USR MPi16 and MPi8

Bill Butler (bill@telalink.net)
Tue, 10 Sep 96 17:53:35 -0500

Just wanted to let everyone on this list know about the problems that
they may experience with these ISDN/Analog modem pools. Briefly, the
MPi16 accepts 8 BRI's (16 B channels) and has 16 serial connections that
plug into the back of the portmasters. The portmasters then talk to the
rack mounted boxes like a bunch of modems, each one individually
configurable. The "modems" have the capability to answer as either ISDN
or Analog.

Problem 1:

Occasionally, a B channel will get stuck in USERNAME mode on the
portmaster with the green light indicating modem activity/connection on
the front panel. This is a bug inthe USR code. We have noticed it since
June when we purchased the product and have been working with USR since
then to solve the problem. USR admits that there is a bug and we have
been working with a high level Tech, Mark Mann 847-933-5776 in an effort
to identify and solve the problem. We ahve received several revisions of
code none of which have solved the problem. The only way to unstick the
port is to attach to the adjacent channel and issue ATs13=128. Or you can
reboot the whole USR.

Problem 2:

Occasionally, ISDN will stop taking initiating PPP after the call is
answered. Issuing an ATZ to the port solves the problem. We set up a
program that monitors the pm logs looking for an instance of ppp_sync
faled. When we see that error the program grabs the appropriate port and
issues an atz to the port rectifying the problem.

That's it for the record. If you read this in a FAQ then make sure you
look for a followup on this topic. With any luck, this bug will be gone
by the time you are reading it. As a benchmark, the beta code that we are
playing with is 9.9.4 so if your code is newer than this you are set.

--

Bill Butler Bill@Telalink.Net President, Chief Operating Officer 615.321.9100 ext.230 Key fingerprint = 11 B6 5E FB 6C 9C 3A 54 EB 6D 57 5E D4 13 6D 38