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Maintaining MX104 Interface Modules

Maintaining the MX104 MICs and Network Ports

Purpose

For optimum performance, verify the condition of the network ports.

Action

On a regular basis:

  • Check the port LEDs. The meaning of the LED states differs for various uplink ports. For more information, see MX104 LEDs Overview. If the router detects a port failure, the router generates an alarm message to be sent to the Routing Engine.

    A green status LED indicates that the port is functioning normally.

  • From the CLI, issue the show chassis fpc pic-status command.

Meaning

Online is displayed in the second column if a MIC is functioning normally.

For further description of the output from the command, see the show chassis fpc command summary in the CLI Explorer.

See Also

Replacing an MX104 MIC

Removing an MX104 MIC

MICs are hot-insertable and hot-removable. When you remove a MIC, the router continues to function, although the MIC interfaces being removed no longer function.

In the MX104 router, the MICs can be installed in four slots in the front of the router. A MIC weighs less than 2 lb (0.9 kg).

To remove a MIC (see Figure 1):

  1. Place an electrostatic bag or antistatic mat on a flat, stable surface to receive the MIC. If the MIC connects to fiber-optic cable, have ready a rubber safety cap for each transceiver and cable.
  2. Attach an ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the other end of the strap to an ESD grounding point.
  3. Use one of the following methods to take the MIC offline:

    • Press its online/offline button. Use a narrow-ended tool that fits inside the opening that leads to the button. Press and hold the button until the MIC OK/FAIL LED goes off (about five seconds).

    • Issue the following CLI command:

  4. Label the cables connected to the MIC so that you can later reconnect each cable to the correct MIC.
  5. Disconnect the cables from the MIC. If the MIC uses a fiber-optic cable, immediately cover each transceiver and the end of each cable with a rubber safety cap.
    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 a transceiver emit laser light that can damage your eyes.

    CAUTION:

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

  6. Arrange the cable to prevent it from dislodging or developing stress points. Secure the cable so that it is not supporting its own weight as it hangs to the floor. Place excess cable out of the way in a neatly coiled loop.
    CAUTION:

    Avoid bending a fiber-optic cable beyond its minimum bend radius. An arc smaller than a few inches in diameter can damage the cable and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose.

  7. Loosen the captive screw on the cover that is adjacent to the MIC that you are removing. Swing the cover away from the MIC to expose the handles.
  8. Grasp the handles on either side of the MIC faceplate, and slide the MIC out of the chassis. Place the MIC in the electrostatic bag or on the antistatic mat.
  9. If you are not reinstalling a MIC into the emptied MIC slot within a short time, install a blank MIC panel over the slot to maintain proper airflow in the chassis card cage.
Figure 1: Removing a MICRemoving a MIC

Installing an MX104 MIC

To install a MIC (see Figure 2):

  1. Attach an ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the other end of the strap to an ESD grounding point.
  2. If the MIC uses fiber-optic cable, verify that a rubber safety cap is over each transceiver on the faceplate. Install a cap if necessary.
  3. Loosen the captive screw on the cover that is adjacent to the MIC slot. Swing the cover away from the MIC slot.
  4. Align the rear of the MIC with the guides located at the corners of the MIC slot.
  5. Slide the MIC into the MIC slot until it is firmly seated in the chassis.
    CAUTION:

    Slide the MIC straight into the slot to avoid damaging the components on the MIC.

  6. Swing the cover into place so that it sits over the MIC handle on one side.
  7. Tighten the captive screw on the cover.
  8. If the MIC uses fiber-optic cable, remove the rubber safety cap from each transceiver and the end of each cable.
    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 a transceiver emit laser light that can damage your eyes.

    CAUTION:

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

  9. Insert the appropriate cables into the cable connectors on the MIC.
  10. Arrange each cable to prevent the cable from dislodging or developing stress points. Secure the cable so that it is not supporting its own weight as it hangs to the floor. Place excess cable out of the way in a neatly coiled loop.
    CAUTION:

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

    CAUTION:

    Avoid bending a fiber-optic cable beyond its minimum bend radius. An arc smaller than a few inches in diameter can damage the cable and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose.

  11. Bring the MIC online by issuing the following CLI command:

    The normal functioning status LED confirms that the MIC is online. You can also verify correct MIC functioning by issuing the show chassis fpc pic-status command described in Maintaining the MX104 MICs and Network Ports.

Figure 2: Installing a MICInstalling a MIC

See Also

Replacing an MX104 Transceiver

Small form-factor pluggable transceivers (SFPs) are optical transceivers that are installed in the front panel of the MX104 router. Transceivers are hot-insertable and hot-removable.

Removing an MX104 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 3):

  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 ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the other end of the strap to an ESD grounding point.
  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 cables 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 3: 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.

See Also

Installing an MX104 Transceiver

To install a transceiver:

  1. Attach an ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the other end of the strap to an ESD grounding point.
  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 cables 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 the MX104 LEDs Overview.

See Also

Maintaining Cables That Connect to MX104 Network Ports

Purpose

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

Action

On a regular basis:

  • Use the cable management bracket to support cables and prevent cables from dislodging or developing stress points.

  • Place excess cable out of the way in the cable management bracket. Do not allow fastened loops of cable to dangle from the connector or cable management bracket, 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