Testing Interfaces
Testing interfaces allows you to troubleshoot problems and to check the quality of links at various layers in the interface stack. The router supports the following test options:
- Transmission of BERT patterns to remote devices
- Local loopbackLoops the data back toward the router; on supported line modules, also sends an alarm indication signal (AIS) out toward the network
- Network loopbackLoops the data toward the network before the data reaches the frame
- Payload loopbackLoops the data toward the network after the framer processes the data
- Remote loopbackProvides the ability to:
Sending BERT Patterns
The router can send BERT patterns from different layers in the interface stack on frame-based T3 interfaces.
For a list of the modules that support bit error rate tests, see ERX Module Guide, Appendix A, Module Protocol Support.
- Select a controller.
host1(config)#controller t3 3/2- Configure a specific layer in the interface to generate BERT patterns.
host1(config-controll)#bert pattern 2^11 interval 10For information about BERT patterns, see References.
bert
- Use to enable bit error rate tests using the specified pattern on a T3 interface.
- Unlike other configuration commands, bert is not stored in NVRAM.
- Specify one of the following test patterns:
- 0sRepetitive test pattern of all zeros, 00000...
- 1sRepetitive test pattern of all ones, 11111...
- 2^9Pseudorandom test pattern, 511 bits in length
- 2^11Pseudorandom test pattern, 2047 bits in length
- 2^15Pseudorandom test pattern, 32,767 bits in length
- 2^20Pseudorandom test pattern, 1,048,575 bits in length
- 2^20-QRSSPseudorandom QRSS test pattern, 1,048,575 bits in length
- 2^23Pseudorandom test pattern, 8,388,607 bits in length
- alt-0-1Repetitive alternating test pattern of zeros and ones, 01010101...
host1(config-controll)#bert pattern 2^11 interval 10Use the no version to stop the test that is running. Enabling Local, Network, and Payload Loopback
To enable local, network, or payload loopback testing of a T3 or E3 line, use the clock source and loopback commands from Controller Configuration mode.
- Change the clock source to internal.
host1(config-controll)#clock source internal module- Specify a loopback.
host1(config-controll)#loopback localEnabling Remote Loopback
You can enable remote loopback capability on frame-based T3 interfaces configured to use C-bit framing. Remote loopback is not supported on E3 ATM, E3 FRAME, and T3 ATM interfaces.
For a list of the modules that support remote loopback, see ERX Module Guide, Appendix A, Module Protocol Support.
- Change the clock source to internal.
host1(config-controll)#clock source internal module- Ensure that the line is configured to use C-bit framing, which is the default for frame-based T3 interfaces.
host1(config-controll)#framing c-bit- Configure one of the following loopback tests:
- Set the loopback to remote to request that a remote device connected on a T3 interface enter into a loopback.
host1(config-controll)#loopback remoteConfigure the T3 interface to enable or disable the ability to enter into a loopback initiated by a remote device, as follows:
- Issue the equipment customer loopback command to enable the router to enter into loopback when it receives an appropriate signal from the remote device.
host1(config-controll)#equipment customer loopbackIssue the equipment network loopback command to disable the ability to enter into loopback initiated by a remote device. host1(config-controll)#equipment network loopbackequipment loopback
- Use to enable or disable the router's ability to enter into a loopback initiated by a remote device connected on a T3 interface.
NOTE: Remote loopback is available only on frame-based T3 interfaces configured to use C-bit framing.
- Specify one of the following loopback options:
- customerEnables the router to enter into loopback when it receives an appropriate signal from the remote interface
- networkDisables the router's ability to enter into loopback when it receives an appropriate signal from the remote interface
host1(config-controll)#equipment customer loopbackhost1(config-controll)#equipment network loopbackUse the no version to disable the router's ability to be placed in loopback by the remote device. loopback
- localLoops the data back toward the router; on supported line modules, also sends an alarm indication signal (AIS) out toward the network
- networkLoops the data toward the network before the framer processes the data
- payloadLoops the data toward the network after the framer processes the data
- remoteSends a far end alarm code in the C-bit framing, as defined in ANSI T1.404, to notify the remote end to activate or (when you use the no version) deactivate the line loopback
NOTE: Remote loopback is available only on frame-based T3 interfaces configured to use C-bit framing.
host1(config-controll)#loopback localUse the no version to restore the default configuration, no loopback.