Poll-Only Tributary Feature; Protocol Modes - Paradyne COMSPHERE 6800 Series Communications Products Support Configuration Manual

Poll-Only Tributary Feature

The Poll-Only Tributary feature is a 4400 Series Analog Private Line (APL) modem configured as
a tributary modem and used for diagnostic polling expansion (i.e., it is used to expand polling
capabilities on the network). It may be identified as Model 4434-02 or Model 4444-02 APL
modem.
The Poll-Only Tributary can poll an additional 256 devices on its DC poll list. These polled
devices may be any device that supports Paradyne's Advanced Diagnostic protocol (ADp). For
more information on the Poll-Only Tributary feature refer to the COMSPHERE 6800 Series
Network Management System Installation and Maintenance Guide.

Protocol Modes

NMS manages devices by communicating in one of two protocols, depending on the configuration
of each individual diagnostic tree. A diagnostic tree consists of the head control device and all
downstream devices connected to it diagnostically. Each control device on the control channel,
along with all its downstream devices, represents one diagnostic network. The protocol used by a
diagnostic network is determined by the types of devices on the network. If all devices are
COMSPHERE devices, ADp protocol may be used. If any device is a DATAPHONE II type, the
DATAPHONE II protocol must be used. Different diagnostic networks on the same control
channel may operate in different protocols. When COMSPHERE devices are in DATAPHONE II
mode, some commands and functions operate differently than when the devices are in ADp mode.
The 6800 Series NMS allows you to monitor circuits and equipment in real time, to invoke
diagnostic tests, to set thresholds for alert reporting and speed changes, and to design your own
applications for the general purpose external leads.
The 6800 Series NMS diagnostic system extends outward from the local control modems to
tributary modems and beyond to downstream links. This diagnostic system transports network
control, monitoring, and testing information between devices, and between these devices and the
NMS. Several channels are used to pass the diagnostic information. These channels are described
as follows:
Control Channel (CC)
Secondary Channel (SC)
Diagnostic Channel (DC)
The diagnostic system is divided into two diagnostic network types according to the device family
(DATAPHONE II and/or COMSPHERE) represented in the network.
6800-A2-GB20-20
NMS uses the control channel to communicate with control devices that are located at the
head of the network tree.
Most devices incorporate a secondary channel that sends diagnostic information over the
transmission line used by the primary data system. This channel connects a control
modem with its downstream tributary modems.
Hardware connections between co-located devices in an extended network. The
diagnostic channel connects tributary modems to extended control modems or to other
tributary modems.
January 1997
Managing Modems and DSUs
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