Setting Up The Routing Mode - Ross Ultricore RCP-ME User Manual

Setting up the Routing Mode

The RCP-ME can be configured for one of two routing modes:
• Physical mode — the input (or output) label 1 refers to input socket #1 on the rear of a physical router. Input
label #2 refers directly to input socket #2 and so on. The label number or row, maps directly to the input or output
physical connection number of a router.
• Logical (or virtual) routing mode — the input (or output) label 1 may refer to one or more physical inputs (or
outputs). These inputs can be any of the physical router inputs; the label number or row does not relate
one-to-one with the physical inputs and outputs of the router. A 'map' in the control system relates a source or
destination label with one or more physical inputs or outputs.
An NK series routing system without an NK-VRC can only use physical mode. The switch commands from the
RCP-ME are dealt with directly by the NK routers themselves.
An Ultricore Series system or an NK system with NK-VRC uses virtual (logical) routing and 'Virtual Routing' must
be enabled for the RCP-ME to function in these setups. The switch command from the RCP-ME is interpreted by
the source and destination maps held within the Ultricore control system active database or the NK-VRC device.
Once the logical source or destination has been received from the RCP-ME, the control system queries the map to
ascertain the physical router connections involved in the switch command, then forward the physical switch
commands to the router/s for execution.
Additionally, resource management may be implemented on the NK-VRC to manage routing of different signal
types between one or more routers using external resources. If using resource management, assigning a de-assign to
a button will allow the user to park the resource inputs and outputs and de-allocate the resource to be used in other
routes.
For More Information on...
• setting up and using an NK-VRC see the NK-VRC Virtual Routing Core User Guide.
Using Resource Management
If the RCP-ME is installed in an NK series only system (e.g. no Ultricore or Ultrix present), resource management
may be configured providing an NK-VRC is configured with the routing system. Resource management allows the
routing of different source and destinations via an external resource. The resource may be a signal type conversion
or some other processing unit. It may also be a tie-line - a signal cable that connects one part of the routing system
to another.
To enable logical (virtual) routing
1. Open the RCP-ME Panel Config interface (see "To open the RCP-ME Panel Config interface" on page 22).
2. Select the Configuration tab.
3. In the Configuration section, select the Virtual Routing Enabled check box. (You may need to scroll to the
bottom of the tab to view this check box.)
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If the RCP-ME detects a connection to an Ultricore Central Controller or an Ultrix router, this option will
automatically be selected.
4. Send the current configuration file to the device (see "To send the current configuration to a panel" on
page 74).
De-Assigning Resources
De-assigning resources can be done in two ways:
• Route a different source to that destination that does not require a resource. The assigned resource will
automatically be de-assigned.
• Use the de-assign button.
26 • Getting Started RCP-ME User Guide (v4.0)