6.2.2. Analyzing Node Configuration Requirements

This step is for users in the following categories:

• Map File: all SCX users
• Data Streaming: all SCX users

For more information about user categories, see Section 6.2, Determining Installation Requirements.

In this step, you gather the configuration information for each node in the SCX160 SCxbus Adapter multi-node system in the Node Configuration Chart (Figure 35). The Node Configuration Chart provides an opportunity to collect all the information you need for configuring the SCX160 SCxbus Adapter. It also enables you to plan how each node will use time slots, data streaming, and TDM bus clocking. The following descriptions of each item in the chart provide the reference and conceptual information for planning and analysis:

• Sequential number of node: This number represents the number of the node in the sequence of nodes. The sequence is determined by the order in which each node is configured. When you run the software installation for each node, follow the order you record for each node.
• Network name of node: This value corresponds to the Windows machine name.
• BLT Interrupt: This value can be determined by examining the DCM BLTInterrupt parameter for any one of the boards installed in the system.
• BLT Address: This value can be determined by examining the DCM BLTAddress parameter for any one of the boards installed in the system.
• Map type: Check Global if the Scxmap.dat file will be kept on a network server accessible to each node during configuration and whenever a node is initialized. Check Local if each node has its own copy of the Scxmap.dat file, accessible only on that node's hard drive.
• Map file path: This item is for the path in which the Scxmap.dat file is kept, whether it is on a local or network drive.
• Backup map file path: This item is for the path in which the backup copy of the Scxmap.dat file is kept. A backup global map file is required in case the network directory cannot be accessed during boot time. Each node can have its own backup map file path.
• SCbus Clocking: See next item.
• SCxbus Clocking: In the typical configuration, one node in the multi-node system would provide clocking to all other nodes. This node is designated as the Master, and all other nodes would be designated as Slave. The SCX160 SCxbus Adapter in the master node would derive its clocking from a network interface on an SCbus board. The SCbus clocking on that node would be designated as Master. The SCbus on the slave nodes would derive their clocking from the SCX160 SCxbus Adapter, and hence would be designated as Slave. Additional configurations are possible; for more information, see the extensive discussion in the SCX160 SCxbus Adapter User's Guide.
• Time Slot Calculations: List each board in the system along with its BLT ID (see the DCM BLTId parameter for each board in the node) and the time slots required by each board.
• Total Node Time Slots: Add the time slots required by all boards.
• Total Blocked Time Slots: This number represents the number of time slots to be blocked from the SCxbus. These slots will be subtracted when deriving the subtotal.

  In a non-blocked data streaming configuration, all SCbus data streams (bundles of time slots) in each node are transmitted onto the SCxbus. All resources (voice, analog, digital) are available to any node within the multi-node system In this case, no time slots would be blocked.

  In a blocked data streaming configuration, some SCbus data streams are blocked from being transmitted onto the SCxbus. This option is necessary if the total time slot requirement of your multi-node system exceeds the 1024 time slot limitation of the SCxbus. In the blocked data streaming scenario, up to 4,096 time slots can be made available in the multi-node system. The resources for which the time slots are blocked can be shared locally within their local node, but not with other nodes. For additional information, see the SCX160 SCxbus Adapter User's Guide.

• Time Slots for Future Expansion: This number represents the time slots required by any additional hardware you plan to install in the future. More SCbus time slots than are actually required to support the installed boards may be reserved in bundles of 64 time slots (a data stream) so that additional boards can be added to a node without reconfiguring the system. This number will be added when the subtotal is calculated.
• Total Data Streams: The total data streams is the number you provide to the configuration utility. (If you are not blocking data streams or reserving time slots for future expansion, the number should be equal to that which is calculated by the configuration utility.) To derive this number, divide the subtotal by 64 and then round the quotient up to the next highest integer.

Figure 35. Node Configuration Chart

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