Maintaining the M7i FIC and FIC Cables and PICs and PIC Cables

Purpose

For optimum performance, verify the condition of the FIC and FIC cables and PICs and PIC cables.

Action

• Check the LEDs on the FIC faceplate. The Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet ports on the FIC have LEDs that display the status of the ports. For more information, see M7i Fixed Interface Card (FIC) Description.
• Check the LEDs on PIC faceplates. Most PIC faceplates have an LED labeled STATUS. Some PICs have additional LEDs, often one per port. The meaning of the LED states differs for various PICs. For more information, see the M7i Multiservice Edge Router PIC Guide.
• Issue the CLI show chassis fpc pic-status command. The following example specifies an FPC slot number (0), which is optional.
  
  

  user@host> show chassis fpc pic-status 0

  Slot 0 Online
    PIC 0    2x OC-3 ATM, MM
    PIC 1    2x CT3-NxDS0
    PIC 2    2x OC-3 ATM, MM

  For further description of the output from the command, see the Junos OS System Basics and Services Command Reference.

• Support cables to prevent them from dislodging or developing stress points.
• Place excess cable out of the way, using the cable management system on the rack. Do not allow fastened loops of cable to dangle from the ladder rack because this stresses the cable at the fastening point. Putting fasteners on the loops help to maintain their shape.
• Keep the cable connections clean and free of dust and other particles, which can cause drops in the received power level. Always inspect cables and clean them if necessary before connecting an interface.
• Label all interface cables to identify them, labeling each end of the cable the same.

The following guidelines apply specifically to fiber-optic cable:

• When you unplug a fiber-optic cable from a FIC or PIC, always place a rubber safety plug over the transceiver on the FIC or PIC faceplate and on the end of the cable.
• Anchor fiber-optic cable to avoid stress on the connectors. When attaching fiber to an interface, be sure to secure the fiber so it is not supporting its own weight as it hangs to the floor. Never let fiber-optic cable hang free from the connector.
• Avoid bending fiber-optic cable beyond its bend radius. An arc smaller than a few inches can damage the cable and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose.
• Frequent plugging and unplugging of fiber-optic cable into and out of optical instruments, such as ATM or SONET/SDH analyzers, can cause damage to the instruments that is expensive to repair. Instead, attach a short fiber extension to the optical equipment. Any wear and tear due to frequent plugging and unplugging is then absorbed by the short fiber extension, which is easy and inexpensive to replace.
• Keep fiber-optic cable connections clean. Small micro-deposits of oil and dust in the canal of the transceiver or cable connector can cause loss of light, reducing signal power and possibly causing intermittent problems with the optical connection.

  To clean the transceivers, use an appropriate fiber-cleaning device, such as RIFOCS 945/946 Fiber Optic Connector Cleaning System. Follow the directions for the cleaning kit you use.

  After you have cleaned the transceiver on the fiber-optic interface, make sure that the connector tip of the fiber-optic cable is clean. Use only an approved alcohol-free fiber-optic cable cleaning kit such as the Cletop - Cletop Reel-Type Cleaner – Part# CLETOP-RL. Follow the directions for the cleaning kit you use.