Tait TN8271 - User Manual

TN-2115-SR
25 June 2013
www.taitradio.com
Page 1 of 6
Technical Note TN-2115a-SR
TN8271 Network Gateway Release Note v1.02.06
25 June 2013
This technical note contains information to accompany the May 2013 release of the TN8271 Network
Gateway software version 1.02.06.
1. What’s new in this release
1.1 Enhancement of the RTP transmit timing
Tait reference:
TIMS00098965
When the gateway transcoded AMBE VDP to G.711 RTP, it sent 3 RTP
packets at once. The next three were then sent approximately 60 ms later.
The gateway now buffers and times the RTP so that each packet is sent at
20 ms intervals.
2. Compatibility
Kernel Compatibility This version of the Network Gateway software works with kernel version
QNA10ASK036007
The following table shows which combinations of kernel and application
firmware are supported:
Kernels
3.1.01 3.6.04 3.6.06 3.6.07
Applications 0.00.06 OK X X X
0.00.25 OK X X X
0.00.26 X OK OK(*) X
0.00.28 X OK OK(*) X
0.00.31 X OK(*) OK X
1.00.00 X OK(*) OK X
1.00.01 X X X OK
1.01.04 X X X OK
1.01.05 X X X OK
1.02.06 X X X OK
*The Network Gateway will operate normally, but there could some problems when using
ethtool.

Summary

Whats new in this release

Enhancement of the RTP transmit timing

Gateway buffers and times RTP for 20 ms intervals.

Compatibility

Kernel Compatibility

Shows supported kernel and application firmware combinations.

Problems fixed

WebUI: No error given indicating why VOX and E-Line PTT cannot both be selected

Fixes error reporting for VOX/E-Line PTT selection conflicts.

WebUI: Clicking Save multiple times directed user to another page

Prevents navigation issues when Save is clicked repeatedly.

Initial digital output level showed wrong values on WUI

Corrects display of digital output levels in the WebUI.

E&M lines active level configurations were incorrect

Fixes incorrect active level configuration for E&M lines.

Known problems or limitations

Too much Ethernet traffic may cause a restart

High Ethernet traffic might cause the Network Gateway to restart.

WebUI: Whole series of reboot popup windows unnecessary

Redundant reboot popup windows in WebUI are removed.

WebUI: Mouse cursor does not change when hovering over the Choose File button

Cursor does not indicate file chooser button is clickable.

Firmware upgrade through WebUI is not consistently successful

WebUI firmware upgrades can sometimes fail infrequently.

Upgrade Procedure

Upgrading using WebUI

Steps to upgrade firmware via the WebUI for version 1.02.06+.

Upgrading using Script

Instructions for upgrading firmware using a script.

Overview

1. Usage Features
2. Maintenance Features
3. Known Problems and Limitations

This document, "TN-2115a-SR: TN8271 Network Gateway Release Note v1.02.06," dated 25 June 2013, provides information regarding the TN8271 Network Gateway, focusing on updates, compatibility, resolved issues, known limitations, and upgrade procedures for software version 1.02.06.

The TN8271 Network Gateway serves as a critical component in communication networks, facilitating the transcoding and transmission of voice data. Its primary function, as highlighted by a key enhancement in this release, involves handling Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets. Specifically, when the gateway transcodes AMBE VDP to G.711 RTP, it now buffers and times the RTP packets to be sent at 20 ms intervals, a significant improvement over the previous method of sending three packets at once, followed by another three approximately 60 ms later. This enhancement, referenced as TIMS00098965, aims to optimize the efficiency and smoothness of voice data transmission.

Usage Features:

The gateway's operation is managed through a Web-based User Interface (WebUI), which is central to its configuration and monitoring. Several issues related to the WebUI have been addressed in this release, improving the user experience. For instance, a previous problem where selecting both Voice Operated eXchange (VOX) and E-line PTT (Push-To-Talk) options did not generate an error message (TIMS00097843) has been resolved. Now, the system automatically disables VOX detection when PTT is enabled, and vice versa, ensuring logical configuration and preventing conflicts. Both can still be disabled simultaneously.

Another WebUI improvement (TIMS00097849) prevents users from inadvertently navigating to a different page by clicking the "Save" button multiple times. The button now greys out and disables after a single click until the "Edit" button is used, ensuring that changes are saved correctly without unintended page redirects.

The WebUI's responsiveness has also been enhanced (TIMS00097856). Previously, editing and saving changes could lead to noticeable delays, with the "Save" button taking time to become active and the page refreshing slowly. These issues have been resolved, resulting in quicker updates when saving changes.

User management within the WebUI has seen fixes as well. A misleading error message during user self-deletion (TIMS00097944) has been clarified. The system now explicitly states, "You cannot delete yourself," if a user attempts to delete their currently logged-in account, aligning with updated manual procedures. Additionally, a problem where selecting a single user profile in the "Configuration -> Users" section would inadvertently select all users (TIMS00100413) has been corrected, allowing for precise individual user selection.

The gateway supports various line configurations, and the WebUI now correctly displays and manages these. For example, the initial pin level for Digital output pins previously showed incorrect values on the WebUI (TIMS00101453), which has been fixed to accurately reflect the set digital output level. Similarly, E&M lines active level configurations were incorrect (TIMS00101059) but have now been set to active low in the WebUI.

For command-line interface users, an issue with CCTM commands showing two prompts (TIMS00100997) has been resolved. The prompt will now only appear if the CCTM state is not delayed, preventing confusion and potential missing commands.

IP address display on the WebUI has also been refined (TIMS00097851). Previously, IP addresses could be entered and displayed with leading zeros (e.g., 192.168.00001.00001), which were not reformatted. The system now strips leading zeros before validation, ensuring a standard and clear display.

Maintenance Features:

The document outlines procedures for upgrading the gateway's firmware, which is a key maintenance activity. The upgrade process can be performed via the WebUI or through a script, depending on the current firmware version.

For gateways running version 1.02.06 or newer, the WebUI upgrade procedure is straightforward:

1. Navigate to the upgrade page on the network gateway user interface.
2. Click the upload button to select the firmware file (QNA10ASU010206).
3. The file will be uploaded and installed, followed by a network gateway reboot.

For older gateway versions, a script-based upgrade is required, involving a TFTP server and specific firmware files (QNA10ASA010206 and QNA10ASK036007) along with an upgrading script (q8271_upscript and q8271_testfile). The process involves:

1. Copying the necessary files to a TFTP server.
2. Connecting to the network gateway via SSH.
3. Getting the upgrade script from the TFTP server using tftp -g -r q8271_upscript <tftp_server_ip>.
4. Changing the script's permissions using chmod +x q8271_upscript.
5. Executing the script: ./q8271_upscript <tftp_server_ip>.
6. Following the prompts.

Compatibility is a crucial aspect of maintenance. This version of the Network Gateway software (1.02.06) is compatible with kernel version QNA10ASK036007. The document provides a detailed table outlining supported combinations of kernel and application firmware, indicating "OK" for supported versions and "X" for unsupported ones. Notably, some combinations are marked with "OK(*)", indicating normal operation but potential problems when using ethtool.

Audio level calibration is another maintenance-related feature. Some network gateways might lack Audio level calibration values (TIMS00099514). In such cases, the system now defaults to a standard value if no specific calibration value is present.

Known Problems and Limitations:

The document also transparently lists known issues that users should be aware of:

• Too much Ethernet traffic may cause a restart (TIMS00092998): Sending a high rate of traffic at the Ethernet port of the Network Gateway may cause it to restart.
• WebUI: Whole series of reboot popup windows unnecessary (TIMS00097859): When performing a reboot from the WebUI, a series of redundant popup windows are displayed. The second window, which reports that the reboot is in progress, is considered unnecessary.
• WebUI: Mouse cursor does not change when hovering over the Choose File button (TIMS00100414): The cursor does not change to indicate that the "Choose File" button is clickable on the upload file dialog. This is a limitation of web browsers, where the file chooser widget cannot be customized.
• Firmware upgrade through WebUI is not consistently successful (TIMS00101776): Upgrading the TN8271 network gateway through the WebUI sometimes fails, though this is infrequent.
• WebUI: Entering large or negative numbers into VOX settings results in wrap around errors (TIMS00097847): Inputting values over 255 or negative values into the buffer size or hang time fields in VOX settings can lead to wrap-around errors.

In summary, the TN8271 Network Gateway, with its 1.02.06 software release, offers enhanced RTP transmission timing, a more robust and user-friendly WebUI with numerous bug fixes, clear compatibility guidelines, and a defined upgrade path. While some limitations exist, the focus of this release is on improving the stability, usability, and overall performance of the gateway for critical communication infrastructure.

Tait TN8271 Specifications