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Maintaining ACX2200 Components

Routine Maintenance Procedures for the ACX2200 Router

Purpose

For optimum router performance, perform preventive maintenance procedures.

Action

  • Inspect the installation site for moisture, loose wires or cables, and excessive dust. Make sure that airflow is unobstructed around the router and into the air intake vents.

  • Check the status-reporting devices on the font panel—system LED.

Maintaining Cables That Connect to ACX2200 Network Ports

Purpose

For optimum router performance, verify the condition of the cables that connect to the network ports.

Action

On a regular basis:

  • Place excess cable out of the way. Do not allow fastened loops of cable to dangle from the connector, because this stresses the cable at the fastening point. Putting fasteners on the loops helps 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 both ends of the cables to identify them.

The following guidelines apply specifically to fiber-optic cables:

  • When you unplug a fiber-optic cable, always place a rubber safety plug over the transceiver on the faceplate and on the end of the cable.

  • Anchor fiber-optic cables to avoid stress on the connectors. Be sure to secure fiber-optic cables so that they do not support their own weight as they hang 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 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 microdeposits of oil and dust in the canal of the transceiver or cable connector could 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 Fiber Optic Adaptor Cleaning Wands (part number 946). Follow the directions for the cleaning kit you use.

After you clean an optical transceiver, 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 Opptex Cletop-S Fiber Cleaner. Follow the directions for the cleaning kit you use.

See Also

Replacing ACX2200 Hardware Components

Replacing an ACX2200 Console or Auxiliary Cable

Removing an ACX2200 Console or Auxiliary Cable

To remove a serial cable connected to a console or auxiliary device:

  1. Attach an ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
  2. Press the tab on the connector, and pull the connector straight out of the CONSOLE/AUX port. Figure 1 shows the connector.
  3. Disconnect the cable from the console or auxiliary device.
Figure 1: Ethernet Cable ConnectorsEthernet Cable Connectors

Installing an ACX2200 Console or Auxiliary Cable

The CONSOLE/AUX port on the front panel of the router accepts an RS-232 (EIA-232) serial cable with RJ-45 connectors.

To connect a cable between the router and the console or auxiliary device:

  1. Attach an ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
  2. Connect one end of the replacement cable into the CONSOLE/AUX port.
  3. Plug the other end of the cable into the device's serial port.

Replacing an ACX2200 Management Ethernet Cable

Removing an ACX2200 Management Ethernet Cable

To remove a serial cable connected to a management device:

  1. Attach an ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
  2. Press the tab on the connector, and pull the connector straight out of the MGMT port. Figure 2 shows the connector.
  3. Disconnect the cable from the network device.
Figure 2: Ethernet Cable ConnectorsEthernet Cable Connectors

Installing an ACX2200 Management Ethernet Cable

To install a serial cable connected to a management device:

  1. Attach an ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
  2. Plug one end of the replacement cable into the appropriate MGMT port.
  3. Plug the other end of the cable into the network device.

Replacing an ACX2200 Fiber-Optic Cable

Disconnecting an ACX2200 Fiber-Optic Cable

ACX Series routers have field-replaceable unit (FRU) optical transceivers to which you can connect fiber-optic cables.

Before you begin disconnecting a fiber-optic cable from an optical transceiver installed in an ACX Series router, ensure that you have taken the necessary precautions for safe handling of lasers (see Radiation from Open Port Apertures Warning and Laser and LED Safety Guidelines and Warnings).

Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available:

  • A rubber safety cap to cover the transceiver

  • A rubber safety cap to cover the fiber-optic cable connector

To disconnect a fiber-optic cable from an optical transceiver installed in the router:

  1. Disable the port in which the transceiver is installed by issuing the command:
    Laser Warning:

    Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the ends of fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic transceivers and fiber-optic cables connected to transceivers emit laser light that can damage your eyes.

  2. Carefully unplug the fiber-optic cable connector from the transceiver.
  3. Cover the transceiver with a rubber safety cap.
    Laser Warning:

    Do not leave a fiber-optic transceiver uncovered except when inserting or removing a cable. The rubber safety cap keeps the port clean and prevents accidental exposure to laser light.

  4. Cover the fiber-optic cable connector with the rubber safety cap.

Connecting an ACX2200 Fiber-Optic Cable

Before you begin connecting a fiber-optic cable to an optical transceiver installed in a router, ensure that you have taken the necessary precautions for safe handling of lasers (see Radiation from Open Port Apertures Warning and Laser and LED Safety Guidelines and Warnings).

ACX Series routers have field-replaceable unit (FRU) optical transceivers to which you can connect fiber-optic cables.

To connect a fiber-optic cable to an optical transceiver installed in an ACX Series router:

Laser Warning:

Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the ends of fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic transceivers and fiber-optic cables connected to transceivers emit laser light that can damage your eyes.

  1. If the fiber-optic cable connector is covered by a rubber safety cap, remove the cap. Save the cap.
  2. Remove the rubber safety cap from the optical transceiver. Save the cap.
  3. Insert the cable connector into the optical transceiver (see Figure 3).
    Figure 3: Connecting a Fiber-Optic Cable to an Optical Transceiver Installed in an ACX Series RouterConnecting a Fiber-Optic Cable to an Optical Transceiver Installed in an ACX Series Router
  4. Secure the cables so that they are not supporting their own weight. Place excess cable out of the way in a neatly coiled loop. Placing fasteners on a loop helps cables maintain their shape.
    CAUTION:

    Do not bend fiber-optic cables beyond their minimum bend radius. An arc smaller than a few inches in diameter can damage the cables and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose.

    Do not let fiber-optic cables hang free from the connector. Do not allow fastened loops of cables to dangle, which stresses the cables at the fastening point.

Replacing an ACX2200 Transceiver

Removing an ACX2200 Transceiver

Removing a transceiver does not interrupt router functioning, but the removed transceiver no longer receives or transmits data.

To remove a transceiver (see Figure 4):

  1. Have ready a replacement transceiver or a transceiver slot plug, an antistatic mat, and a rubber safety cap for the transceiver.
  2. Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
  3. Label the cables connected to the transceiver so that you can reconnect them correctly later.
    Laser Warning:

    Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the ends of fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic transceivers and fiber-optic cable connected to a transceiver emit laser light that can damage your eyes.

  4. Remove the cable connector from the transceiver.
  5. Pull the ejector handle out from the transceiver to unlock the transceiver.
    CAUTION:

    Make sure that you open the ejector handle completely until you hear it click. This action prevents damage to the transceiver.

    Use needlenose pliers to pull the ejector handle out from the transceiver.

  6. Grasp the transceiver ejector handle, and pull the transceiver approximately 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) out of the router.
  7. Using your fingers, grasp the body of the transceiver, and pull it the rest of the way out of the router.
    Figure 4: Removing TransceiversRemoving Transceivers
  8. Place a rubber safety cap over the transceiver.
  9. Place the removed transceiver on an antistatic mat or in an electrostatic bag.
CAUTION:

After removing a transceiver from the chassis, wait at least 30 seconds before reinserting it or inserting a transceiver into a different slot.

Installing an ACX2200 Transceiver

To install a transceiver:

  1. Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
  2. Take each transceiver to be installed out of its electrostatic bag, and identify the slot on the component where it will be installed.
  3. Verify that each transceiver is covered by a rubber safety cap. If it is not, cover the transceiver with a safety cap.
  4. Carefully align the transceiver with the slots in the component. The connectors should face the component.
  5. Slide the transceiver until the connector is seated in the component slot. If you are unable to fully insert the transceiver, make sure the connector is facing the right way.
  6. Close the ejector handle of the transceiver.
  7. Remove the rubber safety cap from the transceiver and the end of the cable. Insert the cable into the transceiver.
    Laser Warning:

    Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the ends of fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic transceivers and fiber-optic cable connected to a transceiver emit laser light that can damage your eyes.

  8. Verify that the status LEDs on the front panel indicate that the transceiver is functioning correctly. For more information about the component LEDs, see LEDs on ACX2200 Routers.

See Also