contact us for Hardware overviews videos
for the NetVx Modules.
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What type of optical cable and
connector do I need for the ATM-M11, ATM-S11 or ATM-L11 module?
The ATM-M11, ATM-S11, and ATM-L11 modules provide a full-duplex SONET OC-3/SDH
STM-1 interface through the TX/RX optical connector pair. This pair consists
of 2 SC type stick and click) optical jacks labelled “TX”, and “RX”. The
TX jack transmits and the RX jack receives. Connect the TX and RX jacks
to the network equipment using the appropriate optical cables. ! WARNING
You must use an optical cable rated for the correct mode (single-mode or
multi-mode) when connecting your ATM-M11, ATM-S11, or ATM-L11 module to
networking equipment.
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Where is the configuration file
for the NetVX located?
The running configuration file resides in the System Controller flash memory.
Additionally, up to 99 different configurations can be stored and recalled,
with different tags, using the Utilities function of the NetVx. This allows
configurations to be loaded quickly to the NetVx if specific system requirements
are needed for each configuration. Finally, you can, and should, save the
configuration to another host or location using Vidiem Management System
"save as" function after the NetVx configuration is read into Vidiem. This
stores the current configuration (in Vidiem) to the control PC hardrive.
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Is there a correct way to install
the blank filler panels on the NetVX?
All panels should be secured with the shielding gasket on the right side
when looking at the rear of the shelf.
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Are the blank filler panels required
on unused slots of the NetVX?
Yes. The NetVx uses "forced air" cooling and needs the panels to maintain
proper temperature or cooling of the unit. Additionally, the panels provide
protection for the modules already installed in the chassis. CAUTION: Without
the filler panels a loose cable, with a BNC connector for example, could
slip inside the chassis and damage a module.
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What are the available shelf types
for the NetVX?
The NetVx VR-1700 chassis is designed to fit in 5 RU (8.75" high) of a standard
19” or 23" rack and may be mounted with either front (standard) or middle
rack-mount ears. The VR-1700 chassis houses one or two system controllers
and up to 15 application modules. The shelf is factory configured for either
110/220 VAC or 48 DC power. A single power supply is provided with each
unit, however additional space is provided for a backup power supply. The
VR-300 chassis internally houses a system controller and allows for the
installation of up to three, removable application modules. The NetVx VR-300
chassis is designed to fit in 1 RU of a standard 19” rack. Using rack mount
ears and rear supports, the unit mounts in cabinets ranging from 21” to
36” deep. The VR-300 only operates on 110/220 VAC power and does not provide
for a backup controller configuration. The newest chassis is the VR-200
chassis which only has 2 application module slots, but has a built-in controller
and TMX-M12 mux/demux module.
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What are my choices for
configuring and monitoring the NetVX?
The NetVx actually has 5 different interfaces: Front Panel Craft Port Telnet
Web Browser Vidiem (SNMP Network Manager) The preferred method is to use
the Vidiem Element Manager System which can provide full configuration,
status and troubleshooting of all NetVx’s on the same network. Vidiem also
provides cross functional checks to make sure any configuration changes
are valid before they are implemented. The Web Browser interface is the
next most user friendly interface for configuration and troubleshooting
but it should be noted that it does not do any functional cross checks.
In other words, it will allow the user to make invalid configuration changes.
The front panel, craft port and Telnet interfaces all use the same basic
command structure and syntax which is shown in the Craft Port section of
the NetVx manual.
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What type of network interfaces
are available wtih the NetVX?
The NetVx has 2 network interface modules: ATM-M11/S11/L11 - ATM Interface
Module GBE-C11 - Gigabit Ethernet Module The ATM interface module has both
an Electrical PDH interface for E3 (35Mbps) or DS3 (45Mbps) connection and
a SONET/SDH (155Mbps) optical interface (both are full duplex). The PDH
E3/DS3 connectors are BNC and require 75 ohm coax cable. The optical connection
has three hardware choices: ATM-M11 which is a Multimode fiber output (LED)
ATM-S11 which is a Single Mode fiber connection with short reach output
(Low power LASER) ATM-L11 which is a Single Mode fiber connection with Long
reach output (High output LASER) The GIG-E module provides a full duplex
electrical or optical ethernet (SFP) connnection which can be used for Video
over IP (VIP), IP over ATM (IPOA) or LAN/VLAN network extension.
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What is a Feature Key?
Most of the application modules in the NetVx have feature keys. This basically
means that there is only one physical module with the different models numbers
based on a software code key or Feature Key. The feature key is used to
disable certain premium features to allow for less expensive module if the
customer does not need those features. For example the ENC-S11-PRO-D module
(D stands for Dolby Digital Audio). The physical module is the same as a
ENC-S11-PRO-DM module (M stands for MPEG audio) except that a feature key
was entered that allows MPEG audio as well as Dolby Digital (software selectable).
This means a module can be upgraded in the field by simply obtaining a new
feature key (the serial number of the module is used to generate a new key)
and entering it in the utility menu of Vidiem. The new model number will
then need to be entered into the configuration of the NetVx. NOTE: The GIG-E
module and the system controllers do not have feature keys. However, the
chassis must have the correct feature key to do Video over IP or IP over
ATM.
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Can a NetVx module be upgraded
in the field? or do I have to send the module in?
The NetVx modules use a software "Feature Key" to determine the features
available on each module, and the model number of the module. If you wish
to upgrade a module, (add features) a new key code can be purchased. The
new key is generated based on the desired model number and the serial number
of the module. It is then a simple matter of entering the new feature key
into the correct utility menu in Vidiem, and then reconfiguring the NetVx
to recognize the new model number for that module. Depending on the added
features, other configuration may be required.
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Does the NetVx chassis have
any feature keys?
The NetVx Chassis has 2 optional feature keys: IP over ATM or IPOA Key and
Video over IP or VIP Key These keys are applied at the chassis level so
that you do not need to have a separate key for each ATM or IP module in
the chassis. As with the modules, this also affects the model number of
the chassis. For example, if you have a fully keyed VR-1700 chassis the
model number would be VR-1700-AC-IA-VI (an AC powered chassis with IPOA
and VIP capability). If it only read VR-1700-AC-IA, then it would be impossible
to do VIP even if you purchased the application module (such as the GIG-E).
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