TST console

General

• Part of the AlphaCom Software
• Debugging tool for software development
• Direct access to the AMC NVRAM memory
• Can be useful for troubleshooting
• TST Console uses a simple terminal interface

- PC with terminal emulator (such as Hyper Terminal)

over IP

• TST Console via IP
  

- Create a new connection in HyperTerminal

- Host adress = IP-address of the AMC board

- Port number must be 60001 (AlphaPro port)

- When connecting you will be promped for username and password (admin + alphaadmin)

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over Serial Port

• TST Console via serial port

- Enable AlphaPro on Serial port 0: S601-1 ON

- Connect the PC com port to AlphaCom serial port 0

- Start Windows HyperTerminal

• PC serial port setting: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit

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Start and Stop

• TST Activation Code: #SERVICE* (no echo)

- Response on VDU: TST-TARGET>>

- New log-on required after reset

• Stop TST:

- Type bye, or

- Reset exchange

- If not stopped properly, AlphaPro will not communicate

from Linux console

• TST Console can also be started from the Linux Console

• Simply type ”tst” on the Linux prompt...

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• ...and the TST Console is activated:

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Command Overview

“xh” – Command Overview Some commands:

bye	- Exit command
nvram	- Edit NVRAM
busy	- list busy resources
err	- List Error Reports
rlogin	- Log on to TST on remote system
rack	- List Boards / Hardware Resources of a board
xh	- Help text
dt	- (AlphaCom) Dataprotocol Trace mode
sswrep	- (SSW) Report messages received
globgrp	- list global group node memberships

NVRAM editor

”nvram” – NVRAM editor

• Inspect / modify the AMC’s nvram
• Modification will not be part of the AlphaPro database
• How to use:

- You get a menu with line numbers

- Enter a number to select a menu line

- When a value is displayed, change it by typing a new number, then <enter>

- Back one step: ”-”, then <enter>

- Quit NVRAM editor: ”q”, then <enter>

- Text strings are presented as a table of byte values

• See the text: ”p”, then <enter>
• Non-pritable chars are presented as hex digits \x00
• Change text: ”r”, then <enter>
• Use the letter ”>” before the start of text

List Busy Resources

”busy” – List Busy Resources

• Shows resources currently in use:

- Timeslots

- Faders

- Scanners

- duplex algoritms

- Stations

- group calls

Read Error Buffer

”err” – Read Error Buffer

• International buffer in NVRAM were special events are logged
• Read out buffer to get general impression of the health of the exchange
• Find exact reason for a reset
• The information is very ”software technical”
• Included in the general logging facilities of AlphaCom E

- Log source ”AlphaCom Technical Log”

• Three levels:

- Disaster – Exchange reset. The state of the exchange is so bad that the software does a controlled reset to restore normal operation.

- Error – The software handles a problem by e.g. aborting an operation and returning to idle, but logs a message

- Warning – Information to the user. Often identical to texts sent to the log port

Remote Login

• ”rlogin” – Remote TST Console Feature

- Log on to the TST on remote node or slave modules

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- Type ”bye” to revert back to local exchange, and ”bye” once again to exit TST

List Boards

rack” – List Boards

• Gives overview of boards and hardware resources of a board
• Type ”rack” + <enter> + <enter> to list all boards

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Data Link Trace

"dt” – Data Link Trace

• Useful to debug AlphaNet or other Data Protocol problems
• Activate by typing ”dt” + <enter>:

To activate a continous error trace:	dt + <enter> + <enter> + 1 + <enter>
Turn off the trace	dt + <enter> + <enter> + <enter>
AlphaNet idle frames:	dt + <enter> + 2 + <enter> + 2 + <enter>
AlphaNet application messages:	dt + <enter> + 1 + <enter> + 2 + <enter>
AlphaNet occational failures:	dt + <enter> + 1 + <enter> + 1 + <enter>