- Network Status and Performance
TS presented the current (1/11/94) configuration diagram and the table
of present and proposed hardware locations. HS and AB explained that
JCMT continues to have problems with bridged connections because they
time out when traffic on the FDDI ring is high. They have switched to
a DNX-300 router for interface to the T-1 line to Hilo, which has
helped somewhat.
TS explained that the problems were believed to arise from the modems,
which will be phased out over the next several months as shown in
the proposed hardware location table. The CNX-600 and Quad Ethernet
Card for HP have arrived. Since the Ethernet card is in beta-test,
we will continue to use the current CNX-500 until the performance
of the new equipment has been checked. UKIRT will soon install
their own s/m FDDI board, allowing IfA D1 to be loaned to CFHT.
CFHT will order their own s/m board. A new CNX-500 (s/m) has been
received and will be loaned to CSO. The CNX-500 at HP, when free
will be loaned to IRTF until they can acquire their own equipment.
These steps will upgrade all nodes to CNX and eliminate the modems.
- Optical Bypasses
TS asked whether we should install an optical bypass on each router;
these are available from DiCon Fiberoptics at a cost of $2600.
Questions arose during discussion as to whether the bypasses would
require manual adjustment to attenuation (owing to inconsistency of
transceiver signal levels between FDDI boards), as is needed now
with the modems. If such adjustment were necessary, it would defeat
the purpose of the bypass. There was also a question of whether
the bypasses were really needed since the routers are expected to
be on UPS units, and a hardware failure at a single node would be
accommodated with the wrap-back feature on the adjacent routers.
The decision was to revisit the issue after the ring is reconfigured
to be all s/m and we have some experience with the performance.
At that time, a demo could be tested if we are still interested.
- Hewlett-Packard Network Analyzer
This is now available. We will look into the possibility storing
it in a secure location at HP. Request to use it would be sent to
TS, who would inform HP (Jimmy Nojiri) of the arrangements.
ACTION: BMc and TS to discuss with MKSS and report back.
- Router Maintenance
Currently, some routers on the FDDI ring are not covered by a
maintenance contract. It was agreed that this is not an acceptable
situation. It was also agreed that we should try to expand the
contract maintained by MKSS for the HP router so that it covers
all the routers. This would assure maintenance for all the routers
critical to the FDDI ring and could save money too. Many members
felt it would be administratively simpler as well and make it easier
for them to justify the expense.
ACTION: TS to look into expanded maintenance contract with
Proteon and report back in time for 1994/95 MKSS draft budget.
- Weather Images
Available through gopher.ssec.wisc.edu either through Mosaic
or plain gopher. Mosaic path is:
gopher://gopher.ssec.wisc.edu/11gsdc.d/goes_images.d.
Other weather information is available through:
http://rs560.cl.msu.edu/weather.
These images, while routinely available, are not well suited to our needs.
ACTION: TS to find out if SOEST can provide more useful images.
- Future Expansion
IfA is working with Hawaiian Tel on plans to install a fiber link
from HP to the microwave station at Humu'ula. This will permit the
bandwidth to both Hilo and Waimea to be increased to DS-3. We are
waiting on HawTel to provide specifications and a schedule.
Longer term, we expect ATM/SONET based services to replace the
current combination of Ethernet, FDDI and DS1-3.
- Utilities Relocation
The utilities on the summit ridge, including the fiber, will be
relocated to accommodate the Gemini 8-Meter Telescope, which will
occupy the present site of the Planetary Patrol Telescope. Gemini
has been asked to provide details of the relocation proposal -- for
discussion at our next meeting.
- Next Meeting
Friday April 15, 1994, 10:00 a.m. at Keck.
(Minutes courtesy of Bob McLaren)
