Top

TDM Sync Feature

The TDM Sync feature provides a means to synchronise the operation of T1/E1/BRI circuits spanning across multiple units and to specify which port of a unit should be used as the reference.

All ISDN ports must be synchronised. When using one device, it is possible to specify a "source" port for the clock on which the other ports can be synchronised on. With several devices, the ports of the different units can also be synchronised. Therefore, it is very helpful to have a special TDM Sync port, with the clock, which can be shared between the devices.

Bad synchronisation can cause, for example:
  • Choppy video communications
  • Failure of fax transmissions
  • Lost of audio frames

The Sync signal transferred between units is an 8 KHz Frame Sync Pulse.


Top

Cabling Several Units for TDM Synchronisation

Context
Cabling is done using straight cables in a daisy chain.
Before you begin
The common practice is to have the first unit act as the Clock Master.
Steps
  1. Connect a standard Ethernet cable to the SYNC OUT port of the first device.
  2. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the SYNC IN port of another device.
  3. Connect all your units in the same fashion.
Result



Top

Selecting the Port Used for Synchronisation

Steps
  1. Access the DGW Web interface of your unit.
  2. Go to System/Hardware.
  3. In the Clock Reference Configuration table, from the Suggestion selection list, choose SYNCIN.
Result
The unit will be synchronised on the SYNC IN port.


Top

Examples

Using the Clock of 1 Unit to Synchronise Other Units

Context

In this example, four Mediatrix G7 are used. Unit A will share its clock with the other three G7 units (B,C, and D)

Steps
  1. For all units, go to ISDN/Primary Rate Interface.
  2. From the Endpoint Type selection, choose NT.
  3. From the Clock Mode selection list, choose Auto.
  4. For each unit, go to System/Hardware.
  5. In the Clock Reference Configuration table, from the Suggestion selection list, choose SYNCIN or leave it empty.
  6. Connect the units as follows:
    1. No cable in SYNCIN of unit A.
    2. SYNC OUT of unit A to SYNCIN of unit B.
    3. SYNC OUT of unit B to SYNCIN of unit C.
    4. SYNC OUT of unit C to SYNCIN of unit D.
Result



Top

Using the Clock Provided by the PBX to Synchronise Units

Steps
  1. For all units, go to ISDN/Primary Rate Interface.
  2. From the Endpoint Type selection, choose TE.
  3. From the Clock Mode selection list, choose Auto.
  4. No cabling is required.
Result
No cabling is required between units. All units will be slaves and will get the clock from the ISDN PBX.

Top

Using an External Clock Source To Synchronise Units

Context

In this example, three Mediatrix G7 are connected to use the clock provided from the PRI ISDN port of Unit A.

Steps
  1. For Unit A only, go to ISDN/Primary Rate Interface.
  2. From the Endpoint Type selection, choose TE.
  3. From the Clock Mode selection list, choose Auto.
  4. For all other units, go to ISDN/Primary Rate Interface.
  5. From the Endpoint Type selection, choose NT.
  6. From the Clock Mode selection list, choose Auto.
  7. For each unit, go to System/Hardware.
  8. For unit A only, in the Clock Reference Configuration table, from the Suggestion selection list, choose the Interface receiving the external clock source.
  9. For all other units, in the Clock Reference Configuration table, from the Suggestion selection list, choose SYNCIN.
  10. Connect the units as follows:
    1. No cable in SYNCIN of unit A.
    2. SYNC OUT of unit A to SYNCIN of unit B
    3. SYNC OUT of unit B to SYNCIN of unit C
    4. SYNC OUT of unit C to SYNCIN of unit D
Result



Top

Troubleshooting

Checking in DGW which Clock Source is Used

Steps
  1. Go to System/Hardware.
  2. In the Clock Reference Status table, the value of the Status field indicates the source of the active source clock.
Result



Top

Checking in the Traces which Clock Source is Used

Steps
  1. Go to System/Diagnostic.
  2. Click Dump Now.
  3. Go to Management/File.
  4. Check for a file with an *.tgz extension.
  5. Click the file name and download it locally.
  6. Extract the ZIP file and open the dmesg.txt file.
  7. Find the last entry of clockref.
Result
The last entry indicates the current clock reference. For example:
clockref: Now using port ext as clock reference.

Top

Online Help

If you are not familiar with the meaning of the fields and buttons, click Show Help, located at the upper right corner of the Web page. When activated, the fields and buttons that offer online help will change to green and if you hover over them, the description will bedisplayed.


Top

DGW Documentation

Mediatrix devices are supplied with an exhaustive set of documentation.

Mediatrix user documentation is available on the Media5 Documentation Portal.

Several types of documents were created to clearly present the information you are looking for. Our documentation includes:
  • Release notes: Generated at each GA release, this document includes the known and solved issues of the software. It also outlines the changes and the new features the release includes.
  • Configuration notes: These documents are created to facilitate the configuration of a specific use case. They address a configuration aspect we consider that most users will need to perform. However, in some cases, a configuration note is created after receiving a question from a customer. They provide standard step-by-step procedures detailing the values of the parameters to use. They provide a means of validation and present some conceptual information. The configuration notes are specifically created to guide the user through an aspect of the configuration.
  • Technical bulletins: These documents are created to facilitate the configuration of a specific technical action, such as performing a firmware upgrade.
  • Hardware installation guide: They provide the detailed procedure on how to safely and adequately install the unit. It provides information on card installation, cable connections, and how to access for the first time the Management interface.
  • User guide: The user guide explains how to customise to your needs the configuration of the unit. Although this document is task oriented, it provides conceptual information to help the user understand the purpose and impact of each task. The User Guide will provide information such as where and how TR-069 can be configured in the Management Interface, how to set firewalls, or how to use the CLI to configure parameters that are not available in the Management Interface.
  • Reference guide: This exhaustive document has been created for advanced users. It includes a description of all the parameters used by all the services of the Mediatrix units. You will find, for example, scripts to configure a specific parameter, notification messages sent by a service, or an action description used to create Rulesets. This document includes reference information such as a dictionary, and it does not include any step-by-step procedures.

Top

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2023 Media5 Corporation.

This document contains information that is proprietary to Media5 Corporation.

Media5 Corporation reserves all rights to this document as well as to the Intellectual Property of the document and the technology and know-how that it includes and represents.

This publication cannot be reproduced, neither in whole nor in part, in any form whatsoever, without written prior approval by Media5 Corporation.

Media5 Corporation reserves the right to revise this publication and make changes at any time and without the obligation to notify any person and/or entity of such revisions and/or changes.