Planning for Your 128-Port Asynchronous Adapter

Successfully installing and configuring a 128-port asynchronous adapter and its associated remote asynchronous node (RAN) requires careful planning. The following discusses planning issues for the 128-port asynchronous adapter subsystem.

A planning worksheet is provided to assist you in gathering information needed for SMIT before beginning the configuration process.

The major areas of configuration for the 128-port asynchronous adapter are:

• RAN configuration
  • Local or direct RAN attachment
  • Remote RAN attachment
• RAN attached device configuration
  • EIA 232 asynchronous terminal configuration
  • EIA 232 asynchronous printer/plotter for a RAN
  • EIA 422 asynchronous terminal configuration printer/plotter

Planning Steps

1. Determine topology for each line based on user requirements and physical locations:
   • How many devices will be supported?
   • What kinds of devices?
   • Are the devices local, remote, or a combination of both?
   • What cables are needed, and can existing cables be used?
   The type and number of devices, their geographical location, and the expected data load associated with the devices will determine the types of cables to be used.

   Refer to "128-Port Asynchronous Adapter Cable Specifications and Cabling Scenarios" for information on cabling requirements.

   Refer to "Connecting a RAN to a 128-Port Asynchronous Adapter".

2. Select RAN node IDs. Refer to "Setting a RAN Node Number".
3. Determine the values for the SMIT 128-port asynchronous adapter configuration parameters.
   1. Use the "Line Speed and Line Cable Type Determination Flowchart" to select the line speed and line cable type.
   2. To select the node comm mode, follow the instructions in "Determining a RAN's Connection Type and SMIT Node Comm Mode Values".