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Network Integration Guide › Linux Server Platform Software Installation › Install the Software (Linux) › (Optional) Configure External Bypass Unit

(Optional) Configure External Bypass Unit

If the NBA installation includes an external bypass unit, configure it now so the NBA healthcheck process can correctly control it.

The NBA installation includes the following original scripts:

Because the original scripts can be overwritten by NBA upgrades, the installation creates the following working copies of the scripts:

These working copies of the original scripts are not overwritten by NBA upgrades. You modify these working copies to control your bypass unit individually.

The supplied scripts give examples for the control of Shore Micro SM2402/2404 and Interface Masters Niagara 2292 Bypass Units.

To use the supplied scripts to control the bypass unit:

  1. Uncomment the appropriate lines to control these bypass units, or insert your own set of commands to control other bypass units.
  2. Configure as much as possible in bypass_setup.sh. This script is only run once during start-up of the NBA "healthcheck" application.
  3. Verify that bypass_watchdog.sh only contains commands that complete fast, because this script runs approximately every 2 to 3 seconds. Aim to keep execution of this script under about half a second, including any timeouts for commands that fail.

Some bypass units are controlled by simple serial commands (for example, the Shore Micro SM2402), while others are controlled by a software utility. The utility is provided by the manufacturer and you need to install it manually.

To install a software utility to control the bypass unit

  1. Obtain the appropriate version of the software utility for use on CentOS 6 from the manufacturer.
  2. Install it on the NBA server.
  3. Verify that the utility has execute permissions: 
    chmod 755 utility-filename

Set up the following connections to the bypass unit. For other bypass units, determine the equivalent sockets and connect cables accordingly.

To set up connections

  1. Connect the supplied control cable between the bypass unit control port and the corresponding socket on the NBA. This connection is used for configuration of the bypass unit and to kick its watchdog to indicate that the NBA is alive.
    Shore Micro SM2402/2404

    USB B-type socket labeled "USB"

    Interface Masters Niagara 2292

    RJ45 socket labeled "Control"

    Silicom BSEM Bypass Switch

    USB B-type socket labeled "Console"

  2. Connect two RJ45 patch leads between equipment on the network at the required monitoring point and the bypass unit. These connections carry the network traffic and are linked through the bypass unit relays when in "bypass" mode.
    Shore Micro SM2402/2404

    RJ45 sockets labeled "Router" and "Switch"

    Interface Masters Niagara 2292

    RJ45 sockets labeled "Network"

    Silicom BSEM Bypass Switch

    RJ45 sockets labeled "Network 0" and "Network 1"

  3. Connect 2 RJ45 patch leads between the network monitoring ports on the NBA and the bypass unit. These connections carry the network traffic to the NBA through the bypass unit relays when in "online" mode.
    Shore Micro SM2402/2404

    RJ45 sockets labeled "Server1" and "Server2"

    Interface Masters Niagara 2292

    RJ45 sockets labeled "Monitor"

    Silicom BSEM Bypass Switch

    RJ45 sockets labeled "Port 0" and "Port 1"

  4. Connect the power cord.
    Shore Micro SM2402/2404

    Connect to mains.

    Interface Masters Niagara 2292

    Connect to included external 12 V power supply unit.

    Silicom BSEM Bypass Switch

    Connect to included external power supply unit.

When the installation of the bypass unit is complete, you start its control from the NBA.

To start the bypass unit control

Do one of the following: