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Passive EXNET® Ring Expansion

Overview

The following procedure allows you to add a node to an existing non-redundant EXNET® ring without loss of connections.

Passive Expansion Procedure

This procedure assumes an existing 3-node EXNET® ring configuration, where a new node (Node 4) is added after Node 3.

1 Configure the new node:

• Establish the Ethernet connection.

• Download the system software.

• Re-establish the socket connection.

• Assign the Logical Node ID.

• Configure CSP options on the node, if applicable, by using the EXS Node Configure message.

• Perform ring diagnostics with the Entity of Diagnostics (0x04)

• Configure Transmit Mode and Number of Packets according to requirements.

• Prepare node for addition to ring with the Entity of Prepare Node (0x05)

• Assign Logical Ring ID 1 to the node using the EXNET Ring Configure message.

2 Disconnect EXNET® ring where necessary. Disconnect the fiber optic cable from the EXNET B port of the node to which the new node will be adjacent, as shown in Adding A Node to an EXNET® Ring. The system is placed in loopback mode and all connections are maintained.

3 Make the EXNET® connections to the new node as shown in Adding A Node to an EXNET® Ring.

4 Configure the Ring for Expansion. Send the EXNET Ring Configure message to Node 3 with the Entity of Expand Ring (0x06). This brings Node 4 into the ring, however, it does not transmit its packets onto the ring.

5 Activate Node 4. Send the EXNET Ring Configure message to Node 4 with the Entity of Activate Node (0x07). Node 4 will now send its packets on the ring.

Final Verification

Final verification must be performed on all nodes directly involved in the passive addition of the new node to active EXNET® ring:

• The EXNET® ring should be in service.

• The EXNET-ONE card ports which were looped back prior to the reconfiguration should be open.

• Both EXNET-ONE card ports of the new node should be open.

Figure 5-17 Adding A Node to an EXNET® Ring

The protocol used in most local area PC networks. Typically, most Ethernet networks support data transmission speeds up to 10 Mbps, but 100 Mbps is also possible.
Excel's open architecture, proprietary, 1.3 Gbps fiber optic network using a packet-based protocol.