Control Unit IV Reference Manual
529-0004 Ver.3 3-1
3. SETUP
This chapter provides the information you need to set up the Control Unit. Each of the
Control Unit’s various setup commands is explained along with practical examples.
This chapter also provides an overview of the communication protocols that are supported on
the Control Unit’s COM ports. It is important to use the appropriate protocol to ensure that
the Control Unit can interface with your billing system or with any other type of host
computer.
3.1 COM port characteristics
The Control Unit is equipped with three RS-232 DCE-type local access ports (COM 1,
COM 2 and COM 3), which are used to exchange data with the host computer, either locally
or by modem. The COM 1 and COM 2 ports are normally set up to receive packet-switched
protocols (ICOR, CSG, NTMF or SSMN) or the interactive Terminal protocol. You can
change the setup of these two ports if necessary (see section 3.6.6).
During the setup session, the COM 1 and COM 2 ports are disconnected to prevent incoming
commands from being processed while the session is under way. However, during the
session the Control Unit continues to transmit the data stored in its memory to the cable
network. This feature maintains service on the addressable taps in the field. New service
changes from a subscriber management or billing system will be received only after exiting
the setup session.
The COM 3 port is used to set up and upgrade the Control Unit, to monitor for failures, and
to control subscribers manually. The Terminal protocol is mandatory on COM 3. This
protocol is preinstalled on COM 3 and can also be used on COM 1 and COM 2. To
communicate with one of the Control Unit’s ports that is set up with the Terminal protocol,
you must use a passive DTE-type terminal or the Workabout. The terminal must be able to
run at the same speed as the Control Unit. You can use communication software such as the
HyperTerminal software that comes with Windows 2000 and Windows ME, or any other
communication program such as Procomm. Do not use HyperTerminal for Windows 98. If
you are using Windows 98, either downgrade your version of HyperTerminal to the
Windows 95 version, or obtain the most recent version of HyperTerminal from the Hilgraeve
website. You may continue to use the Windows 98 operating system.
Note that there may be long processing delays for certain commands. Since the Control Unit
operates on a first come, first served basis, the processing time varies as a function of any
command that is already being processed. Moreover, the Control Unit can receive commands
on all communication ports at once. This means that commands that were initiated on one
port can be undone on another port. For example, if a tap’s status is changed by the billing
system on COM 1, then a manual command on COM 3 can change the tap’s status again.
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