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Product Description: The Omnitronix Data-Link™ Pollable Remote Access Unit combines the functions of a high-capacity
SMDR buffer, a terminal server, a remote site manager and an SNMP proxy agent in one compact affordable unit.
As an SMDR buffer, the Data-Link collects and stores up to 32 MB of ASCII serial data in non-volatile solid state memory.
In its next version, soon to be released by Omnitronix, the Data-Link
will provide 64MB of memory capacity. The serial ports on the back
of the Data-Link can each be used for data collection from a different
RS232 serial source, and data input from each port is saved in separate
files in the unit's memory. Memory resources in the Data-Link are
dynamically assigned to each port on demand, rather than being partitioned
like disk drive memory. This ensures that one file won't fill up
and lose data while there is still available memory left in the
unit.
Collected data may be polled (transferred) via the built-in 33.6Kbps
modem or over a TCP/IP network through the Data-Link's built-in
10BaseT ethernet interface. Telnet or FTP protocols may be used,
and the Data-Link's "FTP-Push" feature allows the user
to program the unit to automatically download data to your existing
FTP server at time intervals ranging from every two minutes to every
4 hours.
As a terminal server, the Data-Link provides a single point
of access for system administrators responsible for remote equipment.
The serial ports on the unit are bi-directional, allowing a remote
administrator to Telnet to the Data-Link, specify a port number,
and gain access to connected serial devices for maintenance and
programming tasks. One common application of this function is maintaining
the various pieces of equipment in a remote phone room.
As a remote site manager, the Data-Link can analyze a serial
input stream to detect undesirable content. User-programmable fields
within individual data records can be set to activate an alarm when
specific conditions are met, or when certain patterns appear within
the input data at specific intervals. This feature is especially
useful in detecting toll fraud and telephone abuse. The Data-Link
also notifies you when systems go down, with the "No-Data Alarm"
feature - if no data is received from a specified source, within
specified time parameters, an alarm is generated. Alarms can be
generated either from serial strings received by the Data-Link or
from contact closures. The system administrator can be notified
of these alarms either by a serial message sent to a remote terminal,
an SNMP trap sent to an SNMP-based network management program, or
the Data-Link's modem can be programmed to call out to a pager number
and deliver a preconfigured alphanumeric message.
As an SNMP Proxy, the Data-Link generates SNMP traps from
serial input streams and contact closures. Environmental factors
such as someone opening a door or window can be set up to generate
a trap through the use of peripheral devices such as microswitches,
magnetic reed switches or motion sensors used in conjunction with
the contact closure feature. When serial input traps are sent, the
trap contains the serial string that caused the alarm.
Omnitronix has announced that a Windows-compatible Graphical User
Interface will be available for the Data-Link very soon, to make
this versatile product even easier for the end-user to configure
and program.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1- My Data-Link data collection hardware
is not storing data.
Possible remedies:
A) Check to see that the baud rate and word-parity settings match
that of the data stream that is coming out of the data source (PBX,
router, switch, etc). See the User's Manual of your specific product
for instructions on how to set these.
B) Verify that there is indeed data coming from the data source.
Verify that the CDR port on the switch or PBX is enabled. Consult
the status screen of the PBX, if so equipped, or check the manual
to ensure this is enabled.
C) Ensure you have a DCE-to-DTE connection with a straight-through
cable. Otherwise, if it's a DCE-DCE or DTE-DTE setup, you'll
need a null modem adapter or cable. If you don't know for sure,
call us and we'll walk you through it.
D) Ensure the buffer is set up for the correct End-of-Line character
(EOL) of the CDR being output by the switch.
E) Ensure any Data Filters set up in the unit are correct and match
the proper fields. Otherwise, unit might filter out all the data.
2- My Data-Link Data Collection unit
is storing data, but the data in the unit is illegible nonsense.
Possible remedies:
A) See 1A above.
B) Ensure COMPRESS function is off, otherwise, data will look all
scrunched up with small letters in lieu of spaces.
C) Ensure you are using LINE release mode. If it's in CBB mode,
it will be indecipherable.
3- The modem on my pollable Data-Link
buffer is not answering.
Possible remedies:
A) Make sure the phone line is good. Stick a phone on it, try to
dial it up and see if it answers.
B) Ensure RJ11 jack is securely plugged in.
C) Reset buffer and watch to see if the unit recognizes the modem
- watch to see if the CD/MDM light flashes. If so, try dialing in
again.
D) Ensure you don't have the dip switch for external modem
turned on. Check your manual to verify which switch this is on your
particular product.
E) Ensure you don't have other dip switches turned on that
may interfere with modem operation, such as the INLINE Xon/Xoff
release mode.
4- The modem is answering, but not
responding appropriately.
Possible remedies:
A) Ensure the word-parity settings of the communications program
you are using match those of the internal modem of the buffer.
B) Always wait for the appropriate answer string from the buffer
before trying to type in a password or command. For example, the
Pollsafe PS680 has default answer string of POLLSAFE PS680.
C) Ensure you type the password first(if they are turned on in the
unit) and get a READY prompt before sending commands to the buffer.
D) Check to see if you are using a modem with error-correction turned
on or off. If it is off and you connect to the buffer across a "dirty"
phone line, garbage characters will be generated which may cause
the unit to interpret them as commands. Or you won't be able
to give the password or commands to the buffer as the "line
noise" will overpower commands that you type. The solution
is to enable the error-correction in your modem, or get a new clean
phone line into the unit.
5- Unable to Poll Data?
Possible remedies:
A) Ensure there is data in unit and that is not garbage. For units
that have modems, dial into the buffer, set the PARTITION and the
release mode to LINE, then release some data and verify that it
looks right.
B) Ensure the correct release mode is being used for your polling
method. For example, if the software you are employing is polling
the buffer by Xmodem protocol, then the release mode in the unit
should be set for Xmodem as well.
C) Some polling software requires that Passwords be turned on in
the unit while others don't. Ensure this is set up correctly
for your software. Likewise, some polling software requires other
settings in the buffer to be set up in a certain way for polling.
Ensure these are set accordingly as well.
D) See 4d above. This can also cause polling to be aborted.
Passwords:
Two 16-character passwords per port, one for polling access
and one for pass-through access.
Modem Options:
One dialup modem supported, either 14.4 Kbps or 28.8 Kbps Internal
v.32BIS (optional via factory configuration), or one external modem
connected to I/O 2 (user supplied).
Network Interface Options:
One 10Base-T Ethernet Interface (optional via factory configuration).
Asynchronous I/O Ports:
(1) Asynchronous DTE DB25(F) for Input (I/O 1).
(1) Asynchronous DCE DB25(M) for Local Access and as a secondary Input Port (I/O 2).
(4) Asynchronous DTE DB9(F) for Input (I/O 3-6 optional).
Asynchronous Port Speeds:
Up to 19,200 Kbps.
Protocols Supported:
Xmodem, CBB, Telnet, FTP, SNMP, Asynchronous ASCII.
Storage Capacity:
From 256K up to 32 MB for data storage, dynamically allocated
between input ports. A new edition of the product slated for release
in the fourth quarter of 1998 will support up to 64MB storage capacity.
Data Compression:
Approximately 3:1 data compression on typical Call Detail Records.
Contact Closures:
(6) Contact Closure Inputs to a Common Ground. Requires screw
terminal adapter (optional).
Power Supply:
External Wall Transformer providing 12VAC at 1A. Specify US,
UK, EU, AUST, or other type required.
Data Preservation:
Data and configuration settings stored in flash memory plus
SRAM with battery backup for 2+ years.
LEDs:
Rxd In, Rxd Out, Txd Out, Dtr Out, Alm, CD, Net, 25%, 50%, 75%,
95%, 100%, Power.
Dimensions:
12 x 3.5 x 8.75 inches; Shipping Weight: 8 Lbs.
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