Cisco ONS 15216 EDFA3 Operations Guide, Release 1.0

14.1.1 Power LED (Green)

The green power indicator LED on the front of the ONS 15216 EDFA3 illuminates constantly when both A and B electrical power feeds are connected and the voltage of each is within the acceptable range. The LED flashes if either of the two electrical power feeds is disconnected or if either feed is outside of the acceptable range.

If the green power indicator LED is flashing, complete the following procedure:

Step 1 Verify that both A and B electrical power feeds are connected to both the ONS 15216 EDFA3 and to a source of –48-VDC electrical power.

Step 2 If both electrical power feeds are connected to both the EDFA3 and to an electrical power source, complete one of the following:

• Use a voltmeter to measure the voltage between the power (“-48VDC”) and ground (“return”) contacts for both the A and B feeds.
• Issue the RTRV-EQPT command to read the voltage of Power Bus A and B. To verify, issue the RTRV-ALM-EQPT to see PWRBUSA and / or PWRBUSB alarms.

14.1.2 Fail LED (Red)

The red failure indicator LED on the front of the ONS 15216 EDFA3 illuminates if either the laser pump power or the bias current is out of range.

14.1.3 LOS (Loss of Signal) LED (Yellow)

The yellow loss of signal indicator LED on the front of the ONS 15216 EDFA3 illuminates when an optical loss of signal threshold is crossed. Verify loss of signal threshold values by logging into the EDFA3 and using the RTRV-TH-DWDM TL1 command.

Verify optical input power at the input (COM RX) port. If optical input power is below the threshold value, either the value of the threshold needs to be lowered (using the SET-TH-DWDM TL1 command) or the optical input power must be increased.

If optical input power is lower than expected, the cause could be any of the following:

• Dirty optical connectors
• Optical connectors not fully seated
• Worn/abused optical patch cords
• Poorly routed/pinched optical patch cords
• Excessive fiber span loss
• Excessive loss through other wavelength management devices (that is, multiplexer, OADM, etc.).

14.1.4 LED Sequence on Startup

When the ONS 15216 EDFA3 starts up, the following LED sequence occurs:

1. All LEDs illuminate, followed by a pause of approximately thirty seconds.

2. The green power indicator LED illuminates (the other LEDs are off), followed by a pause of approximately ten seconds.

3. All LEDs illuminate, followed by a pause of approximately twenty-five seconds.

4. The LEDs indicate the operational status of the ONS 15216 EDFA3 (for example, if there is a loss of signal, the yellow LOS LED will be illuminated).

14.11.1 PWRBUSA and PWRBUSB

The ONS15216 EDFA3 performs continuous monitoring on it's DC power source to insure that the input voltage remains within limits. The specific details of how this monitoring is performed depend on the POWER MODE for which the ONS 15216 has been configured.

As indicated in the installation section, the ONS 15216 EDFA3 can be configured for a single input power source from power bus A (SIMPLEX power mode) or redundant dual power inputs from both power bus A and power bus B (DUPLEX power mode).

In SIMPLEX power mode the system continuously monitors the DC input voltage on input power buss "A" and reports any faults (out-of-limits conditions) by generating the TL1 autonomous alarm message REPT-ALM-EQPT with the condition type field set to PWRBUSA.

In DUPLEX power mode, the system monitors buss "A" as noted above, and also continuously monitors the DC input voltage on power buss "B". Fault conditions on buss "B" are reported by generating the TL1 autonomous alarm message REPT-ALM-EQPT with the condition type field set to PWRBUSB.

In addition to the above autonomous messages, it is always possible to retrieve the current input power alarm state of the ONS 15216 EDFA3 by issuing the TL1 command RTRV-ALM-EQPT:::123; and noting the presence or absence of the PWRBUSA and PWRBUSB alarm conditions. This is useful to confirm that the alarm has been cleared when the problem is found.

The steps listed below can be used to trouble-shoot and clear a PWRBUSA or PWRBUSB fault indication.

Step (1) includes most common external power bus faults and the remaining steps cover less likely conditions which could also cause a PWRBUSA or PWRBUSB indication.

Warning Voltages might be present on the DC-input power supply terminals. Turn off the power source circuit breaker and remove the power supply before accessing the terminals.

Here is the step-by-step procedure to clear a PWRBUSA or PWRBUSB alarm:

Step 1 Check input supply voltages
Normally the presence of a PWRBUSA or PWRBUSB alarm indicates a fault on the associated external power buss.

Possible causes include:

• Blown External Fuse or Tripped Circuit Breaker in the power distribution feeding the EDFA3
  (note that there are no user serviceable fuses in EDFA3 itself)
• Fault or failure in the external AC/DC -48 volt Power Supply
• Discharged or defective battery (where equipped with battery backup)
• Loose screw terminal connection or bad crimped connection at power input
• Chafed or damaged insulation has caused short circuit (often accompanied by a blown fuse,
  tripped circuit breaker, or over-current shutdown in the external power supply)

Step 2 Check PWRBUSMODE setting
It is possible to cause a false PWRBUSB power alarm if the PWRBUSMODE parameter has not been set correctly. If the power mode is set incorrectly to DUPLEX, when only ONE power supply source is connected to buss "A", then buss "B" will show a constant PWRBUSB alarm. To check this, retrieve the current setting of the power mode by issuing the TL1 command RTRV-EQPT::ALL:123; and note the value returned for PWRBUSMODE. This command will also return the voltage values being measured at power buss "A" and "B" input terminals as POWERBUSAVAL, and POWERBUSBVAL.

Step 3 Check the input Power Buss Alarm Threshold set points
Incorrect setting of the PWRBUSMIN or PWRBUSMAX alarm threshold set points could cause a false power alarm to be issued. To check for this, retrieve the current upper and lower voltage thresholds which the ONS 15216 EDFA3 is using to test for a DC input power alarm by issuing the TL1 command RTRV-TH-EQPT::ALL:123; Check that the values returned for PWRBUSMIN, and, PWRBUSMAX are reasonable. The actual input voltage can be retrieved by using the RTRV-EQPT::ALL:123; TL1 command. If the upper or lower limit values are set incorrectly too close to the normal input voltage, then false power alarms could be triggered. If this is the case, try returning to the default values of 40 for PWRBUSMIN and 57 for PWRBUSMAX using the SET-TH-EQPT TL1 command

Step 4 Check for Alarm Circuit fault
If all the above causes have been eliminated, it is possible that the internal voltage monitoring circuitry in the ONS 15216 EDFA3 has failed and is issuing a false alarm. To confirm this, compare the voltage values measured at the input power terminals with a known good external voltmeater with the values POWERBUSAVAL and POWERBUSBVAL retrieved using the RTRV-EQPT::ALL:123 command in Step 2 above. The internal circuitry which performs voltage monitoring in the ONS 15216 EDFA3 is not field serviceable, so unit must be replaced if this is confirmed as the problem.

14.11.2 MEMLOW

This alarm condition indicates that the processor in the ONS 15216 EDFA3 has detected that it is low on MEMORY resources. Normally the system manages the allocation of memory automatically, so this condition indicates an abnormal condition has occurred in the software.

Here is the step-by-step procedure to clear the MEMLOW alarm condition.

Note As noted in step 2 below, you must log in to the ONS 15216 with full administrative privileges in order to issue the INIT-SYS TL1 command. In an emergency a reset can be forced by power cycling the ONS 15216 EDFA3, but this is service affecting and should not be considered unless service has already been lost due to a secondary failure believed to be related to the MEMLOW condition.

Step 1 Make a note of any unique operational conditions or command sequences that you think may have contributed to, or triggered, the MEMLOW memory fault condition (if known). This information should be reported to Cisco so that the root cause of the MEMLOW condition can be properly investigated.

Step 2 Open a TL1 session and log into the ONS 15216 EDFA3 as ADMIN.

Step 3 Attempt to perform a warm restart of the ONS 15216 EDFA3 by issuing the TL1 command INIT-SYS command with the following parameters:

INIT-SYS::EQPT:123::0;

This will reset and restart the ONS 15216 EDFA3 internal software using the current active code image (current default firmware version).

14.11.3 FFSSLOW

This alarm condition indicates that the internal Flash File System is nearly full. The Flash File System (FFS) fulfills the same role as the hard drive on a desktop PC by providing persistent storage that will retain data while the system is rebooted or power is cycled. Under normal conditions the system will not require user intervention to maintain the FFS because the internal logs, configuration data and code images that the system stores are budgeted at specific sizes that are well within the capacity of the FFS. The FFSSLOW condition can arise however when User operations using the CPY-MEM or COPY-RFILE write additional data to the FFS or an FTP operation transfers files to the FFS.

When the flash file system is full, commands which attempt to write data to the FFS will fail and issue a TL1 DENY response.

Caution DELETING THE WRONG FILES WILL LEAVE THE SYSTEM UNBOOTABLE.

DO NOT DELETE the main database file: ONS15216DataBase

DO NOT DELETE the boot image files. The boot image file names are based on the version of the software, but are of the general form:ONS15216Edfa3_01.00.00_003L_12.23 where the numbers to the right of the word 'Edfa3' identify the version information. DO NOT DELETE ANY FILE THAT RESEMBLES THIS FORM WITHOUT CONTACTING CUSTOMER SUPPORT FOR CLARIFICATION.

If not ABSOLUTLY SURE, do not delete anything.

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Here is the step-by-step procedure to clear the FFSSLOW alarm condition.

Step 1 Open a TL1 session and log into the ONS 15216 EDFA3 as ADMIN.

Step 2 Use the TL1 command RTRV-RFILE:::123; to retrieve a directory of the flash file system and identify the USER created files which need to be deleted to free up space.

Step 3 If desired, back up the files that are to be deleted to a PC host or other server via FTP using the TL1 command COPY-RFILE with the copy TYPE set to RFBU and the destination set to the FTP address of the host where the files are to be saved.

Step 4 Using the TL1 command DLT-RFILE to delete ONLY the unneeded USER created files.

14.11.4 DATAFLT

This alarm condition indicates that the main configuration file transferred by COPY-RFILE with RFR option has been corrupted. This is not immediately service affecting because the system will continue to use the current working copy of the system configuration data which is resident in memory until power cycled, or reset with the INIT-SYS TL1 command. The DATAFLT alarm will clear when a clean copy of the ONS15216DataBase file is transferred to the EDFA3.

Caution Do not power cycle the ONS15216 EDFA3 or reset the system using an INIT-SYS command while it is in a DATAFLT alarm condition, or the configuration parameters will reset to default values, which will shut down the laser and interrupt service..

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Here is the step-by-step procedure to clear the DATAFLT alarm condition.

Step 1 Use the TL1 command COPY-RFILE with the TYPE=RFR option to transfer a clean copy of the ONS15216DataBase file by FTP to replace the corrupted file. The exact format for the COPY-RFILE command is dependant of the location of the backup file which will be copied to the ONS 15216 EDFA3. Specifics on the use of the COPY-RFILE command can be found in the TL1 Command Reference section of this manual.

Note If a clean backup copy of the ONS15216DataBase file is not available for transfer via the LAN using the COPY-RFILE command, the EDFA3 can be forced back to factory defaults by issuing an INIT-SYS TL1 command, but, as noted in the caution above, this will cause an interruption in service until proper settings are manually reentered using the TL-1 interface

14.11.5 BACKUPREST

This alarm condition indicates that the system is in the process of transferring the database file using FTP protocol. During this operation the database is locked and this alarm condition is raised to prevent the file from being accessed while it is being updated.

No action necessary, the alarm should clear on its own when the backup/restore operation is completed.

14.11.6 SFTWDOWN

This alarm condition indicates that the system is in the process of transferring the code image file using FTP protocol. During this operation the file is locked and this alarm condition is raised.

No action necessary, the alarm should clear on its own when the backup/restore operation is completed.

14.11.7 EQPT

This alarm condition indicates that a serious internal fault has occurred, such as a complete loss of communications on a critical internal communication buss.

Step 1 Attempt to clear this alarm by using an INIT-SYS command to reset the ONS 15216 EDFA3 software.

Step 2 Attempt to clear this alarm by power cycling the ONS 15216 EDFA3.

Step 3 If the above steps fail or if the alarm returns, replace the ONS 15216 EDFA3 with a spare and return the unit for service.

14.11.8 COMFAIL

This alarm condition indicates an intermittent loss of communications on the internal I2C communications buss that links the internal subassemblies in the ONS 15216 EDFA3. If this alarm persists, the ONS 15216 EDFA3 will issue the EQUP alarm described above.

The circuitry associated with internal I2C communications is not user serviceable. If this alarm persists, the ONS 15216 EDFA3 unit which exhibits the alarm must be replaced with a spare and returned for service.

14.11.9 CTMP, FTMP, L1TMP, L2TMP, L2BIASD,
L2BIASF, L1BIASD, L1BIASF

These alarm conditions indicate that the main EDFA optical amplifier subassembly is operating under conditions of excessive temperature or excessive laser bias current. As the pump laser temperature rises, the laser current will also rise due to the physical properties of the laser, so these alarms can be caused by environmental factors (ambient temperature out of range) or by the natural degradation of laser performance near the end of the lasers useful operating lifetime.

• CTMP Case Temperature Out Of Range
• FTMP Fiber Temperature Out Of Range
• L1TMP Excessive Pump 1 Temperature
• L1BIASD Laser 1 Bias Degrade
• L1BIASF Laser 1 Bias Fail L2TMP
• L2TMP Excessive Pump 2 Temperature
• L2BIASD Laser 2 Bias Degrade
• L2BIASF Laser 2 Bias Fail

Step 1 Verify that the ambient temperature in the area where the ONS 15216 EDFA3 is mounted is not near the upper or lower limits of the specified temperature range of 32 to 122 degrees F (0 to 50 degrees C).
Be sure to take into account local 'hot spots' created by mounting the equipment in a rack or cabinet in proximity with other equipment.

Step 2 Verify that excessive dust or other contamination has not built up on the front or rear heat sink assemblies.

Step 3 Verify that the ONS 15216 EDFA3 has been properly mounted in accordance with the ventilation and rack spacing requirements listed in the installation section of this manual and that cables or other objects are not obstructing ventilation to the front and rear heatsinks of the unit.

Step 4 If the above issues which can effect thermal performance check out ok, and the unit still shows any of the above alarm conditions indicating temperature or operating current above limits, then the pump lasers have degraded and the unit will need to be scheduled for replacement.

14.11.10 LINE1RXPWRFL

This alarm condition indicates that the optical power measured at the main input to the ONS 15216 EDFA3 has fallen below the lower failure threshold. This is a Critical Service Affecting alarm.

Warning Because invisible laser radiation may be emitted from the aperture of the port when no cable is connected, avoid exposure to laser radiation and do not stare into open apertures.

To clear the LINE1RXPWRFL alarm indication, proceed with the following steps:

Step 1 Verify that the optical input level has fallen below the failure threshold by making an independent measurement at the input to the ONS 15216 EDFA3 using a wavelength selective optical power meter or an optical spectrum analyzer.

Step 2 If the optical input power is confirmed to be below the failure threshold, troubleshoot the upstream fiber path feeding the ONS 15216 EDFA3.

Step 3 If the input optical power is normal, clean the input side optical connectors and recheck the LINE1RXpwr level using the RTRV-DWDM TL1 command.

Step 4 If the power reported by the ONS 15216 EDFA3 using the RTRV-DWDM command still does not agree with the actual optical power measured at the input connector to the ONS 15216 EDFA3, then the ONS15216 EDFA3 has an internal fault and must be replaced.

14.11.11 GAINDH, GAINDL

In CONSTANT GAIN mode, these alarm conditions indicate that the closed loop feedback system that adjusts the EDFA gain is having problems meeting the required gain set point.

Warning Because invisible laser radiation may be emitted from the aperture of the port when no cable is connected, avoid exposure to laser radiation and do not stare into open apertures.

To clear any of the above alarm indications proceed with the following steps:

Step 1 Verify that the input side optical signal is nominal using an optical spectrum analyzer or wavelength selective optical power meter (if the input optical signal is not normal correct the upstream fault).

Step 2 If the input optical signal levels are correct, clean the input side and DC port optical connectors

Step 3 If this alarm persists (with a normal optical input signal) after the optical port connectors have been cleaned, then the ONS15216 EDFA3 will have to be swapped for a spare and returned for service.

14.11.12 LINE1TXPWRFL, LINE1TXPWRDH, LINE1TXPWRDL

These alarm conditions indicate out of range optical power at the main optical output port.

• LINE1TXPWRFL Power Fail Low LINE1TX Port
• LINE1TXPWRDH Power Degrade High LINE1TX Port
• LINE1TXPWRDL Power Degrade Low LINE1TX Port

Warning Because invisible laser radiation may be emitted from the aperture of the port when no cable is connected, avoid exposure to laser radiation and do not stare into open apertures.

To clear any of the above alarm indications proceed with the following steps:

Step 1 Verify that the input side optical signal is nominal using an optical spectrum analyzer or wavelength selective optical power meter (if the input optical signal is not normal correct the upstream fault).

Step 2 If the input optical signal levels are correct, clean the input side and DC port optical connectors

Step 3 If this alarm persists (with a normal optical input signal) after the optical port connectors have been cleaned, then the ONS15216 EDFA3 will have to be swapped for a spare and returned for service.

14.11.13 LINE2RXPWRFL

The ONS 15216 EDFA3 has an optical input and output port midway between the amplifier stages. This allows a Dispersion Compensation (DC) unit to be inserted into the gain path midway between the two amplifier stages where it can provide optimal performance. This alarm condition indicates that the optical power returning to the EDFA3 from the intermediate Dispersion Compensation port is below the failure threshold. This alarm can be caused by a fault in the external DC unit or bypass attenuator cable.

Warning Because invisible laser radiation may be emitted from the aperture of the port when no cable is connected, avoid exposure to laser radiation and do not stare into open apertures.

To clear the LINE2RXPWRFL alarm indication proceed with the following steps:

Step 1 Verify that the input side optical signal is nominal using an optical spectrum analyzer or wavelength selective optical power meter (if the input optical signal is not normal correct the upstream fault).

Step 2 If the input optical signal levels are correct, clean the input side and DC port optical connectors

Step 3 Measure input and output optical levels for the optical components in the DC loop between DCTX and DCRX and verify that the insertion loss of the DC unit or bypass attenuator is correct.

Step 4 If this alarm persists (with a normal optical input signal) after the optical port connectors have been cleaned, then the ONS15216 EDFA3 will have to be swapped for a spare and returned for service.

14.11.14 VOADH, VOADL, VOAFH

These alarm conditions indicate that the internal electrically adjustable Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) is not able to achieve the required attenuation set point. The VOA is used along with adjustable pump laser power to optimize gain, tilt, and noise in the EDFA3. The system measures the input and output side optical signal levels of the VOA to confirm proper operation.

Warning Because invisible laser radiation may be emitted from the aperture of the port when no cable is connected, avoid exposure to laser radiation and do not stare into open apertures.

To clear VOADH, VOADL, or VOAFH alarm indications proceed with the following steps:

Step 1 Verify that the input side optical signal is nominal using an optical spectrum analyzer or wavelength selective optical power meter (if the input optical signal is not normal correct the upstream fault).

Step 2 If the input optical signal levels are correct, clean the input side and DC port optical connectors

Step 3 Measure input and output optical levels for the optical components in the DC loop between DCTX and DCRX and verify that the insertion loss of the DC unit or bypass attenuator is correct.

Step 4 If this alarm persists (with a normal optical input signal) after the optical port connectors have been cleaned, then the ONS15216 EDFA3 will have to be swapped for a spare and returned for service.