4 Networking Generators

Transcription

1 4 Networking Generators Topics in this chapter: Overview Configuring a file server Establishing a network environment Network operations Controlling a generator remotely Upgrading generators over a network Cloning generators using the Generator FTP Browser 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 107

2 Overview This chapter describes how to use the generator in a networked environment. Quantum 882 generators can operate and be administered over an Ethernet LAN connection. By networking multiple generators together, you can centralize control in production environments. When networking generators, a file server containing a set of system and resource files is installed on the network. This arrangement allows you to: Set up generators to automatically retrieve and use a centrally-stored set of system and firmware files upon startup. This ensures that each generator on the network is running the same firmware. Set up generators to access a common set of objects, such as images and formats, from a file server. This allows each generator on the network to access the same set of standard and custom library files. Easily upgrade a generator s local system and library files from the file server. This ensures that each generator on the network is using the most current system and library files when booting and accessing files locally. Control and maintain your network of generators remotely from a single host PC. You can manage the generators through the command line interface, through the Virtual Front Panel in a Web browser, or by transferring files using the Generator FTP Browser. Generator file system The 882 generator file system is comprised of two main directories (folders): 1) System and 2) Library. The System folder contains the realtime operating system and firmware file (vxworks) and the gateware. The Library folder contains the following resource files: Fonts - Object files used to define the font types. Formats - XML files defining the format parameter settings. FormatLib - XML files for configuring the source list of formats Images - C++ object files, executables, bitmaps, and XML files for rendering images. ImageLib - XML files for configuring the content list of images Sequences - XML files with instructions for test sequences. Users - XML files for user configuration profiles 108 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

3 Configuring a file server This section describes how to set up a file server. The file server is a PC used to host the generator system and resource files to be shared by networked generators. To configure the file server, you must install FTP server software on it, create an FTP directory (site), and copy the 882 system and resource files into the FTP directory. File server specifications The minimum configuration for the file server should be as follows: Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating system Pentium-based processor (for example, Pentium 4) 256 MB SDRAM 20 MB of free disk space Note: If you will be using the Software Development Kit and gcc compiler to create custom images, an additional 100 MB of free disk space is required. Ethernet card and a connection to the corporate LAN CD-ROM drive (for loading the 882 system and resource files and documentation from the ResourceCD) Java Runtime Environment 1.5 or later Installing an FTP server Setting up an FTP server on the file server is necessary if you want the generators to boot from the file server or if you want to store files on the server that you can access from the generator in the Browse mode. Any standard FTP server program, such as Microsoft FTP Server, can be used. Microsoft FTP Server operates with Microsoft Internet Information Services; therefore, both must be installed on the server PC. 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 109

4 To set up the FTP server: 1. Install the FTP server software on the file server PC and create the FTP site directory. You can use Microsoft Internet Information Services shown below. 2. Configure the FTP site properties. a. On the Home Directory tab, enter the name of the Local Path (your default directory for the FTP server). By default, Microsoft Internet Information Services 110 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

5 uses C:\Inetpub\ftproot as the local path as shown below. You can use this path or click Browse to select a different path. b. On the Home Directory tab, specify read/write access. c. On the Security Accounts tab, select Allow only anonymous connections, and then click OK. 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 111

6 Copying resource files to the FTP site on the file server After installing the FTP server, you can download the generator system and resource files from the Quantum Data Web site and copy them to the FTP site on the file server. To copy generator system and resource files to the file server: 1. Create a download folder in a convenient location on your PC. 2. Access the download page of the Quantum Data Web site at: Chapter 4 Networking Generators

7 3. Copy the contents of the 882 folder from the download folder to the root folder on the FTP server. The resulting folder structure on the file server PC is shown below. 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 113

8 Establishing a network environment To create a network environment for your generators, you must physically connect the generators to the network, and then configure their IP addresses and the IP address of the file server. Procedures for these tasks are described in this section. Connecting generators to the network In a typical networked environment, you will connect the generators to the corporate, IP-based Ethernet LAN. In this scenario, you connect a standard Ethernet patch cable between the Ethernet port on the generator and a LAN access jack. The file server is also connected to the LAN in the same manner. straight-through patch cable LAN straight-through patch cable File Server Another type of network scenario is to directly connect a single generator to a file server. For a direct connection, you must use a crossover Ethernet cable and connect it from the Ethernet port on the file server to the generator Ethernet port as shown below. Note: If you are using a PC that is connected to a network that automatically assigns an IP address, and you will be disconnecting from that network to connect to the crossover cable and generator, you must manually enter an IP address into the PC so it can communicate with the generator. The network portions of the IP addresses of the generator and the PC must match. crossover cable File Server When the network connection on the generator is active, the Network LED lights on the front panel. 114 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

9 Setting the generator s IP address You can either set the IP address of the generator manually with an address you select or automatically by using the built in DHCP support. The default state of the generator is that DHCP is off. So you have to enable it if you want the IP address to be set automatically from a DHCP server. The procedures for setting the IP address manually and enabling DHCP for auto configuration are provided below. Each generator on the network must have a unique IP address if you want to control the generator over a network, or want the generator to share resources located on a file server. Typically, your site s LAN administrator will provide you with IP addresses for each generator. Depending on how your site s LAN is configured, your LAN adminstrator may also provide you with a subnet mask. To set the IP address of the generator: 1. Press the Tools key. The Tools menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. System Sequence Probe AFC Reports ImgShift Analyzer CEC 2. Choose the System item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The System menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. *Clock CalFactor Network Serial Clone Server About Gpib 3. Choose the Network item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The generator s IP address and subnet mask appear on the generator s display as shown below. IP Address Subnet Mask Press the Settings key. The Network Connection screen appears on the generator s display as shown below. Network Connection Set TCP/IP IP Address If the IP Address configuration option is not visible, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow symbol by SubnetMask until IP Address appears. 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 115

10 5. Change the IP address as follows: a. Position the blinking cursor on the address digit you want to change. To do this, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow by the address to move the cursor left or right until it appears on the digit you want to change. b. Adjust the value of the digit up or down by pressing the + or - keys. Repeat for each IP address digit you want to change. 6. If necessary, change the subnet mask as follows: a. If the SubnetMask configuration option is not visible, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow symbol by IP Address until SubnetMask appears. b. Position the blinking cursor on the subnet mask digit you want to change. To do this, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow by the subnet mask to move the cursor left or right until it appears on the digit you want to change. c. Adjust the value of the digit up or down by pressing the + or - keys. Repeat for each subnet mask digit you want to change. Network Connection Set TCP/IP SubnetMask To save the changes, press the Enter (Options) key. The following choices appear on the generator s display: Apply Settings? Yes Back No To save the changes, choose the Yes item by pressing the adjacent soft key. To exit without saving the changes, choose the No item. To return to the Network Connection screen without saving the changes, choose the Back item. 8. Power cycle the generator to invoke the new IP address. To enable DHCP for auto IP address configuration of the generator: 1. Press the Tools key. The Tools menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. System Sequence Probe AFC Reports ImgShift Analyzer CEC 116 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

11 2. Choose the System item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The System menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. *Clock CalFactor Network Serial Clone Server About Gpib 3. Choose the Network item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The generator s IP address and subnet mask appear on the generator s display as shown below. IP Address Subnet Mask Press the Settings key. The Network Connection screen appears on the generator s display as shown below. Network Connection Set TCP/IP IP Address If the DHCP configuration option is not visible, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow symbol by SubnetMask or IP Address until the DHCP configuration screen appears. Network Connection TCP/IP DHCP Enabled NO 5. Change the setting to YES by pressing the + key. Network Connection TCP/IP DHCP Enabled YES 6. To save the changes, press the Enter (Options) key. The following choices appear on the generator s display: Apply Settings? Yes Back No To save the changes, choose the Yes item by pressing the adjacent soft key. To exit without saving the changes, choose the No item. To return to the Network Connection screen without saving the changes, choose the Back item. 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 117

12 7. Power cycle the generator to set the IP address of the generator. Setting the file server IP address in the generator You must enter the IP address of the file server in each generator so the generator can communicate with the file server. In addition, you can also enter a name (called the Host Name) for the file server. To specify the IP address and host name of the file server: 1. Press the Tools key. The Tools menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. System Sequence Probe AFC Reports ImgShift Analyzer CEC 2. Choose the System item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The System menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. *Clock CalFactor Network Serial Clone Server About Gpib 3. Choose the Server item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The server name and IP address appear on the generator s display. Server IP Address Server Name Host01 4. Press the Settings key. The Network Host screen appears on the generator s display as shown below. Server IP Address If the Host Address configuration option is not visible, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow symbol by Host Name until Host Address appears. 118 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

13 5. Change the host address as follows: a. Position the blinking cursor on the address digit you want to change. To do this, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow by the address to move the cursor left or right until it appears on the digit you want to change. b. Adjust the value of the digit up or down by pressing the + or - keys. Repeat for each address digit you want to change. 6. (Optional) Change the host name as follows: a. If the Host Name configuration option is not visible, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow symbol by Host Address until Host Name appears. b. Position the blinking cursor on the character you want to change. To do this, press the soft key adjacent to the arrow by the name to move the cursor left or right until it appears on the character you want to change. c. Select the desired character by pressing the + or - keys to scroll through uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. Repeat for each character you want to change. Network Host Set Boot Host Host Name Host To save the changes, press the Enter (Options) key. The following choices appear on the generator s display: Apply Settings? Yes Back No To save the changes, choose the Yes item by pressing the adjacent soft key. To exit without saving the changes, choose the No item. To return to the Network Host screen without saving the changes, choose the Back item. 8. Power cycle the generator to set the server IP address. 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 119

14 Network operations This section provides common networking tasks, such as booting generators from the file server, accessing files stored on the file server, transfering files from the file server to the generator, and controlling the generator remotely. Booting a generator from the file server A generator can be set up to boot from an operating system (vxworks) file stored on the file server. To do this, you must set the IP address of the file server in the generator, and then configure the generator to use the file server as a boot device. For instructions on setting the IP address of the file server in the generator, see To enable DHCP for auto IP address configuration of the generator: on page 116. Procedures for booting the generator from the file server are provided below. For procedures to boot a stalled generator refer to Reconfiguring and booting a stalled generator on page 91. To configure the generator to boot from the file server: 1. Press the Tools key. The Tools menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. System Sequence Probe AFC Reports ImgShift Analyzer CEC 2. Choose the System item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The System menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. 3. Scroll down to the end of the System menu by pressing the - key until the following menu items appear on the generator s display: CalFactor Network Serial BootFrom Host About Gpib Init 4. Choose the BootFrom item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The BootFrom menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. Boot From Server *Card Flash 5. Choose the NetPlace item by pressing the adjacent soft key. 120 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

15 Sharing objects on a file server The generator can be set up to access shared format, image, and sequence files stored on a file server. To do this, you must set the generator s path to point to the corresponding folders on the file server. You can set the path using the command line interface or the front panel. To set the generator s path using the command line interface: 1. Establish a session with the generator using either HyperTerminal over a serial connection or Telnet over an Ethernet LAN. See Establishing a terminal session with the generator on page 29 or Establishing a Telnet session with the generator on page For each file type (format, image, and sequence), set the path parameter to the corresponding folder on the file server using the following commands: FMTP hostname:/library/formats IMGP hostname:/library/images SEQP hostname:/library/sequences For example if your file server host name is Host01, you would enter the following command to set the format path to the Formats directory on the file server: FMTP Host01:/Library/Formats Note: The hostname portion of the path is case sensitive. The generator will now display the formats on the file server when you press the Source key. To set the generator s path using the front panel: 1. Place the generator in Browse mode by holding down the Tools key until the media menu appears on the generator s display as shown below. Flashmem NetPlace PCCard Cache 2. Choose the NetPlace item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The folders on the file server appear on the generator s display as shown below. System Library 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 121

16 3. Choose the Library item by pressing the adjacent soft key. A list of folders in the library folder appear on the generator s display as shown below. Fonts Formats Sequence Users FormatLib Images UserData WebFiles 4. Press the soft key adjacent to the folder you want to use. For example, to use the Formats folder, press the soft key adjacent to Formats. The contents of the selected folder appears on the generator s display. 5. Choose an item by pressing the adjacent soft key. The path is now set to the selected folder on the file server. 122 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

17 Controlling a generator remotely In addition to controlling the generator using the front panel keys, you can also control the generator from a remote PC either through the Virtual Front Panel Web-based interface or the command line interface. Using the Virtual Front Panel to operate a generator remotely The 882 generator has a built-in Web server that provides a graphical interface called the Virtual Front Panel to control the generator. With the Virtual Front Panel, you can perform the same tasks as you would with the generator s front panel. To use the Virtual Front Panel on your PC you must have the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5 or later installed on your PC. You can download the JRE from For more information about using the Virtual Front Panel, see Working with the Virtual Front Panel on page 20. Maintaining the generator s file system using the Generator FTP Browser If you create objects on a PC, such as images or formats, you can copy these objects to a generator if you want the generator to load them locally. For example, you may want to create a new image on the file server PC, and then copy the image to certain generators in your production environment. The Generator FTP Browser enables you to copy files between the file server PC and the generators. You can also use the Generator FTP Browser to copy files between media in the generator. For example, you can update the generator s PC card with the generator s flash memory or update the flash memory with files on the PC card. You can also update the media of one generator with the contents of another generator s media. For more information about using the Generator FTP Browser, see Working with the Generator FTP Browser on page 23. Operating the generator remotely through the command line interface You can operate the generator remotely using the command line interface through either a Telnet session over an Ethernet LAN or the command terminal on the Virtual Front Panel Web page. For instructions on connecting to the generator using Telnet, see Establishing a Telnet session with the generator on page 32. For instructions on using the command terminal through the Virtual Front Panel, see Working with the CMD (Command) Terminal on page /882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 123

18 Upgrading generators over a network An upgrade to a network of generators can involve a new system and firmware file ( vxworks ), a new gateware file, and new library resource files. In some cases you may be upgrading only the firmware or only the gateware, but not both. In other cases, the upgrade may involve only new images or formats. The procedures you follow for an upgrade will therefore depend on what you are upgrading. This section provides procedures for upgrading generators over a LAN. The procedures for upgrading a single generator that is not connected to a LAN are provided in Upgrading the generator on page 81. Upgrade options and procedures The recommended procedure for upgrading is to upgrade the file server and the flash memory of each generator. Upgrading the PC card is optional, depending on how your site uses the PC card. For example, you may decide to leave the current files on the PC card so you can return to a known operational state should the upgrade fail. To begin an upgrade, you must either have a CD-ROM containing the new files, or download the files from the Quantum Data Web site. You will copy the new files to your file server PC which must be connected to the LAN through the Ethernet cable. Overview of upgrade procedures The following are the high-level steps for performing a complete upgrade (system and firmware file, gateware, and library resource files) to generators over a network. Detailed instructions for each step are provided in the sections that follow. 1. Back up the current file server system and firmware file, gateware, and library files. 2. Copy the new generator system and firmware file, gateware, and resource files onto the file server PC. 3. Remove the system and firmware file, gateware, and library resource files from each generator s flash memory. 4. Copy the new system and firmware file, gateware, and library resource files from the file server PC to each generator s flash memory. 5. Reboot all generators. Backing up the current files on the file server Backing up the current files ensures that you can return to a known operational state should the upgrade fail. 124 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

19 To back up the current files on the file server: 1. Create a separate, backup folder on your file server PC (not in the FTP folder) to house the files currently used by the network of generators. 2. Open the FTP site folder and copy the contents of the folder to your backup folder. These should include the 882 directory and the System and Library folders as shown below. 3. If any of the generators have custom format, image, sequence, or font files that do not also reside on the file server, you must back them up to the backup folder on the file server independently to preserve them. See Backing up the current generator files on page 87 for instructions. You might want to back up only the custom files on the generator to a custom folder on the file server you create. Alternatively if you are sure you want to restore a generator with its current set of library files you can simply backup its entire library folder to a custom folder on the file server. Copying files to the PC file server After you have backed up your existing files, you must delete the current files from the FTP folder on the file server, and then copy the new, updated files to the FTP folder. Before you begin, you must either have a CD-ROM containing the new system, gateware, and library files, or download the files from the Quantum Data Web site. To copy the new files to the file server: 1. Open the FTP site folder and delete the contents. 2. Open the 882 folder from the location where you downloaded the files from the Quantum Data Web site. 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 125

20 3. Copy the contents of the 882 folder to the FTP site folder. The resulting folder structure is shown below. Removing current files from the generators Prior to upgrading the generators, you must remove the existing system and firmware file, gateware, and resource files from the flash memory of each generator. For instructions on removing files from the generator, see Removing current files from the generator on page 90. If you are also installing the new files on the generator s PC card, you must also remove the current files from the PC card. Copying the new files to each generator Now you are ready to copy the new, updated system and firmware, gateware, and library resource files to the generators to complete the upgrade. See Copying the new files to the generator on page 90 for instructions. Reboot the generators The upgrade is now complete and you are ready to reboot the generators from the updated system files you just copied to each generator s flash memory. Reboot each generator by cycling the power. 126 Chapter 4 Networking Generators

21 Cloning generators using the generator FTP Browser You can clone generators either through the front panel or through the Generator FTP Browser on the Virtual Front Panel Web page. Procedures for cloning generators through the front panel are provided in Cloning generators on page 94. This section describes how to clone generators by copying system and library files over the network using the Generator FTP Browser. To clone a generator: 1. Access the generator s FTP browser by choosing the FTP Browser menu item from the main web page. The Generator FTP Browser appears. The Instrument Files area shows the files stored on the generator. The Host Files area shows the files stored on the PC. 881/882 Video Test Generator User Guide (Rev A.11) 127

22 2. Open a second Web browser. You now have two instances of the Generator FTP Browser running: one for the source generator and one for the target generator. 3. In the Generator FTP Browser window for the target generator, delete all of the files in the target generator s flash memory as follows: a. In the Instrument Files area, click the down arrow by the Look in box and select tffs0. This is the target generator s flash memory. b. Select all of the System and Library folders in the lower pane. c. Click the Delete button. A confirmation dialog box appears. d. Click OK to delete the files. 4. Copy all of the files in the source generator s flash memory to the target generator s flash memory as follows: a. In the Instrument Files area of source generator s Generator FTP Browser window, click the down arrow by the Look in box and select tffs0. This is the source generator s flash memory. b. Select the System and Library folders in the lower pane. c. Hold down the SHIFT key and drag the selected folders to the Instrument Files area of the target generator s Generator FTP Browser window. A confirmation dialog box appears. d. Click OK to copy the files. 128 Chapter 4 Networking Generators