SUMMARY
One of the many fault-tolerant features that
Athena offers is the ability to replace modules without disrupting
the services of other components. This ability is often termed
"hot-swap-ability", and serves to improve the overall
reliability of the network by reducing downtime during failure
replacement, or during expansion installations.
But, whether you're expanding your Athena
network by adding additional CPUs, carrier modules or interface
modules, or whether you're replacing a damaged module, you will only
benefit from this feature if you follow the correct procedures.
This article will outline how to install and
remove various Athena-based components such that you can benefit by
these fault-tolerant features too.
Please keep in mind that the CPU in an Athena/1 cannot be removed, and must be returned to the factory
for repair or replacement.
The handling of any electronic-based equipment should only be performed in a static-controlled
environment.
MORE INFORMATION
There are four (4) fundamental modules that
may be inserted or removed from an Athena during normal operations.
These four modules are the CPUs, the Interface carriers (either
static or dynamic), the Dynamic Interface Slide-ins, and finally the
Service carrier modules. And although the installation and removal
process is very similar between these components, there are
differences that you should be aware of.
Below, there is a section devoted to the
procedures of each module type.
Always Halt Trunks First
Before proceding with the removal of any Athena component, it is imperative that all trunks
associated with the component being removed are in the halted state. This ensures that the interface
components of the respective CPUs, carriers and interface modules are properly initialized in a known
isolated state. Failure to do so may result in further systemic impact.
To halt a trunk, follow this procedure and repeat for each trunk to be halted:
Athena CPU Insertion
To install a CPU into an available slot, follow the instructions below:
- If you will be installing a CPU into a currently unused slot, there may be a blanking panel
that you'll need to remove. To remove the blanking panel, simply loosen the screws that secure
the panel to the chassis, and remove. You may wish to store these panels in a safe area for later
re-use.
- Slowly, and evenly, slide the CPU into its designated slot until the System LED turns RED.
This means the CPU is pre-charged. You must wait for the System LED to turn on before completing
the installation. Failure to do so may result in erratic system behaviour.
- You may now complete the installation by applying firm, even pressure directly to the center of
the CPU. You should not use the ejectors to cause the CPU to seat into its mated connectors. It is
difficult to apply evenly distributed pressure using this method. By applying pressure to the center of the
CPU you will ensure the connectors on the CPU are straight and mate properly.
- Upon the complete insertion of the CPU into the chassis, the CPU will reset and initialize.
- The installation is complete and the CPU is initialized when the System LED goes GREEN.
Note: If the CPU is located in the first slot, the System LED may flash GREEN. This means that an
alarm is present in the system. To view the system alarms and clear this condition, proceed to the Alarm
command menu and view the alarms.
Athena CPU Removal
- Before removing the CPU, you should halt all trunks configured for this CPU.
- Halt all trunks on the CPU that you want to remove
- Once the trunks have been halted, it is safe to remove the CPU from
the chassis.
- Loosen the two screws that secure the CPU into the chassis. Note: These screws have a
retaining clip preventing complete removal from the CPU.
- By using the card ejectors, apply firm, even pressure, pushing outward on the ejectors. The CPU
will eject from its slot, and then can be completely removed.
Dynamic Carrier Insertion
Note: Before installing any carrier module, you should ensure that the CPU is secured to the chassis by its
screws located at each end of the CPU. Otherwise, installation of the carrier module may dislodge the CPU from
its position in the chassis impacting other services using that CPU.
- Always install the Dynamic Carrier module empty of its dynamic slide-ins. If there are other Dynamic
Interface Slide-ins, you should remove them from the carrier before proceeding further.
- Align the carrier with the chassis card guides located on the left and right of the slot. The carrier module
must be placed into these card guides in order for the installation to proceed without fault.
- If you find the carrier catches while it slides in, it means that the carrier is not going in straight.
Pull out the carrier slightly and re-align until it slides in smoothly. You may have to adjust the alignment
while pushing the carrier into place. It's recommended to used both hands, one at either end of the carrier,
to adjust the alignment.
- Slide the carrier in until the screws on the carrier are touching the chassis.
- To complete the insertion, apply firm pressure to the right-hand side of the carrier (port 4’s card guide end).
This will ensure that it mates with its respective connector on the CPU.
- Once carrier is completely installed, thread in the screws on both ends of the Dynamic Carrier module.
- You may now install all interface slide-ins as desired.
Dynamic Carrier Removal
- Halt all trunks associated with this carrier.
- Before attempting removal of the carrier, please remove all interface slide-in modules from the
Dynamic Carrier module.
- To remove the dynamic slide-in modules, please refer to the section on "Dynamic Slide-in Module Removal"
further along in this article.
- Completely loosen the two screws securing the carrier module to the chassis.
- The simplist method to use to remove the carrier from the chassis is to grasp the slide-in card guides inside
the chassis and by applying pressure outward, the carrier will dislodge from its mated CPU connector and can be
easily removed.
- Insert your index finger of your left hand behind the card guide located in slide-in position 3
- Insert your index finger of your right hand behind the card guide located in slide-in position trunk 4
- By using your thumbs and applying pressure to the back of the chassis, you can use a lever action pulling motion
to remove the Dynamic Carrier module.
Static and Service Carrier Insertion
Note: Before installing any carrier module, you should ensure that the corresponding CPU or Utility module is
secured to the chassis by its screws located at each end of the device. Otherwise, installation of the carrier
module may dislodge the CPU or Utility module from its position in the chassis impacting other services using
that device
- Align the carrier module with the chassis card guides
- Slide the carrier module into the slot until the carrier’s knurled screw and flat head screw touch
the chassis
- Place your thumb of your right hand over the small flat screw of the carrier module and with your
thumb and index finger of your left hand start turning the knurled screw clockwise
- By applying an even pressure on the small flathead screw of the module, the carrier will begin to
travel into the chassis
- Continue to turn the knurled screw until it is completely tightened
- With a standard flathead screwdriver, secure the small flat head screw to the chassis
Static and Service Carrier Removal
- Halt all trunks associated with this carrier.
- By using a flathead screwdriver, completely loosen the small screw at the lefthand side of
the carrier module.
- Located on the righthand side of the carrier is a knurled screw that can be used to easily and effectively
unseat the carrier from its mount. To loosen this screw, turn counter-clockwise.
- Continue to turn the knurled screw until the carrier stops travelling out of the chassis.
- By using your thumb and index finger, gently pull the carrier out of the chassis by grasping the
center portion of the carrier (in the area of the "Port 3" labeling).
Dynamic Interface Slide-in Module Insertion
- If a blanking panel is currently secured in the slot you wish to use, remove the blanking panel first.
- Align the Dynamic Interface slide-in module with the carrier card guides.
- Slide the module into the carrier until the mounting screws touch the card guides.
- By using a flathead screwdriver, secure the slide-in to the carrier module by turning the screwdriver clockwise.
Dynamic Interface Slide-in Module Removal
- Before proceeding with the removal of this interface, ensure that you have halted the associated trunk first.
- By using a flathead screwdriver, completely loosen the screws securing the slide-in to the carrier.
- As the screws loosen, the module will eject from its mated connector on the carrier.
REFERENCES
Please refer to the Athena's Operations and Planning Guide for further details.
Article I001 - Identifying Athena CPU2 Boards may be useful.§
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