Hub configuration from the Web Browser
- Line Status: Shows current Telco Line status. Access to Telco configuration pages for Protocol and Trunk config. When the Telco Line is configured properly the status should show GREEN. Details on configuring the PRI can be found in Part 3 of this document.
- System options: used to set up the system parameters (IP address, Hub name, Advertise port)
Default IP address is 192.168.21.1
Default Host name is 2101Hub
Default subnet is 255.255.255.0
Advertise Port is 8100. All studio I/Os, by default, are set to 8100. If this is changed in the hub the I/O’s will NOT be able to communicate with the Hub and NO calls will be received. This information is useful for customers having multiple hubs sharing the same Ethernet network but want the hubs to act independently from each other. To make this work the Studio I/O’s need to have their advertise ports changed to match via a telnet command.
- Show Configuration: Creation of shows for studios to access. Create 12 or 24 line shows for I/O’s.
Rules- Enter the same numbers as programmed into the Trunk Config. No spaces or hyphens used.
When creating “shared” hunt groups between various shows or sharing same DID’s between shows that will be running SIMULTANEOUSLY (such as Warm and HOT Line numbers), the DID numbers MUST fall on the same Line Appearance on each Desktop Director. (ie. Shows A and B share a hunt group of DID 1111 across lines 1-5 and HotLine 1150 on line 12.) Shifting the hunt group by 1 or more line appearances on the DD or moving the HOT line to a different line appearance on the DD will cause inbound calls to ring on one Studio I/O and not the other.
Show NAMES must also follow the KISS principle. Short, simple and NO SPECIAL characters, especially NO SPACES. Show names with spaces can be seen on the DD’s but can NEVER be selected. It is recommended for studios that only need one set of numbers at all times to have a 2nd show called NOLINES with no phone numbers programmed in the show. All studios should have at least 2 shows to select from. This is to allow the I/O the ability to unload a show then reload it. Attempts to “load” a show that is already loaded will not refresh the I/O’s NVRAM. This is an important troubleshooting tool.
- Studio Configuration: Adding Studio I/O’s and assigning rights to what shows they are allowed to load. Any studios that only need one show should be assigned a NOLINES show option to have the ability to reload a show.
- User manager: Used to create AP accounts. ALL users must log into the hub for screening calls. Every user MUST have a unique login name. Create them here.
- Security: Changes password to Web Browser.
- Software Update: Web Pages to update 2101 Application software and change the operating bank. Primary Bank is typically used for running the current stable software. Secondary Bank is typically used for software updates to test and be sure the system is stable BEFORE committing the software to the PRIMARY bank. The REBOOT option is available in this page. This option RESTARTS the 2101 application only. Use this option to restart the 2101 when making changes to the Protocol settings for the PRI/T1 card. Changes to the system settings such as the IP address require a HARDWARE reboot. Press the button on the front panel of the hub. Details on updating the software can be found in Part-4.
- Configuration Management: Used to save current registry settings, load original configurations, and resetting hub to default settings. Follow the instructions on the web pages for saving and updating the configuration of the hub to/from a workstation. Note: Saved web page settings from previous versions of Web Browsers are likely NOT compatible, particularly from ver 1.x to 2.x. The pages are formatted differently
See Part III of the 2101 User’s manual for more information.
2101 Studio I/O unit configuration
There are four general menus accessible for the 2101 Studio unit settings:
- AUDIO
- TELCO
- SYSTEM
- STATUS
These are all accessible by the keys located below the LCD front panel.
Audio
Here are the basic settings to deal with first when configuring the Studio I/O:
- Input source: Analog / Digital. Select the appropriate input.
- AES Out Sync (when using Digital IN/OUT)
- ROUTING is the mixing of the audio between Hybrids. The two most popular choices are SEPARATE (in other words, no mix is performed between the two Hybrids) and MIX WIDE. Use SEPARATE if there are 2 independent Mix Minus feeds to the Studio I/O. Use MIX WIDE if there is only 1 Mix Minus Feed available. Use MIX MONO if the customer only has one input available on the console for caller audio.
- Check that Feed Thru 1 and Feed Thru 2 are OFF. If this is ON you can have feedback issues. This is only used for R&D purposes. Option may have been removed in later software releases.
NOTE: it is also important to check the view meters level, especially STUDIO IN. A too high input level might prevent the Hybrid from working correctly. Keep the input audio out of the RED. If the input levels are greater than +4dBu a pad may be required (10dB pad works well).
Telco
This menu gives a status of the different TELCO boards plugged into the Studio unit. Therefore is also important to set up the correct Telco protocol:
- AT&T for North America
- ETS300 for Europe
System
This is the most complex menu, used to set up the system:
TCP/IP setup
- IP address. Enter an IP address within the SAME range as the Hub. By default the I/O address for the Hybrids starts at 192.168.21.10 and go up. Changing the IP address should cause the unit to automatically reboot. You may want to change the IP address LAST when updating this menu section.
- Subnet mask. Typically 255.255.255.0
- Hostname. This must be unique between all Studio I/O’s. NEVER use special characters or spaces in Hostnames. Always apply the KISS principle when assigning names. You will need to program this name into the Hub Configuration at some point too.
- DNS- <optional> Not required if this unit doesn’t get its updates from the outside world or if your FTP site entry is always a numerical IP address.
- Gateway- <optional>. Same reasoning.
WARNING: the Hub “talks” to the Studio I/Os by using their HOSTNAME (not their IP address)! Thus, it is important not to choose the same name for different Studio I/Os.
Software Update
- FTP site: Location where update software can be retrieved. NOTE: An update process is possible only when the unit is operating from the PRIMARY BANK. Details on software updates are in Part-4.
- Other settings as CONTRAST, BACKLIGHT, SERIAL BITRATE…
This menu also includes the SOFTWARE REBOOT function.
NOTE: if using the serial connection (RS232), do not forget to select the correct bitrate being used.
Status
Shows a status of ALL boards plugged into the Studio I/O: DD boards, Telco boards. Press the DOWN arrow to access the various screens within this menu. Concerning the DD boards, a DIAGNOSTIC menu is accessible. With this capability it is possible to notice any type of error that would occur in the DD connection. In the SLOT x - STATUS menu, the number of errors represents the number of packets lost. Up to 1 or 2, the system works fine (this is due to the first DD connection when powering up the system). If there is more than that number, a hardware issue might be the cause.
NOTE: Any changes to the configuration will cause the system to write to the Non Volatile RAM. The MEMORY button LED will blink when data is written into NVRAM. DO NOT POWER DOWN THE I/O until the memory write process is completed. Failure to heed this warning can cause loss of your saved settings or worse, corruption of the SIMM module. Wait until the memory LED stops flashing before cycling power on the unit.
See Part IV of the 2101 User’s manual for additional information.
Extended Hybrid configuration
There are four general menus accessible for the 2101 Studio unit settings:
- AUDIO
- TELCO
- SYSTEM
- STATUS
These are all accessible by the keys located below the LCD front panel.
Audio
Here are the basic settings to deal with first when configuring the Studio I/O:
- Input source: Analog / Digital. Select the appropriate input.
- AES Out Sync (when using Digital IN/OUT)
- ROUTING is the mixing of the audio between Hybrids. The two most popular choices are SEPARATE (in other words, no mix is performed between the two Hybrids) and MIX WIDE. Use SEPARATE if there are 2 independent Mix Minus feeds to the Studio I/O. Use MIX WIDE if there is only 1 Mix Minus Feed available. Use MIX MONO if the customer only has one input available on the console for caller audio.
- Check that Feed Thru 1 and Feed Thru 2 are OFF. If this is ON you can have feedback issues. This is only used for R&D purposes. This option may have been removed in later software releases.
NOTE: it is also important to check the view meters level, especially STUDIO IN. A too high input level might prevent the Hybrid from working correctly. Keep the input audio out of the RED. If the input levels are greater than +4dBu a pad may be required (10dB pad works well).
Telco
This menu gives a status of the different TELCO boards plugged into the Studio unit. Therefore is also important to set up the correct Telco protocol:
- For the Extended Hybrid- A-Law for Europe and Mu-Law for North America
System
TCP/IP setup
- IP address. Extended Hybrids do not need to be connected to the 2101 Ethernet network for operation. Only assign an IP address when updating the unit’s software.
- Subnet mask. Typically 255.255.255.0
- DNS- <optional> Not required if this unit doesn’t get its updates from the outside world or if your FTP site entry is always a numerical IP address.
- Gateway- <optional>. Same reasoning.
Software Update
- FTP site: Location where update software can be retrieved. NOTE: An update process is possible only when the unit is operating from the PRIMARY BANK. Details on software updates are in Part-4.
- Other settings as CONTRAST, BACKLIGHT, SERIAL BITRATE…
This menu also includes the SOFTWARE REBOOT function.
Status
Shows a status of ALL boards plugged into the Studio I/O.
Connection of the Extended Hybrid is thru the S interface port on the ISDN card to an available Desktop Director Port on the main hybrid unit using a regular CAT 5e cable. Audio connections must also be made for input and output audio. No Ethernet control is required. Control is done via the S interface. If the customer needs more than 2 DD’s to control the hybrids there must be a second DD card installed in the Studio I/O for this to work properly function.
Currently only 12 Line shows loaded to an Extended Desktop Director can route callers to the Extended Hybrid. I/Os running 24 Line shows cannot access the Extended Hybrid. If you need 24 lines and 4 hybrids then you need to convert the Extended Hybrid to a Studio I/O and run it with the same 24 line show complete with its own DD’s to control it.
NOTE: Any changes to the configuration will cause the system to write to the Non Volatile RAM. The MEMORY button LED will blink when data is written into NVRAM. DO NOT POWER DOWN THE I/O until the memory write process is completed. Failure to heed this warning can cause loss of your saved settings or worse, corruption of the SIMM module. Wait until the memory LED stops flashing before cycling power on the unit.
See Part V of the 2101 User’s manual for more information.
Desktop Director configuration
Not much to configure on the Desktop Directors. Basically there are two main menus to concern yourself with:
- Choose a show
- Director mode: Producer (not allowed to send any caller to the Hybrids) and Talent (send callers to the Hybrid)
Only ONE show can be running per Studio I/O. If the show is changed from one of the DDs the complete Studio I/O with all DDs connected to it will get connected to the new show.
NOTE: a DIAGNOSTIC menu is accessible from the DD also: Far End errors and Near End errors.